Sheet Metal Works: What They Are and What Materials Are Needed
Sheet metal works encompass all those activities involving the processing of metal sheets, including copper and aluminum, using both specific machinery and small tools.
Sheet metal working is, in fact, a fundamental type of processing, for example, for the solidity of partial or total roof constructions, their replacement or repair, and for the creation of gutters and flashings essential for draining rainwater and preventing leaks.
In this article, we will describe in detail this area of work, the important professional figure of the sheet metal worker, and the fastening elements and bolts used in these works.
What Is Sheet Metal Working?
The world of sheet metal working is a prime example of how craftsmanship is indispensable in industrial processes and the realization of large and small constructions.
When we talk about sheet metal working, we refer to the activity through which sheet metal works are designed, processed, and installed, such as flashings, trims, and gutter channels. These types of elements are applied in various sectors.
Among the main ones is certainly construction, a field in which the metal sheet components manufactured and assembled are really diverse, such as:
Ducts
Piping
Joints
Flashings
Gutters
Coverings
Even in the naval and furniture sectors, there are different sheet metal accessories that can be used. Among these, for example:
Brackets
Hinges
Trays
Clips
Small boxes
Although most of these components in aluminum, copper, or iron are produced in metalworking shops, their assembly requires professionalism and precision, and this is where the expert figure of the sheet metal worker comes into play. What are the tasks of this figure, and what does a sheet metal worker do?
What Does a Sheet Metal Worker Do?
The sheet metal worker is the central figure in the design, realization, and supervision of sheet metal works. Indeed, this specialized figure is responsible not only for designing the works and ordering the necessary materials to execute them but sometimes can also play the role of a technical draftsman.
His task must be performed with the utmost precision. He indeed:
Creates structures
Assembles cut and bent components with the aid of tools like lasers, lathes, shears, and presses
Performs the installation of the artifacts directly on the construction site, testing their validity
Furthermore, it will be this craftsman who interprets and studies drawings and projects, selecting the most efficient models and making them in the most suitable materials for each situation.
Fastening Elements and Bolts for Sheet Metal Works
In sheet metal works, fastening elements play a key role in the stability and solidity of the structure. Indeed, for the assembled components to last over time, even the bolts must be studied and chosen based on the final destination.
Among the most widely used fastening elements, also found in the Univiti catalog, are:
For this reason, the choice of the fastening system and the elements to be used is crucial in any installation to carry out works in reduced times, achieving the best result.
For further information on sheet metal works and the fastening elements and bolts used, subscribe to our newsletter.
Over time, classifications and nomenclatures for bolts have been defined to regulate their mechanical and physical characteristics, both at national and international levels. Specifically, the main standards for fasteners are ISO, DIN, and UNI....
In bolted connections subjected to continuous stresses, there is often a serious risk that the nut may loosen from the screw. For this reason, self-locking (or self-braking) nuts have been developed and designed....
Washers are a mechanical component that is generally placed between the nut of a bolt or under the head of a screw and the component to be locked. For many, this particular part is relegated to the task of increasing the locking of the bolted union t...
Anchor Bolts are elements used in various sectors, from construction to telecommunications, for the construction and securing of load-bearing structures. They can be made with different head and shank shapes, with various types of materials and surfa...
Washers are a mechanical item generally placed between the nut of a bolt and the object to be locked. Their main task is to distribute the clamping load over a larger surface than that covered by a bolt or screw (a very advantageous functionality wit...
Galvanizing is a process generally carried out on metallic artifacts, where a layer of zinc is applied as protection against corrosion. To achieve excellent results from the galvanizing process, it is fundamentally important to take into consideratio...
Disc Springs, a mechanical component within the washer family, are easily recognized by their distinctive conical shape, which gives the part elasticity and the capacity to absorb high loads even in a small housing space....
Tamper-proof screws, also known as security or anti-theft screws, are recognized by the special configuration of their head or type of drive. One of the advantages of this product is the vast array of combinations and options between the type of head...
Cotter pins are mechanical fastening elements that prevent a nut or pin from sliding out of its seat. There are several types of cotter pins, among the most commercially available we can find: standard, elastic, snap, and ring types....
Assembling objects, tools, or furniture is an activity that requires secure tightening, thus tightening the used elements to the right point. This activity cannot be left to chance but it is appropriate to know well the torque values of bolts, nuts, ...