Basic Principles Of Precision Sheet Metal Fabrication

When you are in need of precision prototyping services you may start off your search with an internet search engine to check out what kind of products and information you will be able to find. The internet is becoming more and more of a valuable resource and selling tool where you can find almost anything that you are looking for from products to information and even customer reviews for most industries. In terms of prototyping you'll really need to find a company who can aid in making prototypes in the kinds of materials that you are in search of in the sizes that you need. Some prototyping firms are meant to make huge prototypes and some are designed to make very small prototypes and you wouldn't want a firm made to prototype computer components to create a prototype truck engine, or vice versa.

 

Precision sheet metal fabrication describes the producing of products from materials for example steel, stainless steel, spring steel, titanium, aluminum, copper and brass. The products are typically designed by companies in high-tech industries such as aerospace, automotive, defense and medical. The design files will then be uploaded into state-of-the-art equipment and manufactured using leading edge equipment and engineering systems. There are various different precision sheet metal fabrication processes. Like for example, cutting, forming, bending, assembling and finishing.

 

Cutting sheet metal to size is possible by sawing, shearing or lasering. While shearing had been the standard in the industry, it is quickly being replaced by lasering. Plasma and laser cutting tables present you with a cleaner cut as compared with shearing and can cut through either thin or thick materials-including .500 inch steel-quickly and efficiently. Sheet metal fabrication companies which have these capabilities normally have a shorter turnaround time.

 

Stamping forms the metal and will work on the material meant for bending and assembling. The formation of the product can include a number of fabrication processes including but not limited to punching, blanking, embossing and deep drawing. It could be done with either a mechanical or a hydraulic press; one is certainly not better than the other. The best press could eventually depend upon the application.

 

Bending is often a flexible process in precision sheet metal fabrication which allows the formation of different shapes with the use of hammering and press brakes. It requires complex mathematical formulas to find the correct bend allowance for the compression and stretching of the material. Lots of companies have found that reverse engineering with the use of CAD programs is the most proper way to calculate the bend allowance.

 

The moment all of the components are prepared, they are assembled. Welding is sometimes performed by a highly skilled craftsman, but the use of programmable spot welders is becoming more and more common. Programmable welders, at times known as robots, make the manufacturing process safer, less expensive, and more efficient. In some instances riveting and threaded fasteners will also be used to assemble the products.

 

Some products will be needing additional finishing. The product could possibly be sandblasted and painted or maybe powder coated. Powder coating is a type of metal coating that is applied as a dry powder rather than a liquid. It is cured under high temperature to bind it to the material and for an exceptionally durable, hard skin. The finished product is then usually examined and shown to the customer.