Custom sheet metal fabrication with tooling design services for your metalwork projects

A variety of processes are used in sheet metal fabrication to convert a metal sheet into a workable item. Common process you may have heard of include blanking, bending & forming, assembly and finishing. A thin sheet metal stock is placed onto a flatbed where a cutter, usually a laser cutter, draws programmed part patterns. A sheet metal punch can be used to form additional patterns. Once the parts are deburred, they are moved to the press brake where they are formed into their final geometries. Additional secondary operations can be required to provide finishing to certain parts that require it. 

Advantages of laser cutters

A laser doesn’t get dull or worn out, so fabricators don’t have to worry about mid-process die changeovers. The larger the order for mass production of sheet metal fabrication parts, the more cost-effective laser cutting becomes because you only need to switch it on and then let it run. It can move as fast as 20 to 70 inches per minute, depending upon the tolerance and intricacies of the parts used in custom metal fabrication works. Multi-laser heads can be used to increase the speed of fabrication and manufacturing.

Laser cuts at high tolerance can create unbelievably small cuts. Extremely detailed capability is unique to laser cutting. So, if you need complicated cuts, you will need a laser cutter. You can get clean, sharp, and smooth edges and curves. The majority of the laser cutting projects require little to no clean up. Holes, slots, tabs and cutting operations can be easily accomplished with the help of laser cutters.

Water jet cutting

Water jet cutting used in sheet metal fabrication utilises a constant supply of high pressure water that is mixed with a granular abrasive which cuts and manipulates different types of sheet metals. The machine’s CNC-operated design allows for multi-axis cutting heads to produce ultra-complex part shapes and angled cuts in custom metal fabrication works. Fibre-optic laser cutting used in sheet metal fabrication operates by amplifying light that is channelled through a fibre optic table. The inner lens of the machine straightens and delivers a hyper-focused beam of light that provides extremely accurate cuts with exceptional edge quality.

Offering you specific design services

Sheet metal fabrication can turn out to be a costly affair if you don’t conduct the proper research and engage with the right fabricator. Besides the cost of metal, all designs, prototypes, production and finishing processes have associated fees. To save money, look for a metal fabrication partner who employs in-house engineers offering specific design services. They can help you optimize your designs through material choices and in-line processing recommendations. Without the help of engineers, you will still be able to complete your project but then any mistake will be apparent in the final product.

Choosing a custom metal fabricator

Also, use the cheapest material for the prototype if feasible (for example aluminium instead of stainless steel) to save costs. For the final product, choose an affordable material that will still carry out the functions of the part properly. Thicker materials might restrict achievable bends for your part, so design to a common gauge to cut the costs associated with variable gauges. Also, for your custom metal fabrication work, consider engaging someone who receives mill-direct supplies as they will be able to negotiate on better price and better products.

The more features with tolerance callouts you have in your project, the more expensive it will be. So, only assign key tolerances to features and surfaces that are critical to the functionality of the part. By limiting the use of tight tolerances, you will be able to create a more affordable design. 

Partner with a local business so that meetings are easier to conduct and coordinate so you‘re able to go into much greater detail about plans and business goals. Aligning with a local metal fabricator could be a long-term business partnership as you can be clear about your goals and the material you want to work with.

One-stop shop for custom sheet metal fabrication works

Brisbane Metal Products (BMP) are expert metal specialists who are equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, tools, and machinery to design, fabricate, mesh, weld, form, and coat metal to any specific requirements that you may have for your custom metal fabrication projects. BMP provides a complete range of custom sheet metal fabrication encompassing turnkey parts, components and assemblies, precision sheet metal stamping and sheet metal prototyping and engineering services.

Cost-effective tooling design

This Brisbane-based fabricator with nationwide capabilities provides support for all secondary custom sheet metal fabrication processes such as anodizing, tumbling and finishing, powder coating, silk screening, riveting and more to provide you with ready-to-use parts. BMP can also accommodate the cosmetic needs of your metal fabrication project. The fabricator excels at cost-effective tooling design and conversion from castings and forgings and works with clients to develop the most effective tooling approach to meet the specific requirements of your fabrication project.

Value-added services

Leveraging its 50+ years of experience in custom sheet metal fabrication processes, BMP can provide you with valuable engineering solutions to reduce costs and wastage of material, and determining the most valuable way for your custom metal fabrication project to meet the highest standards. BMP implements design for manufacturing (DFM) guidelines to ensure that sheet metal design flows through the processes without issues. Contact Brisbane Metal Products to learn more about their other sheet metal fabrication capabilities. 

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Created on Apr 9th 2021 03:43. Viewed 438 times.

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