The Sheet Metal Fabrication Process: An Overview
Sheet metal is used in many different applications. From vehicle frames to aeroplane components, the list of sheet metal uses is endless. The material is popular because it is durable, easy to work with and conducts heat and electricity well. Before a final sheet metal product hits the market, it undergoes a series of steps from raw material to finished product.
During the metal fabrication process, the material can be welded, cut and shaped into many different shapes and sizes. Most sheet metal fabrication processes will involve a combination of any or all of the following steps.
Receiving the raw material
The fabrication process begins with the manufacturing plant receiving raw materials. These can come from recycled metals or portions of other metallic surfaces that have been sourced by the plant.
Inspection and pre-screening
When raw materials are received, they first have to be screened to ensure that all components are usable by the manufacturing plant. At this stage, corroded sheet metal, or metal that has become excessively damaged, is removed from the raw material pile.
Once the pre-screening phase is complete, manufacturing plants can begin working with the right sheet metal for fabrication into end products.
Web plate blanking
One of the first steps taken during sheet fabrication is web plate blanking. This is the process of forming sheet metal into blank plates that can serve as an initial template for making more complex structures.
During web plate blanking, the sheet metal is flattened into distinct panels in preparation for welding. Each panel is then checked for damages and finishes.
Welding
After the blank plates are formed, they are prepared for welding into intermediate structures. There are many different types of welding processes, each suited for a particular function. Before a welding technique is chosen, the shape, structure and function of the final product needs to be determined.
If the final product is meant to be flexible, a process such as shielded metal arc welding is more appropriate because it results in flexible welded joints. On the other hand, submerged arc welding results in a more rigid welded surface and is more suited for tough structures that require high durability.
Inspecting the weld
After welding, the integrity of the joint surface is inspected for quality. The weld should hold sheet metal surfaces together in a rigid form in order to facilitate the final fabricated structure.
Final assembly
After welding, the final product can be assembled. It will mostly comprise multiple welded surfaces as well as sheet metal of various forms and sizes.
Specific products may involve variations of the above processes, but this serves a core outline of sheet metal fabrication steps that you should be aware of.
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