Last updated on May 7th, 2024 at 08:49 am
Are you concerned that your sheet metal part can’t easily be fabricated in one piece? Some large parts are simply too big to fit on standard sheet metal fabrication equipment.
You’ve come to the right place! At Approved Sheet Metal, we routinely help our customers solve problems, including finding the best manufacturing solution for large part designs.
In most cases, we can fabricate the part in more than one piece and then weld or fasten the pieces together. We'll help you identify the best location on your part for this separation to occur. Our expertise in this area is important because it ensures the weld will be clean and efficient and that the finished part will retain its original functionality.
There are some cases in which separating a part and subsequently welding the pieces together is simply not an option. If necessary, we’ll help you modify your design so that it’s possible for us to fabricate the entire part in a single piece.
Keep reading to learn more about considerations for large part fabrication.
Table of Contents
- 1 Considerations for Fabricating Large Sheet Metal Parts
- 2 Sheet Metal Design for Manufacturing
- 3 Large Sheet Metal Fabricated Part FAQ
- 3.0.1 What considerations should I keep in mind when fabricating large sheet metal parts?
- 3.0.2 Can all materials be welded together for large part fabrication?
- 3.0.3 How can I ensure my large sheet metal part can be fabricated in one piece, and what if design modification is not an option?
- 3.0.4 What are the size constraints for laser-cut parts and parts formed on the press brake at Approved Sheet Metal?
- 3.0.5 Can Approved Sheet Metal help with the fabrication of large parts that can't be made in one piece?
Considerations for Fabricating Large Sheet Metal Parts
Trying to determine the right approach for your large part? Here are a few factors to consider:
- Type of material
Welding is only an option for certain types of materials. For instance, aluminum isn't strong enough to withstand the forces applied to welded locations and still function as intended.
If necessary, we can help you find a suitable replacement metal that will allow your parts to be welded. Steel or stainless steel are both stronger than aluminum and hold up well under welding.
- Size constraints
Our clearly defined size constraints will help you determine if your sheet metal part can be fabricated in one piece.
The maximum dimensions for laser cut parts are 120” by 60”. For parts that need to be formed on our press brake, the limiting dimension is length at a maximum of 80”.
- Forming restrictions
The shape and thickness of a sheet metal part are key factors that may result in potential forming restrictions.
If, for example, the part is designed in such a way that the tools collide with it or the features curve too sharply in a circular fashion, single-piece fabrication likely won’t be an option.
- Design flexibility
If modifying your part design isn’t a possibility, then fabricating it in two pieces may be the only solution. On the other hand, if you have some degree of flexibility in your design, you may be able to get your part fabricated in one piece after all.
If you do decide to modify your part, we can share Design for Manufacturing (DFM) tips to help you optimize your design. Request a quote today and we’ll respond ASAP to discuss your part.
Sheet Metal Design for Manufacturing
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Design parts with the sheet metal fabrication process in mind. Reduce cost and get parts on your desk faster! Learn about the following best practices when designing sheet metal parts:
- Hems & Offsets
- Notches & Tabs
- Corners & Welding
- Uniform Thickness and more!
Large Sheet Metal Fabricated Part FAQ
When fabricating large sheet metal parts, consider factors such as the type of material, size constraints, forming restrictions, and design flexibility. These factors can influence whether your part can be fabricated in one piece or if it needs to be assembled from multiple pieces.
Welding is an option for certain materials, but not all. Materials like aluminum may not withstand the forces applied to welded locations and still function as intended. In such cases, we can help you find suitable replacement metals like steel or stainless steel that are stronger and compatible with welding.
If design modification is not an option, fabricating the part in two pieces may be the solution. However, if you have some flexibility in your design, it may still be possible to fabricate the part in one piece. Our team can provide Design for Manufacturing (DFM) tips to help you optimize your design. You can request a quote to discuss your part and explore the best approach.
For laser-cut parts, the maximum dimensions are 120" by 60". Parts that need to be formed on our press brake have a limiting dimension for length at a maximum of 80".
Yes, we can assist with the fabrication of large parts that cannot be made in one piece. We often fabricate parts in multiple pieces and then weld or fasten them together. Our expertise ensures clean and efficient welds while retaining the part's functionality.
