It can be helpful for Design & Technology students to have an understanding of how to cut, drill, and shape metal. This article summarises basic metalworking methods and practical techniques.
Casting – Molten metal is poured into a mold and allowed to solidify into the desired shape, such as sand casting (bit primitive, not high quality finish), Plaster of Paris casting (only works for non-ferrous metals), and gravity die casting.
Forging – Metal is heated and shaped through compressive forces using hammers or presses.
Rolling – Metal is passed through rollers to reduce thickness and create sheets, plates, or specific profiles.
Extrusion – Metal is pushed through a die opening to create continuous profiles with a fixed cross-section.
Drawing – Metal is pulled through a die to reduce its diameter and create wires or tubes.
Stamping/Pressing – Sheet metal is formed using dies and presses to create specific shapes through cutting, bending, or embossing.
Machining – Material is removed from a workpiece using cutting tools (turning, milling, drilling) to achieve precise dimensions.
Bending – Metal is deformed around an axis to create angles and curves without removing material.
Spinning – A metal disc is rotated at high speed and formed over a mandrel to create axially symmetric parts.
Powder Metallurgy – Metal powder is compacted and heated below melting point to create solid parts.
Grinding – An abrasive wheel or belt removes small amounts of material to achieve precise dimensions, smooth surfaces, or sharp edges. It’s typically used as a finishing process after other forming operations, but a grinder can also be used to cut through metal.
Manual cutting with hack saw
Amiria has a Bachelor of Architectural Studies, Bachelor of Architecture (First Class Honours) and a Graduate Diploma of Teaching. She is a CIE Accredited Art & Design and Design & Technology Coursework Assessor. Amiria now teaches Art, Design & Technology at ACG Parnell College.