Resolve Mechanical Deformations through Cold and Hot Precision Straightening

25 February 2022

Several metal parts undergo heat treatment to ensure that they boast great qualities along the way. Heat treatment is a process of heating metals below their melting stage before cooling them in a regulated way. The characteristics of metal parts vary based on the type of heat treatment that has been carried out. Some may become stronger, while others can be more ductile or malleable.

Mechanical deformations among tempered or quenched metal parts, however, can be generated whenever their stress is greater than their yield strength. And to revert their qualities to a good state, the metal parts are recommended to undergo precision straightening.

To date, two types of precision straightening can be maximised by manufacturers. These are cold and precision straightening. The following are some things that you should about them.

Cold Precision Straightening

Metal parts can be loaded into a high-power mechanical press and straightened if their microcrystalline grain has not yet assumed hardened form. They can then undergo high tolerance straightening by passing them into a grinding machine. Keep in mind, however, that cold precision straightening can only be employed on metals with high elasticity. Once hard metal parts undergo this specific type of precision straightening, they may end up having cracks and stress fractures.

Hot Precision Straightening

Hot precision straightening, on the other hand, can be maximised for parts that cannot be processed by their cold counterpart. Metal parts that undergo hot precision straightening are typically clamped. Restoration of their profile to their acceptable tolerances is then employed through controlling the direction of the linear-restoration vector. Strains may be expected after the straightening process. Therefore, metal parts are recommended to undergo further annealing. 

Technological Developments

Precision straightening, in general, entails the process of passing metal parts to several rolls in varying diameters, which would differ based on the thickness of the parts. The rolls have a range of 25 to 100mm in diameter. And in choosing the best diameter, manufacturers must rely on the width of the metal parts. They likewise must pinpoint the degree of straightness they want to achieve.

As time passes, precision straightening has seen significant improvements. Manufacturers can now maximise proprietary technologies to ensure that metal parts can achieve a dead-level profile. Most of these technologies are aided by computers, making sure that all calculations will be accurate. 

Without undergoing precision straightening, the heat-treated metal parts might crack or split. To know more about this specific process, you can contact us at Alpha Detroit Heat Treatment. We can offer the widest range of specialty heat treatment services for complex engineering projects and play a key role in the manufacturing of parts for all industries in Australia and New Zealand.

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