We believe that the processes and procedures that we use in metal fabrication provide metal solutions to meet specific application requirements and sector challenges.
One such challenge is the fabrication of sheet metal cones.
Sheet metal cones are vital in several industries as a requirement for various applications.
For steel fabricators, this means working with specific measurements and CAD designs, as well as having the equipment and technology available to ensure a high-quality end product is achieved.
In this post, we look at metal cones, the fabrication process, and their advantages.
Metal cones
Creating a versatile final product, sheet metal fabrication to form metal cones helps serve several applications, such as machine components and construction elements.
Metal cones serve functional and aesthetic uses, and you can opt for a truncated or non-truncated cone style.
Non-truncated cones are metal sheets that form the entire cone shape.
Truncated cones – a cone that doesn’t have a pointed tip.
Metal cone fabrication is essential for the automotive (exhaust systems and engine parts), aerospace (aircraft components and engine elements), construction (supporting scaffolding, structural beams, and intricate architectural designs), and manufacturing (machinery and systems, helping to optimise operations and enhance durability) industries requiring a high precision and customised experience.
Metal cones can also be found in ventilation and ductwork, as they can be used as funnels to increase and decrease pipe widths.
How to fabricate metal cones
In its simplest form, fabricating metal cones involves transforming sheet metal into cone shapes.
Steps that Sheet Metal Fabricators UK will follow include:
Material selection – it is vital that from the very start, you choose the right and most suitable material for the application intended. When selecting the right sheet metal, consider tensile strength, level of corrosion resistance, weight, etc. Sheet metals often used in cone fabrication include steel, aluminium, and copper – and again, material selection will depend on the intended application.
Cutting – cutting the sheet metal to size is the next step in the process, where experienced fabricators will ensure precision cutting of the sheet metal to reach the desired shape and size (often using CNC machining, metal shears, or laser cutters). It is vital that you have the exact measurements, diameter sizes (including height, base, and top), vertical height/height of the slant, thickness/density of the metal, and more before cutting begins. We also recommend building in tolerance allowance at this stage and working out fabrication calculations to ensure everything is accounted for.
Forming – forming and shaping the cone then takes place using rolling machines or press braking to form the curve of the cone. There are various types and styles of cones that you may wish to fabricate, such as right angle cones, oblique, non-truncated, and truncated.
Welding – welding is always a large part of sheet metal services, and the fabrication of metal cones is no exception. Welding of the cone involves welding the seams together to ensure complete structural integrity.
Make sure to check out our blog post on the differences between soldering and welding sheet metal to find out more and understand which technique would be appropriate for your project.
Calibration – cones will then be calibrated before being cut down to their final length with excess material trimmed away, removing sharp edges and burrs.
Finishing – at Morfabrication, we offer various finishing options, and we work with you to ensure these are suitable and maximise the benefits of the final product. Some cone finishing techniques can include sandblasting, painting, and powder coating to help build longevity and boost appearance.
Advantages of metal cone fabrication
- You can customise your product to suit exact and very specific measurements and designs. With the option of material thickness and a range of finishes available, the choices are yours.
- Fabricated metal cones are incredibly durable – due to the processes and procedures the sheet metal is put through, the final product is one that offers strength, resilience, and a long life span.
- Cost-effective – the fabrication process is relatively straightforward and doesn’t involve a lot of steps, achieving high quality in an efficient way.
- You can achieve complex shapes – as technology continues to change and adapt, tools and fabrication equipment also change, providing speed and precision, as well as generating minimal waste; various shapes can now be achieved.
- High level of quality control – sheet metal fabrication is a highly skilled series of processes that requires quality assurance at every step. This ensures a high-quality end product, always.
Sheet metal services
The formation of metal cones requires an experienced team who not only knows and has expertise in a range of fabrication skills and techniques but will understand the intricacies and precision involved in metal cone fabrication.
The process will require specialist equipment with accurately calculated dimensions where the finishing touches can also be added.
At Morfabrication, our team is skilled in various areas of sheet metal fabrication. From welding to those all-important initial CAD designs, we can help you with it all.
If you have a project in mind, speak to a member of our team today on 0191 816 2718 or email your requirements to info@morfabrication.com – we’d be happy to help.