Sheet Metal Procurement: 71 Must-Know Processing Terms in the Sheet Metal Industry

Sheet Metal Processing Terminology 1-10
1. Shearing: This refers to the process of cutting rectangular workpieces using a shearing machine. Our company uses CNC shearing machines for net-size cutting. This process requires low-quality workpieces, so process engineers should use this process more often for low-cost production.

2. CNC Punching: This refers to punching holes using a CNC punch press. This process typically requires programming, and the CNC punching diagram should be used as the orientation for the front face of the part. The key to CNC punching is nesting, calculating material usage, and producing the required quantity at one time.

3. Laser Cutting: This refers to the process of cutting workpieces using laser cutting. Due to its high processing cost, process engineers should use this process sparingly.

4. Cutting Machine Cutting: This refers to cutting using an electric grinding wheel cutter. This process requires low-quality workpieces and is primarily used for cutting profiles. This process carries certain safety risks, so process engineers should use it sparingly.

5. Sawing: This refers to cutting using a sawing machine. This process requires low-quality workpieces and is primarily used for cutting profiles.

6. Blanking: Refers to the process of using a die on a conventional punch press or other equipment to obtain the product shape.

7. Punching: Refers to the process of using a conventional punch press and die to produce a hole in a workpiece.

8. Bending: Refers to the process of forming a workpiece using a press brake. Our company uses CNC bending machines and corresponding bending dies. Machine testing, adjustment, and initial inspection are required before production. Any special requirements require explanation from the process engineer.

9. Punching and bending: Refers to the process of using a conventional punch press with a special die to bend small and simple workpieces.

10. Forming: Refers to the process of using a die on a conventional punch press or other equipment to deform a workpiece.

Sheet Metal Processing Terminology 11-20
11. Hole drawing: Also known as "flanging," this refers to the process of using a die on a conventional punch press or other equipment to create a round hole with a raised edge. Our company uses a conventional punch press with a special die to perform a stretching process that requires increased tapping thickness. The process engineer must provide detailed instructions on the hole diameter and number when providing the process.

12. Drilling: This refers to drilling holes using a drilling machine. It's a small-scale manual process performed when punching or punching is inconvenient. Normally, marking is used with a punch to locate the holes. Process engineers should avoid this technique.

13. Mold plate drilling: This involves first punching a template, then drilling the holes in batches using a positioning method.

14. Tapping: This refers to the process of producing internal threads on a workpiece.

15. Hole enlargement: This refers to the process of using a drill or milling cutter to enlarge a small hole in a workpiece.

16. Countersinking: This refers to the process of producing a tapered hole in a workpiece to accommodate fasteners such as countersunk screws. Our company uses a drilling machine with the appropriate drill bit (90-degree or 120-degree). On-site countersunk screws are used for alignment. Normally, the flat surface of the countersunk screw should be flush with the countersunk hole surface on the workpiece. Manufacturers must use the alignment method.

17. Press riveting: This refers to the process of securely attaching fasteners such as press nuts, press screws, or standoffs to a workpiece using a punch or hydraulic press. Normally, press rivets should be installed in the direction of the burr to ensure smooth insertion. If this is not the case, the manufacturer should promptly report it.

18. Riveting: This refers to the process of first countersinking the workpiece and then securely crimping the press nut to the workpiece using a punch or hydraulic press.

19. Nut-on-nose: This refers to the process of securely attaching fasteners such as pop-up rivets (POPs) to a workpiece using a nut-on-nose gun, similar to riveting.

20. Riveting: This refers to the process of securely attaching two or more workpieces using a rivet gun.

Sheet Metal Processing Terminology 21-30
21. Riveting: This refers to the process of joining two or more workpieces face-to-face using rivets. For countersunk riveting, the workpieces must first be countersunk.

22. Embossing: This refers to the process of creating a raised shape on a workpiece using a die on a punch press or hydraulic press.

23. Tearing: Also known as "bridge punching," this refers to the process of creating a bridge-like shape on a workpiece using a die on a punch press or hydraulic press.

24. Stamping: This refers to the process of punching text, symbols, or other marks on a workpiece using a die.

25. Corner cutting: This refers to the process of removing corners from a workpiece using a die on a punch press or hydraulic press.

26. Mesh punching: This refers to the process of punching a mesh-like pattern of holes on a workpiece using a die on a conventional punch press or CNC punch press.

27. Flattening: This refers to the process of smoothing a workpiece from a pre-defined shape.

28. Drilling: This refers to the process of drilling holes in a workpiece using a drill on a drilling or milling machine.

29. Chamfering: This refers to the process of smoothing sharp corners on a workpiece using a die, file, grinder, or other tool.

30. Leveling: The process of using other equipment to smooth uneven workpieces before and after machining.

Sheet Metal Processing Terminology 31-40
31. Backthreading: The process of restoring the threads of a pre-tapped workpiece.

32. Protective Film Application: The process of applying a protective film to the workpiece surface.

33. Protective Film Removal: The process of removing the protective film from the workpiece surface.

34. Shape Correction: The process of adjusting a workpiece after machining.

35. Heat Shrinking: The process of using heating equipment (such as a heat gun or oven) to shrink the plastic covering the workpiece.

36. Labeling: The process of applying a label to a designated location on a workpiece.

37. Wire Drawing: The process of applying a textured texture to the workpiece surface using a wire drawing machine and abrasive belts.

38. Polishing: The process of using polishing equipment to give a bright finish to the workpiece surface.

39. Heat Treatment: Refers to a special treatment process to increase the hardness of a workpiece.

40. Deburring: Refers to the process of removing burrs from a workpiece during sheet metal processing using tools such as grinders and files to achieve a smooth and even finish.

Sheet Metal Processing Terminology 41-50
41. Argon Welding: Refers to spot welding performed with an argon welder. This process is used when high quality welding is required. Process engineers should specify the number of weld points required for the joint when setting process requirements. The normal spacing between spot welds is between 30-50 mm.

42. Argon Welding: Refers to full welding performed with an argon welder. This process is used when high quality welding and grinding is required. Process engineers should specify the requirement for full welding of the joint when setting process requirements. No deformation should be observed after full welding.

43. Butt Welding: Also known as "spot welding," this process involves joining workpieces face to face using a butt welder. Our company uses a resistance butt welder for spot welding. Process engineers should prioritize this process when developing their processes.

44. Double-shield spot welding: This refers to spot welding performed with a CO2 gas shielded welder. This process is used when quality requirements are normal. Process engineers should specify the number of weld points on the joint when developing their process requirements. The normal spacing between spot welds is 30-50mm.

45. Double-shield spot welding: This refers to full-strength welding performed with a CO2 gas shielded welder. This process is used when quality requirements are normal. Process engineers should specify the full-strength weld requirement on the joint when developing their process requirements. No deformation should occur after full welding.

46. Seed welding: Also known as seed welding, this refers to the process of securely attaching seed screws to a workpiece using a seed welding gun.

47. Weld polishing: This primarily refers to the process of using tools such as grinders and files to smooth and even weld scars on a workpiece. This refers to the grinding of welded workpieces using a handheld electric grinder. For workpieces requiring high electroplating or spray coating requirements, a dedicated grinding wheel (sandpaper) of size 120 is specified.

48. Pretreatment: After sheet metal fabrication, prior to painting or powder coating, the workpiece is degreased and rusted using an electrolytic solution, and a surface coating (such as a phosphate coating) is applied and cleaned.

49. Scraping: The process of applying putty to correct surface defects such as weld gaps or pits.

50. Scraping and grinding: Primarily, the surface polishing of a scraped workpiece using a flat grinder or emery cloth. This refers to the repair process of applying putty to a workpiece using a pneumatic flat grinder. Normally, grinding and finishing are required for the repair process alone.

Sheet Metal Processing Terminology 51-60
51. Painting: The process of applying paint evenly to the workpiece surface using a dedicated spray gun.

52. Spray Coating: Because our company operates an automated assembly line, we currently only specify spray color numbers. If two color numbers are required for a given workpiece, they must be clearly stated. The coating properties (for outdoor use, indoor use, large/small orange grain, coarse/medium/fine grain, matte finish, and glossiness) must also be explained.

53. Spray Thread Protector: This refers to the application of a special rubber sleeve to protect the threads of nuts, screws, and standoffs. This can also be masking tape, high-temperature tape, or protective sleeves. This protection is the responsibility of the assembly line.

54. Spray Conductive Protector: This refers to the application of high-temperature tape to protect specific areas. If this is required, the process engineer must provide special process instructions. This protection is the responsibility of the assembly line.

55. Silk Screen Printing: This is the process of using specialized ink to penetrate a special grid to create text or patterns on the surface of a workpiece. A series of inspections, including adhesion, organic solvent resistance, color difference, and font quality, must be complete.

56. Electrogalvanizing: This refers to the process of applying a layer of metal to the surface of a workpiece for protection or aesthetic purposes. "This" refers to a process whereby the Planning Department performs outsourcing work on iron workpieces requiring electrogalvanizing after the factory has qualified them. Normally, the company requires a blue-white zinc coating with a film thickness of 8 μm and a neutral salt spray test of at least 48 hours with no defects.

57. Electronickel Plating: This refers to the process of applying a layer of metal to the surface of a workpiece for protection or aesthetic purposes. "This" refers to a process whereby the Planning Department performs outsourcing work on copper busbars requiring electronickel plating after the factory has qualified them. Normally, the company requires a bright nickel coating with no defects in a copper accelerated salt spray test of at least 8 hours.

58. Oxidation: This refers to the process of forming an oxide film on the surface of a workpiece for protection or aesthetic purposes.

59. Sandblasting: This refers to the process of treating the surface of a workpiece using a sandblaster.

60. Assembly: This refers to the process of assembling two or more workpieces. For sheet metal structural parts, the assembly department is generally responsible for the threading of large spray-coated parts and cabinets.

Sheet Metal Processing Terminology 61-71
61. Packaging: Refers to the process of protecting a workpiece for easy transportation.

62. Punching the drawing surface as the front side: Future process drawings must use the drawing surface as the front side. For symmetrical parts requiring consistent burr orientation, do not use the drawing surface as the back side. Subsequent process engineers must address this, and similar issues must be promptly reported to production.

63. Burrs Upward, Burrs Downward: Future process drawings must include a technical description in the technical requirements. Any issues encountered in production must be promptly reported for improvement.

64. Press Rivet Downward, Press Rivet Upward: Future process drawings must include a technical description in the technical requirements. Any issues encountered in production must be promptly reported for improvement.

65. Countersink Upward, Countersink Downward: Future process drawings must include a technical description in the technical requirements. Any issues encountered in production must be promptly reported for improvement.

66. Programming: This refers to the use of the equipment manufacturer's programming software to program the sequence of punching and die processing using the CAD drawings from the process department on a dedicated computer. Normally, the minimum number of punches should be used, and trimming must be consistent to ensure normal machine operation.

67. Drilling Fixture: This refers to the mold plate that requires positioning for manual drilling. This should be considered by the process engineer during product development.

68. Welding Fixture: This refers to the process engineer's consideration of welding dimensions, angles, positions, and other technical requirements to ensure welds meet these requirements.

69. Conductive Spray Protective Fixture: This applies to large areas of spray protection and can be applied using iron plates and fixed mounting methods. It is only used when handling large quantities of workpieces.

70. Assembly Fixture/Inspection Fixture: During assembly, to ensure that the customer's specified dimensions are met without any installation problems, we perform a full inspection of the entire fixture, including the customer's specified dimensions and screws, such as 19-inch mounting hole spacing. Process engineers should consider this during product development.

71. Bending fixtures: These are used for large-volume, complex workpieces and should be considered by process engineers during product development.