What Is the Bend Radius for Sheet Metal?

What Is the Bend Radius for Sheet Metal?

What Is the Bend Radius for Sheet Metal?

Metal fabrication requires precise measurements and specifications. One question that must be answered before starting any work involving creating angled or curved products is, “What is the bend radius for sheet metal?” Bend Radius Defined The bend radius is the radius of the arc created after bending the sheet metal. It can be measured from either the inside or the outside of the bend. If the radius is too small, the metal could crack, break, or deform, ruining the product. The [...]

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How To Choose the Right Metal for Your Fabrication Project

How To Choose the Right Metal for Your Fabrication Project

Learning how to choose the right metal for your fabrication project is essential to get your desired results. This is especially important when you must choose from many options with unique properties. Various metals work better for different applications based on their characteristics. Consider the following factors when selecting metal for your fabrication or manufacturing design. What Metal Product Are You Making and How Will It Be Used? Before considering which metal to use, it's essential to understand the product you're [...]

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How To Keep Your Metal Fabrication Shop OSHA Compliant

How To Keep Your Metal Fabrication Shop OSHA Compliant

Some workplaces maintain a culture that regards OSHA-required safety standards as nuisances and examples of regulatory overreach. Don’t allow those ideas to influence your shop’s culture. Safety starts at the top, where leadership demonstrates a commitment to worker safety and maintaining a shop that puts employee health and safety first. Knowing how to keep your metal fabrication shop OSHA-compliant and modeling a culture of safety will reduce the risk of costly worker injuries and production downtime, and help your shop [...]

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3 Uses for CAD/CAM Software in Fabrication

3 Uses for CAD/CAM Software in Fabrication

CAD/CAM software is an essential tool for modern metal fabrication, providing industry professionals with powerful and efficient design capabilities. With CAD/CAM software, designers can draw up complex plans and programs that can be accurately implemented in the manufacturing process. Let’s explore three uses of CAD/CAM software in fabrication: product design and development, production planning and optimization, and machine control. Product Design & Development CAD/CAM software provides designers with powerful tools to create detailed models of components and assemblies. By combining 3D [...]

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Reasons You Should Invest in Laser-Cutting Technology

Reasons You Should Invest in Laser-Cutting Technology

The 21st century brought with it a range of revolutionary technologies that are having a significant impact on the manufacturing industry. One of these innovations is laser-cutting technology, which offers substantial advantages over traditional methods of cutting and machining materials. Laser cutting has become an essential tool for many businesses, allowing them to cut materials quickly and accurately into any shape or size. If you are considering expanding your shop’s suite of machinery, here are a few reasons you should [...]

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How To Reduce Metal Waste During Fabrication

How To Reduce Metal Waste During Fabrication

The advent of computer numerical controls (CNC) and robotics in metal fabrication has helped metalworking shops produce parts and products that are more precise. But waste is still an issue; even the best metal product designs and specifications can’t use every ounce of raw material. The unused portions turn into potentially toxic waste that shops must manage according to environmental regulations. Businesses must shoulder additional costs and paperwork to comply with reporting requirements that may apply to the disposal of [...]

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3 Ways To Increase Energy Efficiency in Metal Fabrication

3 Ways To Increase Energy Efficiency in Metal Fabrication

As consumers have seen gas prices soar at the pump, so have industries seen energy costs increase. For small to mid-sized metal fabricating operations, increased energy costs can put a dent in profits as shops devote more resources toward paying for power. Here are three ways to increase energy efficiency in metal fabrication. Conduct An Energy Audit An energy audit can give you the data you need to identify areas that are wasting energy and where you can increase efficiency without [...]

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Top Tips for Maintaining CNC Beam Drilling & Coping Machines

Top Tips for Maintaining CNC Beam Drilling & Coping Machines

Structural steel fabrication shops face a very competitive landscape. In order to get ahead, it is imperative to have the right machines. Whether these machines bend, cut, or drill, maintaining them will keep them up and running. Here are the top tips for maintaining CNC beam drilling and coping machines. Establish a Regular Maintenance Routine Read the user’s manual in its entirety before operating your new machine. The user’s manual will outline different maintenance tasks and the frequency they need to [...]

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Daily Maintenance Tips for Fiber Laser Cutting Machines

Daily Maintenance Tips for Fiber Laser Cutting Machines

Machines and tools, including fiber laser cutting machines, are invaluable assets to your fabrication shop. These machines can cut with high quality, speed, efficiency, and precision, making them an essential component of every shop. However, you need to maintain the fiber laser cutting machines in order to keep producing high-quality parts. Check the Cutting Head Every part of the fiber laser cutter is critical in performing well and continuing to produce high-quality cuts, but the most crucial part of your laser [...]

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What To Consider Before Buying a Laser Cutting Machine

What To Consider Before Buying a Laser Cutting Machine

Businesses need to innovate in order to stay relevant; metal fabrication shops are no exception. Organizations continually look for ways to adopt new processes, introduce new materials, and add newer innovations, such as laser cutting machines, to their fleet, broadening the range of products offered to their customers and keeping their organization relevant. Thinking about adding a laser cutter machine to your machine shop? Here’s what to consider before buying a laser cutting machine Material Considerations Laser cutting machines are capable [...]

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