Metal fabricating and welding glossary

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Air bend die

Angle-forming dies in which the metal is formed without striking the bottom of the die. Metal contact is made at only three points in the cross section - the nose of the male die and the two edges of a V-shaped die opening.

Air bending

A metal forming operation in which a metal part is formed without the punch and die closing completely on the part. See press brake.

Alloy

A substance that has metallic properties and is composed of two or more chemical elements of which at least one is an elemental metal. A metal that contains one or more other elements usually added to increase strength or give the base metal important properties

Alloy steels

A steel to which one or more alloying elements other than carbon and the commonly accepted amounts of manganese, silicon, sulfur, and phosphorus have been deliberately added (e.g. chromium, nickel, molybdenum) to achieve a particular physical property.

Photo of alloy steel.

Angle iron

An iron or steel structural member that has been cast, rolled, bent (folded) so that its cross section is changed to and “L” shape.

Angle plate

A precision holding fixture made out of cast iron, steel, or granite. The two principal faces meet at right angles and they may be slotted to accommodate holding the workpiece or for clamping to a table.

Automatic press

A press with built-in electrical and pneumatic control in which the work is fed mechanically through the press in synchronism with the press action.

Automatic press stop

A machine-generated signal for stopping the action of a press, usually after a complete cycle, by disengaging the clutch mechanism and engaging the brake mechanism.

Automatic welding

Uses equipment which welds without the constant adjusting of controls by the welder or operator. Equipment controls joint alignment by using an automatic sensing device. See robotic welding.

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