Sheet metal fabrication services providers manufacture components by cutting, bending,
rolling, forming, stamping and welding sheet metal. Components
manufactured through sheet metal fabrication services are used
in a variety of applications such as enclosures, computer equipment,
HVAC components, kitchen and sanitary equipment, machine tools
and other industrial applications. Sheet metal fabrication services
include a diverse range of processes used to fashion sheet metal
into usable products. These processes may be broken down into
three rough categories, cutting, forming, and finishing services.
Sheet metal cutting services includes a number
of techniques used to cut metal into smaller pieces so that it
can be molded or formed into components. Common types of sheet
metal cutting involve shearing, electrical discharge machining
(EDM), laser cutting, water jet and abrasive cutting. Shearing
uses a specialized machine to cut sheet metal by applying shear
stress. This process is used to cut large sheets of metal into
smaller parts. Laser cutting machines use laser light to cut or
etch holes or profiles. Laser cutting machines are very precise
programmable pieces of equipment. Water jets and water abrasive
jets rely on highly pressurized water (20,000 - 60,000 psi) flowing
through a nozzle or "jewel" approximately 0.010"
in diameter. Advantages include almost no material heating during
cutting, low side loads, and ability to achieve complex shapes
and tight inside radii. Low fixturing costs and fast setup and
programming times make this process very suitable for prototypes
or short runs. It is most widely used for two-dimensional cutting;
three-dimensional machining is possible in specialty applications
Wire electrical discharge machining (EDM) equipment
is used to cut conductive materials using a thin electrode. The
electrode is a thin wire (typically .004"-.012") that
follows a programmed path. The wire does not physically contact
the part. It is charged to a certain level and surrounded by de-ionized
water. A spark is generated that jumps the gap and melts a small
amount of material on the part.
Sheet metal forming processes include those
actions used fashion metal into specific shapes or semi-finished
pieces. Common techniques include bending and forming, rolling,
stamping, punching, welding, and hardware and fastener creation.
Bending and forming processes are used to shape the sheet metal
to its final shape. In the rolling process, a series of roll stands
is used to progressively shape or bend a strip of flat-rolled
metal to a desired cross section. Stamping is the process of impressing
surface definition and three-dimensional designs onto materials
with pressurized tools and dies. Punching is the process of punching
holes in the sheet metal. Welding is the joining of metals and
metal parts by melting and re-forming a metal bond between materials,
with or without additional filler metal. Hardware and fastener
creation is the capability to supply and integrate hardware such
as handles, latches and threaded, self-clinching fasteners used
to provide threads in sheet metal that is too thin or soft to
be tapped.
