Sheet metal fabrication process guide: cutting, bending

Sheet metal fabrication is a set of manufacturing processes that process sheet metal into functional components. For this guide, we have divided the processes into three categories: cutting, deformation, and assembly.

Common sheet metals include steel, stainless steel, aluminum, zinc, and copper, and the sizes of these materials are typically between 0.006 and 0.25 inches (0.015 and 0.635 cm). Thinner specifications are more malleable, while thicker specifications may be more suitable for heavy parts with intense applications.

For parts that are partially flat or hollow, sheet metal fabrication can be a cost-effective alternative to processes such as casting and machining. The process is also fast and generates minimal material waste.

Sheet metal manufacturing is widely used in industrial and consumer parts, as well as in specialized industries such as automotive, aerospace, energy, and robotics.