Generally, making a stainless steel sculpture needs to follow these steps including cutting, shaping and forging, welding, assembly, and surface treatment. In this article, we will explore the intricacies you’d like to know more about both before and during production.
1. Design Confirmation Before Production:
If you have a sculpture design or idea, it is better to make a drawing to confirm the details. Considering the form, scale, and purpose of the sculpture, it is really necessary to cooperate with the designer and craftsman. For some complex designs, detailed 3D drawings or CAD drawings are necessary.
2. Selects Suitable Stainless Steel Material:
We make stainless steel sculptures using 304 and 316-grade materials. It guarantees sculpture durability and corrosion resistance when placed outdoors. The choice of stainless steel grade depends on the sculpture’s installation place. If you place it in an interior room or garden, the 304 stainless steel is enough to last for more than decades years. If the sculpture is placed near the seaside, it is better to use 316-grade stainless steel which has superior corrosion resistance compared to 304. The cost of 316 material is higher than 304 stainless steel for its superior performance in corrosive environments.
3. Precise Cutting:
The stainless steel sculpture is made from pieces of plate according to different sizes and designs of the sculptures. We use CNC machines and laser cutters to cut the desired pieces. Precise machine cutting is important for complex designs.
4. Forging and Shaping:
For some stainless steel sculptures with smooth and vivid shapes, hand forging and shaping is one of the key processes to guarantee its final design. The cut pieces will be shaped through hand hammering. This process will take a lot of time to make sure the sculpture takes form.
5. Welding and Assembly:
After the stainless steel pieces are forged into specific shapes, they will be welded together. Skilled welders carefully weld the parts, ensuring strong, clean seams that can withstand the sculpture’s weight and environmental conditions. Some stainless steel sculptures will make a metal skeleton to support the sculpture from inner. So the stainless steel pieces will be welded and assembled according to the skeleton. After welding, the seams are ground down and smoothed to create a seamless appearance.
6. Surface Treatment:
From the sliver surface to the color surface, the treatment of stainless steel sculpture is varied and stunning. Stainless steel sculptures can achieve various finishes and colors through various methods. For example, we will hand polish through multiple stages to achieve a mirror surface. If you want a colorful finish, we could use the paint or electroplate method.
Every production stage of the stainless steel sculpture requires precision and skill. With extra attention to detail and professional techniques, the stainless steel sculpture will feature stunning design and high quality. So it is necessary to choose a professional sculpture factory when buying stainless steel sculpture. Relong Art Factory has committed to sculpture fabrication for over 40 years, you can leave us a message if you have any requirements.
