Explore the sheet metal fabrication process

If you have a requirement for a product or part to be fabricated from sheet metal, knowing more about the sheet metal fabrication process would enable you to make informed decisions about the services you’ll need to employ.

At HSM, we’ve been delivering these services for over 85 years, and have gained extensive expertise in all areas of sheet metal fabrication. Our skilled team will listen to your requirements and advise you on the best course of action including which materials to utilise and steps to getting your project underway.

Complete service offering

We specialise in providing a complete, all-in-one service to take your project from conception to completion. While we’ll happily undertake any element(s) of the sheet metal fabrication process for you, we can also take care of a project in its entirety, taking the burden from you and providing a comprehensive, hassle-free solution.

We’ll start by conducting a detailed briefing session with you to gather your requirements, allowing us to ascertain which of our services you require. From there, we’ll provide a competitive quote for your consideration. Upon instruction to proceed, we’ll commence. If starting at the design stage, our team of experts will utilise the latest technologies to bring your visions to life with precision and innovation.

Once you’ve approved the design and materials to be used, the fabrication will begin. Our operatives are highly skilled and ensure that each and every component is perfectly created before moving on to the next stage. This is where the finishing and coating begins; our team will smooth, polish and coat your items to ensure an end result you’ll be proud of.

What is the process?

1. Design and Planning

• We’ll create a Computer-Aided Design (CAD) model of the part, specifying dimensions, tolerances and material requirements.
• In some cases, a prototype is made to test the design before full production.
• We enhance production workflows using advanced offline programming techniques, simplifying manufacturing processes and reducing downtime to boost productivity and cost efficiency.
• Our Enterprise Resource Planning system ensures smooth collaboration between departments, offering real-time resource tracking, scheduling, and inventory management, resulting in optimum operational efficiency.

2. Material Selection

• Common materials include steel, stainless steel, aluminium, brass, copper and titanium.
• The choice of material depends on factors like strength, weight, corrosion resistance and application.

3. Fabrication

• Laser Cutting: utilising a high-powered laser beam to precisely cut the sheet metal.
• Sawing: handling a diverse range of materials and profiles, ensuring consistency and quality in every cut.
• Punching: we remove specific sections or create holes in the sheet metal using a punch press.
• Folding: bending metal using press brakes or roll benders to achieve desired angles and curves.
• Welding: fusing pieces of metal together using heat or pressure.
• Rolling: forming cylindrical or conical shapes by rolling the sheet metal.
• Riveting: we use rivets to join sheets without welding.
• Deburring: removing sharp edges or burrs left after cutting or machining.

4. Assembly

• Parts are assembled into their final configuration, often combining multiple fabricated components.

5. Finishing / surface coating

• Surface treatment: choose from graining & polishing, powder coating or galvanising to enhance appearance and durability.
• Painting or enamelling: we offer wet spraying or stove enamelling to protect the metal from corrosion and provide aesthetic appeal.

6. Inspection and Quality Control

• Our thorough team members man our control room, inspecting every part or product to ensure no imperfections are present. As a result, everything we fabricate consistently meets strict specifications and tolerances thanks to our visual inspection and testing processes.

7. Delivery

• The finished product is packed and shipped to the client or moved to the next stage in the production process.

Why choose HSM?

Customer service
We prioritise excellent customer service in all we do, ensuring a positive experience for every client.

Expertise
Our team comprises skilled professionals with experience and expertise, guaranteeing superior solutions.

Reliability and timely delivery
We understand the importance of deadlines and our track record of reliability speaks for itself.

Innovating
Innovation is at the heart of everything we do, driving us to explore new possibilities and advancements that ensure we remain at the forefront of the industry.

Bespoke solutions
We’ll work closely with you to understand your requirements and deliver bespoke solutions that exceed your expectations.

Quality assurance
We maintain stringent quality control measures to ensure your products meet the highest standards of excellence.

Get a Quote or Learn More

Explore our full range of sheet metal services and find our more about our capabilities. Get in touch to discuss your project; we’re happy to answer any questions or provide a quote.

 

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