My Experience with Sheet Metal Fabrication
My Experience with Sheet Metal Fabrication
Blog Article
I am a CNC master, and for the last 15 years, I have worked on all sorts of metal processing projects. One of them that I particularly find captivating is sheet metal fabrication. I enjoy starting with a flat sheet of metal and performing bending, forming, and other manipulation techniques to create complex three-dimensional parts.
Just recently, I had the chance to work on a large project for a new customer. A manufacturing client needed several parts for a new machine they were developing, such as brackets, housings, ductwork, and more. After reviewing their CAD models and specifications, we concluded that Junying’s sheet metal fabrication services would be perfect to get these parts done right and on time.
When starting the job, the first step was to prepare the raw sheet metal materials according to the customer’s specifications. Many of the parts were made from aluminum alloy 5052 H32 sheets with thicknesses ranging from 0.030 to 0.125 inches. For this application, it was important to use a versatile and lightweight material that could be easily formed, possessed robust corrosion resistance, and met the constraints. Other components required 304 stainless steel sheets.
With all the materials ready and inspected, it was time to begin processing the parts on our diverse array of CNC machines. Here at the company, we have a full range of fabrication equipment including turret punch presses, press brakes, and lasers. Different machines were utilized for various operations such as cutting, punching, bending, and forming, based on the part geometry and production volumes. Watching flat metal sheets transform into finished three-dimensional components is incredibly exciting. Aside from the basic forming techniques, some parts required additional detailing or secondary machining. For instance, drilling or threading holes in some brackets was performed after bending. Our modern computer-controlled mills were capable of accomplishing these features quickly and precisely. A combination of press brake forming and bend allowance programming created inward-pointing bends on the ductwork. To improve the appearance and function of parts, many pieces were finished through deburring, grinding, anodizing, or powder coating as well.
The completion of the entire sheet metal fabrication job was achieved, and all parts were shipped for assembly and testing on the customer’s new machine after many weeks of intense production work. Their response to the order was very positive, providing commendations to the team for their accuracy, effectiveness, and ability to meet stringent deadlines and closely defined parameters, which was impressive. As the CNC master for this project, it was very satisfying to witness the full leveraging of our sheet metal division’s fabrication capabilities to further enhance this customer’s product development.
In conclusion, my experience working with sheet metal has been consistently challenging and rewarding in terms of CNC machining and manufacturing. The diversity of raw materials, the variety of forming techniques and secondary processes, and the numerous applications keep things interesting for me after all these years. I welcome the prospects of future projects involving sheet metal fabrication.