8 Important DFM Tips for Sheet Metal Fabrication

Improve design for manufacturability for your sheet metal fabrication projects.

The sheet metal fabrication process is largely influenced by the initial design phase.

By considering manufacturability from the get-go, you can expedite production, reduce costs, and maintain the quality of the final product. This article delves into eight critical DFM tips to refine and optimize your sheet metal designs for the fabrication floor.

1. Understand Sheet Metal Characteristics

Each metal has its characteristics—its quirks, strengths, and idiosyncrasies. These characteristics, like grain direction, inherent material properties, and thickness, dictate how a metal responds during fabrication.

By understanding these, engineers can preemptively address potential issues. For instance, while aluminum might offer lightweight strength, its behavior during bending varies from steel.

Always consult material data sheets and incorporate their insights into your designs. Our expert team at MakerVerse is happy to consult you. Use our chat support function or specify what you want when requesting a quote.

2. Embrace Effective Nesting Techniques

Think of nesting as the Tetris of fabrication: the goal is to fit disparate parts within a single sheet with maximum efficiency.

Beyond saving material, optimal nesting reduces processing time and energy. Today's CAD software offers robust nesting solutions, but the intuition and foresight of a skilled designer remain invaluable. When nesting, consider potential assembly and the sequence of operations to minimize movement and handling.

3. Prioritize Material Utilization

Material wastage eats into both budgets and sustainability efforts.

As designers, adopting a minimalist mindset can make a world of difference. By utilizing more of the raw material and opting for designs that integrate seamlessly with the natural contours of the metal, you're fostering economic and environmental efficiency.

4. Design for Tool Accessibility

While a design may be a masterpiece in the digital realm, its manufacturability in the real world is paramount.

Envision the physical process: the drills, punches, and milling tools. How accessible is every part of your design to these tools? Avoiding intricate recesses or challenging undercuts can simplify fabrication and reduce costs. It's essential to liaise with the fabrication team and gather insights about tool capabilities.

5. Consider Corners and Edges

A detail small as a corner can significantly impact the durability and aesthetic of a sheet metal component.

Sharp corners can inadvertently introduce stress points, making the part susceptible to cracks or wear. Opting for rounded corners or leveraging specific design interventions like corner reliefs can mitigate these concerns, ensuring the final product is durable and visually appealing.

6. Factor in Bending Considerations

The metal's innate properties, such as its modulus of elasticity and yield strength, play crucial roles in determining bend outcomes. Uniformity is key. Ensuring consistent bend directions can reduce potential part deformations, and being conscious of bend proximity can influence tooling and resultant part quality.

MakerVerse's fully-vetted supply chain of experienced producers ensures that your part is created to exact specifications and with the highest quality.

7. Adopt Efficient Joinery and Fastening

Welding, while effective, isn't always the optimal solution.

Methods such as riveting, self-clinching fasteners, or a tab-and-slot design offer varied benefits. The choice depends on anticipated load, material compatibility, and final product aesthetics. Each method has its merits; the trick lies in selecting the right one for the job.

8. Stay Updated with Modern Technologies

Sheet metal fabrication, like all fields, is in perpetual evolution. New machines, smarter software tools, and innovative materials are always on the horizon. All these new developments affect manufacturability.

Want access to the latest sheet metal fabrication technologies? Work with Makerverse to leverage the developments in the industry.