Basic sheet metal fabrication techniques

Metal is one of the most versatile materials in the industrialized world. It can be cut and shaped into nearly any size or design idea. Today's fabrication techniques have come a long way since the early days of heating and shaping it for weapons and other items. Engineers rely on sheet metal for prototypes and outright production. Explore the sheet metal fabrication service choices today for a productive tomorrow.

1. Bending

There are two forms of bending metal, including metal brake and form techniques. Metal-brake techniques require half of the sheet to be held flat while bending the opposite end into a 90-degree angle or another shape.

Form techniques employ a shape, metal sheet and hammer to create a design. Workers use the hammer against the metal and shape in order to complete the project.

When engineers opt for online sheet metal fabrication, certain designs can be formed with metal and no heat. The cost savings are considerable when engineers add in labor costs to their prototypes.

2. Cutting

Cutting metal is one of the most basic techniques when workers are either roughing in a shape or refining it. The tools that are used in "rough" techniques include these items, such as:

• Hand shears

• Power shears

• Throatless shears

• Angle grinders

The tools cut metal of almost any thickness so that it can be shaped even further by other methods.

A refining technique is achieved with a plasma cutter. These high-tech tools use gas heated into its plasma form to cut accurate lines on any metal. If you order a sheet metal fabrication service, the cutting method might be a discussion point before production.

3. Shrinking

When metal is hot, it expands and vice versa. Fabrication workers might use heat shrinking in order to minimize the size of a particular piece of metal. They use a torch on a stretched section and allow it to cool. The abrupt change from hot to cool will shrink the material.

Workers also use tucking as a shrinking method. In essence, workers apply a hammer to the metal so that it bunches up in sections.

A more elegant shrinking method employs a shrinker. Machined jaws grab the metal and force it down on itself. It leaves the metal with a more attractive appearance than the other methods.

4. Stretching

A seemingly simple way to stretch metal is by using a machine that pulls the material like taffy. This stretcher machine takes the effort out of the manual way to stretch metal with a hammer and dolly. Hold up the metal, strike it with a hammer and stretching occurs in small increments with each impact.

Factories can also use an English wheel that essentially uses two wheels to stretch a single piece of metal.

Look for an online sheet metal fabrication company for that next design right now. Uploading, correcting and putting that idea into the world is easier than ever with online orders and worldwide fabrication options. The sky is the limit with engineers taking flight with the latest materials and production strategies.

Want to learn more about digital manufacturing? There are more technologies to explore like CNC machining, 3D printing or injection molding.

This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or management of EconoTimes.