The process of shaping metal sheets to the desired shape using various manufacturing methods is known as sheet metal fabrication. A product’s completion normally consists of several steps, ranging from cutting and bending to surface treatment and assembly.

A multitude of fabrication techniques can frequently be employed to attain a comparable end result. However, based on the expenses and needs, there is still a proper decision.

Metal fabrication is essential in a wide range of industries, from construction and equipment products to the creation of parts and finished products for commercial uses. The metal fabrication process involves cutting, shaping, machining, welding, molding, or assembling raw or semi-finished metal materials into end products using a number of fabrication procedures.

Sheet Metal Part Fabrication or Metal Fabrication Processes Types

The path from sheet metal to metal products begins with CAD engineering. Following the creation of the models, each part is subjected to the requisite sheet metal production operations. The most popular are as follows:

Thermal Cutting

For cutting sheets, less cutting is preferable. A fast and precise cutting procedure ensures good results.

Plasma cutting may be used with thicker materials due to its speed. However, this advantage is only apparent at thicknesses greater than 10 mm.

At the same time, laser cutting has a higher cutting quality. As a result, we recommend that you use laser-cutting services.

  • Water jet – A water jet is a tool that uses an exceptionally high-powered stream of water to cut sheet metal. By directing water through a narrow nozzle at high pressure, we can cut through various thicknesses of sheet metal.

  • Torching – A cutting torch is a powerful tool that employs a hot flame to cut oxidizable sheet metal, such as steel sheet metal.

  • Shearing: The sheet metal is flattened, and the top blade is lowered onto the surface, pressing the metal down onto the bottom blade. We also provide a selection of smaller hand shears that can be used to manually cut smaller and thinner sheet metal pieces. For smaller projects, hand shears are the way to go. Circular saws and bandsaws are used to cut metal sheets that are too thick to be cut with shearing, water jets, or torches.

  • Sawing is a more time-consuming and labor-intensive process, so it is reserved for particularly thick material.

Mechanical Severing

Shearing, also known as die cutting, is a method of cutting sheet metal without burning or melting it. It also does not make any chips. Shearing is essentially the same as cutting with scissors.

A punch forces the workpiece against a fixed die or blade in shearing. The gap between them is so large that the workpiece cannot pass through, causing it to shear.

When intricate cuts are not required, it is a wonderful and cost-effective way to cut sheets into size.

Punching

Punching is another method for making holes in a sheet. A metal punch is used to perforate the sheet. It is appropriate for large-scale production but inefficient for smaller operations. The reason for this is the requirement for a separate tool for each cut.

Bending

There aren’t many metal components that escape the bending department of a fabrication shop when it comes to actual engineering. Press brakes are in charge of folding sheet metal pieces.

Because of the complexity of some bends, this is likely the most demanding phase in metal fabrication. An engineer must be well-versed in the limitations of metal bending to things that can be mass-produced.

Assembling

When it comes to manufacturing a product, the final or penultimate phase is assembly. If welding is involved, the items must be cleaned before powder coating.

Power Coating

Powder coating is the application of an electrostatic powder to a charged metal component. When no particular criteria, such as wear-heavy or acidic conditions, apply to the construction, this is the ideal surface treatment procedure.

Metal Stretching

Sheet metal must be stretched at times, which is the inverse of shrinking. There are three methods for completing this fundamental sheet metal production technique:

  • Stretcher machines: Unlike shrinkers, stretchers have powerful jaws that seize each end of your sheet metal and slowly stretch it to the desired size.

  • English wheel – Based on the conventional anvil, this machine stretches metal by pushing it against a lower anvil and an upper wheel. The English wheel is useful for smoothing out flaws and creating compound curves.

  • Hammer and anvil: A hammer and an anvil are required for this hands-on technique for sheet metal shrinking (or another heavy-duty object). You set the metal on the anvil and pound it repeatedly with your hammer. This will gradually increase the surface area of the metal and cause it to stretch.

Metal Finishing

The final fundamental sheet metal fabrication procedure is to finish your item after you’ve cut, stretched, shrunk, and welded your metal. A finish on your metal will make it endure longer and function better. There are three popular finishing techniques:

  • Sandblasting is spraying sand and other abrasives at high speeds against your sheet metal. Sandblasting gives your sheet metal a matte finish and is commonly used to prepare metal for coating.

  • Buff polishing: This finish is achieved by buffing the metal’s surface using a cloth wheel. If you want your metal project to shine, buff polishing is probably the way to go.

  • Metal plating/coating: Chemical baths can be used to apply various coats to your project.

Looking for a Sheet Metal Manufacturing Company Near You?

Your search is over now. Because INDGIRKA is one of the best Sheet Metal Fabrication Providers in India. We at INDGIRKA supply the best quality sheet metal components, not only in India. We, with our cutting-edge technology, manufacture and export them all over the world.

Besides sheet metal, we are also a leading manufacturer and exporter of Aviation Parts, Medical Equipment, Agriculture, Defense, Automobiles, Machining Parts, etc. We have left no stone unturned.