| Sheet Metal Fabrication refers to the bending and | | | | folding. Coiling is the process of coiling over the edge |
| shaping processes of sheet metal techniques. Sheet | | | | of a sheet metal component, to increase the |
| metals can be given all sorts of complex hollow | | | | strength and provide a suitable edge, and is applied |
| shapes and sections, and the equipment used for | | | | by a rolling or coiling tool on a press. Circular or |
| these processes, range from simple hand tools, to | | | | cylindrical shapes such as tubes are performed and |
| sophisticated power-operated automatic machinery. | | | | produced on a roll-forming machine. Press forming |
| Sheet metal work usually starts with a preliminary | | | | operations can include |
| operation such as cutting, perforating or slitting etc. | | | | - Cupping |
| with tools that exercise some type of shearing | | | | - Embossing |
| action. These may be simple hand scissor like cutting | | | | Cupping refers to the conversion of a blank into cup |
| tools, or power operated bench shears for heavier | | | | form. Embossing refers to a particular design applied |
| gauge materials. There are several kinds of | | | | for strengthening purposes, and can be produced on |
| power-driven shearing machines, and such machines | | | | a partly finished component. Cupping is usually the |
| comprises of a fixed blade and a moveable blade. | | | | first stage in an operation known as forming, in which |
| The process of 'punching' refers to operations carried | | | | the appropriate tool is used to give the article its final |
| out with the use of a punching machine (or press) | | | | shape. Seaming is generally used for joining sheet |
| and this means to pierce a hole in the metal article, | | | | metal parts and is for example, often used for joints |
| with the appropriate tool fitted in the machine, and | | | | in metal roofing. Flanging is the process of forming a |
| clipping (the removal of surplus metal). | | | | flange on a sheet metal component. Beading is the |
| Another type of sheet metal fabrication is shaping. A | | | | process of making depressions for the purpose of |
| wide range of shaping operations known as folding or | | | | embellishment or stiffening, etc, and it may be done |
| bending, are done on presses and similar machines, as | | | | by the use of suitable or specifically shaped rollers. |
| well as operations such as | | | | There are many other techniques used in sheet |
| - Grooving | | | | metal fabrication and some of these can include: |
| - Seaming Stamping | | | | - Deep Drawing |
| - Crimping & Beading | | | | - Marforming |
| These processes are used for the stiffening and | | | | - Flow Forming |
| shaping of sheet metals, the forming of tubular | | | | - Spinning |
| sections for circular shapes, and other numerous | | | | With the advancement of today's technology, many |
| purposes. | | | | of these techniques are now applied with the use of |
| Angles and sections can be formed by bending or | | | | computer controlled machinery. |