The process of precision sheet metal fabrication

When it comes to precision sheet metal fabrication, it is a special process in which sheets of metals are manipulated by special machines in order to be given different kinds of complex hollow sections and shapes. In order to achieve this, a series of equipments will be used, ranging from elaborate power operated automatic machinery to simple hand tools.

The process generally begins with a preliminary operation like perforating, slitting, cutting and so on, which is done with tools that exercise a shearing action. For this purpose, there are various shearing devices available. They might include hand-operated bench shears which are perfect to be used for heavier gauge materials, but also simple hand shears which are scissor-like cutting tools of different sizes and shapes.

With regards the power driven shearing machines, there are several kinds of them. Usually, they comprise of a moveable blade and a fixed blade. People might hear the word "punching" to be used with regards to the process of precision sheet metal fabrication and if they do, they should know that it refers to the operations performed with the help of a press or punching machine.

On presses and similar machines, a wide range of shaping operations that come under the heading of bending and folding are done, but there are other operations done, too, like grooving, seaming, beading, crimping and stamping. Such processes are used for the stiffening or shaping of metal sheets and so on.

With regards to bending, it is a precision sheet metal fabrication process that allows the formation of various shapes by using press brakes and hammering. In order to find the right bend allowance, complex mathematical formulas have to be used, so that the material is stretched and compressed properly. Many companies have discovered that the use of CAD software and reverse engineering is the most effective way of calculating bend allowance.