A world made of metal


Understanding Sheet Metal Fabrication and How It Works

Sheet metal fabrication is the manipulationOnce the sheet metal has been cut, it will be
of metal to create any type of component thatformed into its required shape to create a
will be used in an end product. It can becomponent before finishing. There are several
used in almost any manufacturing fieldforming techniques. Rolling is used to shape
including medical, computer, electronics, orflat 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 componentsto  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 processesdesigns might also be 3-D designs. A method
are used to reach an end product. Thesecalled 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 formsbetween the metals. To add latches or handles
of metal are utilized to create a componentto the sheet metal, hardware and fastener
for a larger piece, something that can becreation  methods  are  used.
used to create an end product, or the end
product  itself.The  Finishing  Process
The  Cutting  ProcessAfter cutting the sheet metal and then
forming it into the shapes needed, it must go
Sheet metal cutting involves a number of waysthrough 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 bepolish rough spots and edges using an
molded or formed into a final piece. One formabrasive.
of cutting is called shearing, which is used
to cut larger pieces into smaller ones usingAfter the finishing process, the sheet metal
the process of shear stress on a cuttinggoes 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 Electricallarger  component  or  product.
Discharge Machining, or EDM, in which
conductive materials are melted with anSaving  Money  on  Sheet  Metal  Fabrication
electrode spark from a thin, charged
electrode that is surrounded by iodizedThere 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 areuse 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 generateInstead of opening a factory to create their
no heat while cutting, but instead use highown 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 arework  for  them.
used  for  complex,  or  precise,  cutting.
This gives the company more time to focus on
The  Forming  Processmarketing and promotion and can also save
money.



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