HITECH

Sheet Metal Fabrication

HITECH Sheet Metal department offers Sheet Metal Fabrication Service and has sheet metal processing machines such as laser cutting machines, CNC bending machines, large hydraulic presses, and riveting machines. The company specializes in laser cutting, CNC bending, stamping, flared, rivet and welding. We produce precision parts for various industries—from automotive chassis and electronic enclosures to custom stampings—in materials such as cold-rolled steel, galvanized sheet, stainless steel, aluminum, and copper.

Advantages of Sheet Metal Fabrication

1. Material selection

Aluminum+ , copper, stainless steel + , steel and zinc

2. Finishing Options

Bead blasting, anodizing, plating, powder coating and custom finishes

3.Thickness Options

Variety of gauges available

4. Durability

Low setup costs mean low prices for large volumes

5.Turnaround

Parts delivered in just 3-7 days

What is Sheet Metal Fabrication?

Sheet metal fabrication is a set of manufacturing processes used to turn sheet metal stock into functional parts. The sheet metal is usually between 0.006 and 0.25 inches (0.015 and 0.635 centimeters) thick.

There are several processes that fall under the umbrella of 'sheet metal fabrication'. These include cutting, bending and punching, and can be used either in tandem or individually.

Sheet metal fabrication can be used to create either functional prototypes or end-use parts, but end-use sheet metal parts generally require a finishing process before they are ready for market.

Material Removal

Laser Cutting

Laser cutting uses a laser to cut the sheet metal part. A high-power laser is directed onto the sheet and intensified with a lens or mirror to a concentrated spot. In the specific application of sheet metal fabrication, the focal length of the laser varies between 1.5 to 3 inches (38 to 76 millimeters), and the laser spot size measures around 0.001 inches (0.025 mm) in diameter.

Laser cutting is more precise and energy-efficient than some other cutting processes, but cannot cut through all kinds of sheet metal nor the very highest gauges.

Water Jet Cutting

A water jet cutter uses a high-pressure jet of water to penetrate the sheet metal. Unless the metal is especially thin, the water is mixed with an abrasive substance in order to cut through the solid material.

Since water jet cutting does not give off heat like laser or plasma cutting, the process is particularly useful for metals that have a low melting point and might otherwise deform. With water jet cutting, there is no heat-affected zone (HAZ), and metals can be cut without changing their intrinsic properties.

Part accuracies of better than 0.002 inches (0.05 mm)

Kerf widths of 0.006 inches (0.15 mm) to 0.015 inches (0.38 mm)

Material versatility

Plasma cutting

Plasma jetting uses a jet of hot plasma to cut through the sheet metal. The process, which involves creating an electrical channel of superheated ionised gas, is fast and has a relatively low setup cost.

Thick sheet metal (up to 0.25 inches) is ideal for the plasma cutting process, since computer-controlled plasma cutters are more powerful than laser or water jet cutters.

In fact, many plasma cutting machines can cut through workpieces up to 6 inches (150 mm) thick.

However, the process is less accurate than laser cutting or water jet cutting.

Part accuracies of better than 0.008 inches (0.2 mm).

High cutting speed, e.g. 200 inches (5.08 meters) of 16-gauge mild steel per minute.

Material versatility.

Punching

When the sheet metal needs to be punctured with holes, a designated punching machine is generally more efficient than the above cutting methods. Punching involves sandwiching the sheet between a punch and a die; when the punch moves into the die, it forces a hole in the sheet. The process can also be used to form irregular shapes, by making several small punches in series.

Most sheet metals can be punched, but the diameter of a round hole should generally be larger than the thickness of the chosen metal.

Sheet Metal Materials

Choose from a wide range of sheet metal materials including aluminum, stainless steel, and brass. Each material is chosen for its unique properties, allowing us to recommend the best match for your project’s specific needs and applications.