When a leading U.S. manufacturer of high-end kitchen appliances sought a unique knurled handle design for their premium oven ranges, dishwashers, and refrigeration units, they came up short when metal fabrication vendors couldn’t meet both design and production expectations. So they turned to the knurling and machining experts at Mills Products for a cost-effective solution.… Read More
Metal machining is a process that takes a raw piece of metal and cuts it into its final shape and size via a controlled material-removal process. This is referred to as subtractive manufacturing, since it removes excess materials from the part; the opposite process is referred to as additive manufacturing. Metal machining services can significantly… Read More
There are a number of benefits to extrusions as opposed to casting or forging metal parts. These benefits are particularly apparent in pieces that are near net shape and produced in long lengths. One of the challenges extruders have is that their use for complex parts can be limited. This is why it is so… Read More
Successfully navigating a design-to-delivery process for manufacturing a complex OEM product or assembly not only requires sourcing the right metal fabrication partner, but also sourcing them as early in the process as possible. While your in-house team are experts on what the consumer wants to see in terms of product design, it’s challenging to be… Read More
Appliance manufacturers are always looking for ways to reduce costs for metal dishwasher, refrigerator and oven handles without sacrificing any fit, form, or function. Often, these cost-saving measures focus on the handle shaft. But another area that is ripe for cost-reduction and should not be neglected is the mounting methods used to attach metal handles to… Read More
Grab handles are an important safety feature of any truck or tractor. Getting in and out of the cab of a truck can be extremely dangerous if truck cab grab handles are poorly designed or manufactured, not attached correctly, nonexistent, or corroded. Slip and fall injuries are common for truck drivers, and effective grab handles… Read More
With kitchen appliance handle design trending away from the contoured look that was favored by OEMs for more than a decade to a more commercial-kitchen, almost industrial aesthetic, different approaches to handle manufacturing are required. Whereas tubular hydroforming and tubular stamping were good fits for creating gently curved metal appliance handles that were lightweight and… Read More
Contemporary automobiles of all kinds, from small SUVs to heavy work trucks, are becoming more advanced with each passing year as consumers demand additional features and improved designs from each new model. Automotive decorative metal trim plays a large part in the aesthetic appeal of these vehicles, and well-chosen decorative elements can give a vehicle an… Read More
If yoThere are lots of options out there for manufacturing tubular metal parts, including roll forming and tubular hydroforming. Now add to the mix tubular stamping. A relatively new metal forming technology, tubular stamping — or “tube stamping” — has a lot of things going for it and opens up a whole host of possibilities… Read More
You probably use an oven, refrigerator, or dishwasher every day, but have you ever thought about how appliance handle design has changed over the years? If you take a moment, you'll likely be able to easily recall the difference between your grandma’s 1970 wood-grain oven range pull handles and today’s curved, ergonomic stainless steel refrigerator handles.… Read More
