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Article #241: Understanding Sheet Metal Fabrication and How It Works

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Sheet metal fabrication is the 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 sheet
computer, electronics, or appliances. metal is manipulated basically by hand to
Any product that contains metal form a desired shape.
components will go through some form of Stamping involves tools and dies that are
sheet metal fabrication. used to stamp designs into the metal. The
In sheet metal fabrication, several designs might also be 3-D designs. A
processes are used to reach an end method called punching is used to punch
product. These include cutting, forming, holes in the metal. Welding is used to
and finishing. join pieces of sheet metal together by
Aluminum, stainless steel, and others forming a bond between the metals. To add
forms of metal are utilized to create a latches or handles to the sheet metal,
component for a larger piece, something hardware and fastener creation methods
that can be used to create an end 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 smaller must go through a finishing process. In
pieces. These small pieces of metal can finishing, the sheet metal is sharpened
then be molded or formed into a final to eliminate or polish rough spots and
piece. One form of cutting is called edges using an abrasive.
shearing, which is used to cut larger After the finishing process, the sheet
pieces into smaller ones using the metal goes on to fulfill its next
process of shear stress on a cutting purpose. It is either shipped out as an
machine. end product, or if it is a smaller piece,
Another process is called Electrical it might be used on a larger component or
Discharge Machining, or EDM, in which product.
conductive materials are melted with an Saving Money on Sheet Metal Fabrication
electrode spark from a thin, charged There are companies today that specialize
electrode that is surrounded by iodized in the sheet metal fabrication business.
water. Their customers are usually companies
In abrasive cutting, grinders or saws are that sell or use an end product that is
used to cut through sheet metal. made of sheet metal, or a part of it is
Sometimes water jets are used. These 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 might
20,000 to 60,000 psi. There is also laser hire a sheet metal fabrication specialist
cutting where lasers are used for to do the work for them.
complex, or precise, cutting. This gives the company more time to focus
The Forming Process on marketing and promotion and can also
Once the sheet metal has been cut, it save money.
will be formed into its required shape to






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