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Dicas para melhorar o design de Prototipagem de Chapas Metálicas | 2020

09/06/2020

Como melhorar o projeto de prototipagem de chapa metálica?

A prototipagem de chapas metálicas tornou-se uma parte fundamental da indústria moderna. Se dissermos que tanto a fabricação quanto a prototipagem de chapas metálicas são a parte de trás da indústria, não estaríamos errados. Esta prototipagem tem grande importância nas indústrias aeroespacial, automotiva e várias outras.

Manufacturers around the globe have been using sheet metal for manufacturing parts like chassis, panels, enclosures, brackets, appliance, and panels. To ensure the quality of the product, it is important to have a strong and high-quality sheet metal prototype.

The quality of these parts would make a great difference. Moreover, having the right and error-free sheet metal design is important. After all, the correct design would add to the robustness of the prototype.

This blogpost would focus on some important tips to improve the design of your sheet metal prototype.

Tips to Improve Sheet Metal Prototype Design

There are several factors that need consideration. These factors play an important role when it comes to defining the quality of the prototype. For starters, it is important that you partner with a professional and experienced prototyping manufacturer such as the Essaii.

A reasonable and accurate design holds great importance as well. If the design meets the required expectation, only then will it serve its purpose to perfection. The design lacking its ability to meet the requirement, you eventually cause the downfall of its respective product.

According to researches, manufacturers spend about 30% of their time fixing the problems that were in the design. The reworking of the parts leads to heavy, but thanks to modern prototyping, this all can be resolved at a minimal cost and within budget.

There is no denying the importance of correct design, achieving it is a different story. Here are some effective designs tips that would improve the overall quality of your prototyping.

Sheet Metal prototyping

Clear Design Purpose

It is crucial for engineers and designers to have a clear purpose for their design. In addition, they need to have a proper plan in place to make sure that the sheet metal design is easy for the manufacturer as well as cost-effective.

Several factors need consideration during the designing phase including the thickness, mechanical properties, function, tooling methods, features, and tolerance. All these factors need to be in accord with the actual application.

Focus on Sheet Metal Prototyping Hole Designs

Manufacturers mostly use sheet metal to make a metal prototype. They understand that the sheet metal would need slots for screw, holes, interlocking sections, bolts, among others. These things would be part of the design.

The engineers would specify the size, alignment, positions of the holes during the design phase. All these things are extremely important. Below, are some rules that you should follow:

Sheet Thickness

It is important that the thickness of the sheet is less in comparison to the hole’s diameter. A thicker sheet would lead to higher punch loading, something you would want to avoid. In addition, it would require excessive burr and a longer time to burnish. Also, a thick sheet would lead to slug-pulling. Thus, having an adverse impact on the metal sheet’s punch and lifespan.

Hole Spacing

Another important rule that you need to follow is having the right spacing between holes. A good rule of thumb is to have space equaling to twice the thickness of the sheet between each hole. After all, the correct spacing between holes ensure the robustness of the metal sheet, as well as prevents its deformation. It also prevents the bending process.

Holes on the Edge

When you are incorporating holes on the edges of the sheet, make sure that the correct spacing. For these holes, the space between every hole should at least equal to the thickness of the sheet.

The right Partner

When you partner with the right prototyping manufacturer, you are less likely to make mistakes in the design phase. After all, they experienced and knowledgeable staff would be there to ensure a mistake-proof steel metal prototyping design.

Manage Tolerance

For a metal sheet, tolerance is important. Therefore, as an engineer, you need to pay close attention to this aspect of prototyping. When we talk about managing tolerance, you need to understand that it is just not one element that requires attention.

On the contrary, there are several factors that come into play. For instance, the material, features, thickness, function along with the capability of the prototyping manufacturer. It is vital to consider the die accuracy, along with the wear during the punching process.

You also need to pay heed to the fabrication process. After all, this process is majorly responsible for turning the sheet into prototypes and parts. The spacing between parts also has an impact on tolerance. So, the designers need to focus on this aspect as well.

Zero Clearance

If there is zero clearance between parts, it would lead to tolerance stack-up. Thus, it would lead to sheet parts finished, yet not matching the other parts during assembling. This is something that needs to be avoided at all costs.

Tooling Options

Tooling plays an important role, after all, they determine the shape of the sheet metal prototyping. For example, the straight-line bend is a common problem with conventional press-brake tolling.  So, sheet-shaped using this tool ends up with the straight-line bends.

However, if you want to achieve the lowest cost, then a good idea is to constrain your design using this particular shape. Likewise, if you are interested in more detailed features, a good idea is to use the punch press.

It offers features like bridge lances, round embosses countersinks and many more. In the case of punch, we offer the standard sizes. Also, in terms of cost, these tools are the best option.  When you choose experienced manufacturers such as the Essaii, you will have access to state of the art equipment.

Note: When you use the configuration of common tools, it would save you a lot of money in comparison to the part-specific tools.

Bends of Sheet Metal Prototyping

In sheet metal fabrication, bending holds great importance. Thank to modern and sophisticated technology, it is possible to turn flat sheet metal into a number of shapes. However, you do need to follow a certain set of rules to prevent flaws in the design of sheet metal bending parts.

Radius

It is extremely important to ensure that the radius of the inside bend is not more than the sheet metal’s thickness. Doing so will stop any sort of deforming in the future.

Consistent Bending Direction

Another rule that you really do to focus is to guarantee that the bending direction is consistent. With consistent bending direction, along with the correct bending radius, it is possible to cost fabrication. Also, the overall cost of making parts would come down.

Proper Bend Designing

Instead of relying on exclusive parts machines, it is a good idea to design bends while keeping in mind the standard forming process and tools. Doing this would ensure that the bends are cost-efficient as well as effective.

On the other hand, when you use specialized bending tools, it not only increases the cost significantly but also slows down the manufacturing process.

Sheet Metal prototyping in china

Leve embora

Seguir as regras acima melhoraria o projeto de prototipagem de chapa de metal. Claro, um design perfeito levaria a um protótipo sem erros e, eventualmente, a um produto de sucesso. No entanto, para conseguir isso, existem vários fatores que exigem consideração, robustez, peso, montagem de componentes e muito mais.

NOTA: Se o protótipo de chapa metálica tiver um design complexo, as regras acima podem não ser eficazes.

Além de focar em todos esses elementos, você também precisa se juntar a um parceiro de fabricação confiável. A Essaii está entre os principais fabricantes de protótipos de aço metálico. Eles fornecerão assistência completa desde o início. Sua vasta experiência na indústria lhes permite entregar protótipos de alta qualidade, porém com boa relação custo-benefício.

Para obter mais informações, entre em contato com eles no Essaii.

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