Sheet metal fabrication is utilised within a range of industries, from construction and automotive to aerospace and appliance manufacturing. This versatile process allows for the creation of a vast array of products through the manipulation of thin metal sheets. To achieve these diverse shapes and functionalities, here at DB Sheetmetals we offer a variety of sheet metal fabrication services, each with its own strengths and applications. In this blog post we’ll explore these techniques further.
CNC Punching: This method involves a computer numerically controlled (CNC) machine utilising a punch and die set to create precise holes, shapes, and cutouts in the sheet metal. This technique offers high speed and repeatability, making it ideal for high-volume production runs of parts with intricate features.
Laser Cutting: For unparalleled precision and clean cuts, laser cutting reigns supreme. A focused beam of light melts and vaporises the metal along the cutting path, resulting in sharp edges with minimal heat distortion. Laser cutting is particularly good when it comes to handling complex shapes and can work with a wider variety of materials compared to traditional cutting methods.
Powder Coating: Once the metal components are formed and cut, it’s time to consider how you are going to protect and finish your components. Powder coating provides a durable, high-quality finish by spraying electrostatically charged dry powder onto the metal surface. When heat is applied, the powder melts and forms a continuous, hard-wearing coating that offers excellent resistance to corrosion, scratches, and chemicals. Powder coating comes in a vast array of colours and finishes, allowing you to customise the finish to your exact requirements.
Press Brakes: This method uses a V-shaped punch to bend the sheet metal along a defined line. By adjusting the pressure, bends of various angles and depths can be achieved. Press brakes are essential for creating folds, flanges, and channels in sheet metal components, giving them their final three-dimensional form.
Pemserting: This technique focuses on creating strong, internally threaded inserts within sheet metal. A PEM sert, a thin-walled, threaded insert, is inserted into a pre-punched hole in the sheet metal. This creates a robust threaded socket that can withstand repeated use and high loads, ideal for securely fastening other components or allowing for disassembly.
Welding: For permanent joints between sheet metal components, welding is the go to solution. There are multiple welding techniques used in sheet metal fabrication, each with its own advantages. MIG welding uses a consumable wire electrode to create a continuous weld pool, ideal for fast and efficient joining of thinner sheets. TIG welding offers a more precise and cleaner weld due to the non-consumable tungsten electrode, making it suitable for thinner materials and critical applications. Spot welding utilises high-pressure electrical pulses to create localised welds at specific points on the overlapping sheets, often used for rapid and invisible seam formation.
For more information on any of our sheet metal fabrication services, speak to a member of our team today on 01440 706281 or email info@dbsheetmetals.co.uk