Many industries, from electronics to aerospace, healthcare to construction, rely on metal parts and equipment. The process that turns regular sheets of metal into something more complex is precision sheet metal fabrication.
Underlying principles of precision sheet metal fabrication
Precision is essential when producing sensitive and sometimes life-saving equipment. It improves safety, productivity, efficiency, cost effectiveness and sustainability, as well as allowing greater versatility. You can view potential uses of precision sheet metal fabrication at https://dkmsheetmetal.co.uk/.
Fabrication stages
Design and prototyping
Turning an idea into a viable model requires consideration of both whether it can be manufactured and how effectively it will work on completion. This will usually involve a CAD phase and a physical prototype, enabling you to catch issues before you start.
Materials selection
Your choice of material impacts not just the final product, but also appropriate fabrication techniques. Common metals include steel, stainless steel, copper and aluminium, each with different weight, strength, durability, malleability, conductivity, corrosion resistance and cost.
Cutting
Parts of the metal need to be cut away so only the shape you want remains. Cutting techniques include punching and shearing, wire EDM, and water jet, laser and plasma cutting, each with their own advantages in terms of speed, accuracy and detail.
Forming
This is when you turn the 2D sheet of metal into a 3D structure using methods such as bending, rolling and roll forming.
Assembly
Assembling a piece from the parts may involve fastening, welding or even software installation. It’s vital that every element connects with complete accuracy.
Finish
Finishing is when you add treatments to the surface to protect and enhance it. Depending on the material and purpose, this could include painting, powder coating, anodising or polishing.
Quality control
Every aspect of the piece has to be checked and rechecked to ensure precision. Visual inspection, dimensional measurements and software checks are all part of this process.
Precision sheet metal fabrication is a complex process essential to many industries. You must understand the strengths and disadvantages of different materials and techniques to perform it effectively.
