Sheet metal manufacturing is the process of creating sheet metal parts by cutting, bending, and forming thin metal sheets into specific shapes and sizes. The process typically uses coating, cutting, bending, and assembly techniques. Sheet metal is made from various materials, including steel, aluminum, zinc, and copper. It can be as thin as a few thousandths of an inch or as thick as several millimeters.
Sheet metal parts are used in cars, buildings, airplanes, and other appliances. The manufacturing process starts with selecting metal and cutting it into the desired size and shape. The metal is then formed into its final product through various techniques, such as rolling, extruding, and bending. The end product can vary from simple flat panels to complex three-dimensional structures.
Zetwerk provides high-quality Sheet Metal Components and all secondary operations.
Submit the relevant part drawings, 3D files, and other information by clicking on the button below.
What Is Sheet Metal & How Is It Made?
Sheet metal is a thin, flat form of metal. It is shaped by being rolled through industrial hot and cold rolling equipment. Sheet metal is one of the most basic forms of metalworking and can be cut and bent into various shapes. To make plates, hot metal sheets pass through a series of roughing machines that make them thinner and longer. To make them even lighter, these sheets pass through finishing rollers, then are cooled and rolled into coils.
Sheet Metal Manufacturing / Fabrication Process
Following the techniques outlined below, the sheet metal fabrication process works efficiently, effectively, and produces top-quality results.
1. Cutting
Manufacturers can use a variety of machines for cutting sheet metal, including those specially designed for fabrication work.
- Laser cutting is one of the most common methods of sheet metal cutting. A laser cutter uses a laser amplified by a lens or mirror to cut through thin to medium sheet metal but difficult into the most challenging materials.
- Water jet cutting is a technique that uses high-pressure water to slice through metal. The water jet is especially useful for cutting low-melting metals since it doesn’t heat the metal enough to deform it.
- Plasma cutting creates a channel of ionized gas that can easily be cut through thick sheet metal. Plasma cutters are less precise than laser or waterjet cutters, but they’re fast, efficient, and have low set-up costs.
The above three cutting machines can be used for sheet metal and other materials, but different methods are also available for sheet metal fabrication.
For example, punching uses a punch and die to create precise holes in sheet metal. The sheet metal is placed between the two pieces, one of which has a hole at its center. When the punch hits the metal, it pushes the hole through to meet the other die’s hole. The result is a punched round of removing material that can be used as new blanks: blanking. If multiple holes are desired, the same equipment type can be used to make them.
2. Deformation
Sheet metal deforming processes involve changing and processing sheet metal without cutting it. Bending is one of the most critical forming processes, and it can be done using a brake machine. A sheet metal company can use this tool to bend sheet metal into V, U, and channels up to 120 degrees.
Thinner sheets are easier to turn. This is because they are less rigid and have greater flexibility. The reverse is also possible: sheet metal fabricators can remove horizontal strip-shaped bends in sheet metal by decambering and straightening the metal by removing small portions at regular intervals.
The stamping process is another deformation process but can also be considered a separate subcategory. A hydraulic or mechanical punching press with a tool and die is used to deform sheet metal in the stamping process. The process is similar to punching but does not remove material necessarily. Sheet metal stamping can be used for specific tasks such as drawing, hemming, and more.
The spinning sheet metal fabrication process uses lathes to press the metal against rotating tools. The process is similar to CNC or pottery spinning and helps make round parts like cylinders, cones, and more.
In addition to bending, other methods of shaping sheet metal include rolling, which is used to create complex bends in sheet metal, and rolling, where sheet metal is fed between a pair of rollers to reduce thickness. Some processes combine cutting and forming. For example, the sheet metal expansion process involves cutting several metal slots and then expanding the metal.
3. Assembly
In manufacturing, assembling various sheet metal components with fasteners, screws, and rivets is an essential part of the process. Other processes for sheet metal manufacturing, such as punching, can be customized for rivets and other fasteners. Welding is another method for joining sheet metal components. The two pieces’ molten metal fused into a solid joint in welding. Other metals are superior to stainless steel and aluminum for specific types of welds, such as arc and electron beams.
In conclusion, the sheet metal manufacturing process is a complex and sophisticated process that involves several stages. The first step is designing and cutting the metal, bending it into the final shape, and finishing it with paint or other coatings. Understanding each step is crucial for producing high-quality sheet metal products that meet customer specifications. With the advent of new technologies and equipment, sheet metal manufacturers can produce products with increased precision and efficiency, making them an integral part of modern manufacturing.