The critical role of sheet metal fabricators, the precision craftsmanship involved in sheet metal cutting, and the comprehensive services of sheet metal processing form the backbone of industries such as aerospace, automotive, construction, and electronics.

How does sheet metal fabrication work?

Sheet metal fabrication involves several different methods for shaping sheet metal, but they can generally be divided into two categories: cutting and forming.

Because of the various cutting and forming methods involved, specialized tools are required, which can increase costs. Therefore, understanding the various available sheet metal fabrication processes is crucial to producing the most efficient design for a specific application.

In its basic form, sheet metal fabrication typically begins with a flat sheet of metal and a blueprint, typically a DXF or CAD file. These blueprints provide detailed instructions for cutting, forming, and finishing the base material.

Sheet metal fabrication can be as simple as bending metal into angle iron or creating computer case panels by laser cutting and bending edges. The entire process typically includes the following steps:

Cutting: The material is initially cut according to the blueprint.

Forming: The cut material is then bent or formed.

Finishing and Joining: Upon completion, the material is finished and joined to form the final product.

This combination of processes ensures efficient and accurate sheet metal fabrication.

What is precision sheet metal fabrication?

Precision sheet metal fabrication utilizes the same techniques as "non-precision" methods in sheet metal fabrication, but with tighter tolerances. This typically requires the design engineer to invest more time analyzing and considering material properties, stretch calculations, grain orientation, and other in-depth factors to ensure the desired accuracy is achieved.

Aerospace

Aerospace engineers use sheet metal to create a variety of lightweight and space-ready components. The materials they design for aircraft and spacecraft include aluminum and steel, as well as less common sheet metals like titanium and tungsten. Sheet metal's ability to create large, smooth contours makes it ideal for airfoils and other aerodynamic applications.