Apr 18 2013
Sheet Metal Terminology – Part 1
In November we posted an article about Ordinary Metal Fabrication Methods. To continue to inform our audience about metal fabrication methods, some terminology should be explained.
Sheet Metal Terminology – Part 1
Roll forming is a constant bending process in which sheet metal, coil, bar or strips of metal pass through rolls that form the metal. This process is most efficient in large production runs. Small production of roll formed parts can be done but it is a manual process where tight tolerances are difficult to obtain.
Stamping is for high production parts. Single or multiple punches, bends, embossing can be performed at one time or in a progressive die. If you can design and build tooling to perform the sheet metal functions at one time or in sequence such as punching holes and embossing at one time, then stamping is a great process. The benefits of stamping include the ability to produce large production runs with low labor costs. However the production quantity must be high as tooling costs can be expensive.
Metal Punching, CNC Punching, Punching through Stamping are all terms used when metal fabrication equipment punches holes, louvers or a predetermined shape out of sheet metal.
Blanking is where a part is cut out of the sheet metal and the material around the part is discarded.
Metal Forming can be accomplished is several ways. Press Brake bending is a common process. Press Brake bending is basically pressing a flat sheet metal part into tooling to bend the metal. The operator setting up the machine for press brake bending must understand the material and how it will respond to the bending pressure. Many things can affect the bending process, such as springback and cracking if the calculation of the material and the other factors are not correctly assessed.
Noble Industries has been fabricating sheet metal parts for over 40 years. Check out our website at www.nobleindustries.com or contact Brenda Snyder for more information
