Sheet metal fabrication is metal formed into thin and flat sheets that are then cut and bent into various shapes. Different metals, brass, steel, copper, tin, titanium, aluminum, etc., can be made into sheet metal. Platinum, gold, and silver are useful for decorative purposes, among other uses. Sheet metal is used to construct numerous objects with varying thicknesses, from thin sheets, also known as foil or leaf, to thicker sheets, i.e.,>6mm, also known as a plate. The metal sheet thickness is referred to as gauge and generally ranges from 30 gauge to 8 gauge. The sheet metal gauge is inversely proportional to the metal thickness.
Various metals and metal alloys can be formed into sheets and used to fabricate sheet metal parts. The choice of materials depends on the application’s requirements, and factors in material selection include formability, weldability, corrosion resistance, strength, weight, cost level, etc.
There are six significant types of sheet metal material, including alloy steel, stainless steel, carbon steel, tool steel, galvanized steel, aluminum, etc.
Sheet metal fabrication is a very flexible process, can be used in many industries, such as construction, automotive, HVAC, consumer goods, robotics, electronics, energy sectors, etc.
