Sheet metal is metal formed by an industrial process into thin, flat pieces. Sheet metal is one of the fundamental forms used in metalworking and it can be cut and bent into a variety of shapes. Countless everyday objects are fabricated from sheet metal. Thicknesses can vary significantly; extremely thin sheets are considered foil or leaf, and pieces thicker than 6 mm (0.25 in) are considered plate.
Sheet metal forming processes are those in which force is applied to a piece of sheet metal to modify its geometry rather than remove any material. The applied force stresses the metal beyond its yield strength, causing the material to plastically deform, but not to fail. By doing so, the sheet can be bent or stretched into a variety of complex shapes.
Sheet metal forming is used in almost every sector of Prototype industrial production like Automotive industry( doors, hoods, fenders) Aircraft industry(wings, fuselage)Home appliance industry(sinks, cooker hoods, freezers) and so on.
Sheet metal forming processes include the following:
1.Bending