Sheet Metal Fabrication

Apr 18 2013

Sheet Metal Terminology – Part 1

In November we posted an article about Ordinary Metal Fabrication Methods.  To continue to inform our audience about metal fabrication methods, some terminology should be explained.

Sheet Metal Terminology – Part 1

Roll forming is a constant bending process in which sheet metal, coil, bar or strips of metal pass through rolls that form the metal.  This process is most efficient in large production runs.  Small production of roll formed parts can be done but it is a manual process where tight tolerances are difficult to obtain.

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By Noble Industries • Metal Fabrication, Sheet Metal Fabrication • 0

Nov 13 2012

Our new Mazak FMS system is up and running!

Advanced Laser Cutting FMS system

Flexible Manufacturing System by Mazak added at Noble Industries

The Mazak FMS system has a material storage tower that can hold 10 different sheet metal material.  It also has a pneumatic load system to accurately position the sheet on the laser and automatic unload capability.  Laser cutting jobs are loaded into the computer.  While both lasers are cutting the parts of the material already loaded, the FMS system automatically locates the material for the next job and has it waiting.  Once the machine has finished laser cutting the parts on the laser, it will call for the FMS system to unload that sheet and load the material for the next job.  The FMS system continues to get the material ready for each job while the machine cuts metal parts.  This allows the same number of operators to run twice as many lasers at one time.  It can also be scheduled to run parts in the “lights out” mode so that employees can go on a lunch break and machines continue to run.

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By Noble Industries • Flexible Manufacturing System (FMS), Laser Cutting, Metal Fabrication, Sheet Metal Fabrication • 0

Nov 5 2012

Designing for Manufacturability (DFM) in Metal Fabrication

Successful metal fabrication job shops know that in order to maximize production time, it has to start with the design.  The best way to do that is by designing parts for the way it is going to be fabricated or by DFM.  This starts with a cooperative effort between the customer, the manufacturing engineer at the job shop and the operations team.  When they all 3 work together, the outcome should be developing the most cost-effective production design. 

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By Noble Industries • CNC Panel Bending, CNC Punching, Design for Manufacturing, Sheet Metal Fabrication • 0

Oct 28 2012

Metal Cutting with Laser Equipment

There are many methods available today for metal cutting.  In ancient times metal cutting could only be accomplished by manual methods where a machined tool normally with pressure and teeth would cut through the metal.  Today metal cutting can be performed without the equipment touching the metal.  Laser cutting has become one of the most efficient ways of cutting metal without contact with the material.  Lasers can cut stainless steel, aluminum, carbon steel and many other materials.

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By Noble Industries • A36 Steel, Laser Cutting, Metal Fabricator, Sheet Metal Fabrication, Tube Fabrication • 0

Aug 28 2012

Proficient Production Laser Cutting Services

When laser cutting parts there are many things to consider if you want the most efficiently cut parts.  Common edge cutting or common line cutting is a feature used in production laser cutting for both flat and 2D laser cut parts where nested parts share a common edge.   Our P.E.P. software will analyze the part or parts and lay them in a nest for the most efficient material usage.   Other things that need to be considered is pierce interference and collision avoidance which can affect cut out material getting on a part or a previously cut part interfering with the next cut line.

It is also important to understand the kerf, which is the lost material between the 2 parts being laser cut.  The kerf will change based on 5 variables which are the properties of the material and it’s thickness, the laser cutting speed, wattage, frequency.  This is probably the biggest reason many programmers and laser operators fail to common line cut parts.

The benefits are great if the time is taken on large production runs.   Common line cutting will save between 12.5% to 40.9% of the total cutting distance of a 60” X 120” sheet of metal which could mean making a profit on a job and saving the customer money.  Noble Industries loves opportunities to bring a win-win solution to our customers!

For more information about laser cutting and for a quote, go to www.nobleindustries.com or call Brenda Snyder at 800-466-1926.

By Noble Industries • Laser Cutting, Sheet Metal Fabrication • 0

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