Introduction to Sheet Metal Fabrication

Sheet metal fabrication is a method used for making metal sheets in the required shape through the use of different manufacturing processes. Product creation comes with other steps, such as cutting and bending to surface treatment and assembly. There are various types of manufacturing methods used for getting but they are based on requirements and expenses. In this post, we will cover details of the sheet metal fabrication process and learn how to get services for this method. Let’s get started.

What is sheet metal fabrication?

• Sheet metal fabrication is a process that makes flat sheets of steel or aluminum in metallic structures or devices through the use of cutting, punching, folding, and assembly methods.
• Sheet metal can be cut, bent, or stretched in different shapes that are normally performed with cutting and burning metal.
• Different tools like band saws and chop saws are used for this process. That makes sure that smooth cutting is in the process. Cutting torches are features of cutting larger parts of sheet metal with less work.

• Sheet metal fabrication works with the use of press brakes that make a simple process of sheet metal fabrication with the use of sharp bends and angles in metal.
• Different types of press brakes come with different working features and are used for different operations.
• The other main factor for sheet metal fabrication is welding. When all components are made, they are assembled and connected through welding. Different welding processes are used for sheet metal fabrication to minimize warping or any other issues.
• These methods are covering metal with sand through a cooling process, special straightness process welding in a staggered way, and the use of stout fixture involved.
• Straightening defective metal is performed with the use of an oxy-acetylene torch. The heat is used for the metal in a slow way to remove errors.
• The metal is finished with sandblasted, primed, and painted. That helps the metal to have a good appearance and after that, send it to customers.

Sheet Metal Cutting Types

• Sheet metal fabrication is a method used for making parts with the use of metal sheets. The 3D CAD files are transformed into machine code that controls the machine that accurately cuts and makes sheets in the final assembly.
• Normally forming tools are brakes, punches, and dies that make angular bends and features. Installing inserts like PEM inserts is the main technique for welding and finishing services.
• Sheet metal parts are used for the durable nature that makes them best to use for end-use applications.
• Parts used for low-volume prototypes and high-volume manufacturing run for low-cost options since they have larger initial setups and material expenses.

Justway Sheet Metal Fabrication Service

• Justway is the best CNC services provider as well; they come with sheet metal fabrication services for their customers at reasonable prices with high-quality features.
• Main features include Justway sheet metal fabrications, which are
  • Free DFM Feedback With Your Quote
  • No Minimum Order Quantities
  • Lead times as fast as 5 days

Instant Quote

• To get services for sheet metal fabrication, just upload your 3D files for an instant quote. More than 10 types of materials are shown online and one-piece prototypes for bulk production.

Quality Assurance

• The strictly vetted and managed network they have for providing quality services

Online Order Tracking & Management

• There is product status, existing rearranged parts, and managing order history in one place

Sheet Metal Fabrication Process Works

Design

• The design step involves the groundbreaking of the project in laying out the form. Designers normally make initial sketches or 2D/3D models of products that are performed with the use of computer-aided design software or by hand.
• Some other factors, like the intended use of a product that needed dimensions and tolerances and certain material features used for mapping out, were done before the manufacturing started.

Cutting

• Laser cutting is the first phase of the manufacturing process. Laser cutting is an accurate method for cutting sheet metals since lasers have features to follow the programmed design and accurately cut through materials.

Bending

• The bending process is also called CNC folding and is a method that can be finished with the use of different machines. Such as manual press brakes or automated panel bending machines.
• The machine makes metal components with clamping sheet metal and applications of pressure for maintaining the required design.

Forming

• This process bends or reshapes materials in different project-based shapes. It is different from cutting, where subtracting materials makes reshapes of materials without reducing mass.

Welding

• There are different welding methods that are used for working with sheet metal, such as MIG, TIG, robotic MIG welding, and spot welding.

Metal inert gas (MIG) welding:

• It is a high-speed welding option that is good to use for thick materials.

Tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding: 

• It has better control and accuracy than MIG and is good to use for thin materials. It is also called gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW).

Robotic MIG welding:

• It is an automated type of more conventional MIG welding.

Spot welding: 

• This process involved an electrical resistance welding process.

Finishing

• It is the last phase where preparing metal products for use and making devices with resistance features for corrosion and the increased layer for durability. It also makes a good-looking surface.
• The main finishing touches are surface preparation, polishing, powder coating, the use of color options, passivation, anodizing, and laser marking.

Assembly

• The sheet metal fabrication assembly is the process of assembling the required design before it is packaged and given to customers.

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