Glossary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| AISI Number | AISI stands for the American Iron and Steel Institute, and is a four-digit identification number used to specify different types of carbon steel coils. The first two digits indicate the grade of steel, and the last two give the amount of carbon that the steel contains. |
| CAD | Computer Aided Design. Software to design parts. Examples are AutoCAD, Solidworks, SolidEdge etc. Computer Aided Design (CAD): After initial specifications for a product are created, which ideally include 3D models and 2D prints, these specifications are converted to a sheet metal design so flat patterns and manufacturing instructions can be created. These are then sent to the shop floor to drive sheet metal fabrication. |
| CAM | Computer Aided Manufacturing. Software that takes a CAD file and create NC code to manufacture the part on a CNC controlled machine such as a Mill, Router, Laser, Punch etc. |
| CNC | Computer Numeric Control. Refers to the computer integrated into a machine (such as a mill, router, laser etc) to receive and process instructions. |
| Punching | Uses a turret and die to force material out of a working piece or part. In layman's terms this process creates holes. Punch press turrets come in assorted sizes and styles to create different shaped openings and louvers. |
| Stamping | The stamping process utilizes a die to mold and create shapes. Unlike punching, stamping does not completely cut through metal. This is synonymous with hard tooling. |
| Bending | A process of adding a defined shape to a flat sheet of metal along a single axis |
| Machining | This is a subtractive fabrication process meaning material is removed from metal to create the form or shape. |
| Laser Cutting | This is an alternative to a punch press or turret as it uses a laser to cut the sheet metal. The use of a highly concentrated beam of light to generate enough heat to pierce and cut, using CO2 and fiber optic lasers. |
| Powder Coat Paint | A painting process using a dry powder. The powder coat paint process includes pre-treatment cleaning and a bake cycle. |
| Deburring | Mechanically removing a burr on the edge of a piece of steel. A burr is a small portion of the base material that creates a sharp edge which can be a safety hazard. |
| Weld Fixtures/Jigs | Specialized tooling to hold parts together during the welding process. Weld fixtures & jigs help ensure process repeatability and part reliability. |
| Weld Tables | A table with specialized features to aid in the welding process. The tables help reduce fixturing costs and development time because clamping and squaring is done with removable features. |
| Spot Welding | This is a welding method where two metals are joined together by passing a current through two electrodes and generating heat to create a weld joint. |
| Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) Welding | Uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode to create the arc and melt the metal. The filler is fed into the base metal separately. Also known as GTAW |
| Metal Inert Gas (MIG) Welding | A welding process where the consumable filler metal is the electrode. During the melting process, the filler metal melts and joins with the base metal to complete the weld and create the weld joint. Also known as GMAW |
| Robotic Welding | This welding process requires using a robotic arm and advanced welding fixtures to join metals together. |
| ARC Welding | Joining common material metals using an electric arc and heat. |
| Die set | Forming aids used in a press brake to bend sheet metal to a required angle and radius. |
| Tooling | An implement that is required to produce a part in sheet metal fabrication. This can include hard-tooling, soft-tooling, hand-tools and hybrid tooling. |
| First Article Inspection (FAIs) | FAIs are the first step after a design is “frozen,” and all engineering changes are in place. This is a validation run. Unlike a prototype, FAI units are made with production tooling and fixtures in a production environment. |
| Prototypes | Prototypes are a fantastic way to understand the form, fit and function of a product and to validate a design. Prototypes are small quantity runs and because of this, typically cost more per piece than a production unit. These are made without production tooling, but with a high level of craftsmanship. This is the time to make engineering changes to improve product manufacturability for full-scale production. Prototypes can also use variances to production units such as different fabrication capabilities, material or purchase components. |
| Sheet Metal Fabrication | The term “sheet metal fabrication” encompasses the manufacturing processes required to turn sheet metals, such as steel and aluminum, into specific shapes. Sheet metal is received into a facility in flat sheets which can be turned into everything from cabinets and enclosures to chassis and beyond. |
| Welding | Joining two pieces of material by applying heat, pressure, or both. Sometimes this will be with or without a filler material. The join is produced through fusion/recrystallisation across the interface. |
| Rib | A long V-shaped or radiused indentation. It is used to strengthen large sheet metal panels. Synonyms - Bead, Dart |
| Remnant | A 'remnant' is the offcut of remaining material from a sheet after a nest is cut. Nesting systems that include remnant sheet management can store remnants in their database and intelligently re-use them when a suitable nest is created. Synonyms - Off-cut |
| POB | Plane of bend. The orientation of a bend in relation to the axis of the straight section preceding it. Used specifically for changes of plane in successive bends. |
| Perforating | The punching of multiple holes, often identical and arranged in a regular pattern, in a sheet, blank, or formed part. The holes are often round, but could be of any shape. |
| Nesting | Nesting software takes a series of flat patterns of parts to be cut out of sheets or rolls of material and works out the best pattern, or 'nest' in order to combine as many parts on the material with the least amount of waste. It also optimizes the cutting path to take the shortest time and generates the 'NC' (numerical control) code used to drive the CNC machine that will cut the material. More information about 'what is nesting software' is available here. |
| Laser Beam Welding (LBW) | The use of a highly concentrated beam of light to generate enough heat to Fuse metal together. Can be used with or without filler rod. 5x faster than tig welding. |
| Lancing | A cutting process where material is sliced or cut without producing a slug or separating the workpiece. |
| ID/OD | Inside Diameter. Used to measure the width of a coil or tube. OD = Outside diameter |
| Gauge | A measurement of thickness. Standard gauges include the Galvanized Sheet Gauge (GSG), United States Standard Gauge (USS) and Birmingham Wire Gauge (BWG). |
| ERP | Enterprise Resource Planning. As MRP, but including additional features such as data warehousing, accounts, human resources etc. |
This is a sample page.
Overview
Our refund and returns policy lasts 30 days. If 30 days have passed since your purchase, we can’t offer you a full refund or exchange.
To be eligible for a return, your item must be unused and in the same condition that you received it. It must also be in the original packaging.
Several types of goods are exempt from being returned. Perishable goods such as food, flowers, newspapers or magazines cannot be returned. We also do not accept products that are intimate or sanitary goods, hazardous materials, or flammable liquids or gases.
Additional non-returnable items:
- Gift cards
- Downloadable software products
- Some health and personal care items
To complete your return, we require a receipt or proof of purchase.
Please do not send your purchase back to the manufacturer.
There are certain situations where only partial refunds are granted:
- Book with obvious signs of use
- CD, DVD, VHS tape, software, video game, cassette tape, or vinyl record that has been opened.
- Any item not in its original condition, is damaged or missing parts for reasons not due to our error.
- Any item that is returned more than 30 days after delivery
Refunds
Once your return is received and inspected, we will send you an email to notify you that we have received your returned item. We will also notify you of the approval or rejection of your refund.
If you are approved, then your refund will be processed, and a credit will automatically be applied to your credit card or original method of payment, within a certain amount of days.
Late or missing refundsIf you haven’t received a refund yet, first check your bank account again.
Then contact your credit card company, it may take some time before your refund is officially posted.
Next contact your bank. There is often some processing time before a refund is posted.
If you’ve done all of this and you still have not received your refund yet, please contact us at {email address}.
Sale itemsOnly regular priced items may be refunded. Sale items cannot be refunded.
Exchanges
We only replace items if they are defective or damaged. If you need to exchange it for the same item, send us an email at {email address} and send your item to: {physical address}.
Gifts
If the item was marked as a gift when purchased and shipped directly to you, you’ll receive a gift credit for the value of your return. Once the returned item is received, a gift certificate will be mailed to you.
If the item wasn’t marked as a gift when purchased, or the gift giver had the order shipped to themselves to give to you later, we will send a refund to the gift giver and they will find out about your return.
Shipping returns
To return your product, you should mail your product to: {physical address}.
You will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable. If you receive a refund, the cost of return shipping will be deducted from your refund.
Depending on where you live, the time it may take for your exchanged product to reach you may vary.
If you are returning more expensive items, you may consider using a trackable shipping service or purchasing shipping insurance. We don’t guarantee that we will receive your returned item.
Need help?
Contact us at {email} for questions related to refunds and returns.