What is Sheet Metal Fabrication?

Sheet Metal fabrication is a manufacturing process that converts sheets of metal into custom functional parts. The process typically involves removing material from the sheet to form the basic shape and then may involve secondary steps, such as bending, to create more complex 3D shapes such as pans, boxes and brackets. The sheet metal fabrication process typically involves CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machines that guide the cutting or forming process automatically under computer control. The manufacturing process makes precision parts with simple or complex shapes by automating the cutting process.

In CNC machining, a computer program written in the G-code language, is used to control all aspects of the machine. The G-code tells the machine what to do at each step, including motions, speeds and feed rates. The G-code is typically created using computer-aid-manufacturing (CAM) software which works from CAD software. The G-code is uploaded to the machine for processing.

Sheet Metal Fabrication Advantages

Sheet metal fabrication has several advantages over other CNC machining methods:

Fast turn times – lower setup time allows faster delivery

Economical – the process is usually more economical than machining for both prototyping and production

Secondary operations of bending allows creating intricate parts at minimal extra cost.

Sheet Metal Fabrication Applications

Custom sheet metal manufacturing is used in a variety of applications such as, aerospace, automotive, medical, consumer products, scientific instruments, and electronic devices. Sheet metal manufacturing can be customized to create a wide range of parts, including brackets, covers, frames, enclosures, and housings. Sheet metal fabrication process can create complex and intricate shapes with accuracy and precision. The manufacturing process is cost-effective, accurate, and repeatable, making it a great choice for many industrial and manufacturing applications.