In sheet-metal fabrication, parts are formed from metal sheets by punching, cutting, stamping, and bending. 3D CAD files are created using a host of different CAD packages and then converted into machine code, which controls machines that precisely cut and form the sheets into the final parts. Sheet-metal parts are known for their durability, which makes them great for a wide variety of applications. Parts for low-volume prototypes and high-volume production runs are most cost-effective due to large initial setup and material costs.
Below are some tips and guidelines for designing sheet-metal parts. If you follow the design advice and maintain the tolerances expressed in this article, you are more likely to end up with parts that meet the needs of your designs.
Wall Thickness
Parts should maintain a uniform wall thickness throughout their entirety, but this should be easy because parts are formed from a single sheet of metal.
