Guides on Steel Profiles Forgings and Material Selection
Six guides written from our own process data, for buyers comparing routes and engineers writing the drawing.
Hot Rolled vs Cold Drawn Special Profiles
The two routes differ in surface, tolerance and maximum size. This is how to decide which one your part needs.
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How to Specify a Custom Steel Profile
What a profile mill actually needs from your drawing, and what happens if one of those items is missing.
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Open Die Forging Explained
What open die forging does to the steel, which shapes suit it, and where rolled rings take over.
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Steel Grades for Forged Gears and Shafts
A practical map of the alloy grades we forge, by application rather than by standard.
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Stainless Steel Surface Finishes Guide
What each stainless finish designation means and which application it is normally specified for.
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When to Choose a Shaped Tube Profile
Shaped tube removes brackets, welds and adapters. Here is how to judge whether your design qualifies.
Read the guideFrequently Asked Questions
Who are these guides written for?
Buyers comparing manufacturing routes and design engineers deciding what to put on a drawing.
Are the figures in the guides your real process limits?
Yes, the tolerances, cross sections and grade lists come from our own process data.
Can I ask a question that is not covered?
Yes, email the question with your drawing and our engineers will answer it directly.
Still Deciding on a Process
Send the part and we will tell you which route suits it, and what each option means for tolerance, lead time and cost.