Historical Development of Metalworking
- Oldest evidence of metalworking found in northern Iraq from 8,700 BCE
- Metalworking in the Americas dates back to 4000-5000 BCE in Wisconsin
- Oldest gold artifacts date back to 4450 BCE in Bulgaria
- Metalworking in Mehrgarh, South Asia between 7000 and 3300 BCE
- Metalworking known in ancient civilizations like Egypt, India, Israel, and the Maya
- Precious metals gained value and rules for ownership and trade were established
- Skilled metalworkers created adornments, religious artifacts, and trade instruments
- Techniques like granulation were shared among ancient cultures
- Metal objects became more common and complex, leading to the growth of metalworking skills
Evolution and Categorization of Metalworking Processes
- Metalworking techniques evolved over time
- Skills related to extracting metal ores from the earth developed
- Metalsmiths became important members of society
- Availability of metals and metalsmiths greatly influenced civilizations
- Metalworking is essential for industries, technology, and global trade
- Modern metalworking processes categorized into forming, cutting, and joining processes
- Forming processes shape metals into desired forms
- Cutting processes involve removing material from metals
- Joining processes combine multiple metal parts together
- Machine shops have specialized tools for precise metalworking
Advancements in Materials and Techniques
- Copper and tin were important metals in early metalworking
- Bronze, an alloy of copper and tin, had superior properties for tools and weapons
- Bronze was widely used until the advent of iron
- Metalworking advancements spread globally, with different regions emphasizing different metals
- European colonization brought metalworking for tools and weapons to the Americas
Specific Metalworking Processes
- Bulk forming processes involve using heat or pressure to deform the workpiece
- Sheet (and tube) forming processes apply mechanical force at room temperature
- Cutting involves removing excess material to achieve a specified geometry
- Chip producing processes, such as machining, are commonly used for cutting
- Milling is a complex shaping process that removes material to form the final shape
- Turning is a metal cutting process that produces a cylindrical surface using a single point tool
- Threading processes include cutting threads with a tap or die
- Grinding is an abrasive process to remove material from the workpiece
- Soldering is a joining process that occurs below 450°C (842°F)
- Riveting is an ancient metalwork joining process
- Mechanical fixings, such as screws and bolts, are used for joining metals
Associated Processes and Heat Treatment
- Heat treatment alters metal properties such as strength, ductility, and hardness
- Common heat treatment processes include annealing, precipitation hardening, quenching, and tempering
- Mechanical and thermal treatments can be combined for better properties
- Plating and thermal spraying are common surface-treatment techniques
Metalworking Data Sources
| Reference | URL |
|---|---|
| Glossary | https://harryandcojewellery.com.au/blogs/glossary/metalworking |
| Wikipedia | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metalworking |
| Wikidata | https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q953045 |
| Knowledge Graph | https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=/m/01ng72 |