What is difference between fabrication and sheet metal?
Views: 403 Update date: Oct 16,2023
Fabrication and sheet metal are related terms often used in the context of manufacturing and metalworking, but they refer to different aspects of the process.Sheet Metal:
Sheet metal refers to a specific type of metal that is produced in thin, flat sheets or coils. These sheets are typically less than 6mm (0.25 inches) thick. Common materials used for sheet metal include steel, aluminum, copper, and brass.
Sheet metal is often used in various industries for its versatility and ease of forming. It can be cut, bent, stamped, and welded into various shapes to create components for a wide range of applications, from automotive parts to HVAC systems.
Sheet metal processing includes cutting, bending, rolling, and welding the sheets to create specific components or structures. This is usually the raw material used in fabrication processes.
Fabrication:
Fabrication, in a broader sense, refers to the entire process of creating a finished product or structure from raw materials or semi-finished components. It involves various techniques, including welding, cutting, machining, and assembly, to shape and join materials into a final product.
Fabrication can be applied to a wide range of materials, including metals, plastics, composites, and more. It encompasses a variety of manufacturing processes and can be used to create items as diverse as machinery, buildings, and consumer products.
Sheet metal fabrication is a specific subset of fabrication that focuses on working with sheet metal as the primary material. This involves processes like cutting, bending, welding, and assembling sheet metal components to create products or structures.
In summary, sheet metal refers to the specific type of thin, flat metal material, while fabrication encompasses the broader process of shaping, cutting, and assembling materials, including sheet metal, to create finished products or structures. Sheet metal fabrication is a specialized area of fabrication that deals specifically with working on sheet metal to produce various components and products.