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