RiAlto Blog

When it comes to selecting the right type of metal for your manufacturing needs, there are several factors to consider:

• How will the metal respond to its environment? Will it corrode or oxidize when exposed to water?
• Does the part require strength? If the item will be load-bearing, you’ll need a metal that can resist force, so hardness and tensile strength are critical.
• How easy is it to work with? If you need to form it to a specific shape, is it pliable enough to manipulate? If you need to weld with it, does it accept a weld easily or will there be additional steps or advanced techniques that could affect timelines and cost?
• Last, but never least – cost. Which material will be the most cost-effective for the application?

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel, a versatile alloy consisting of iron and other elements, offers numerous benefits for manufacturing needs.

Benefits:

One of its primary advantages is the exceptional durability it provides, making it resistant to corrosion, stains, and rust. This attribute makes stainless steel ideal for various applications where hygiene is crucial – from kitchen utensils to medical equipment. Moreover, its strength allows manufacturers to create structures with thinner sections without compromising integrity or safety standards. In terms of uses, this alloy finds extensive application in industries such as construction and automotive due to its ability to withstand extreme temperatures and pressures.

Drawbacks:

The initial cost of utilizing stainless steel might be higher compared to other materials like plastic or aluminum alloys. However, the long-term benefits outweigh this disadvantage by far. Its low maintenance requirements result in reduced repair costs over time while ensuring longevity that often surpasses alternative options – ultimately proving more cost-effective in the grand scheme of manufacturing operations.

Mild Steel

Benefits:

Compared to other metals like stainless steel or aluminum, mild steel is relatively inexpensive and readily available in large quantities. Its affordability makes it an attractive option for mass production industries where cost optimization is crucial.

With its durability and high tensile strength, this material works well in construction projects requiring structural integrity while being easily weldable and malleable enough for fabrication purposes such as forming beams or plates efficiently without compromising stability or functionality.

Drawbacks:

Mild steel does not have the same anti-corrosion capabilities as stainless steel. This can be overcome if properly protected through coatings or maintenance measures like regular painting with suitable protective finishes.

Aluminum

Benefits:

A versatile and lightweight metal, aluminum offers a high strength-to-weight ratio, making it an ideal choice for industries that require sturdy yet lightweight materials. This property allows for the production of strong and durable products while minimizing overall weight, resulting in improved fuel efficiency for transportation purposes and reduced strain on structures. Additionally, aluminum’s corrosion resistance ensures longevity and minimizes maintenance costs over time.

Drawbacks:

Aluminum lacks durability compared to other metals like stainless steel or mild steel which limits its use in high-stress applications. Cost is a consideration with aluminum. While the cost of aluminum is higher than steel, we would still consider it an affordable option, especially when considering its benefits.

 Copper

Benefits:

One of the key advantages of copper is its exceptional conductivity, making it ideal for electrical wiring and transmission systems. Its high thermal conductivity also allows efficient heat dissipation, leading to its use in cooling systems and heat exchangers. Copper boasts excellent corrosion resistance properties, ensuring durability and longevity in diverse environments such as underground pipes or outdoor structures. Additionally, this malleable material can be easily formed into intricate shapes without compromising its structural integrity—making it suitable for complex designs in architecture or decorative elements.

Drawbacks:

Despite the impressive benefits, there are some considerations when opting for copper. The primary concern relates to cost; due to its limited supply and increasing demand across several industries worldwide, the price of copper tends to be higher compared to other metals commonly used in manufacturing processes. However, considering its exceptional qualities and long-term performance advantages over less expensive alternatives may justify the initial investment required when using copper for specific needs.

Brass

Benefits:

When it comes to manufacturing needs, brass offers a multitude of benefits that make it a popular choice. One of the key advantages is its exceptional durability and resistance to corrosion, making it ideal for applications in industries such as construction and plumbing. Brass also possesses excellent thermal conductivity, rendering it suitable for heat exchange components like radiators and condensers. Furthermore, its malleability allows for easy shaping and forming during production processes, ensuring versatility in design options.

Automotive manufacturers utilize brass fittings within engines due to their reliable performance under high temperatures and pressures. The electrical industry takes advantage of brass’s low electrical resistivity by incorporating it into connectors or terminals where efficient conductivity is crucial.

Drawbacks:

Brass has higher material cost than other common metals such as steel or aluminum alloys used in manufacturing processes. Moreover, fabrication expenses need consideration since specialized tools often come into play when working with this particular metal.

Ultimately choosing the right metal based on your manufacturing needs requires knowledge about their various strengths and weaknesses paired with proper cost-benefit analysis balancing quality of the final product against expenses incurred utilizing one material over another. When working with RiAlto Manufacturing, you can trust in our ability to provide top-quality recommendations tailored to meet your individual requirements.

You’re a manufacturer supporting a Tier 1 supplier struggling to keep up with demand. How can you continue to grow your company without adding manpower, equipment, or space? The answer is simple – partner with RiAlto Manufacturing!

We had a customer in this situation who was searching for similar types of shops that could help them keep up with increased customer demands. Their requirements were that the partner must be able to handle parts of various shapes and sizes along with different quantities from prototype to mass production and have strong quality standards. This company had never outsourced before, so they also needed a partner to help them navigate the process. RiAlto was a perfect fit.

First, we assisted with creating and implementing new procedures so we could successfully work together to build quality parts and ensure they were delivered on time and within budget.  Next our specialty in prototyping meant we were able to obtain quality approval on the parts quickly to begin the manufacturing process. One of the major hurdles was the location distance between both companies. This gap didn’t allow us to just hop in the car and review procedures or parts.  There were many phone calls, emails, texts, and web calls to ensure we both understood what was needed. This worked well, and we believe helped both companies grow stronger in all relationships from purchasing to quality.

The need for mass production of parts of various sizes was no issue for RiAlto. We deal with hundreds of jobs in process from one part to thousands. The use of cutting-edge technology allows for precision cuts, perfect measurements, and efficient workflows resulting in faster turn-around times without sacrificing quality or accuracy. Tier 1 suppliers have stringent standards, so quality was top-of-mind. Being ISO 9001:2015 compliant helped our customer understand that quality was integrated in all facets of our operations.

We were asked to quote parts and began to build a solid relationship and purchase orders came fast. The customer has seen much success in outsourcing mass production parts to RiAlto and is able to grow their business without adding capital expenses.  We have continued our own growth with this customer through the last year, adding more mass production parts and parts with added operations.

RiAlto is a one stop shop that can handle many types of manufacturing needs from: welding, machining, laser cutting, metal forming, assembly, paint and more! If you are looking or being forced to grow, but don’t have the employees, equipment, or space, give us a try!

Custom metal fabrication is a smart, cost-effective way to improve your manufacturing process. Whether it be structural components, custom prototypes or even complete systems, there’s no doubt this type of fabrication offers several advantages over traditional manufacturing methods.

What is Custom Metal Fabrication?

Custom metal fabrication is the process of creating custom metal parts. This can include everything from cutting and shaping metal to welding and assembling it into a final product. It’s a versatile manufacturing process that can be used to create a wide variety of products, ranging from medical equipment to car parts.

At RiAlto Manufacturing we’ve fabricated small components to be utilized in the assembly line process to reduce touchpoints and increase worker efficiency. We’ve also produced hundreds of panels that the end-user assembled to meet their specific storage needs. We’re capable of designing and producing made-to-order equipment and fixtures to help our customers meet their goals.

Custom vs Mass-Produced: Which Solution is Best for You?

There’s nothing wrong with mass-produced items. If the part you need is a standard size, shape, or material then custom fabrication is unnecessary. The time to look toward custom metal fabrication is when you need the ability to create complex shapes, create components from a variety of materials, and tailor products to specific needs.

Custom metal fabrication allows you to create unique designs rather than being limited by the designs that are available off-the-shelf. You can work with RiAlto to create a unique design to get exactly the product you want, without any compromises.

Working with RiAlto Manufacturing can also be more cost-effective than purchasing mass-produced items.  Our experienced team can guide you to the most cost-effective materials and production methods for your project. In many cases, we can save you money without sacrificing quality or your specific needs.

Everyone is looking to streamline the manufacturing process. RiAlto can get your parts and components cut, bent, and assembled exactly how you need them, saving time and money by reducing the amount of time spent on manual labor. Outsourcing the manufacturing of these components saves you man-hours, equipment costs, and material expenses.

In addition, custom-made products often have a higher quality than mass-produced items. This is because each piece is made with care and attention to detail, rather than being mass-produced on an assembly line. As a result, custom products can often last longer and perform better than their mass-produced counterparts.

Conclusion

Custom metal fabrication is an excellent way to maximize the efficiency of your business and increase productivity. By using custom metal fabrication, you can create specialized pieces that are specific for your project needs and design unique parts for increased performance. If you’d like more information on how a relationship with RiAlto Manufacturing could benefit your business, contact us today!