Why can stainless steel pick up rust marks despite its corrosion resistance? When does TIG welding make sense, and when laser welding? What does a DIN 2303 Q2 qualification actually tell you? And what does a manufacturer need in order to assess an enquiry reliably?
In our knowledge section we explain technical subjects around metal manufacturing, materials, welding, quality and bespoke work – practically, in plain terms, and with an eye on what actually matters to design and purchasing.
Knowledge from the shop floor
Our articles do not come from theory. Many of these subjects come up regularly in:
manufacturing enquiries
technical discussions
welded structures
questions of material
quality requirements
bespoke builds and small batches
So this is less about theoretical foundations than about one question: what does a technical subject mean in practice for the part and the way it is made?
Materials & surface
Segregated production – what does it actually mean?
Stainless steel and high-grade aluminium surfaces can be spoiled while the part is still being made. Segregated production describes a controlled environment in which stainless steel and aluminium are protected from unwanted contact with other types of steel and with foreign material. In the article we explain:
Rust marks on stainless steel: why does “stainless” rust?
Not every rust spot means the stainless steel itself is corroding. Often the iron particles come from:
tools
abrasives
steel dust
transport equipment
neighbouring processes
They settle on the stainless surface and corrode there. The article explains how rust marks arise and why avoiding them begins while the part is being made. More on rust marks
Welding
TIG, MIG or laser welding? Which process suits which component?
There is no single best welding process. The right choice depends on material, thickness, geometry, the look of the seam, heat input, quantity and accessibility, among other things.
TIG offers different possibilities from MIG. Laser welding, in turn, is of particular interest where low heat input and high repeatability are called for. We explain the essential differences – and why the design of the part often matters more than a table of processes.
DIN 2303 plays a particular part in welded components for defence work. But what does Q2 actually mean? And how does the manufacturer qualification differ from a component class such as BK2? The article explains:
what DIN 2303 governs
what Q1 and Q2 mean
why materials and welding procedures are part of the scope
what a DIN 2303 qualification does not automatically tell you
AD 2000 HP 0 explained: manufacturer qualification in pressure vessel construction
With pressure-bearing components it is not enough that a company can weld stainless steel. Material, welding, quality assurance and the organisation of production all have to meet the requirements that apply. We explain:
what AD 2000 HP 0 stands for
what part welding plays
how it relates to DIN EN ISO 3834
why the component specification remains decisive nonetheless
The more complete the technical details, the sounder the quotation. “Please quote for this part” is often not enough for demanding bespoke work. For a quick, reliable assessment the following help:
Technical knowledge is most valuable when it is brought in early. A small change to a bend radius, a seam position, a material, a surface or a tolerance can have a considerable effect on manufacturability, cost or quality.
With this section we therefore want to do more than explain terms: we want to show how design, material and manufacturing hang together. Capability & limits
Do you have a technical question?
Not every question needs an article of its own. If you would like a particular part or manufacturing task assessed, send us the drawing or the CAD data. Our production planning team and the shop floor will look at it.
Send us your drawing or CAD data by email – together with material, batch size and your requirements. We will come back to you with a sound assessment.
