I know probably you are looking for the best way to assemble sheet metals.

Well, this guide explores some of the most common top 11 sheet metal assembly options to choose from.

1. Assembling Sheet Metal With Fasteners i.e. Nuts & Screws

You can use fasteners such as nuts and screws to directly hold onto sheet metal pieces.

These fasteners will ensure a perfect fit.

You can also disassemble fasteners when you need alterations.

Fasteners like screws and nuts will help you create non-permanent joints.

This will make it possible for you to remove or replace parts without damaging.

Some of the types of nuts that you can use in sheet metal assembly include:

• Square nut: used when you want to obtain greater contact on parts with large surface area.
• Knurled nut: it has a rough exterior to enable you to install and remove it using your hands.
• Barrel nut: you can use it in assembling aerospace components and household parts.
• Cage nut: it has wings for holding it in place which makes your installation process seamless.

Sheet Metal Fasteners

You can use the following types of screws in sheet metal assembly:

• Double-ended screws: they will enable you to form a joint under the metal part.
• Framing screws: you can use them in assembling outdoor applications like decks.
• Fillister head screws: you can use them in assembling automotive parts and tools.
• Hammer drive screws: use them in functions like assembling wall signs and attaching nameplates.

2. Welding Sheet Metal

We conduct welding sheet metal assembly by fusing two pieces to form a single product. Usually, we use welding sheet metal assembly when you need strong and permanent structures.

Some of the welding techniques which you can use include the following:

• Spot weld assembly: in case you require structures that are not permanent, we advise you to opt for spot weld assembly.
• Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMWAW): we will melt the electrode and use the weld to assemble your sheet metal.
• Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW): your sheet metal parts will be joined using a weld pool.
• Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW): we will use a tungsten electrode which cannot be consumed in assembly.
• Laser weld: we will join your parts using heat from a laser beam.

Welding Sheet Metal

3. Sheet Metal Rivet Assembly

You should use rivet assembly when joining parts that experience changes in pressure and temperature.

Sheet metal rivet assembly is also suited for joining parts that are structural and robust.

Some of the areas where you can use it include creating metal tools, cars, and buildings.

There are several rives that you can use in sheet metal assembly such as:

• Solid rivets: they have a head that remains visible when punched in and a headless part for joining the parts.
• Pop rivets: we usually insert them in holes that have been made for assembling the sheet metal parts.
• Pull-mandrel rivets: they enhance the structural rigidity of the joined sheet metal parts.
• Threaded rivets: you can use them for parts used in high-performance applications.
• Drive-pin rivets: use these in your architectural applications or to achieve an aesthetic value of a part.
• Tubular rivets: these rivets are hollow and have varying configurations.

4. Soldering And Brazing Sheet Metal Assembly

We use this technique in bonding two metal parts by using a melted filler metal.

Soldering and blazing will make sure that your product is strong and durable.

You can use soldering and blazing in plumbing, jewelry, and electronic parts.

5. Assemble Sheet Metal With Tongue And Groove

You will assemble sheet metal by inserting a tongue into a groove.

The tongue is designed at the end of the metal and is inserted at the groove of another metal.

Sheet metal assembly for these elements will be achieved using slight movements in inserting them.

You should ensure the tongue’s width firmly fits in the groove.

Tongue and Grooves

6. Bonding Sheet Metal Assembly With Adhesive

You can use the following adhesives in sheet metal assembly:

• Structural adhesives: they enhance your parts to be resistant to heat, chemicals, and temperature.
• Anaerobic adhesives: you can use them as thread lockers and pipe sealants in your sheet metal parts
• Cyanoacrylate adhesives: they enable your metal parts to be resistant to impact and polar solvents.
• UV curable adhesives: you can use them when assembling metal hinges, fixtures, and knobs.
• MS polymer adhesives: they offer you a great aesthetic finish as the joining part is not visible after the process.

7. Sheet Metal Assembly Using Hemming

Use hemming when you need to join two sheet metals without using fasteners.

Hemming makes it possible to join two sheet metals before assembling other internal components.

8. Snap Fits Sheet Metal Assembly

In snap-fits sheet metal assembly, you will join parts using spring force.

You will be required to use springs that can be snapped into position in the sheet metal assembly process.

Snap Fits Sheet Metal Assembly

9. Joining Sheet Metal Using Clinching

Sheet metal assembly using clinching is used for two flat sheet metals.

It will enable you to create a button type between these sheet metal parts.

Using clinching will enable you to save money and time as you will not need heat or prior drilling of holes.

10. Using Tabs To Assemble Sheet Metal

We produce tabs for sheet metal assembly by punching them in one of the parts.

we will ensure that the mating part has a sufficient surface area than the tab to ensure ease of installation.

You can use the following types of tabs in sheet metal assembly:

Self-locking tabs

They do not need you to use two or more parts. this is because you can join a single part to itself through folding.

Self-Locking Tabs

Redundant tabs

Redundant tabs can be bent, torn, and aligned to suit your specifications.

11. Sheet Metal Assembly Using Hinges

When assembling sheet metal using hinges, you should consider certain features of the part. Some of the features you may have in mind are its weight, frequency of use, and ease of assembly.

You can use the following hinges in sheet metal assembly:

• Spring-loaded pin hinges
• Pivot hinges
• Piano hinges

Conclusion

There are several techniques that you can use in sheet metal assembly.

You should therefore select a method that suits the sheet metals you are using and your desired outcome.