The commonly used metal materials in the hardware parts we often use are stainless steel, copper, aluminum, zinc alloy, magnesium alloy, steel, iron, etc.

Hardware products are often divided into cold processing and hot processing according to different processing methods. Different types of hardware forming methods are also different. Cold processing, such as sheet metal materials, is mainly formed by mold cold stamping, bending, deep drawing and other processes. Thermal processing, such as casting parts, is mainly made by melting metal raw materials into liquid and casting them with molds.

It is generally believed that all sheet metal materials with uniform thickness are collectively referred to as sheet metal. Commonly used sheet metal materials are stainless steel, galvanized steel, tinplate, copper, aluminum, iron, etc.

❶The principle of uniform product thickness

Sheet metal is a material with uniform thickness, which should be paid attention to when designing the structure, especially in places where there are many bends, it is easy to cause uneven thickness.

❷ The principle of easy flattening

Sheet metal products are processed from sheet materials. Before processing, the raw materials are flat. Therefore, when designing sheet metal parts, all bends and slopes must be able to unfold on the same plane, and there is no difference between them. There can be no interference. For example, the sheet metal part shown in Figure 1-1 is unqualified because it interferes with each other after unfolding.

❸Appropriately select the thickness principle of sheet metal parts

The thickness of sheet metal parts ranges from 0.03 to 4.00mm in various specifications, but the larger the thickness, the more difficult it is to process, the more processing equipment is required, and the defect rate also increases. The thickness should be selected according to the actual function of the product. On the premise of satisfying the strength and function, the thinner the better. For most products, the thickness of the sheet metal parts should be controlled below 1.00mm.

❹In line with the principle of processing technology

Sheet metal products must meet the processing technology and be easy to manufacture. Products that do not meet the processing technology cannot be manufactured, which is an unqualified design.