The sheet metal fabrication plays a crucial role in modern manufacturing processes, and many of the everyday conveniences we enjoy like driving a car to work, using a smartphone, or even living in a structurally sound house, would all be impossible without sheet metal fabrication. Despite this hardly anyone outside the industry knows anything about what sheet metal fabrication actually is, how it works, or why it’s so important. This week, we take a look at the basics of sheet metal fabrication.
What is it?
As the name suggests, sheet metal fabrication is the process of turning the sheet metal into a finished product. Sheet metal is used to manufacture an enormous range of different products, from iPhone cases to metal guttering; basically anything that has an even metal surface as been fabricated from sheet metal. The fabrication processes used to manufacture these products is equally broad and encompasses things such as cutting, shearing, welding, bending and polishing.
Are there any sub categories?
Sheet metal fabrication falls into three categories:
Structural fabrication: This category encompasses the manufacturing of civil engineering works such as bridges, as well as building components like girders.
Industrial fabrication: This category pertains to the manufacture of support and processing equipment.
Commercial fabrication: An enormous category, commercial fabrication is a catch all term for metal items which are available for retail purchase.
How is the metal cut?
There are a three key way to cut metal in the sheet metal fabrication industry. The first is to draw blades backwards and forwards across the metal surface in a sawing action. The second involves shearing the metal by exerting an enormous amount of pressure onto the metal until it breaks clean apart. The third entails using a laser beam to melt through the metal.
ACRA are industry specialists when it comes to sheet metal machinery and we stock a comprehensive range of new and used models for the commercial, structural, and industrial fabrication sectors. To learn more about our capabilities, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us by calling 03 9794 6675, or by using the online enquiry form.