Material and Processing Fundamentals
Material Compatibility: Stainless steel possesses high hardness and toughness; specialized tools are required to prevent excessive wear or material damage.
Temperature Control: Heat generation during processing necessitates temperature control to prevent deformation caused by overheating, which could compromise material properties.
Lubrication and Cooling: Use appropriate lubricants and coolants to minimize frictional heat and protect both tools and workpieces.
Key Operational Points for Core Processes
Blanking/Cutting: Laser cutting is suitable for complex contours, while CNC punching offers higher efficiency; calculate material usage based on the drawing's bill of materials.
Bending: Select die groove widths based on material thickness; follow the "inside-to-outside, small-to-large" sequence and account for springback compensation.
Joining/Assembly: Distribute weld points symmetrically to balance stress; for thin sheets (<1mm), reinforce self-clinching fastener installations with spot welding to prevent burn-through.
Surface Treatment: Apply spray coating after electroplating for cold-rolled steel; use a brushed finish for stainless steel and anodizing for aluminum; apply phosphating prior to powder coating to enhance adhesion.
Structural Design Pitfalls to Avoid
Bending Limits: Ensure the bending radius is ≥ material thickness and the minimum flange height is ≥ 4 times the material thickness to allow sufficient space for tooling force application.
Hole Positioning: Maintain a distance of ≥ 1.5 times the material thickness between the hole edge and the bend line to prevent hole deformation caused by stretching during bending.
Self-Clinching Fastener Placement: Ensure the distance from the outer edge of the fastener head to the flange edge is ≥ 3mm to prevent bulging or deformation at the sheet edge.
