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The Evolution of CNC Sheet Metal Machines: From Punching to Bending and Beyond

CNC sheet metal machines have come a long way since the early days of punching machines. With technological advancements in the field of metal fabrication, bending and forming machines now dominate the industry. These state-of-the-art machines are designed to meet the stringent requirements of modern manufacturing, where precision, consistency, and flexibility are the keys to success.

In this article, we'll take a closer look at the evolution of CNC sheet metal machines, their capabilities, and applications.

The Beginning: Punching Machines

The use of punching machines for sheet metal fabrication can be traced back to the early 19th century. These machines were manually operated and used to punch holes or create shapes in metal sheets. Later versions of the punching machine became automated, where the punch tool was controlled by a cam or a mechanical controller.

Punching machines were widely used in the automotive, aerospace, and construction industries, where the production of large volumes of metal components was required. However, their limitations in terms of shapes and forms that could be created made them less useful for specialized applications.

The Present: Bending and Forming Machines

The introduction of bending and forming machines marked a significant milestone in the evolution of CNC sheet metal machines. These machines use a combination of hydraulic and electrical systems to generate bending forces with unparalleled accuracy and repeatability. The ability to bend and shape metal sheets in any desired form opened up a new era of possibilities in the field of sheet metal fabrication.

Today, bending and forming machines are widely used in a variety of applications, including:

Automotive and aerospace

Architecture and construction

Electronics and telecommunications

Medical devices and equipment

Bending and forming machines are also highly flexible and can switch between different shapes and forms with ease, making them ideal for small batch productions and prototyping.

The Future: Additive Manufacturing

While CNC sheet metal machines have come a long way, the future of metal fabrication lies in additive manufacturing. Additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, enables the creation of complex metal components with intricate shapes and geometries that were previously impossible to produce using traditional subtractive processes.

The use of additive manufacturing in sheet metal fabrication is still in its early stages, but the potential for this technology is enormous. It offers a high degree of design freedom, reduced material wastage, and faster turnaround times, making it ideal for specialized and one-off applications.

In conclusion, CNC sheet metal machines have come a long way since the early days of punching machines. Today, bending and forming machines dominate the industry and offer a wide range of capabilities and applications. While the future of metal fabrication lies in additive manufacturing, the present belongs to CNC bending and forming machines.

cnc sheet metal machines

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If you need custom machined parts with complex geometries, or get end-use products in the shortest possible time, sigma technik limited is good enough to break through all of that and achieve your idea immediately.

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OUR SERVICES

CNC Machining

Equipped with 3-4-5 axis CNC milling and CNC turning machines, which enable us to handle even more complex parts with high precision.

Rapid Injection molding

Low investment, fast lead time, perfect for your start-up business.

Sheet metal

Our talented sheet metal engineers and skilled craftsmen work together to provide high quality custom metal products.

3D Printing

We offer SLA/SLS technologies to transform your 3D files into physical parts.

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About Us

What can we do?

Sigma Technik Limited, as a prototype production company and rapid manufacturer focusing on rapid prototyping and low volume production of plastic and metal parts, has advanced manufacturing technology, one-stop service, diversified manufacturing methods, on-demand manufacturing services and efficient manufacturing processes, which can provide customers with high-quality, efficient and customized product manufacturing services and help customers improve product quality and market competitiveness.

CNC Machining Case Application Field

CNC machining is a versatile manufacturing technology that can be used for a wide range of applications. Common examples include components for the aerospace, automotive, medical industries and etc.

Automotive components

Aerospace components

Medical components

Metal and plastic processing

Clear optical prototype for CNC machining

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CNC Machining FAQs

Get the support you need on CNC machining and engineering information by reading the FAQ here.

It may be caused by unstable processing equipment or tool wear and other reasons, so it is necessary to check the equipment and tools in time and repair or replace them.

It may be due to severe wear of cutting tools or inappropriate cutting parameters, which require timely replacement or adjustment of cutting tools or adjustment of machining parameters.

It may be caused by programming errors, program transmission errors, or programming parameter settings, and it is necessary to check and modify the program in a timely manner.

It may be due to equipment imbalance or unstable cutting tools during the processing, and timely adjustment of equipment and tools is necessary.

The quality and usage method of cutting fluid can affect the surface quality of parts and tool life. It is necessary to choose a suitable cutting fluid based on the processing materials and cutting conditions, and use it according to the instructions.

It may be due to residual stress in the material and thermal deformation during processing, and it is necessary to consider the compatibility between the material and processing technology to reduce part deformation.