Are you looking to design a custom sheet metal cabinet for your machinery or a simple set of cabinets? Precision is essential, so there are several issues that you must consider from a practical standpoint.
The best part is you won’t have to worry about sourcing materials for the design; they are readily available. Also, you can customize your sheet metal cabinet to fit all your needs! Like adding heating or air conditioning and picking out the perfect finishes. Let’s get into the design process.
How do I Design A Custom Sheet Metal Cabinet?
Choose the Ideal Sheet Metal Type and Thickness.
Choosing the most suitable material for your custom sheet metal cabinet is essential as it will determine your final product’s durability and overall quality. If you’re making a big part that has to be super strong, you should use thicker material.
There is a wide range of materials to choose from, and each has the ideal qualities that make it perfect for specific uses. Examples are aluminum, galvanneal, copper, stainless steel etc.
Identify the bending method and bend radius.
Fabricating sheet metal cabinets involves bending the metal using a folder. Achieving a precise 90-degree can be daunting and sometimes result in a curved angle. The angle variation is based on the tools available and the bending process.
Ensure that the bend radius is accurate and matches the thickness of the material. If the bend radius doesn’t match the width, it could cause issues like cracks.
Choose an Appropriate Welding Method
After bending the Sheet metal parts, let’s move on to welding. The welding process is easy and cost-effective, ensuring the joints are waterproof and secure. There are different welding methods, such as fusion welding, seam welding, and tack welding.
Consider Finishing Operations
Once you complete the sheet metal cabinet design, ensuring it has a finish that looks good and integrates your functional needs is essential. You can choose to have no finish on your sheet metal cabinet. Some finishing methods are;
- Painting – Spray thin coats of paint on the cabinet to make it look better. However, even with many coats of color, the final surface will feel less smooth than a powder-coated one.
- Powder coating – This method is your best bet to achieve a finish that will last and protect your custom sheet metal cabinet against corrosion and harsh chemicals. Unlike painting, you can use one coat you’ll need to bake after application.
- Plating – This is another doable finish. All you must do is apply a nickel layer to your cabinet surface. It is resistant to wear and corrosion, which is a significant plus. Another advantage is that it improves your custom sheet metal cabinet’s functionality and appearance. Use nickel plating as a base coat to ensure your other coats stick well.
Take Away
Keep your sheet metal cabinet design simple! This way, it’ll be cheaper and quicker to build, and there won’t be as much material waste or redesign. A high-quality sheet metal cabinet offers many advantages, so you must design it right. What could be better than having a team of reliable experts backing you up at every step? Contact VASUCC Sheet Metal.
