Sheet metal is metal formed by an industrial process into thin, flat pieces. Sheet metal is one of the fundamental forms used in metalworking and it can be cut and bent into a variety of shapes. Countless everyday objects are fabricated from sheet metal. Thicknesses can vary significantly; extremely thin sheets are considered foil or leaf, and pieces thicker than 6 mm (0.25 in) are considered plate.
Sheet metal forming processes are those in which force is applied to a piece of sheet metal to modify its geometry rather than remove any material. The applied force stresses the metal beyond its yield strength, causing the material to plastically deform, but not to fail. By doing so, the sheet can be bent or stretched into a variety of complex shapes.
Sheet metal forming is used in almost every sector of Prototype industrial production like Automotive industry( doors, hoods, fenders) Aircraft industry(wings, fuselage)Home appliance industry(sinks, cooker hoods, freezers) and so on.
Sheet metal forming processes include the following:
1.Bending
Bending is a metal forming process in which a force is applied to a piece of sheet metal, causing it to bend at an angle and form the desired shape.
2.Roll forming
Roll forming, sometimes spelled roll forming, is a metal forming process in which sheet metal is progressively shaped through a series of bending operations
3.Spinning
Spinning,is a metal forming process used to form cylindrical parts by rotating a piece of sheet metal while forces are applied to one side.
4.Deep Drawing
Deep drawing is a metal forming process in which sheet metal is stretched into the desired part shape.
5.Stretch forming
Stretch forming is a metal forming process in which a piece of sheet metal is stretched and bent simultaneously over a die in order to form large contoured parts.
Advantages:
• Parts with Precision Tolerances • Parts with Demanding Angles and Details • Parts with Complex Shapes and Undercuts • Parts with Differential Wall Thicknesses • Parts with Dimensional Stability • Parts with Strength and Durability
SG Prototype would produce various Sheet Metal with few methods.Here are some images for your reference.
