SHEET METAL FABRICATION?

WHAT IS TWENTY20 ENGINEERING’S PROCESS FOR SHEET METAL FABRICATION?

• Step 1: Design and Engineering – The start of the process is the design and engineering phase, where the product, component and assemblies are created using 3D CAD, such as SolidWorks sheet metal package.

Step 2: Material Selection – Based on the requirements of the design and product, the material and material thicknesses will be selected. Factors such as cost, corrosion and strength will influence the materials and finishing selection.

Step 3: Cutting – The sheet metal is cut into the desired net shape for the component or product. A variety of processes can be used to cut the metal depending on the complexity, accuracy and material thickness required for the project. They are listed below in order of accuracy:

• Shearing – using a guillotine.
• CNC Plasma.
• Laser Cutting.
• Water Jet Cutting.

Step 4: Forming and Bending – Various processes are used to shape the metal sheet from its initial form to the desired shape. The most common method is sheet metal bending, achieved using a specialised machine known as a press brake.

• Rolling.
• Spinning.
• Punching.
• Pressing.

Step 5: Joining and Assembly – Different Components are joined to create the final assembly and product. This can be achieved by a variety of methods such as welding, using adhesives or mechanical fasteners such as nuts and bolts or rivets.

Step 6: Finishing – The fabricated metal product will undergo additional processes to enhance its appearance and functionality. This can include surface treats such as painting, powder coating, zinc plating and polishing. Deburring, grinding and sanding can also be performed to remove sharp edges and imperfections.

Step 4: Forming and Bending – Various processes are used to shape the metal sheet from its initial form to the desired shape. The most common method is sheet metal bending, achieved using a specialised machine known as a press brake.