Aluminum is a metal that offers fabricators with many desirable properties. Its strength, anti-corrosive and other attractive qualities attract a variety of industries. To improve the material and conform it to the specified shape, design and/or size shops consider several available aluminum sheet metal fabrication processes. Fortunately, aluminum is receptive to a wide variety of techniques.
Aluminum Fabrication Processes
Depending upon the specifics of the metal – including the width, size, shape, and specifications, industries may request the use of a specific technique. In order to achieve an end in which functionality features prominently, a fabrication shop may consider the use of any of the following methods:
* Bending/Stretching (Plastic Forming): The process uses the same tools applied in bending other metals. Bending with a brake or box and the pan press is common for shaping boxes, channel shapes or producing U or V shapes.
* Deburring: This involves the removal of small chips of excess material from the aluminum. A grinding machine or abrasive tumbling can achieve this goal.
* Drilling: high-speed drilling produces or enlarges holes in aluminum sheet metal parts. If the fabricator needs to drill deep holes, s/he will require a special bit.
* Milling: The milling of aluminum requires machines to have larger teeth pitches.
* Punching: This creates holes using a punch press. In aluminum sheet metal fabrication, this is an inexpensive means of producing multiple holes.
* Sawing: Aluminum generally accepts higher sawing speeds. This method is accurate, burr-free and economic.
* Turning (Threading): A process requiring a lathe – standard, specialized or automatic, working at high-speed rotations
Aluminum Sheet Metal Fabrication
Aluminum is a metal treasured by many industrial concerns. They value it for its inherent properties. Metal fabricators also appreciate it for its ability to adapt easily to many of their processes. Among the many aluminum sheet metal fabrication processes, only welding offers a serious challenge. Even this method is possible if fabricators adhere to the strict guidelines for aluminum welding.
