Sheet Metal Fabrication Work
Sheet metal fabrication is the process of transforming metal into thin, flat sheets, which are then cut and bent into various shapes. Sheet metal can be produced from a range of materials, including brass, copper, steel, tin, aluminum, and titanium. Precious metals like platinum, gold, and silver are also utilized in jewelry design. This process allows for a wide variety of thicknesses, ranging from ultra-thin sheets, such as foil or leaf, to heavier sheets, like plates, suitable for constructing a vast array of items. The term “gauge” refers to the thickness of metal sheets, which can range from 30 gauge down to 8 gauge. The thickness of the metal is directly linked to its gauge.
If you need sheet metal fabrication services, trust Reich Fab without hesitation. We have been serving customers like you for over a decade, consistently striving to provide the best quality and service.
REICH FAB’s Sheet Metal Fabrication Process
Our custom metal fabrication procedures involve three main steps: cutting, shaping, and assembling sheet metal.
Cutting and Bending of Metal Sheets
This process utilizes a variety of hand and power tools, including plasma torches and CNC cutters like lasers. Sheet metal fabrication can be viewed as a subtractive manufacturing process, where functional elements are created by removing portions of the metal. Various machines, some specifically designed for sheet metal work, are employed to cut the material.
Forming of Metal Sheets
Unlike cutting, forming reshapes and reconfigures the sheet metal without removing material. Techniques such as bending, stamping, roll forming, stretching, and spinning fall under this category.
Machinery like press brakes is used to bend sheet metal into U-shapes, V-shapes, and channels, achieving angles ranging from 0 to 120 degrees. Bending thicker gauge sheet metal is more challenging, and decambering may be employed to eliminate horizontal bends in strip-shaped components.
Assembling of Metal Sheets
Although assembly is not typically categorized as a fabrication process, its importance in production cannot be overlooked. Nuts and screws are commonly used to join sheet metal components. During the fabrication process, holes for rivets, pins, and other fasteners may be created using techniques such as punching. Key assembly methods include welding, riveting, brazing, and using adhesives.
For precise and high-quality sheet metal fabrication, contact REICH FAB today!