Being able to do sheet metal fabrication and designs with metal has revolutionised the industry. No longer are we bound only by the metal components that are available on the market, but we can now specifically create and design components that are more suited to our particular application.
Sheet metal fabrication can take place in several ways. The typical methods include various methods of cutting, deformation, and assembly.
Methods of Sheet Metal Fabrication
Sheet metal fabrication encompasses the process of cutting, assembling, and joining metal components to create products and parts. Cutting methods like laser cutting, waterjet cutting, and plasma cutting is utilised to remove material from metal sheets. Assembly involves fastening with rivets, bolts, and screws, or employing welding techniques to fuse the metal parts together. These versatile techniques enable the fabrication of a wide range of customized and precise sheet metal components.
Laser Cutting
Laser cutting is a precise and efficient process that uses high-powered lasers to cut through steel sheets with exceptional accuracy. This allows for intricate shapes, smooth edges, and clean cuts, making it a preferred method for various industries requiring precise steel components. Laser cutting offers a multitude of advantages, including unrivaled precision for intricate shapes, remarkable versatility across various materials, exceptional speed and efficiency, clean and burr-free cuts, and minimal material waste.
Waterjet cutting
Waterjet cutting uses the force of water to create the cut. Waterjet cutting is ideal for metals that have a low melting point, as no heat is generated during the process, protecting the metal during the cutting process. Waterjet cutting stands out as the preferred choice for industries seeking efficient and precise cutting solutions due to its exceptional versatility, precise results, material flexibility, and environmentally conscious benefits.
Plasma cutting
Plasma cutting makes use of ionised gas to create the stream necessary to penetrate metal. It is a great method suitable for a wide range of material thicknesses, with the ability to achieve fast and precise cuts. Its high productivity makes it a preferred choice for various industrial applications that require swift turnaround times and high-volume production. Laser cutting and waterjet cutting are typically more accurate than plasma cutting, but it too provides a fast and effective cut for your needs.
Deformation
Deformation is a sheet metal fabrication method that allows you to change the structure of the metal without needing to cut it. These processes include bending, decambering, stamping, spinning, wheeling, rolling and expanding, etc. Deformation has a wide range of advantages, including flexibility in design to create intricate shapes, improved structural integrity for enhanced strength and durability, and efficient material usage to minimise waste. These benefits make deformation techniques cost-effective and environmentally friendly.
Contact Vest Profiling
The opportunities are almost endless when it comes to sheet metal fabrication, with technology now providing a wide variety of ways in which to create the products and parts that you are looking for. For professional service and expert assistance, contact Vest Profiling today.