Sheet metal is an amazing material that can be used for a wide variety of things. In today’s world, this material is commonly used in the automotive, construction and aerospace industries. Yet, sheet metal may also find its home in the world of art, or in the realm of personal hobbies. This begs the question: How exactly is sheet metal made? Well, there is a very detailed process that gets the material from its source to its final state. Read on to learn about precision sheet metal fabrication.
The Melting Stage
First, metal is melted to a liquid state. In fact, a wide array of metals can be used in this process. Some of the more common ones include titanium, tin, nickel and brass. Some companies may even use copper or aluminum for precision sheet metal fabrication. Once the metal is liquefied, the producers move on to the next step.
The Pouring Stage
When metal is in its liquid state, it is ready for molding. This hot, dense liquid is transported from the crucible directly into a mold. The main thing to remember here is that the metal must remain extremely hot. If not, it can start to take an undesirable form.
The Pickling Process
The metal has to cool down before it can be removed from the mold. In most cases, it will be in the form of an ingot. This is essentially a metal block. Pickling occurs when the metal is treated with certain chemicals. This cleans the metal and prepares it for further processing.
Finishing Up
There are two more steps before the metal can be shipped to a buyer. First, the ingot is pressed in a rolling device. This is what gives sheet metal its flat, smooth shape. Next, the metal will go through annealing to give it a final touch. This sums up the process of precision sheet metal fabrication.
