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Glossary

Sheet Metal Fabrication

The manufacturing process of cutting, forming, and joining flat metal sheet to produce parts and assemblies.

Definition

What is Sheet Metal Fabrication?

Sheet metal fabrication encompasses the complete manufacturing workflow applied to flat sheet metal: blanking and cutting (laser, punching, shearing), forming (press brake bending, rolling, stamping), joining (welding, riveting, fastening), and finishing (powder coating, painting, plating). Sheet metal is measured by gauge (thinner) or millimetres (thicker), with most fabricated sheet metal falling between 0.5mm and 12mm. ATS Metal Fabrication provides complete sheet metal fabrication from raw material through finished, coated assembly — with in-house laser cutting, CNC punching, press brake bending, welding, and powder coating.

Types & Variants

  • • Cold-rolled steel sheet
  • • Hot-rolled steel plate
  • • Stainless steel sheet
  • • Aluminum sheet
  • • Galvanized and pre-painted sheet

Common Applications

  • • Enclosures and control panels
  • • Machine guards and covers
  • • Commercial kitchen equipment
  • • Architectural panels and screens
  • • HVAC components and ductwork

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the thinnest sheet metal that can be fabricated?
Commercial sheet metal fabrication typically works from 0.4mm (light gauge) up to 12mm plate. Thinner than 0.4mm is considered foil and requires specialized equipment. The practical lower limit for welded sheet metal assemblies is around 0.8–1.0mm, as thinner sections are prone to distortion during welding.
What is the difference between hot-rolled and cold-rolled steel?
Hot-rolled steel is produced at high temperatures and has a rougher, scaled surface with more dimensional variability — it's used for structural applications where surface finish is not critical. Cold-rolled steel is processed at room temperature after hot-rolling, producing a smooth, clean surface with tighter thickness tolerances — ideal for visible or painted parts.
What design guidelines should I follow for sheet metal parts?
Key design guidelines include: maintain bend radii ≥ material thickness, keep hole-to-edge and hole-to-bend distances ≥ 2× material thickness, avoid features smaller than material thickness, align bends in the same direction where possible, and account for spring-back in bend angle specifications. ATS's engineering team provides DFM (design for manufacturing) review on customer drawings.

Related Terms

See Also

CNC Laser Cutting Press Brake Bending Metal Fabrication Powder Coating TIG Welding (GTAW)

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ATS Metal Fabrication provides professional sheet metal fabrication services across Toronto and the GTA.

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