Sheet metal projects can be really expensive, with factors including material waste and awkward bends all adding time and money to the job. With that in mind, let’s have a look at how you can bring the cost down on your next job.
Simplify the design
Every extra cut or curve takes up valuable time, so keeping shapes straightforward makes parts quicker to produce and reduces the chance of errors or rework.
Choose materials carefully
The most expensive metal isn’t always the best choice, and a standard grade or slightly thinner sheet may well do the job perfectly.
Reduce wasted material
Good nesting places parts closely together on a sheet, rather like fitting pieces into a puzzle. Less unused space means less scrap and a lower material bill.
Keep bends standard
Unusual angles and different bend radii can mean extra tooling and setup, so standardising them keeps production moving and makes repeat orders easier.
Limit welding
Welding, of course, takes skill and time. Tabs, folds, rivets or standard fasteners could be a quicker and easier alternative to welding. A sheet metal fabrication specialist like this example https://dkmsheetmetal.co.uk/ can usually flag these opportunities before production begins.
Order with the future in mind
Larger batches can reduce the price per part because setup costs are spread across more units. It’s still worth avoiding excess stock, though, so order what you’ll actually use over time.
So these are the considerations that can really help you to save some valuable money later across the whole project.
