Sheet Metal Fabrication: Types and Process

For the making of machines and structures, the need for sheet metal fabrication arises. The process of manufacturing the desired structures from a metal sheet is called fabrication. The metal sheet is fabricated as per the engineering requirements using several processes like cutting, bending, notching, shrinking, and beading; to name a few. Various engineering tools are used to build several parts and components from the metal sheets.

1.     Cutting Process

The metal sheets are generally rectangular and flat. Cutting is the first step for any fabrication need. A metal sheet can be cut using a shear or laser beams and there are many tools for sheet cutting.

2.     Bending or Folding

Folding or bending is the next step for metal fabrication. This is done using various tools such as press brakes for creating V-bends, U-bends or other custom forms. Rotary bending is also used to create new forms.

3.     Machining

Removing the waste materials from cut sheets and giving them a particular shape as per the drawings is called machining. This is the third step in fabrication process and entails lot of other processes:

a.     Punching: The metal is punched using a punch press to create holes in it.

b.    Shearing: For cutting large parts, manufacturers use cutting dies whereby metal is cut along a given line or perimeter by two moving blades, an upper blade and a lower blade.

c.      Stamping: This is also called pressing process where a flat sheet of metal is placed on a stamping press and then we can bend, press, fold, or stretch the metal.

d.    Joining: Where a part is formed by joining more than one metal sheet or component, welding is one of the most common and dependable method. There are other ways also for joining namely brazing, riveting, and by using adhesives.

4.     Finishing: The final step is finishing with powder or paint coatings, silk screening, and other custom surface treatments. There are several surface finishing treatments that are designed to enhance properties of metal such as conductivity, resistance, etc.