Last updated on January 29th, 2024 at 01:15 pm
Let’s talk louvers.
These press-formed features are commonly found in applications that require airflow and light penetration:
- In closets, louvers improve airflow to prevent musty odors
- In microwaves, louvers release the heat generated when you cook food
- In window blinds, louvers allow you to filter adjustable quantities of light into a room
If you need a louver for your part, Approved Sheet Metal can make it for you. Here’s a brief recap on the common types of louvers and reasons for designing them into your product.
Table of Contents
Common Types of Louvers
The most common louvers consist of a single-stroke form created in a turret punch press or press brake. This type of form sports a uniform radius, from the maximum height and length of the front opening to the smooth transition width on the flat surface of the sheet metal itself.
If a simple opening with a less complex metal flange is sufficient, a progressive louver tool can produce the desired airflow with a much lower profile radius. The tool progresses along the length of the sheet metal at .030 interval hits, creating louvers that are beautifully formed but not as smooth as the single-stroke form.
Why Design a Louver Into Your Product?
Though louvers are used for various applications (e.g. downspouts, gutters, vents, windows), their primary function is simple: providing proper airflow.
In buildings, louver systems facilitate air intake and exhaust to ensure good air quality for inhabitants. Louvers in products like microwaves act as a cooling system. When incorporated into designs for outdoor applications, louvers can effectively deter debris and protect against harsh weather elements. In some industrial applications, a louver will serve as a helpful location indicator for welding and other operations that occur on the manufacturing floor.
Does your part need to “breathe?” It probably needs a louver!
SOLIDWORKS Tech Tip #4: Louvers and Max Height
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EMBOSSMENTS & LOUVERS
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Get the 3D modelsLet Approved Sheet Metal Make a Louver for Your Part
When your sheet metal application requires a louver, Approved Sheet Metal is here to make it for you. Simply tell us the height and size of the requested louver and we’ll custom-make it to meet your specific requirements and material thicknesses. We can form aluminum and cold roll steel louvers ranging from .47″ to .119″ thick and stainless steel louvers up to 0.60″ thick.
For your convenience, we have a list of standard louver tools and dimensions (though keep in mind that height dimensions will vary with material thickness and type). Designing a louver in accordance with our tools and dimensions can save you thousands of dollars on tooling alone!
Sheet Metal Louver Design FAQ
What are louvers and what are they commonly used for?
Louvers are press-formed features commonly used in applications that require airflow and light penetration. They are commonly used in closets to improve airflow and prevent musty odors, in microwaves to release heat generated when cooking food, and in window blinds to filter adjustable quantities of light into a room.
What are the common types of louvers?
The most common types of louvers consist of a single-stroke form created in a turret punch press or press brake. Another type of louver is produced by a progressive louver tool that can create the desired airflow with a lower profile radius.
What is the primary function of louvers?
The primary function of louvers is to provide proper airflow. They are used in buildings to facilitate air intake and exhaust to ensure good air quality for inhabitants. In outdoor applications, louvers can effectively deter debris and protect against harsh weather elements.
How can Approved Sheet Metal help in making a louver?
Approved Sheet Metal can custom-make a louver for your specific requirements and material thicknesses. We can form aluminum and cold roll steel louvers ranging from .47″ to .119″ thick and stainless steel louvers up to 0.60″ thick. We also have a list of standard louver tools and dimensions that can save you thousands of dollars on tooling alone.
How do I request a quote for a part with a louver from Approved Sheet Metal?
You can visit and fill out our online form to request a quote for a sheet metal part with louvers. We will then custom-make the louvers to meet your requirements and material thicknesses. We also have a list of standard louver tools and dimensions that can save you thousands of dollars on tooling