Rider Tool Blog

Tight Fabrication

Understanding Tight Fabrication Tolerances

Before hiring contract manufacturing companies or any specialist to handle your steel fabrication requirements, it is imperative that you understand tight fabrication tolerances and how they may affect the quality of what is delivered to you.

  • What Are Tight Fabrication Tolerances? 

Fabrication tolerances, otherwise often referred to as engineering tolerances, refers to the amount of variation that is allowed when it comes to the physical dimensions of items, for example, in the case of mechanical engineering, the space that exists between a bolt and a nut. If fabrication tolerances are tight, it means that there is very little room, if any at all, for any variation. In short, you will need a contract manufacturing company that will be able to promise you meticulous results. This type of meticulous work can only be undertaken for professionals who boast the right amount of experience and the right tools for the job.

  • When Tight Fabrication Tolerances Are Unnecessary 

In order to decide how tight your fabrication tolerances need to be, it is always advisable to consult with an experienced risk management team. They will be able to ascertain whether the same results are achievable with slightly more relaxed tolerances, or if extremely tight fabrication tolerances are essential if you are to maintain the integrity and quality of the finished product.

It is important to remember that tight fabrication tolerance, when unnecessary, may increase the cost of steel fabrication and increase the time that it takes in order to complete it. Optimizing fabrication tolerances to ensure the best quality final product, along with the lowest possible cost and turnaround times, is essential when hiring contract-manufacturing companies.

Here at Rider Tool & Manufacturing Co., we specialize in steel fabrication and mechanical engineering, with a focus on sticking firmly to our clients’ tight fabrication tolerances. For more information about us and how we can help you, do not hesitate to get in touch with our team.

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All the Advantages of Custom Equipment Design and Manufacture for Your Industry

There are several advantages to making use of top-quality mechanical engineering and machining to custom design and manufacture your production equipment, irrespective of whether similar off-the-shelf options exist. These include:

  • Lowered manufacturing costs,
  • Higher capacity, output, and productivity,
  • Better quality and quality control, and
  • Innovation (both in-house and with your expert team of mechanical engineers).

All the above is offered by one of Canada’s leading contract manufacturing, custom metal, and mechanical engineering companies, right here in Oshawa, Ontario.

Lower Manufacturing Costs 

Custom designed equipment may cost your business in the immediate to short-term, but your long-term costs will be significantly lower. This is thanks to the improved efficiency offered by using custom mechanically engineered equipment, in addition to the reduced maintenance costs and the potential downtime your business might experience by using ‘off-the-shelf’ equipment.

Improved Efficiency for Productivity Boost 

Equipment, mechanically engineered to meet 100% of your needs and specifications, will boost productivity from the outset. Not all off-the-shelf equipment can meet your requirements, and increased automation by incorporating custom-engineered equipment into your manufacturing process will boost productivity.

Automation of tasks and processes can be taken to new levels with custom designed and manufactured equipment for your business. So, you will also go a long way toward eliminating human resource factors that can impact heavily on your business.

Precision Custom-Made Equipment for Best Quality Products

Specialized equipment design and custom-made equipment that is engineered for quality, durability, and precision according to your unique, competition and quality-driven specifications, will give you better quality production and enhanced quality control.

Any adjustments or alterations or enhancements that need to be made will be far easier quicker to do (and less costly) than it would be with off-the-shelf machinery. And, you will go a long way to eliminating one of the potential costly factors in any business – human error.

Increased Automation for Business Growth and Development

Increased automation, through the use of custom engineered equipment, need not lead to mass staff layoffs. In fact, it can boost your businesses operations while freeing up talent and human resources for business development, innovation and quality control and the expansion of operations.

Innovative Engineering Solutions 

The custom design and manufacturing of your equipment by highly qualified, skilled and innovative mechanical engineers can help you find innovative solutions to your production needs.

Rider Tool and Manufacturing Co.

For over 45 years Rider Tool and Manufacturing Co. have been employing the highest quality experts in the field of mechanical engineering and custom equipment manufacturer. For more information about metal fabrication, machining or mechanical engineering, contact us today.

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A Guide to Metal Alloys and Their Uses

Metal alloys are metals that are developed through the mixing of base metals with other metals or new elements. They then take on specific properties that those base metals don’t have. These properties include more strength, durability, and flexibility. Specific alloys are created to include one or a combination of these qualities, while still retaining their own beneficial base qualities. Custom metal fabrication is a core component of the services offered by the top contract manufacturing companies in machining in Oshawa, Ontario.

The most common alloys are steel, stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, brass, and bronze.

  • Steel: An Alloy of Iron and Carbon 

Steel is created by mixing iron with carbon. This increases the strength and durability of the base metal iron. It also reduces the weight of the metal. Lighter, stronger and more durable than iron, steel is ideal as a building material – for everything from appliances to skyscrapers.

  • Stainless Steel: An Alloy of Steel 

Stainless Steel is created by mixing steel with chromium, aluminum, and other elements to create scratch, rust and corrosion resistant forms of steel. Highly versatile, durable and good-looking, stainless steel is used for everything from industrial equipment to bespoke cutlery.

  • Aluminum Alloys

A variety of aluminum alloys can be created by mixing the base metal with an assortment of other metals. This makes it the most versatile of the base metals. These alloys are characterized by being both lightweight and highly durable. They can be used for an almost endless array of architectural and industrial applications.

  • Titanium: The ultimate Alloy 

As strong as steel, lightweight, flexible and highly resistant to corrosion, titanium is renowned for its superior tensile strength and durability. Industrial applications have spurred innovation, particularly in the aerospace industry. And, its shine, durability, and resistance to extreme temperatures and all environmental conditions also make it a popular alloy for everything from supercar features to jewelry to dental implants.

  • Brass: An Alloy of Copper and Zinc 

Brass is resistant to corrosion and adds exceptional life-span to any application, making it ideal for pipes, valves, nuts, bolts and various other hardware applications.

  • Bronze: A Copper Alloy That Doesn’t Oxidize 

Bronze is far heavier than steel. But, it is strong, infinitely durable and has a very low melting point – making it ideal for coins and turbines. It can ‘discolour’ on the surface but does not oxidize further the way copper does.

Some alloys are less costly than the base metals they are made of, but they are all less costly in the long run thanks to their strength, durability, flexibility and targeted suitability for their varied and ideal applications. They also drive versatility and innovation, making it possible to machine just about anything and meet any design, manufacturing and application requirement.

Rider Tool and Manufacturing Co.    

Rider Tool & Manufacturing Co. has over 45 years of experience in the machining industry. As the number one source for machining tools, we specialize in custom metal fabrication, serving the industrial manufacturing needs for the oil and gas, mining, cement and steel sectors. For more information about metal fabrication, machining or mechanical engineering, contact us today.

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Metal fabrication

A Guide to Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metals

As a company specializing in machining tools, more than one client has asked about the difference between ferrous and non-ferrous metals over the years. Broadly defined, non-ferrous metals do not contain iron while ferrous metals do.

Ferrous metals, such as cast iron, stainless steel and carbon steel, have magnetic properties which make them ideal for a variety of uses in vehicle engines. This type of metal is also renowned for its durability and strength, which is why it is used in the construction of everything from tall buildings and cars to rail lines. Some lightweight steels, such as nickel, titanium and chromium, are added to ferrous metals to strengthen the material and create what is known as alloy steels.

According to statista.com, ferrous metallurgy represents approximately 90% of worldwide production of metal, with steel being the ferrous alloy that is most used in transportation, construction and industry. Steel has very strong mechanical properties but it is also quite labour-intensive to cast well.

One consideration to keep in mind is that ferrous metals can rust more easily than non-ferrous metals due to the fact that they have higher carbon content. However, there are ferrous metals that are the exception to the rule, such as stainless steel for example.

Non-ferrous metals have been used since the dawn of time. These types of metals aren’t as prone to rust as ferrous metals because they don’t contain iron. Non-ferrous metals are commonly used in electrical applications, roofing and piping. Some examples of non-ferrous metals include tin, brass, zinc, gold, copper, aluminium, silver and lead.

Rider Tool and Manufacturing Co. is a leading source for machining, and we know that placing an order for top quality metal fabrication goods for manufacturing companies is not as simple as filling in an order form. If you are looking for a production team that can work with you during all parts of the steel fabrication manufacturing process, then get in touch with our team in Oshawa Ontario, today.

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Steel fabrication

Go Green with Sustainable Steel

Many of our clients – as well as our client’s clients – are more concerned about the environment than ever before. The rise of the green movement and an increasing awareness of our carbon footprint mean that an increasing number of organizations are looking for sustainable building materials, production methods, machines and products.

Steel is an essential part of our economy. It is used in everything from kitchen magnets to vehicle engines, appliance manufacturing, architecture, railways, bridges and infrastructure. The steel industry as a whole has made huge strides in lowering its environmental impact as well. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the steel sector has achieved the highest overall reduction in emissions of any major industry, with the market being able to reduce its emissions by 47% from 1990 to 2005.

“Sustainable steel” can mean different things, depending on your location, industry and needs. One reason why designers and architects choose steel for their building designs is that of its versatility and durability. If a building material is able to last many years without needing to be replaced, then it is automatically considered a sustainable option. Many sectors are also recycling steel. Recycling of materials means that waste is being minimized and reused. This also contributes to its sustainability.

Galvanized steel poles are also being used to replace wood utility poles across North America. The reason for this is that the steel poles will have less of an impact on:

  1. The animal environment,
  2. Lower aerosol emissions, and
  3. Reduced hazardous waste.

In the transportation sector, steel is still used in many engines and in a variety of automotive components. Thanks to advances in the manufacturing sector, these components are more lightweight than ever before, which can lead to increased efficiency and lower fuel consumption in cars.

Are you looking for sustainable machining solutions? Rider Tool and Manufacturing Co. strongly emphasizes client relationships as an integral part of our business model. Our staff will be happy to get to know you and your individual machining needs and will use that knowledge to make sure you get exactly what you want. Contact us for more information about our contract manufacturing company in Oshawa, Ontario today.

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