Expanded Metal Grating
One of the benefits to employing the expanded metal grating process is that there is far less material waste then experienced with other die cutting processes. These economic grates are used in any number of industries, including but not limited to refrigeration, heating, oil and gas, power generation, mining, chemical and food processing, pulp and paper, construction, city planning and marine industries. The most common industrial application for expanded metal grates is flooring. Floor panels, catwalks, stair treads and the like are commonly made of these porous metal frameworks. The textured surface of
expanded metals provides a textured surface that inherently offers more grip and traction for both foot traffic and equipment such as forklifts. Grates that are raised from the foundation provide drainage. Air, sound and light can also pass through expanded grates, which improves ventilation and visibility. Many factory and warehouse settings require grates in order to meet building codes. Wheelchair access ramps are also needed and commonly made of grating to provide added texture. It is important with this application, as well as others, to consider the size of the perforations or gaps in the metal in order to ensure that items do not get stuck or fall through unintentionally.
Expanded metal products are either standard or flattened. The manufacturing process begins the same for each. A metal sheet or plate is fed into an expansion machine or press. It is important to consider the thickness of the stock metal as it will be significantly reduced during the process. The length will also increase to as much as ten times the original. Once in the machine, a special die cuts uniform slits into the metal creating an offset alternating pattern. The material is simultaneously drawn through rollers. Heat and pressing techniques are used to stretch the metal, making the slits into larger apertures. This produces standard
expanded metal sheets that may be sold as such or formed into specific shapes by bending and cutting.
Flattened expanded metal, however, involves an additional step. Cold-rolling eliminates the raised texture of the strands and bonds, creating a smooth, flat surface. The process chosen is important as the strands and bonds of grating create an inter-connecting structural network that allows weight to be distributed evenly. This framework increases the weight capacity of a unit. Often stronger, lighter weight and more rigid than the original materials, expanded metal grating is nevertheless made of durable metals. Aluminum, copper, steel, stainless steel, iron and titanium are used in varied applications for their specific qualities. Though some of these metals are easily processed by hand, computer programmed and operated systems are much more common as they offer faster turnaround and precision forming.
