A complete analysis of the necessary equipment for sheet metal processing projects
Overview of sheet metal processing equipment
As a basic process in modern manufacturing, sheet metal processing requires a series of professional equipment to complete key processes such as cutting, bending, forming and shearing. These equipment, from traditional hand tools to advanced CNC machine tools, constitute a complete sheet metal processing system.
Classification of core processing equipment
1. Bending and forming equipment
CNC Press brake is the core equipment of modern sheet metal bending, with the following characteristics:
Adopt hydraulic or servo motor drive system
Equipped with high-precision back gauge (accuracy can reach ±0.01mm)
Programmable control of multi-axis linkage
Typical processing thickness range: 0.5-25mm

Auxiliary bending equipment includes:
Bench Press brake: suitable for small workpiece processing, the maximum processing length is usually 1-2 meters

Pipe bending machine: specially used for bending of pipes and special-shaped materials

Manual folding machine: suitable for simple bending operations with small batches and low precision requirements

2. Cutting equipment series
Mainstream CNC cutting equipment:
Laser cutting machine: processing accuracy can reach ±0.05mm, suitable for complex contour cutting

Plasma cutting machine: suitable for thick plate cutting (up to 50mm)

Water jet cutting machine: no heat affected zone, suitable for special material processing

Traditional cutting tools:
Electric shearing machine: maximum shearing thickness can reach 6mm

Manual shearing tools: including straight shear, circular shear and combination shear

Metal punching and shearing machine: suitable for large-scale standard shape cutting

3. Forming and processing equipment
Advanced forming equipment:
Hydraulic pressing machine: working pressure can reach more than 2,000 tons

Roll forming production line: continuous processing length can reach tens of meters

Spinning machine: suitable for precision forming of axisymmetric parts

Special forming tools:
Rolling machine: three-roll or four-roll structure, can process 3-50mm plates

Flanging machine: used to make various flange edges

Bulging machine: realize local expansion forming of pipes

4. Shearing and finishing equipment
Professional shearing equipment:
CNC shearing machine: Maximum shearing length can reach 6 meters

Swing shearing machine: Adjustable shearing angle to reduce deformation

Vibration shearing machine: Suitable for shearing of complex curves
Surface treatment equipment:
Deburring machine: Automatically removes burrs on cutting edges
Polishing machine: Achieve mirror effect on the surface

Sandblasting machine: Improve surface adhesion and appearance
Equipment Selection Guide
Considerations:
1. Material properties
Stainless steel: It is recommended to use a high-power laser cutting machine
Aluminum alloy: Suitable for water jet or mechanical cutting
Carbon steel: The most versatile, suitable for most equipment
2. Production scale
Small batch: manual + semi-automatic equipment combination
Medium batch: CNC single machine configuration
Large batch: automated production line
3. Precision requirements
Ordinary level: ±0.5mm
Precision level: ±0.1mm
High precision level: ±0.02mm
Modern sheet metal processing trends
1. Intelligent development
Equipment networking and remote monitoring
Automatic programming and process optimization
Intelligent detection and compensation system

2. Compound processing technology
Cutting-bending integrated equipment
3D printing and sheet metal composite process
Laser cutting and welding composite machine

3. Green manufacturing
Energy-saving servo drive system
Automatic waste recycling device
Environmentally friendly cooling technology
Equipment maintenance and management suggestions
1. Daily maintenance
Regular lubrication of moving parts
Check hydraulic system pressure
Clean foreign objects on the work surface
2. Precision maintenance
Monthly equipment accuracy inspection
Replace worn tools in time
Calibrate measurement system
3. Safe operation
Equipped with safety protection devices

Professional training for operators
Establish equipment operation specifications
By rationally configuring the above equipment and adopting scientific processing technology, enterprises can establish an efficient and accurate sheet metal processing system to meet various processing needs from simple parts to complex components.