Sheet metal has been in everyday use since the rolling mills of the Industrial Revolution replaced hand-hammering. Today we find it in everything from buildings, planes and cars to components of medical stents thinner than a human hair.
The market for sheet metal fabrication in the UK alone is worth over $300 billion, served by hundreds of companies like https://dkmsheetmetal.co.uk/. While you digest that, here are some more striking facts about sheet metal.
Fabrication
Sheet metal is produced by the rolling of large steel slabs into thin sheets at extremely high temperatures. Hot rolling makes thicker sheets, while cold rolling creates wafer-thin layers. Steel can be as thin as 0.1 millimetres and aluminium even thinner at 0.0065 millimetres.
Tolerance and weakness
Precision is crucial. Standards like DIN EN 10029 set precise thickness and flatness tolerances. For example, a 20mm sheet can vary only between 19.4 and 21.3mm. Any heat or processing introduces stress, so straightening and deburring are essential for producing sheets that are ready for fabrication.
Machining
Modern machining methods are diverse. Laser and plasma cutting suit fine or thick materials, while bending, roll forming and deep drawing are applied to shape the metal into complex components. Joining techniques like welding, riveting, and soldering complete the transformation into a finished product.
Types of Sheet Metal
Not all sheet metal is the same. Variants include tinplate, ideal for food and other packaging; chequer plate to prevent slippage on floors; and corrugated sheets to strengthen and protect roofing. It also lends itself to aesthetic design.
