Understanding Sheet Metal Fabrication and How It Works

Sheet metal fabrication is the manipulation of metalinto its required shape to create a component before
to create any type of component that will be used infinishing. There are several forming techniques. Rolling
an end product. It can be used in almost anyis 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 goa desired shape.
through some form of sheet metal fabrication.Stamping involves tools and dies that are used to
In sheet metal fabrication, several processes arestamp 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 metalpieces 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 endthe sheet metal, hardware and fastener creation
product, or the end product itself.methods are used.
The Cutting ProcessThe Finishing Process
Sheet metal cutting involves a number of ways toAfter cutting the sheet metal and then forming it into
cut a piece of metal into smaller pieces. These smallthe shapes needed, it must go through a finishing
pieces of metal can then be molded or formed into aprocess. 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 onesabrasive.
using the process of shear stress on a cuttingAfter 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 Dischargeend product, or if it is a smaller piece, it might be
Machining, or EDM, in which conductive materials areused on a larger component or product.
melted with an electrode spark from a thin, chargedSaving 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 cutsheet 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 nois made of sheet metal, or a part of it is made of
heat while cutting, but instead use high pressuremetal.
water from 20,000 to 60,000 psi. There is also laserInstead of opening a factory to create their own
cutting where lasers are used for complex, ormetal products, a company might hire a sheet metal
precise, cutting.fabrication specialist to do the work for them.
The Forming ProcessThis gives the company more time to focus on
Once the sheet metal has been cut, it will be formedmarketing and promotion and can also save money.