A lot of today’s modern constructions involve the use of sheet metal. Anything from the automobile industry, the aerospace industry and the construction industry all utilise sheet metal as a vital component of their work.

Sheet metal is essentially pieces of metal that have been formed into flat thin pieces so that they are easily stored and shipped, and also more importantly, easily profiled. There are a variety of techniques of sheet metal fabrication to basically manipulate the thin sheet metal into the shape that you require for your project. There are a variety of factors which contribute to the final decision as to which type of sheet metal fabrication is chosen.

Initially, let’s look at the type of sheet metal. Each type of metal comes with their own material characteristics, depending on what the requirement for the end product is dependent on what sheet metal is chosen. All kinds of different metals can be sourced for sheet metal fabrication from copper, brass, tin and nickel to aluminium, steel and titanium. Sheet metal fabrication is also utilised for more decorative purposes. Many modern day sculptures and art work are created out of shaped sheet metal, sourced from more valuable metals such as silver, platinum and gold.

The gauge of the metal required is often considered before any sheet metal fabrication job. The thinness and thickness of each metal sheet is called the gauge of the metal, where the higher the gauge, the thinner the metal. For instance, many of the gold and platinum sheet metals are extremely thin due to their worth, these thin sheets are often referred to as foil sheet metal or sometimes known as leaf sheet metal. Once the thickness of the metal exceeds a typical value of 6mm the sheet metal is then often referred to as plate metal.

Once the type of sheet metal has been considered it is time to source the sheet metal fabrication process in order to manipulate the initial flat sheet into the desired shape with the desired holes, slots and dimensions required for the job at hand. For example, the automotive industry often shapes sheets of metal for car body components, and likewise the aerospace industry utilises sheet metal fabrication to provide parts of aerofoils on aircrafts.

Aluminium is useful for the deep drawing process (to create aluminium cans), welding, stampings, and spun and drawn parts. Due to its versatile forming nature, its lightweight properties and overall strength once formed, aluminium is an expensive but popular choice for versatility in sheet metal fabrication. Stainless steel is heat treatable, it can be laser cut, welded, punched, perforated, press brake formed, stamped, rolled, metal spinned and water jet cut. The popularity and accessibility of stainless steel make it a popular sheet metal choice.

With a vast array of sheet metal forming uses and techniques and a large number of sheet metals to choose from there is a lot to consider when sourcing the right material for the job you require. Once your finished design is done and you’re ready to begin construction take a look at the options available in terms of material, price and the cheapest sheet metal fabrication process available to provide you with the required design, in the right timeframe.