Typically, the three most important steps in sheet metal manufacturing are shearing, punching/cutting, and bending.
Sheet metal, sometimes also called sheet metal work, is derived from the English word "sheet metal." It generally involves shaping thin metal sheets by hand or with molds, causing them to plastically deform into desired shapes and sizes. Further welding or minimal machining can then create more complex parts. Examples include household chimneys, sheet metal stoves, and car bodies.
Sheet metal processing refers to the processing of sheet metal. Specific examples include using sheet metal to make chimneys, iron buckets, oil tanks, ventilation ducts, elbows, reducers, and funnel-shaped components. The main processes include shearing, bending, edge trimming, shaping, welding, and riveting, requiring a certain level of geometric knowledge.
Sheet metal parts are thin sheet metal parts, which are parts that can be processed by stamping, bending, stretching, etc. A general definition is a part whose thickness remains unchanged during the processing. In contrast, there are castings, forgings, and machined parts. For example, the outer metal shell of a car is a sheet metal part, and some stainless steel kitchenware is also a sheet metal part.