If the product is not made of steel, it is likely to be produced by a machine made of steel. Steel is all around us, your car, your cell phone, your fridge, and even the plastic and glass bottles in your fridge – they are either made of steel or made with steel tools. Plastic auto parts, glasses, and computer cases are all made using steel molds. Steel is essential in our modern world.
Application of steel in the machinery and tool industry
Tools & Machinery covers a wide range of equipment, from small workshop tools to large factory robotic machinery and rolling mills. As of 2017, tools and machinery accounted for about 15% of global steel use. In the construction industry, Steel provides equipment such as cranes, drilling rigs, bulldozers, scaffolding, and reusable and portable shelters for use on construction sites.
In agriculture, from basic hoes, shovels, and forks, to now plows, irrigation systems, and granaries, steel is everywhere and has made farming easier and more efficient. Agriculture without steel is unimaginable. From tilling the land and planting seeds to watering, harvesting, storing, and transporting crops, steel is essential. Steel aids in the feeding, shelter, and transportation of livestock. In addition, the machines and equipment that process our diets are also made of steel.
Almost every form of human communication uses steel in some way. Newspapers and books cannot be made without a steel press. Computers and pens contain steel and are produced using equipment made of steel. Postal systems around the world rely on steel sorting equipment and infrastructure to deliver our letters and packages. Even if we’re just making a phone call, steel is working hard. Radio transmitters are the basis of many of our methods of communication, are also made of steel, and are used in toys, mobile phones, radars, and satellites. The production of cars and trucks also uses industrial robots made of steel.
What is "tool steel"?
- Cold work tooling is the forming and creation of products made of cold materials. Punching, drawing, forming, pressing and extrusion are just some of the applications used. The door of your car is likely made by a press using cold work steel and so is the stainless steel in your kitchen white goods.
- Hot work tooling: these steels must be heat resistant and must not melt or be deformed by extreme heat. Typical applications are die casting, forging, extrusion, and hot stamping.
- Plastic molding shapes plastic parts for everyday products such as bottles, casings for TVs, telephones, and, well, nearly every plastic object in your surroundings. These steels are responsible for the look and feel of the parts. The surface of the tool has to be “defect free”, which requires special processes in the melt shop. Without plastic extrusion, blow molding, and injection molding, our homes would look quite different.
Benefits of using steel in tools and machinery
- Contains recycled steel and is endlessly recyclable
- Is strong
- Safe
- Durable
- Cost efficient
- Remanufacture-friendly
- Enables the production and distribution of other materials
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Popular for its exceptional strength, corrosion resistance, and machinability, stainless steel has become a staple in the metals industry. Also to a complete inventory of virtually all shapes, sizes, and grades, China Tisco also offers custom stainless steel supply chain solutions and is able to deliver products to each customer’s exact specifications. Contact us to get a custom stainless steel supply chain solution!