Tooling

Comprehensive Tooling Capabilities

At TMS – Technical Metal Spinning, tooling is at the heart of our process. Our extensive in-house tooling library gives us a head-start on many customer projects, saving both time and cost. With decades of craftsmanship, we design and manufacture tooling that is both functional and production-ready, enabling fast project launches and reliable performance.

Unlike alternative forming methods such as stamping or deep drawing, spinning requires lower-cost tooling solutions. TMS produces its tooling from engineering plastics, aluminium bronze, mild steel, or heat-treated steels, depending on the application requirements. This flexibility allows us to provide the most cost-effective tooling without compromising on quality.

Material Options for Tooling

Tooling materials are selected based on production volume, finish requirements, and tolerance needs.

• Engineering Plastic Tooling – Polyurethane, nylon, or Delrin. Suitable for prototypes and low-to-medium volume runs.
• Aluminium Bronze Tooling – Ideal for stainless steels and hot spinning operations. Provides excellent wear resistance, high thermal stability, and smooth forming surfaces.
• Mild Steel Tooling – The most common choice for aluminium and mild steel spinning. Durable and cost-effective.
• Tool Steel / Heat-Treated Tooling – Required for high-strength alloys. Ensures superior surface finish and long service life.

Tooling Types

Spin tooling can be categorized into three broad groups:

• Male Tooling – The most common, duplicating the internal shape of the part.
• Female Tooling – Conforms to the exterior of the part, often used for flanges and return edges.
• Collapsible Tooling (Segmented) – Used when the part diameter reduces during forming. Equipped with a removable core, it allows easy part removal while maintaining precision during forming.

In-House Design & Manufacturing

All tool design and production are carried out by TMS in-house, supported by CNC machining capabilities and decades of spinning expertise. Our ability to manufacture and maintain our own tooling ensures:

• Fast turnaround for new projects
• Lower tooling costs compared to other forming technologies
• High repeatability in production
• Flexibility to respond to special part geometries
• CNC precision machining with tolerances up to ±0.05 mm
• Regular maintenance & reconditioning, extending tool service life and reducing long-term costs
• Customer-specific tooling design based on drawings, sketches, or 3D models, helping to optimize forming processes and reduce production costs
• Industry-proven applications, with tooling solutions successfully used in aerospace ventilation cones, stainless steel burner housings, food industry components, textile machinery parts, and lighting reflectors

With our tooling expertise, TMS is not only a spinning partner but also a solution provider for customers who need reliable, affordable, and efficient tooling.