5 Sheet Metal Enclosure Design Tips
5 Sheet Metal Enclosure Design Tips
Your next metal fabrication project is about to get real. Whether you want to design a metal enclosure for a sensitive machine or for simple storage cabinets, perfection is key. There are various practical difficulties to keep in mind while fabricating the enclosures.
Fabricating metal enclosures requires top-notch skills. These 5 sheet metal enclosure tips will help make your project a success;
Metal Thickness is Key
It’s the thickness of the sheet metal that should determine the weight, strength, punch size, and flange length of your enclosure. It’s hard to make small products out of thick metal. Also, if you are designing a large part that needs extra strength, increasing the material thickness is imperative.
Since sheet metal parts are made from a single sheet, you have to maintain uniform wall thickness.
Bending Consistency is Mandatory
It’s essential to keep a consistent bend radius. The bend radius within your sheet metal design should add up to the content thickness. Having a bend radius that does not correspond with the product width might lead to substance circulation problems and fractures. The minimum flange length for a bend should be three to four times the thickness of your material.
Keep in mind that some metals do resist bending. The surface condition and chemical composition of the metal should guide you in testing its flexibility.
Selection of Tools
For successful sheet metal fabrication, you need a wide assortment of tools that can handle a wide range of capabilities. For instance, you will need to use different tools and apply various techniques when it comes to steel than it does for brass or copper.
Whether you are forming Mild Steel, welding, or punching steel, you must have tools that can handle the job. The tools that you will need when drilling aluminium are different from the ones to punch steel. Each of these manufacturing techniques requires special tools.
Keep Your Design Simple
Keeping your design and design requirements simple is a challenge to many fabricators. A sure-fire way to fulfil your expectations is by having a simple sheet metal enclosure design. A simple design paves the way for a cost-effective and time-saving fabrication process. Where as at Rana Metal Works we’re capable of producing complex designs with ease.
With a simple design, you will not run into the problem of custom tooling. Custom tooling is detrimental in terms of costs and might not be conducive for a quick-turn solution.