Sheet Metal Fabrication Services

Sheet metal fabrication often involves the application of finishing techniques to enhance the appearance, durability, and functionality of the fabricated components.

Here are some common finishing options used in sheet metal fabrication:

1. Deburring: Deburring is the process of removing sharp edges, burrs, and rough surfaces from sheet metal. It is typically achieved through mechanical methods such as grinding, filing, or sanding. Deburring improves safety, prevents injuries, and ensures smooth edges.
2. Grinding and Polishing: Grinding and polishing are techniques used to refine the surface of sheet metal. Polishing is performed using abrasive compounds or buffing wheels to achieve a high-gloss, reflective finish.
3. Sanding: Sanding is a process of using abrasive materials or sandpaper to achieve a smooth and consistent surface finish. It is commonly employed to remove surface irregularities, scratches, or paint coatings.
4. Painting: Painting is a popular finishing option that provides both aesthetic appeal and protection for sheet metal components. The sheet metal surface is prepared, primed, and then painted using various procedures such as spraying, dipping, or powder coating. Painting permits the modification of color, texture, and finish.
5. Powder Coating: Powder coating is a durable and environmentally friendly finishing method. It involves applying a dry powder electrostatically to the sheet metal surface. The coated component is then heated, causing the powder to melt, flow, and form a protective and decorative coating.
6. Anodizing Aluminium sheet metal is most commonly anodized. Anodizing is the electrochemical chemical process in which a protective layer of oxide is formed on the surface of aluminum. Anodizing improves corrosion resistance, durability, and the ability to introduce different colors and finishes.
7. Plating: Plating involves depositing a layer of metal onto the sheet metal surface through electroplating or electroless plating methods This finishing option boosts corrosion resistance, wear resistance, and aesthetics. Chrome, nickel, zinc, and gold are common plating materials.
8. Passivation: Passivation is a process that uses chemicals to make stainless steel sheet metal resistant to corrosion. It works by increasing the formation of a protective layer of oxide on the metal’s surface, which helps to get rid of surface contaminants like iron and other impurities.

The choice of finishing option depends on factors such as the desired appearance, functionality, environmental conditions, and budgetary considerations.

Fabrication service providers can provide guidance and expertise in selecting the most suitable finishing technique for specific sheet metal components or products.

Sheet metal is a comprehensive cold working process for thin metal sheets (usually below 6mm).

Sheet metal fabrication services are the process of shaping, cutting, and alternating sheet metal to manufacture various components and products.

The sheet metal fabrication techniques generally include blanking, bending, flanging, piercing, punching, embossing, coining, and stretching.

Due to its strength, adaptability, and low cost, Sheet metal fabrication services are widely used in the automotive, aerospace, and electronics industry.

The sheet metal fabrication process begins with the design and engineering phase, where the desired product or component is conceptualized and designed using computer-aided design (CAD) software.

Progressive stamping is required to produce metal parts with complex geometries. 

The fabrication process begins once the design has been approved.

YIJIN provides various types of sheet metal fabrication services for your custom needs.

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Yes, sheet metal can be painted or finished to enhance its appearance, protect it from corrosion, or meet specific requirements.

Common finishing options include powder coating, anodizing, plating, or applying protective coatings.

Sheet metal fabrication can be performed with various materials, including steel (mild steel, stainless steel, galvanized steel), aluminum, copper, brass, and more.

The choice of material depends on factors such as the desired strength, corrosion resistance, appearance, and the application of the final product.

Common sheet metal thicknesses range from 0.5 mm (0.020 inches) to 6 mm (0.250 inches) or more.

Thicker sheets may require specialized equipment and processes for cutting, bending, and forming.

Sheet metal processes can be performed on a variety of materials, whether ferrous (steel, carbon steel, etc.) or non-ferrous (aluminum, copper, etc.).

Find the proper materials from the list to build your custom sheet metal parts.

1. SPCC	SPCC (Cold Rolled Carbon Steel Sheets and Strips in full form) is a material grade that refers to commercial quality cold rolled steel. The surface of SPCC steel is exposed to the air and therefore easily oxidized. The humid environment will speed up the oxidation process and produce red rust. It’s suggested to use paint, electroplating, or other protective materials to protect the surface in use.
2. SECC	SECC is a galvanized stamping material that is electrolytically coated with a zinc layer on the surface of the cold-rolled sheet. SECC features mechanical properties and similar processability as ordinary cold-rolled steel sheets with superior corrosion resistance and decorative appearance. This type of material is very popular on the market since it can make durable metal stamping parts for furniture, home appliances, and electronic products. The computer case is a typical application.
3. SGCC	SGCC refers to hot dip galvanized steel material. It’s semi-finished material after hot pickling or cold rolling. After cleaning, annealing, and immersion in the melted zinc tank (at a temperature of about 460°C), the steel sheet is plated with a zinc layer. Quenching, leveling, and special chemical treatment are applied afterward to produce SGCC materials. SGCC material is harder than SECC material with poor ductility (avoiding deep pumping design), thicker zinc layer, and poor weldability.
4. SUS 304	SUS 304 is one of the most widely used stainless steel. It’s more corrosion and heat-resistant since it contains Ni (nickel) elements. It has good mechanical properties with no hardening phenomenon in heat treatments and no elasticity.
5. SUS 301	SUS 301 is less corrosion resistant due to its lower composition of the Cr (chromium) element. However, this material can obtain good tensile force and hardness in stamping processing with good elasticity after the cold working process. It is usually used for shrapnel springs and anti-EMI.

Sheet metal fabrication services can be used in a variety of fields including the aerospace, automobile, shipbuilding, machinery, and chemical industry.

The sheet metal parts are commonly seen in the following applications:

Electrical Appliances

Metal stamping parts are widely used in electrical appliances such as televisions, air conditioners, washing machines, and other home appliances.

Other common applications include small household appliances such as rice cookers and kettles.

The metal stamping parts specialized for such use cases are generally made of cold-rolled steel and galvanized steel.

Vehicle Accessories

Automotive metal stamping parts are also popular on the market. Precision stamping parts are often used on vehicle accessories.

Most of the automotive body panels and structures are made by sheet metal stamping where common operations include shearing, punching, cutting, and folding.

The metal sheet will be shaped to desired specifications after human or mechanical stamping.

Welding or progressive stamping can be applied afterward to produce more complex and durable sheet metal parts.

Having a good understanding of geometric knowledge is essential to process metal stamping sheets.

A proper machining process can standardize different sheet metal processes (stretching, bending, buttoning, stamping, etc.) and ensure that the sheet remains with the same specifications from the beginning to the end.

Talk to our manufacturing experts and get connected with the top sheet metal parts supplier by sending us a message now.

Kitchen Utensils

Sheet metal products are usually used to create pots and pans in our daily life, which is realized through either stamping or spinning.

Stamping uses a specialized mold to form the desired shape directly.

Spinning requires the metal plate to be fixed on a lathe and rotates while a mold is applied to bend the metal.

While spinning can be used to produce round pots, it’s better for making axisymmetric hollow revolving bodies such as circles and cones.

The sheet metal stamping parts for kitchen utensils should be produced with selected materials that can meet the strict standards for sanitation and fire protection.

At YIJIN Hardware, our custom sheet metal parts for freezers, refrigerators, wine cabinets, and beverage cabinets are made of Q235 cold plates (0.6mm – 1.0 mm) and powered after forming.

The rear plates and bottom plates are galvanized (0.6mm – 0.8mm) and the inner tank is made of 0.5 mm embossed aluminum stamping materials.

The pure water machine, ice machine, water boiler, and coffee machine are mostly within 0.8 mm – 1.0 mm with powder sprayed after forming.

The special parts in contact with water vapor or experiencing large temperature differences are made of galvanized sheets (or 201 stainless steel) and powder sprayed after forming.

The stainless steel sheet metal plate is used for the touchable front part to avoid any fingerprints.

In terms of the ice machines, the water heater table is made of 202 stainless steel, the decoration is made of a 6063-T5 aluminum alloy strip, and the water tank and pipes are made of 304 food-grade stainless steel.

Aerospace Components

Some special-purpose custom sheet metal parts are used in the aerospace industry.

Those aerospace sheet metal parts are used on rockets and space shuttles.

The shell of modern aircraft is mainly a custom sheet metal stamping part with riveted structure.

The sheet metal parts account for about 50% of all aircraft components, while custom sheet metal stamping operation accounts for 65% of the entire aircraft manufacturing process.

Sheet metal technology is important for the aerospace industry since it helps achieve the strict structural standards of aircraft components with higher efficiency and reliability.

Sheet metal aviation parts are difficult to produce due to their various sizes, complex shapes, special materials, and service life requirements.

Modern fabrication techniques, such as laser cutting and CNC bending, can achieve high levels of accuracy.

Laser cutting typically offers precision within a few thousandths of an inch (0.1 mm), while CNC bending can achieve accurate angles and dimensions within tight tolerances.

The specific accuracy depends on the capabilities of the fabrication equipment and the skill of the operators.

Sheet metal fabrication involves a range of processes to shape, cut, join, and finish sheet metal to create components and products.

Here are some commonly used sheet metal fabrication processes:

Processes	Description	Image
Laser Cutting	Laser cutting cuts sheet metal with precision and accuracy by employing a high-powered laser beam. It is appropriate for elaborate patterns and complex shapes. Laser cutting enables cutting up to 50 mm thickness material. The cutting area in laser cutting should be Up to 4000 x 6000 mm
Water Jet Cutting	Waterjet cutting cuts sheet metal with a high-pressure stream of water accompanied by abrasive particles. Water Jet cutting enables to cutting of up to 300 mm in thickness material. The cutting area in Water Jet cutting should be Up to 3000 x 6000 mm
Plasma Cutting	Plasma cutting melts and removes metal by using a high-temperature, ionized gas (plasma). It is excellent for fast and accurate cutting of thick sheets of metal, such as steel, aluminum, and stainless steel. Plasma cutting enables cutting up to 50 mm thickness material. The cutting area in plasma cutting should be Up to 4000 x 6000 mm
Bending	Bending is a common method for achieving precise bends in sheet metal. The sheet metal is clamped between a punch and a die, and the press brake machine applies force to create the desired bend angle. This process is widely used to create difficult bends and angles. Bending enables to bend up to 50 mm thickness material. The Bending area should be Up to 4000 x 6000 mm