Sheet metal fabrication is a daunting undertaking for businesses without experience in the commercial manufacture of custom products. Therefore, if you are preparing to design and build items using sheet metal, you should find the right contractor. An experienced fabricator will guide you through the different phases of sheet metal fabrication, including design, material procurement, prototype creation and mass production. In addition to seeking expert services, here are tips for planning for your manufacturing project.

Understand the Metals

The materials used in sheet metal fabrication will determine the cost and performance of the final product. Therefore, you must understand the options and choose the best match. In an ideal situation, you should select the material that meets the minimum functional requirements of the product at the lowest price. However, it is advisable to consider critical performance factors like durability, strength, legal requirements and branding. Ensure your custom product will satisfy the customers and withstand scrutiny. Some popular sheet metal choices include aluminium, stainless steel and copper alloys.

Choose the Right Gauge

When you choose the ideal sheet metal for your project, you will need to find the right gauge. This factor is crucial because the integrity of the material and the stability of the product will depend on it. The gauge refers to the overall thickness of the sheets used in the custom fabrication. As you might expect, thicker sheets are stronger and more durable in most applications. However, this gauge is harder to manufacture and might cost more. Lighter sheets are easier to bend and form intricate shapes, but the strength and integrity are lower. You must find the in-between thickness for your planned product to ensure good performance without affecting the ease of manufacturing. Keep in mind that sheet metal materials on the market are available in a series of gauges. Always choose the popular stock sizes from your supplier. Rare or custom sheet metal sizes will increase your costs.

Optimise the Design

Finally, prepare the right design for your manufacturing project. Sheet metal fabrication is deceptive in its simplicity because the primary techniques used are bending, folding, shrinking and punching. However, if the design is unclear, the results might be unacceptable. Therefore, create a detailed design draft with help from your fabricator or a qualified designer. The draft should include a drawing, dimensions and essential notes. You can note the tolerances if you are building sensitive components like vehicle or equipment parts. Review the design and ensure optimal simplicity for maximum ease of manufacture. 

For more information, contact a company like Beta Metal Spinning.