Sheet metal fabrication is a vital process for the majority of manufacturing industries around the world. From automobiles to electronics to homes and buildings, sheet metal fabrication creates the products we rely on daily.
If you have a business that requires sheet metals to be cut, shaped, welded, or bent in any form, then chances are that sheet metal fabrication is a part of your daily operations. Furthermore, there are different stages of the metal fabrication process, and streamlined resources – like laser cutting services – to cut and create your metal products more efficiently.
Modern Sheet Metal Fabrication
While sheet metal fabrication has been around for hundreds of years, modern sheet metal fabrication relies on advanced processes – including laser cutting – to create parts and products faster and with more precision. Today, technology is the backbone of sheet metal fabrication. In addition, companies across all industries enjoy higher efficiency during every step of the process.
The Process of Sheet Metal Fabrication
While sheet metal fabrication can take varying forms, here is an overview of how the process works when the most advanced technology is used.
The Design Phase
Sheet metal fabrication essentially begins with a design. In modern sheet metal fabrication, these designs are created with computer-aided design (CAD) software, which outlines the exact specifications for required cuts, engravings, or other alterations for each piece of metal in a mass production run.
The Cutting Phase
Once the design has been finalized and tested, it is transferred to the cutting machine, which will perform the specified cuts and alterations to sheets of varying metals, like steel or aluminum. While different cutting machines can tackle these jobs, modern metal fabrication requires an advanced laser cutting machine.
How Does Laser Cut Work?
Laser cutting machines have become the gold standard for sheet metal fabrication. The reason is that they eliminate waste, time, and resources during the cutting process. Using computer numerical control, the laser cutting machine directs the laser beam to the surface of the sheet metal to follow the design to exact specifications. Then, it repeats the process again and again, replicating the ensuing cuts.
The heat from the laser beam effectively vaporizes the sheet metal in the designated area. Then, there is no excess debris, waste, or jagged edges. As a result, metal fabrication is infinitely more precise – with cuts that can be less than a millimeter – and more cost-effective, as more of the sheet metal can be used, and mistakes during the cutting process are nonexistent.
The Final Post-Fabrication Phase
Once the sheet metal has been cut, engraved, or altered by a laser cutting machine, there may be post-production steps required for the final manufactured parts.
These steps may include the following:
Welding
Multiple parts may need to be welded together, which may or may not be a process that occurs after the individual metal parts or pieces are created.
Powder Coating
Powder coating entails applying electrostatic powder to a charged metal part or product before using heat to harden the surface, creating a durable exterior. Therefore, powder coating is very popular for a wide range of products (like Tumblers or automobile parts) because it extends the lifespan of a product while adding aesthetic value. Like paint, powder coating comes in a rainbow of colors. However, unlike paint, it protects the metal surface, lasts for years and even decades, and does not chip or wear with repeated use.
When it comes to sheet metal fabrication, laser cutting is ideal for parts and products that require powder coating, as the ensuing laser cutting process leaves no ragged edges or blemishes behind. As such, powder coating can be applied easily after the laser cutting process is complete, which makes the entire process from start to finish more efficient.
Assembly
Depending on the part or product, additional assembly may be required once sheet metal has been transformed into individual parts. Again, laser cutting shines in this arena as well. This is because of the precise nature of laser cuts and there is no variation from the design specifications to the final cut metal piece. As a result, parts fit easily together when assembly is required, with no misalignment due to uneven or miscalculated edges.
Where to Get Metal Cut
Some companies may have in-house cutting machines to do the heavy lifting. However, many businesses turn to an outside resource to take advantage of the best technology available for sheet metal fabrication.
Laser cutting service providers have the experience and best laser cutting tools available to enhance manufacturing operations. Additionally, even with shipping involved in the turnaround time, laser cutting is much faster than traditional types of metal fabrication, like metal-on-metal cutting machines.
The key to utilizing the best laser cutting technology to enhance your manufacturing operations is to identify and connect with an experienced resource that has the most advanced laser cutting machines. In addition, it has the best facilities and expert technicians who can guide the way from the first step to the last.
Where Can I Get Metal Cut Near Me?
Are you ready to benefit from the most modern laser cutting processes available to simplify and streamline your metal fabrication needs? Then, your first step should be to connect with the expert team at Steelway Laser Cutting.
Steelway Laser Cutting has been providing exceptional metal fabrication services since 1963, and our expansive team of experts includes two certified laser operators who operate within a specialized facility with state-of-the-art laser cutting technology. Because of our resources and our experience, we can manage high-volume manufacturing projects of 1,000 units or more at a time. We can also work with all types of metals, including copper, bronze, aluminum, stainless steel, galvanneal, and regular hot rolled steel.
Utilizing the best laser cutting technology available starts with a conversation. Reach out to us today for a consultation on how we can put our expertise and advanced tools to work for you. When you have a partner and a guide in sheet metal fabrication, you’ll be amazed at how much you can improve your manufacturing operations across the board.