Whilst sheet metal machinery is capable of achieving great feats and producing fantastic products – there are instances where things can sometimes go wrong. There are a variety of reasons as to why certain issues may occur. There’s a lot that goes into sheet metal fabrication – not only do the operators have to exercise extreme care and conscientiousness, but they must also ensure that the machines themselves are in prime operating conditions. Today we will be discussing four of the more common issues that can occur when working with sheet metal machinery.

1. Machinery quality
No machine is perfect. All types of machines will degrade in one way or another over time – and sheet metal machines are no exception. There are a variety of reasons that sheet metal machinery could lose its quality, from excessive operation to not being operated correctly. A metal guillotine will not be able to produce a quality product if its blade is dull. It is important to inspect all sheet metal machinery before and after it is operated to ensure that it is still in useable condition. Strive to maintain your equipment as best as you can.
At some point, your sheet metal machinery will get to the point where it needs to be repaired by a professional. ACRA Machinery’s experts are authorised and highly experienced in repairing a variety of sheet metal machinery.
2. Communication amongst peers
As they say, communication is key. A lot of sheet metal machines require two people to operate it efficiently. These two operators must be in sync with each other and communicate at all times. This is to ensure that the job you are doing goes as smoothly as possible and you produce a quality product and that no one is hurt in the process.
The other benefit of effective communication when sheet metal machinery is being operated is that it alerts nearby workers to what you’re doing as well – encouraging them to be extra vigilant around your operating area. This issue can lead to a poor product being produced as well as serious injury.
3. Damaged or marked sheet metal surfaces
Now, what we mean by this is any form of tarnish, scratch or dint that the machine makes into the sheet of metal that you’re fabricating. This could be due to human error or the quality of the machine not being the best it can be, but physical marks are not usually welcome signs when fabricating sheet metal. Marks can also be found on the sheet metal at before it is used – so it’s important to inspect the sheet you’re about to use beforehand to avoid working on damaged goods.
As well as the issue of aesthetics in the final product – other visible tarnishes can sometimes lead to other issues down the track such as corrosion. Other forms of tarnishing that you should look out for include:
- Grease;
- Oil;
- Paint;
- Grinding dust; and
- Weld splatters.
4. Correct training
All sheet metal machinery operators should be sufficiently trained and well-versed with the machines that they are working with. Each machine has its own set of rules and safety procedures that need to be followed quite strictly – such as those needed to operate punch and shears. A lot of things can go wrong if a machine is being operated by someone who lacks the skills and knowledge to do so correctly.
One of the issues that can often occur is an operator – even a highly-skilled and trained one – will handle a machine that requires two to operate by themselves. This can lead to the operator being seriously injured. Even if a machine can be operated by a single person, you may still be required to have someone supervise you in case anything goes wrong.
Is your sheet metal machinery up to scratch?
The best we can do to reduce the risk of incidents occurring the metal fabrication work is stay diligent, follow the correct processes and ensure that equipment is in fine working condition. These are all easy things to do, and if you follow them, your production process will go without a hitch.
In the off chance that your machinery needs to be repaired or maintained, then ACRA Machinery will be able to handle that for you. Our experienced and passionate staff can administer repairs and maintenance on a wide variety of sheet metal machines. ACRA is also home to a large number of new and used sheet metal machinery.
So, if you require some machinery for your workshop – or simply some repair solutions – then give us a call on 03 9794 6675. You can also get in touch with us by filling out the enquiry form on our website.