5 Strategies To Enhance The Durability of Your Sheet Metal Parts

When you receive a sheet of metal, it may initially seem soft and easily bendable compared to solid metal blocks. Despite this apparent weakness, sheet metal is still widely used in automotive parts, enclosures, housings, brackets, and more. This is because sheet metal can be strengthened to suit various applications. In this article, we discuss several methods to enhance the strength of sheet metal parts.

Avoid the flat design

Flat sheet metal parts lack structural integrity and are prone to bending and deformation under pressure. To enhance their strength, it is advisable to avoid flat designs. Instead, consider adding ribs, flanges, or hems to reinforce the sheet metal parts.

Adding ribs

Ribs are often employed to enhance the strength of sheet metal parts and minimize deformation. Typical rib shapes include arch and trapezoid. However, it's important to note that simply adding more ribs doesn't always result in a stronger part; excessive ribs can actually cause deformation and bending. Additionally, ribs should be evenly distributed within the sheet metal to prevent uneven stress, which can also lead to bending. Below are some common rib sizes.

Adding straight bend, flange or hems

The strength of sheet metal can be significantly increased by stretching it in each groove or line, which helps maintain tension and provides structural rigidity. This enhancement bolsters the overall strength of the sheet metal parts. There are various methods to create these stretches and grooves. Below are some common techniques used to bend sheet metal.

Adding triangular ribs to bending place

To enhance the strength and maintain the angle of bent sheet metal parts, triangular ribs are often added at the bending points. This simple method effectively reinforces the components.

Connecting the sheet metal parts with hardware

If you require a stronger thread or connection, using inserted hardware is ideal. Due to the thin and flat nature of sheet metal, threading holes can be challenging. Integrating hardware into sheet metal is essential for both connection and reinforcement. Ensure that the hardware's hardness is equal to or greater than the sheet metal. Common options include self-clinching nuts, self-clinching standoffs, flush-head studs, and thin sheet non-flush studs.

You can certainly combine all these methods to create robust sheet metal parts with an enhanced aesthetic appearance. For additional sheet metal design tips or more information on CNC machining and injection molding, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.