Sheet Metal Fabrication is
the process to form metal sheets to the
desired shape or structure using techniques like cutting, bending,
punching, folding, and assembling. It is used in a wide range of
applications in a variety of industries. As it is a group of processes and
manufacturing methods, it requires a lot of experience, skills, and expertise
to form sheet metal into the desired shape to get a better-finished product. It
is where the sheet metal prototype is useful in the fabrication process to
prevent any manufacturing error or defects.
Sheet metal prototype is a
rough draft or mock-up model of the final product that is built long before the
manufacturing begins. It allows designers and manufacturers to test the quality
and finish. Sheet metal prototyping is done using various methods such as CNC
machining,
3D printing, sheet metal forming, and 3ERP for creating metal prototypes. Depending
on the prototyping process, a variety of materials such as aluminium or
steel are used to create metal prototypes that closely mimic the final
product.
Metal
Prototype over Plastic Prototype:
In some instances,
designers create plastic prototypes of parts that will be manufactured using
metal. This works in some cases where the manufactured part doesn’t have any
mechanical or functional role and doesn’t require characteristics like
strength, conductivity, or ductility. But, if the mechanical and functional
characteristics are important in your application to perform some kind of role,
metal prototypes are the way to go. A metal prototype can mock those
characteristics easily and can be tested on different parameters for functional
roles.
Metal prototypes are also
better even your parts don’t have any functional role because they can offer a
looks-like appearance that will help you conceptualize your final product in a
better way. Sheet
metal prototypes offer long-term benefits and increase the chance of the commercial success of
your final product.
Sheet
metal materials for prototyping
Various metals are used to
create sheet metal prototypes depending on the application and roles.
Manufacturers use different grade metals for prototyping sheet metal products.
Some cheaper metal options that you can use for your metal prototypes are:
· Aluminium
· Stainless steel
· Galvanized steel
· Galvannealed steel
· Cold-rolled steel
· Copper (C101; C110)
·
Brass (CDA 260)
Benefits
of Sheet Metal Prototyping:
Prototypes are used to
replicate, learn, and test to provide a real-life experience of the final designs
and their functions. Creating the right prototype is essential to avoid any
error or production defects that can cost you a lot more. This is where the sheet
metal prototype can be beneficial in many ways:
Metal prototypes offer better functional or
mechanical performance by mocking the real characteristics of the material that
will be used for final production.
· You can perform more accurate testing with designs, appearance, and performance.
· It increases the commercial value of your products.
· It is easier to move to the final production.
·
It is cost-effective in the long run.
A sheet metal prototype allows you to replicate the final finish of your
product that you want to achieve commercially. It is the foundation of your
successful manufacturing process and we are capable of providing the best
solutions for your metal prototypes.