The sheet metal technology process can vary, but typically does not include more than the ten processes listed below.
Design and draw drawings of sheet metal parts
Also known as three-view drawing, its objective is to represent the structure of sheet metal parts through a drawing.
Draw the expansion diagram
The process involves taking complex structures and flattening them into a two-dimensional surface.
Suppression
There are several different ways to erase, mainly the following:
A. Cutting machine blanking: It is used to cut the required width and length of the expanded graphic with a cutting machine. If there are any holes that need to be drilled or corners that need to be notched, the punching machine combined with the die can achieve this purpose.
B. Punch suppression: The plate structure is formed after expanding the parts through a press with one or more steps. Its advantages are that it takes little time, is highly efficient and can reduce processing costs. It is often used in mass production.
C. NC blanking: In NC blanking, programming must be done first. This involves using programming software to write the expanded graphic into programs that can be recognized by the CNC machining machine tool. Then the structural shape is punched from the flat parts according to the program.
D. Laser cutter blanking: This method uses a laser cutting machine to cut the structural shape of flat parts.
Flanged threading
Flanging, also known as drilling, involves creating a slightly larger hole in a smaller base hole and then tapping it. This process increases the resistance of the material and prevents the screws from loosening. It is generally used for thin plate processing.
For thicker plates, such as 2.0 or 2.5 mm, the wire can be threaded directly without needing to be turned.
Punch manufacturing
The punching process typically involves several operations, such as punching, corner notching, hole cutting, convex punch shell, tearing and drawing hole, among others.
Each operation requires a specific mold to successfully complete the process. For example, the convex hull punch needs a convex die, while the tear punch needs a tear forming die.
Riveting
The factory frequently employs pressure riveting pins, riveting nuts and riveting screws to join sheet metal parts.
This riveting process is typically carried out using a punch press or a hydraulic riveter.
Doubling
In general, bending refers to the process of bending 2D parts into 3D parts. This process requires a press brake and corresponding bending die to complete the operation.
Additionally, there is a specific folding order that must be followed. The principle is to first bend the areas that do not interfere with the punch die and then bend the areas that produce interference.
You can also check The Ultimate Guide to Press Brake to fully understand things about press brake.
Welding
Welding involves joining multiple parts together to achieve the manufacturing objective or fusing/seam welding a single part to increase its strength.
The manufacturing method including:
There are several welding methods available such as CO2 gas shielded welding, argon arc welding, spot welding and robot welding. The selection of these methods depends on the actual requirements and textures of materials.
Typically, CO2 gas shielded welding is used to weld iron plates, while argon arc welding is more suitable for welding aluminum plates.
Robotic welding is mainly used for large materials and longer weld beads, such as cabinet welding. It can help reduce workload, improve work efficiency and ensure welding quality.
Surface treatment
Surface treatment typically involves a variety of techniques, including phosphating film, colored zinc electroplating, chromate salt, baking paint, oxidation and more.
Phosphating film is typically applied to electrolytic and cold-rolled plates to create a protective coating that prevents oxidation and improves paint adhesion.
Color zinc electroplating is often used for surface treatment of cold-rolled sheets.
Chromate and oxidation are often used for surface treatment of aluminum plates and profiles.
The selection of a specific surface treatment depends on the customer's specific requirements.
Set
Assembly involves combining several parts or components in a specific way to create a finished product.
A crucial factor to consider during assembly is protecting the components to avoid scratches.
Assembly is the final stage in the production of a complete product.
If parts become unusable due to scratches, rework will be required, resulting in lost manufacturing time and increased material costs.
Therefore, it is essential to pay special attention to safeguarding materials during the assembly process.
