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