Sheet metal is widely used in our daily lives. From the laptop you are using to the car you drive, everything is made from sheet metal components.
Sheet metal serves its uses in almost every industry, be it manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, electronics, etc. There has been an increase in online searches for “best sheet metal industry near me” or “sheet metal manufacturing companies in Noida.”
The popularity of sheet metal is growing every passing day. You can see how manufacturing industries in Faridabad and around the country demand high-quality metal components to support innovative designs, which can take the technological aspect to a higher level.
The sheet metal fabrication process involves various steps, among which bending is a common one.
The step deforms metal into an angular shape, which is also known by other names like flanging, edging, folding, and press braking.
Bending involves the application of force on a workpiece that exceeds the metal’s yield strength to achieve the required shape. It helps in increasing the workability of the metal in its last result.
Multiple bending methods are used in sheet metal industries that strengthen the sheet metal bend and ensure its durability. Some of them are listed below:
Holes and Slots
One of the best ways to strengthen a sheet metal is by punching holes
and slots. When you punch holes or slots in a metal, the surrounding area gets stretched and becomes more tensile, thus adding more structural rigidity to the sheet metal.
Wire Edging
It involves rolling the edge of the metal wire to increase thickness as well as strength. The technique is used excessively to strengthen the sheet metal and add more durability.
Grooved Seam
It is one of the most effective methods to strengthen sheet metal, especially when it is round-shaped, like a pipe or wire. The seam in the name “grooved steam” refers to a point where two ends of the metal sheet meet. Grooving is something that adds those two ends by interlocking them with each other. The method provides the much-needed strength to the sheet metal.
Stretching
Stretching the profile of a steel metal can significantly increase its strength. It involves changing the metal shape by adding a curve or bulge. The process can be carried out using a hammer and a sandbag or an industrial tool like a power hammer. No matter what equipment you use, results are similar. The only difference will be the time and effort required.
Different Methods To Bend Sheet Metal
V-Bending
V-bending is a common bending method that involves using a punch and a die. It is divided into three sub-categories:
- Bottoming: Also known as bottom striking or bottom pressing, it punch presses the metal sheet onto the die’s surface so that its angle can determine the final angle of the workpiece. The die’s radius also determines the inner radius of the angled sheet. The method is best for exerting the force to manipulate the compressed inner line to achieve the desired shape with precision.
- Air Bending: Also known as partial bending because the workpiece does not get directly in contact with the tooling parts entirely. It rests on 2 points, and the punch pushes the bend. Air bending is carried out using a press brake. It is flexible as it offers a bend anywhere between 90 and 180 degrees.
- Coining: A widely used method that offers more accurate results. It offers precision by letting the die penetrate the sheet and pressing a dent into the workpiece. It involves the use of high forces to ensure high precision.
90% of the job is done by the first two sub-categories, and coining is lastly done to add precision to the workpiece.
Step Bending
Step bending, a.k.a bump bending, is a method that uses multiple V-bends to obtain a larger radius for the workpiece. In short, it is repetitive V-bending to ensure better outcomes. The method makes large radius bending possible with regular tools and at a lower price.
U-bending
U-bending is similar to V-bending as it also involves the use of a die and a punch, although they are u-shaped. Sheet metal manufacturing companies use this method to bend steel U-channels and similar workpieces. It involves a four-step process, starting with sheet clamping between a punch and counterpunch, followed by U-bending with continuous clamping force accompanied by bottom pushing-up by the counterpunch, leading to the last unloading step.
Roll Bending
This method is widely used to make cones or tubes. It facilitates large radius bends, and based on the machine’s ability and the number of rolls; you can do multiple bends simultaneously.
The process involves using two driving rolls and a single adjustable one to move along through frictional forces. If there is a need to bend the part at both ends and the middle section, an extra operation is needed using a hydraulic press or press brake to avoid the flattening of the edge details.
Rotary Bending
Another easy way to bend edges is through rotary bending. It involves using a special polymer tool that does not scratch the material’s surface. You can use this method to bend sharper corners effectively. It can be done using two rolls, although you still have the option to use a single roll. The method is more flexible than other methods like V-bending and Wipe bending.
Wipe Bending
As the name says, Wipe bending pushes metal sheets onto the wiping die and determines the bend’s inner radius. While using the method, ensure that the sheet is properly pushed onto the die to achieve a good result.
Bottom Lines
The above mentioned are different ways and methods for sheet metal industries in Noida to strengthen sheet metal. This can further help manufacturing industries in Faridabad and all over the country develop more innovative products that can revolutionize the technological aspect.
Sangeeta Industries offers the best sheet metal fabrication services that can help industries across different verticals to carry out their production processes efficiently and deliver better quality products.
