Frequently Ask Questions

We are an Irish company and have experience working within many industry sectors. We offer competitive pricing for quality product. Our team is very experienced, giving us a built-in layer of quality control that you won’t find elsewhere.

This depends on the project and the type of product you would like to be manufactured, whether it is a new concept or a part that has been manufactured before. Often our customers will have some sort of drawing or design spec and depending on how detailed or accurate this dictates our design team’s input.

Our designers will draw or re-draw a product based on the customer spec. This allows our customer to visualise the final product with a 3D model and make any design changes prior to manufacture. At this stage, ATC engineering team can also make recommendations on design alterations to improve manufacturing efficiency and therefore save money

Stainless steel is a metal alloy produced by melting down various elements such as chromium, nickel, molybdenum, silicon, aluminium, and carbon at extreme temperature and combining to form a new, single material. Nitrogen and manganese are also introduced during this process to improve ductility and corrosion resistance.

Stainless steel is a highly popular metal choice for a range of industries thanks to its unique durability and corrosion resistance properties. It is used extensively in construction and architecture, automotive manufacture, power generation and retail. However, it is in the food and medical industries where stainless steel’s characteristics are most valuable. Its resistance to corrosion, combined with its ability to be highly polished and cleaned, means that it is ideal for sterile, hygienic environments.

Stainless steel (or Inox steel) can be divided into three main types: austenitic, ferritic and martensitic. The major difference between the three types being the level of Nickel used in its production. The most used is austenitic, grades 304, 316 as they are the most resistant to corrosion.

Bead blasting – Using a high-pressure air feed, fine glass beads are “blasted” at high speed onto the surface of the metal to remove any imperfections and substances. This finish is ideal for food or medical industries where hygiene is important.

Brushed – Where an aesthetic, decorative finish is required, stainless steel can be “brushed” using deburring belts. This is one of the most common stainless-steel finish used in architectural metalwork.

Passivated – Passivation is the process of treated the surface of the stainless steel with a chemical, usually an acid to remove any surface contamination.

Mirror finish – Through extensive polishing and buffing, using fine abrasives, it can be made to look highly reflective, hence the term “mirror finish”. One benefit of mirror polished stainless steel is that the finishing process improves its corrosion resistance. This is because it removes crevices where corrosion-causing chlorides can sit and do their work. This makes the metal very easy to clean and is ideal for hygienic environments or medical areas.

We offer TIG & MIG welding services.

TIG Welding:

TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding is the process of using a non-consumable Tungsten electrode to deliver a current to the welding arc. This current causes extreme heat which melts and fuses the metal workpiece(s). The Tungsten electrode and weld area are shielded from air by a flow of inert gas (usually Argon) This helps the weld to fuse and create high quality clean welds.

MIG Welding:

MIG (Metal Inert Gas) welding is a welding process whereby a consumable wire electrode is continuously fed through a welding gun and an electric arc is formed between the wire and the metal workpiece. This high temperature arc causes the metal to melt and fuse. Around this electrode, a gas is applied to shield the weld area and remove any air, helping the weld to fuse. MIG welding can be used on almost any metal and has the advantage of being fast and cost efficient.

Grade 304 stainless steel has strong corrosion resistance and strength. It has good forming and welding properties too thus offering a variety of options when it comes to finishes and applications. 

It is considered to be one of the most suitable materials for the medical device sector, food industry or for any manufacturing environments where cleanroom standards are critical.

Grade 316 stainless steel is particularly suited to harsh environments. It is particularly resistant to corrosion, air corrosion and high temperatures.

Cleanroom furniture needs to be disinfected regularly and effectively to reduce cleanroom contamination. This is why stainless steel is particularly suited to cleanrooms. When deciding what grade to use consideration needs to be given to corrosion resistance, particularly with the use of some harsh cleanroom disinfectants. Grade 316 stainless steel offers a high resistance to harsh chemicals.