The term sheet metal fabrication describes the journey of transforming a sheet of metal into a product that can be used. Sheet metal has to go through a great many processes to reach its final shape, including:
Punching
Punching is a sheet metal fabrication process that indents or cuts through the sheet metal, either engraving it or creating gaps which can be useful for ventilation or connecting different pieces of sheet metal together during the finishing process.
Laser
Laser is a process used by specialist sheet metal fabrication firms to precision cut sheet metal. This process is typically used in the medical, instrumentation and audio sectors.
Welding
Welding is a process by which two or more pieces of metal are joined together using heat and pressure to create a solid bond.
Tapping
Where separate pieces of metal are to be screwed together during the finishing stage, screw holes must be inserted at an earlier point in time. The process in which those screw holes are created is known as tapping.
Finishing
As the name suggests, finishing is the process in which the separate pieces of sheet metal are joined together to create the finished article. It is the point at which finished products are ground, sanded and polished ready for painting or galvanising.
These are just some of the processes that metal is subjected to on its journey from a simple sheet to a finished article. Each sheet metal fabrication project has different aims and by engaging the services of a specialist, bespoke products can be created.
