The process of sheet metal fabrication, the precision of sheet metal laser cutting, and the role of metal cutting service providers in providing high-quality components for applications ranging from aerospace to consumer products.

Aerospace

Aerospace engineers use sheet metal to create a variety of lightweight and space-ready components. They design for aircraft and spacecraft using materials such as aluminum and steel, as well as less common sheet metals such as titanium and tungsten.

Sheet metal's ability to create large, smooth, contoured parts makes it an ideal material for airfoils and other aerodynamic applications.

Cutting Sheet Metal
There are many methods for cutting sheet metal. This section will briefly introduce several different cutting techniques, which are categorized into two key categories: shearing and non-shearing.

Non-shearing Cutting

Non-shearing cutting methods include processes such as extreme heat, vaporization, and high-pressure abrasive blasting, which do not use shearing forces to cut sheet metal. The following are three main types:

Laser cutting: Utilizes a high-energy laser beam to precisely cut metal, suitable for complex shapes and high precision requirements.

Plasma cutting: High-temperature plasma is used to melt and blow away the metal, suitable for cutting thicker materials.

Water jet cutting: Utilizes a high-pressure water jet (often mixed with abrasives) to cut metal, suitable for a variety of materials without creating a heat-affected zone.

Shearing Cutting

Shearing is a process that uses shearing forces to cut a material, overcoming the material's ultimate shear strength. A die is typically used to support the material, while a punch or shear press applies downward pressure at the die opening to cut the material and form the part. This method is suitable for large-scale production and cutting simple shapes.

Cuts achieved through shearing differ from other cutting methods. The initial stage of cutting involves a tumbling motion, causing the material to plastically deform and withstand the applied shear forces. Subsequently, the material begins to experience stretching and rolling. As the shear stress increases, the material reaches its limit, unable to withstand it, and ultimately breaks at a shallow angle. This initial stretching of the material often results in burrs on the bottom of the cut.