Custom Sheet Metal Fabrication Review

Custom Sheet Metal Fabrication Review

Custom sheet metal fabrication services providers are organizations that fabricate components by forming, cutting, rolling, bending, punching, trimming, stamping and welding sheet metal. Many organizations also offer sheet metal assembly services that include riveting, bolting, and other assembly processes. Virtually all industries and technologies utilize sheet metal parts and these include: electronics enclosures, computers, aircraft, spacecraft, automotive, computing racks, HVAC, industrial and consumer appliances and equipment, and machine tools.

Fabrication of sheet metal parts involves methods and processes which are quite different from those used for fabricating machined parts, and it is necessary that the designer understand these differences in order to properly prepare drawings. Sheet metal parts are frequently cut out of flat stock using developed patterns (templates) and then formed to finished parts. Other parts may be made from flat blanks and deep drawn or formed into complex contours by dies in a punch press or hydro-press, or by drop hammer dies. These parts are usually trimmed after forming to produce the finished part. These are only some of the methods which force the establishment of certain special procedures for sheet metal drawings.

Common fabrication processes applied to sheet metal:

Stretching
Drawing
Deep drawing
Bending and flanging
Punching / shearing
Spinning
Press forming

Companies that fabricate sheet metal products understand that the most cost effective and environmentally acceptable method of fabricating parts is by ensuring the the sheet metal component design is robust and manufacturable it in the first place. Services organizations should be given the opportunity to review part and assembly designs before asking for a quote.