The process of sheet metal fabrication aims at producing extremely thin sheets of aluminium or other types of metal. Sheet metal can be designed to form many shapes that suit various uses. The process is effective as it produces durable and end-use metals portions that can be fabricated based on your specifications to suit your specific needs. Two major steps are involved; flat rolling and deep drawing. Other processes that take place during metal sheet fabrication include bending, sheering, shrinking, beading and notching. Understand some common knowledge of the process and some useful products that are generated from it.

Process of Flat Rolling

With flat rolling, the thickness of a metal is completely reduced by setting through a roller. Manufacturers in industries have room for creating thickness of varied sizes from the available piece of sheet metal. To achieve the desired thickness, the sheet metal is run through different types of rollers. A lot of pressure is needed to drive the rollers hence are driven mechanically. The mechanical energy used also helps in creating a piece of metal that conforms to a specific uniformity and flatness.

Process of Deep Drawing

Deep drawing is the most popular method in process of sheet metal fabrication. The process entails squeezing sheet metal to reduce to intended thickness. A punch is used to radially draw the metal with a given amount of pressure. The punch compresses the sheet metal to a specific size to produce different punch sizes based on the demand of the production process. Adjustable pressure on the punch will help reduce or increase the amount of pressure exerted on the metal sheet in order to vary the levels of thickness produced. The process also creates a piece of sheet metal without losing or misplacing any original material.

Shaping the Sheet Metal

Shaping is an important process in sheet metal fabrication. Two major processes, press braking and spinning, are involved in the shaping process. 

Press braking method involves running the sheet metal through a certain run. Compression from the press makes a v-shaped groove from the sheet metal to come up with a bend. The process is close to deep drawing and can be used to bend metal into a series of defined angles.

Spinning method is used to make cones out of metal. The original sheet metal is spun and pressed to come up with axially symmetric portions. High-speed spinning is induced to the sheet metal to create centrifugal forces that thin and expand its radius simultaneously.