What Is Precision Sheet Metal Fabrication?

Posted on September 28, 2022October 3, 2022 by RP Lasertech

Summary

A significant part of sheet metal fabrication is associated with the technology industry, an ever-expanding vortex. Any good metal fabrication company, such as RP Lasertech, will stay on top of the latest trends in the industry.

To ensure that they remain the best in their field, the best companies will be willing to invest continuous resources in new technology to remain innovative and the leaders in their industry. Ultimately, it is the quality of the product and finish of the product that is determined by the equipment.

Sheet metal is formed into finished products using various precision fabrication processes. Precision sheet metal fabrication is an essential component of almost all industries.

Most industries rely on these fabrication processes to provide products and services, including aerospace, military, automobiles, pharmaceuticals, medical, electronics, food service, telecommunications, computers, and storage. Precision sheet metal fabrication produces a wide range of products, including tanks, ventilation systems, hoods, cabinets, and enclosures for storage.

Precision Sheet Metal Fabrication Processes

Fabrication processes such as reshaping material are widely used to manufacture precision parts and products. This method involves reshaping or shaping the material to achieve the desired result without sacrificing the material. Due to their mechanical properties, several metals can deform plastically from one shape to another. Despite its structural integrity, plastic deformation does not affect the sheet metal’s volume or geometric shape. As well as bending, drawing, stamping, rolling, and stretching, other forming processes include stamping, rolling, and stretching.

The process of subtractive fabrication is also used for precision sheet metal fabrication. During subtractive fabrication, parts and products are produced by selectively removing material volume from sheet metal workpieces. Precision metal laser cutting, punching, shearing, and machining can separate workpieces into smaller parts. Computer numerical control (CNC) machines are routinely used to produce complex geometries through subtractive processes. Once programmed, a CNC laser cutting machine can produce intricate and detailed parts without requiring retooling in high-volume production runs.

Another fabrication process is assembly, which creates a finished product from a part or component. Probably the most familiar method for assembling parts is welding. By using various manual, mechanical, pneumatic, electric, and robotic tools, assembly physically joins individual fabricated parts and components. To meet specifications and design requirements, stainless steel sheet manufacturers in India employ several assembly services.

Major Industries That Use Precision Sheet Metal Fabrication

The fabrication of sheet metal is used in a variety of industries. From intricate electronic enclosures and chassis to high-performance sealed metal shipping containers, raw metal material is transformed into specialized, large, and small products for various applications.

The sheet metal fabrication industry includes:

Defence/Military
Medical
Aerospace/Avionics
Energy
Electronic enclosures
Custom projects

Tools used for Precision Sheet Metal Fabrication

Various consumer and commercial products can be produced using precision sheet metal fabrication, which employs numerous applications and techniques. By using this method, metal parts and components are made with a high level of accuracy, complexity, and detail. Assembling a finished product requires various methods of selectively removing or reshaping workpieces.

To help them perfect their fabrication production, sheet metal vendors near me have a wide range of tools at their disposal.

Angle Grinder
Plasma cutters
Flange and Punch Tool
Throatless Shear
Planishing Hammer
Corner Notcher
Shrinker and Stretcher
Cleco Fasteners

Technology to be used

Types of Sheet Metals

Alloy steel.
Stainless steel.
Galvanized steel.
Carbon steel.
Aluminum.
Tool steel.

Fanuc Robotics

FANUC has developed a six-axis robotic arm capable of beveling 360 degrees to fit any shape or profile that may be required for the job. A threefold increase in strength and a threefold increase in lifespan compared to the industry standard.

Hypertherm Plasma

sheet metal components manufacturers in Gurgaon utilize Hypertherm’s X-Definition plasma system, the most powerful plasma system on the market.

CNC Software

CNC software can be used to simplify the fabrication process and reduce errors. Assuring a flawless final product is possible by manually calibrating cutting tolerances, nesting parts for subtraction fabrication, and tracking robotic cut paths.

Impressive ROI

By utilizing automated controls, a reputable sheet metal fabrication company can handle the entire fabrication process in one pass, resulting in an 80% reduction in production time. Only one technician is required to operate the controls, which minimizes material handling. These cost-saving benefits can achieve an impressive return on investment.

Get To Know 8 Different Ways of Sheet Metal Enclosure Design

Posted on September 27, 2022October 3, 2022 by RP Lasertech

Summary

Manufacturing sheet metal enclosures has several advantages. Electricity conductivity, emission reductions, and resistance to harsh industrial environments are all improved by using them. Moreover, they reduce manufacturing costs and turnaround times. Therefore, they must be designed properly. Making informed choices will be easier with these sheet metal enclosure design tips.
The best thing you can do is to entrust your life to the hands of an experienced sheet metal company near me. The sheet metal processing services provided by RP Lasertech provide several benefits. The stainless steel fabricators at our company have extensive experience designing sheet metal enclosures. A streamlined and automated production process is also available to you.

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Using a laser to cut, score, engrave, or otherwise modify physical materials is known as laser cutting. CNC Laser cutting services have been a part of our lives for many years despite how futuristic they may sound. Its application was first restricted, like many innovations, but many businesses have enthusiastically embraced it.

Using sheet metal enclosures for electronics provides several benefits, including improved conductivity, emissions reductions, and protection against harsh environments. A sheet metal fabrication company that creates sheet metal enclosures aims to make them as perfect as possible so that they can gain all of these benefits for their projects. However, in reality, High-quality enclosures are difficult to design.

Any sheet metal company in Manesar strives to ensure a positive user experience and overall design success. Creating high-quality enclosures for electronic components can assist in accomplishing this. Designing sheet metal enclosures involves some guidelines. Following these guidelines will simplify your job and help you achieve quality results.

Check out the following sheet metal enclosure design tips to ensure your work is up to standard. Let’s get started!

Metal Fabrication Tips: Sheet Metal Enclosure Design

Identify the needs of your product

The design process should always consider the final product’s functional and aesthetic requirements. The right enclosure design will help you meet the needs of your product.

Before you start designing, consider these factors:

Sheet metal enclosures are intended for specific applications or use.
The enclosure’s expected working conditions. Working temperatures, corrosion exposure, vibration resistance, and other factors are considered here.
Dimensions.
Installation requirements.
Enclosure by stainless steel sheet manufacturers in India will contain the following items. Consider its height, weight, size, connector positions, etc.
Requirements for aesthetics. Depending on the application, this may be flexible or non-negotiable.

Metal Selection

Aluminum, stainless steel, and galvanized steel are the most common forms of metals used in enclosure design. Choosing a material requires consideration of its benefits and drawbacks.

Due to its lightweight, high strength, and corrosion resistance, aluminium is a preferred material. Additionally, anodizing protects it from scratches and other damage.

Another popular choice by sheet metal fabrication companies for enclosures is stainless steel. This material has high corrosion resistance and is extremely durable. The non-magnetic properties of stainless steel make it a good material for electronics.

In environments with a high level of rust resistance, galvanized steel is often used. Compared to other metals, it is also relatively inexpensive. Although galvanized steel is durable and easy to work with, it isn’t as strong as other options.

Consider metal thickness

For enclosure design, metal thickness is crucial. Many factors influence the strength, weight, flange length, and punch size of your enclosure, such as its thickness. Smaller products are normally hard to make with thicker metals, as you may know. The material thickness must be increased to design large parts with extra strength.

According to the paper, a lot of thickness gauges are the same. However, it is helpful to know more about sheet metal gauges so you can choose the right one. Make sure your walls are uniformly thick when you design a sheet metal enclosure. Your component’s quality can be determined this way.

Bend Radius

Maintaining a consistent bend radius is mandatory for precision sheet metal fabrication of the enclosure. Bend radii should always equal the content’s thickness when designing enclosures. Bend radiuses must be aligned with product widths. Therefore, fractures are prevented, and substances are circulated properly.

Generally, you should keep the length of your flange three to four times longer than the thickness of the material. Some metals are resistant to bending, which is important to remember. You can test the flexibility of your metal by understanding its chemical composition and surface condition.

Before choosing a bend radius, consider your enclosure’s functional and aesthetic requirements. Digitally calculating your metal’s bend allowance can be done via CAD software.

Choose your enclosure shape

While designing your enclosure, you should also consider its shape in addition to its thickness. You must consider your product’s PCB and system design to pick the right shape.

Compared to plastic enclosure moulding, there are fewer standard shapes available. Sheet metal enclosures come in the following shapes:

Boxes with folded sides provide easy serviceability and the flexibility to mount a wide range of products.
An F-shaped connector is easy to manufacture and suitable for electronics with opposite connector ends.
An L-shape provides easy access to the device and is easy to manufacture.
The U-shape enclosure is made with solid bases and is slightly more challenging to manufacture than the F- and L-shaped enclosures.

Use the right finishing operations

Surface finishing comes in many forms. Chemical conversion coating and anodizing powder coating are two options. The anodizing process increases aluminum’s corrosion resistance. The powder coating process is a kind of paint used on metal. Besides being durable, it is available in many colors. Coating metal with chemical conversion creates a thin film on its surface. The film improves the appearance of the metal while increasing corrosion resistance.

History of Sheet Metal Fabrication – Past, Present and Future

Posted on July 18, 2022August 16, 2022 by RP Lasertech

This is an extremely complex problem, and is easy to comprehend once more thought is put into it. The art of metalworking dates back thousands of years. Several witnesses assert that metals had been known and worked millennia before Christ. For example, consider the previous gold and silver jewels found in many museums dating back to the fourth and fifth millennium BC, considering that the development of metal processing depends on several competencies: chemical, physical, technological, etc.

This article explores the history of sheet metal fabrication and machining.

The History of Sheet Metal Fabrication

1400-1700

Towards the end of the 15th century, metalworkers no longer stacked coal and iron to liquefy steel in primordial furnaces. The period is also noteworthy because Leonardo da Vinci originally sketched his idea for a rolling mill.

Interestingly, the first rolling mills were not recorded for another 100 years, in 1590, allowing Da Vinci’s concept to come to life. One of them intended to create gold sheets that would be used to create coins. Another was designed for cutting formed sheets into strips.

During the beginning of the 17th century, this innovation was met with failure. A flawed technique known as puddling was commonly used in that period.

Cast iron was puddled by heating it in reverberation furnaces to liquefy it. Because of the use of sand as the bed for puddling, almost half of the iron was drained from the slag.

Puddling was such an inefficient method of producing steel that it took until the 1800s to refine it enough to produce mild steel. Despite pudding’s limitations, wrought iron was created through the technique used in both Eiffel Tower constructions and the Statue of Liberty!

1700 – 1900

With the advent of the industrial revolution and an increase in the demand for sheet metal fabrication, manufacturers developed new inventions like press brakes and assembly lines which allowed them to produce better quality parts.

The 19th century also saw the invention of steam and aluminum hammers, which led to the beginning of a new era in iron production. It was possible to mass-produce steel from cast iron by 1857 due to the inexpensive process.

Technology progressed at the same rate as the industry. The General Tramping Union of Tinplate Workers merged into different unions in 1861. The result was the founding of the General Union of Braziers and Sheet Metal Workers in Great Britain and Ireland

Future

Over the past 600+ years, the sheet metal industry has developed and grown significantly, and our team at CSM will continue to extend this tradition of quality and innovation. The future sheet metal fabrication techniques and processes that will continue to progress and evolve will benefit customers.

Process of Sheet Metal Fabrication

Cutting:

The cutting in metal fabrication is one of the most fundamental processes, which can be accomplished by laser cutting, water jet cutting, shearing, sawing, or flame cutting. In other words, the sheet metal is turned into a piece of the required size and shape with all the pre-measured details. The technologies most commonly used these days are the water jet and laser cutting machines.

Casting:

Fabricators pour molten metal directly into a die to create a mold. The metal cooled down during the process, and once it turned solid, the part remained after the die was removed.

Forging:

A fabricator can bend and shape raw metal using high-pressure equipment, allowing it to be shaped and carved into the desired shape.

Punching:

A turret punches predesigned patterns into metal for decorative or functional purposes.

Drawing:

Using a tapered die, liquid metal is pushed into a tensile force in order to be drawn into the tapered die.

Milling:

During the milling process, the metal is perforated, which due to the nature of the machine, is not always circular.

Drilling:

During drilling, circular bits are used to make holes in the metal.

Turning:

A technician spins the piece of metal on a spinning platform, allowing a radial cut to be made with a tool as the platform spins.

Extrusion:

The billet is forced through the die through a ram. This extrusion process produces cylindrical parts, such as pipes or electrical cables, forming the metal into thin sheets.

Conclusion

There is a long history behind the science and art of sheet metal fabrication. With such a wide range of nuances and techniques, the need for a skilled metal fabricator to handle each job becomes increasingly important. Let an experienced sheet metal design service take care of the rest since you have already learned the basics of sheet metal design.

We at RP Lasertech offer an innovative sheet metal processing method with automated and highly streamlined production systems that will allow you to enjoy the benefits of quality metalwork.

Besides rapid prototyping, our rapid prototyping offering also includes solid and reliable manufacturing capabilities and technical and quality assurance capabilities, including material certification, in-process quality reports, and every first article inspection.

Tag: Sheet Metal Fabrication