Sheet metal does not have a comprehensive definition yet. According to a definition from a professional journal, sheet metal can be defined as a comprehensive cold processing technique for metal sheets (usually below 6mm) that includes cutting, punching/cutting/compound operations, bending, welding, riveting, assembly, and forming (such as automotive body). Its significant feature is the consistent thickness of the same part. The definition in the Modern Chinese Dictionary, 5th edition, describes it as a verb, referring to the processing of steel plates, aluminum plates, copper plates, and other metal sheets.
In general, the basic equipment in a sheet metal factory includes shearing machines, CNC punching machines/lasers, plasma or waterjet cutting machines, combination machines, bending machines, as well as various auxiliary equipment such as uncoilers, levelers, deburring machines, spot welding machines, etc.
Typically, the three most important steps in sheet metal fabrication are cutting, punching/cutting, and bending.
Sheet metal is sometimes referred to as "banjin," which comes from the English term "platemetal." It generally involves using manual or mold stamping to achieve plastic deformation of metal sheets, forming the desired shape and size. It can further be processed into more complex parts through welding or minimal mechanical machining. Examples include chimneys, sheet metal stoves commonly used in households, and car shells, all of which are sheet metal components.
The processing of metal sheets is called sheet metal fabrication. For example, it involves using sheets to create chimneys, iron barrels, oil tanks, ventilation ducts, different sizes of elbows, roofs, funnels, etc. The main processes include cutting, bending, flanging, forming, welding, riveting, requiring a certain level of geometric knowledge.
Sheet metal parts refer to thin metal hardware components that can be processed through methods such as stamping, bending, and stretching. A general definition is that they are parts whose thickness remains constant during the manufacturing process. They are distinguished from castings, forgings, and machined parts. For example, the outer iron shell of a car is a sheet metal component, and some stainless steel furniture is also made of sheet metal.
Modern sheet metal processes include wire winding of filament power supplies, laser cutting, heavy processing, metal bonding, metal drawing, plasma cutting, precision welding, roll forming, metal sheet bending, die forging, waterjet cutting, precision welding, etc.
In current 3D software such as SolidWorks, UG, Pro/E, SolidEdge, TopSolid, there is a feature for sheet metal parts. It is mainly used to generate the data required for sheet metal fabrication, such as unfolded views and bend lines, and to provide data for CNC punching machines/lasers, plasma or waterjet cutting machines, combination machines, and CNC bending machines.
In general, the basic equipment in a sheet metal factory includes shearing machines, CNC punching machines/lasers, plasma or waterjet cutting machines, combination machines, bending machines, as well as various auxiliary equipment such as uncoilers, levelers, deburring machines, spot welding machines, etc.
Typically, the three most important steps in sheet metal fabrication are cutting, punching/cutting, and bending.
Sheet metal is sometimes referred to as "banjin," which comes from the English term "platemetal." It generally involves using manual or mold stamping to achieve plastic deformation of metal sheets, forming the desired shape and size. It can further be processed into more complex parts through welding or minimal mechanical machining. Examples include chimneys, sheet metal stoves commonly used in households, and car shells, all of which are sheet metal components.
The processing of metal sheets is called sheet metal fabrication. For example, it involves using sheets to create chimneys, iron barrels, oil tanks, ventilation ducts, different sizes of elbows, roofs, funnels, etc. The main processes include cutting, bending, flanging, forming, welding, riveting, requiring a certain level of geometric knowledge.
Sheet metal parts refer to thin metal hardware components that can be processed through methods such as stamping, bending, and stretching. A general definition is that they are parts whose thickness remains constant during the manufacturing process. They are distinguished from castings, forgings, and machined parts. For example, the outer iron shell of a car is a sheet metal component, and some stainless steel furniture is also made of sheet metal.
Modern sheet metal processes include wire winding of filament power supplies, laser cutting, heavy processing, metal bonding, metal drawing, plasma cutting, precision welding, roll forming, metal sheet bending, die forging, waterjet cutting, precision welding, etc.
In current 3D software such as SolidWorks, UG, Pro/E, SolidEdge, TopSolid, there is a feature for sheet metal parts. It is mainly used to generate the data required for sheet metal fabrication, such as unfolded views and bend lines, and to provide data for CNC punching machines/lasers, plasma or waterjet cutting machines, combination machines, and CNC bending machines.
