metallforms

Metallforms are standardized metal shapes used as basic building blocks in metalworking and manufacturing. They act as preforms or forming aids produced by casting, forging, extrusion, stamping, or machining, and are used to create final parts, assemblies, or sculptural components. Geometries include bars, blocks, tubes, shells, and lattice segments designed for dimensional consistency.

Common materials include steel, aluminum alloys, copper alloys, titanium, and stainless steels. Tolerances and surface finishes are specified to suit downstream operations such as welding, machining, or coating. Metallforms are selected to balance strength, weight, corrosion resistance, and machinability.

Production methods encompass forging, extrusion, casting, powder metallurgy, and increasingly additive manufacturing for complex shapes. They serve as master patterns, forming dies, or intermediate pieces in stamping, hydroforming, and other forming processes, helping to reduce setup times and improve consistency across parts.

Applications span automotive and aerospace structures, consumer electronics housings, architectural panels, and industrial tooling. In sculpture and art fabrication, metallforms may refer to modular metal elements used by artists. Standards bodies such as ISO and ASTM publish material specifications, tolerances, and surface quality requirements that apply to metallforms for interchangeability and reliability.