Sheet Metal Products
Sheet metal products are constructed most often from stainless steel and aluminum but can be made from any metallic material including copper, steel, titanium and brass. These products are not usually made all in one place. The sheet metal comes from the
suppliers at one plant and is worked at another before being shipped elsewhere and assembled. This is due to the fact that these products require start-up time for designing and the actual manufacturing of the sheet metal. Different presses and machines and tools are used to produce certain results. Because of the wide variety of products and the ability to order custom or standards parts, there is no one technique or process through which sheet metal products are manufactured. Each piece requires a careful design and precise execution. Sheet metal products are used in automotive, aircraft, communications, construction, defense, electronic, food processing, medical, spacecraft, storage, telecommunications and other applications.
The first step towards a sheet metal product is the
design. Software programs are critical in producing an effective and economical part. Many machines are now becoming CNC, or computer numeric controlled, meaning that they are operated by software instead of an operator; this minimizes risk of human error and allows for very fine processing. The next step is to take the sheet metal and form it by mechanically applying deformation forces to change its shape. Next is the cutting process where excess material is removed or a detailed pattern is cut by a laser or water jet into the metal. During the finishing step, the product is sanded or deburred to remove any rough spots or edges. The metal can be polished for a shiny finish or buffed for matte finish. Because of the variety of products, there is a wide range of sheet metal procedures and techniques. The sheet metal used for the bodies of cars, for example, does not receive a special finish but is prepared for a coat of paint. Airplane wings are reinforced and bolted together whereas electronic enclosures are fitted with hinges, locks and waterproof seals. Sheet metal products are typically fairly large and though they may have detailed cutouts or attached assemblies, there are usually areas of solid sheet metal.
