| Sheet metal fabrication is the | | | | to create a component before finishing. |
| manipulation of metal to create any type | | | | There are several forming techniques. |
| of component that will be used in an end | | | | Rolling is used to shape flat pieces of |
| product. It can be used in almost any | | | | metal over and over by the use of roll |
| manufacturing field including medical, | | | | stands. In bending and forming, the |
| computer, electronics, or appliances. | | | | sheet metal is manipulated basically by |
| Any product that contains metal | | | | hand to form a desired shape. |
| components will go through some form of | | | | Stamping involves tools and dies that |
| sheet metal fabrication. | | | | are used to stamp designs into the |
| In sheet metal fabrication, several | | | | metal. The designs might also be 3-D |
| processes are used to reach an end | | | | designs. A method called punching is |
| product. These include cutting, forming, | | | | used to punch holes in the metal. |
| and finishing. | | | | Welding is used to join pieces of sheet |
| Aluminum, stainless steel, and others | | | | metal together by forming a bond between |
| forms of metal are utilized to create a | | | | the metals. To add latches or handles to |
| component for a larger piece, something | | | | the sheet metal, hardware and fastener |
| that can be used to create an end | | | | creation methods are used. |
| product, or the end product itself. | | | | The Finishing Process |
| The Cutting Process | | | | After cutting the sheet metal and then |
| Sheet metal cutting involves a number of | | | | forming it into the shapes needed, it |
| ways to cut a piece of metal into | | | | must go through a finishing process. In |
| smaller pieces. These small pieces of | | | | finishing, the sheet metal is sharpened |
| metal can then be molded or formed into | | | | to eliminate or polish rough spots and |
| a final piece. One form of cutting is | | | | edges using an abrasive. |
| called shearing, which is used to cut | | | | After the finishing process, the sheet |
| larger pieces into smaller ones using | | | | metal goes on to fulfill its next |
| the process of shear stress on a cutting | | | | purpose. It is either shipped out as an |
| machine. | | | | end product, or if it is a smaller |
| Another process is called Electrical | | | | piece, it might be used on a larger |
| Discharge Machining, or EDM, in which | | | | component or product. |
| conductive materials are melted with an | | | | Saving Money on Sheet Metal Fabrication |
| electrode spark from a thin, charged | | | | There are companies today that |
| electrode that is surrounded by iodized | | | | specialize in the sheet metal |
| water. | | | | fabrication business. Their customers |
| In abrasive cutting, grinders or saws | | | | are usually companies that sell or use |
| are used to cut through sheet metal. | | | | an end product that is made of sheet |
| Sometimes water jets are used. These | | | | metal, or a part of it is made of metal. |
| generate no heat while cutting, but | | | | Instead of opening a factory to create |
| instead use high pressure water from | | | | their own metal products, a company |
| 20,000 to 60,000 psi. There is also | | | | might hire a sheet metal fabrication |
| laser cutting where lasers are used for | | | | specialist to do the work for them. |
| complex, or precise, cutting. | | | | This gives the company more time to |
| The Forming Process | | | | focus on marketing and promotion and can |
| Once the sheet metal has been cut, it | | | | also save money. |
| will be formed into its required shape | | | | |