Sheet metal machining is one of the most affordable ways, if not the most affordable way a business can make custom parts. All of the cost-saving benefits go out the window, though, if you aren’t smart about your sheet metal supply.
Investing in thousands of dollars of sheet metal isn’t wise if you make the wrong decisions buying and using the material. To help you get the most bang for your buck, here are five ways to save.
1. Keep Everything Uniform
The easiest way to save money on sheet metal fabrication is by making sure that everything you need to get the job done is uniform and standard. This means checking that the sheet metal thickness is even and standard gauge, not a custom thickness that you have to adjust for.
2. Choose the Right Metal for the Job
Buying one kind of metal and trying to use it for everything is tempting, especially if you get a good deal on an order. This method will cost you in the long run.
Buying a lot of stainless steel sheet metal and using it for parts better suited to aluminum is a waste of more costly material. Research which metals have the properties you want before starting production.
3. Limit Bends and Angles
It makes sense that the more bends and angles a piece has, the longer it takes to produce. The production process of a piece with many bends is also more technical. This means it has more potential for error than a simpler piece.
Eliminating this extra time, money, and risk is easy. All you have to do is design your parts with simplicity and basic function in mind.
4. Cut Down on Assigning Tolerances
In sheet metal fabrication, tolerance is the amount that a design’s dimensions can vary. It is often expressed as a range, such as 1-2 inches.
Assigning tolerances is a way to guarantee that working parts function the way they’re meant to. It may be tempting to assign tolerances to all parts of your design, but they only really matter when they affect performance. Keep an eye on how well your design fulfills its purpose, not just on how it looks.
5. Try Recycling Scrap Sheet Metal Supply
Recycling isn’t just important for the environment—It’s also a great way to save money. Not just that, but you can make money recycling scrap metal, too.
Spending thousands of dollars on a sheet metal order that you ultimately only use 50% of while throwing the rest away is a waste of money and a waste of material. Lucky for you, it’s true that one person’s trash is another person’s treasure. Metal that’s worthless scrap to you is metal that another person is willing to pay top dollar for.
Recycling scrap helps you get your money’s worth from sheet metal.
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Now that you know these five pro tips for saving a buck, you can maximize the value you get from your sheet metal supply. You have nothing to lose because following this advice will only help your business turn a bigger profit.
Once you perfect your sheet metal fabrication techniques, take some time to relax with our wide selection of business and lifestyle advice. It’s free and designed for your benefit, so you have no reason not to take a look today.
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