Hot Forging
At DMM, we regularly use the term ‘hot forged’ as though it is an industry norm and everybody is fully conversant with what it actually encompasses. However, it is actually becoming more and more rare in our industry due to the complexities involved, and yet the benefits it gives to the end product are substantial.
Components and products are formed by impact or pressure after preliminary heat treatments and many variables must be strictly controlled to ensure that the finished products give optimised characteristics based on pre-determined criteria. Using the correct preform prior to forging and working the raw materials at the correct temperature with minimal heating times are important parts of the process, ensuring that the grain structure in any complicated shape has the correct flow.
Hot Forging allows far more intricate, ergonomic design and featuring in a product to give maximum strength to weight ratios and dynamic characteristics in use. This allows us to manufacture products and components that may not be possible using other manufacturing techniques.
Hot Forged components are always stronger for their weight!
Heat Treatment
Heat treatment is an essential production process that allows us to define the dynamic characteristics of our metal products. The processes for alloy and steel differ dramatically, but the endgame is the same: strong, predictable hardware that balances absolute strength with pre-determined malleability that gives extra dynamic security in real-life situations.
Alloy Heat Treatment
All alloy components are heat treated in-house using our computer controlled air circulated furnaces which allows us perfect control of the process, ensuring absolute consistency within each batch. Detailed records are kept of the total process including batch number, time and temperature.
Steel Heat Treatment
All steel components are heat treated using sealed quench atmosphere controlled furnaces; giving precise hardness and tensile strength. This control allows us to fine-tune the final mechanical properties of each component to match their application and strength requirement.
CNC Machining
CNC stands for Computer Numerical Control. We have steadily over the last 10 years invested in more of these machining centres. Their versatility has allowed us to increase the efficiency and output with a far greater degree of accuracy enabling us to offer a comprehensive range of bespoke products solutions to our customers.
Barrelling
Barrelling involves the product being placed in large vibrating barrels or tubs containing ceramic chips of various shapes and sizes. These chips remove all the rough or sharp edges on the product, leaving curved lines and smooth edges that give our products that silky feel and quality of finish that DMM are renowned for. This is particularly important when textile elements, either fixed or running, interface with our metal ware.
Anodising
Anodising is an electrolytic process that involves the controlled deposition of a film of hard aluminium oxide. This film, as well as being very hard, is also corrosion resistant.
As well as offering corrosion protection, anodising is the principal method of colouring alloys, allowing us to differentiate our products and make them instantly recognisable to end users (and make them look appealing on the shelf too).
Our anodised products are finished to BS7599-2010 AA10 Sealed for corrosion protection standard and will withstand the corrosion test as required in EN362:2004.
Electro Plating
Electro Plating is the finish we use on our steel products, this is an electrolytic process similar to anodising but in this case a layer of Zinc is deposited on the steel. A passivation coat is than applied which provides the gold colour as can be seen on our products.
Our electro plating conforms to the EN ISO 2081:2008 Fe/Zn5C for corrosion protection standard and meets the corrosion test as required in EN362:2004.
Product Marking
Every DMM product carries at least the minimum marking requirements as stipulated by CE norms.
There are 2 distinct sets of markings:
Strength and Certification markings
Unique I.D. Markings
Specialist Finishing
We offer a range of special finishes including epoxy powder coating, polyurethane dip coating and PVC dip coating in various colours.
Our batch production system and traceability assures that all products our fully traceable to the materials used and the supplier of that material. This includes material procurement, certification, goods inwards inspection and issue to the shop floor for production.
