What to Consider When Choosing Custom Sheet Metal Parts?

What to Consider When Choosing Custom Sheet Metal Parts

Millions of products and constructions, including complex electronic housing and heavy-duty industrial frame work, are constructed out of custom sheet metal components. Choosing the appropriate manufacturer and defining the right parameters to your project is a key to its success and will influence both the performance and durability, as well as general costs and schedule. To go through this process it is important to pay much attention to a number of factors.

Design forManufacturability

An outstanding design on paper can either be impossible or costly to make. It is important to communicate with your manufacturing partner at the beginning of your design. They would be able to offer some good tips to streamline your part to manufacture.

PartGeometryand Complexity

The part shape will determine the manufacturing techniques that will be needed. Basic bends and straight cuts will suffice, but when more complicated geometries with tight limits, deep cuts or multiple angled items are required, special equipment and operations can be necessary. The design should be made as simple as can be done without undermining the functionality.

MaterialSelection

Material selection is one of the basic decisions which influence the strength, weight, corrosion resistance, appearance of a part and cost. Materials possess different properties which determine their suitability in various environments and usage.

CommonMaterialOptions

Steel is characterized by its great strength and low-price, but it can be easily slicked by rust unless it is cloaked. Stainless steel is very much resistant to corrosion and has high strength and is therefore best used in medical, marine or food service. The aluminum offers excellent strength to weight ratio, natural corrosion resistance and good conductivity. The copper and brass are mostly selected due to their conduciveness of electricity and beauty.

UnderstandingManufacturing Processes

Various sections demand varied methods of fabrication. It is important to know the fundamentals of the processes and then communicate well with your supplier and make informed decisions on how your part should be made.

Cutting,Bending,and Forming

Laser cutting is very precise when it comes to complicated forms and patterns. Punching is quite cheap and quick when dealing with large quantity work and conventional hole shapes. Bending is the process of bending flat sheets into a three dimensional component, computer controlled press brakes are used to enhance accuracy. High-volume production of parts is done by stamping, in which a die is used to shape the metal in one stroke.

FinishingandPost-Processing

The last finishing of sheet metal part is functional as well as cosmetic. The appropriate finish will give it increased durability and a desired appearance to the end product.

SurfacePreparationand Coatings

Powder coating is an impressive paint for getting a durable, thick and uniform finish in an enormous variety of colors and textures. It is very hard to chipping and scratching. Anodizing is an electrochemical treatment mainly of aluminum which enhances corrosion resistance together with surface hardness and enables its dyeing in different colors. Plating, i.e., zinc or nickel plating, provides a thin protective coating which may increase corrosion resistance and look.

QualityAssuranceand Partnership

Dependability and uniformity of your components cannot be compromised. It is important to set quality standards and a partner with a track record.

CommunicationandPrototyping

Select a manufacturer that possesses an active and effective communication ability. They are supposed to be a problem solver and not an order filler. Prototypes should always be requested before actually engaging in a run of full production. This enables you to check the fit, form and work of the part physically and to determine in advance what can go wrong.