Applications of Sheet Metal in Agricultural Industry: Guide 2022

Sheet metal parts with brushed surface treatment

Agriculture has always been moving in an important initiative toward mechanization. Global policies have helped the agricultural machinery manufacturing sector grow quickly, and agricultural machinery and equipment have advanced toward automation and diversity.

There is no such industrial or domestic sphere, wherever metal sheet metal is used. Sheet metal is obtained by forging metal or rolling it on rolling mills.

The metal sheet can be made of steel of various grades, including the widely demanded stainless steel, as well as non-ferrous metals and their alloys.

What is sheet metal processing?

CNC Sheet Metal Fabrication

Sheet metal processing is a process for obtaining parts, including technologies for cutting and plastic deformation of a metal sheet.

Such parts are used in various fields: aerospace, instrumentation, mechanical engineering, healthcare, and construction due to their durability, lightness, a wide range of available materials, and manufacturing capabilities.

Surprising Applications of Sheet Metal:

• Ductwork
• Cabinetry for refrigerator units
• Medical tables and equipment storage
• Facades of buildings
• Signs
• Hoods for exhaust
• Stacks
• Decorated artwork

The classification of sheet metal

The classification depends on its quality characteristics and is divided according to the following indicators:

Technologies for the manufacture of sheet metal: In rolling mills, metal sheets are produced by the hot-rolled or cold-rolled method. The physical and mechanical properties of the sheet metal obtained in this way are excellent. Both methods are widely used in the metallurgical industry.

Dimensions: Metal sheets have different thicknesses: thin and thick rolled products are distinguished. Standard dimensions for the length and width of the sheet are prescribed in GOST, although production of non-standard sizes is also allowed.

The advantages of producing agricultural machinery utilizing sheet metal fabrication are highlighted by the industry’s ongoing trend of development.

Why Steel is the Top Choice for Agricultural Equipment?

Steel is the ideal material for agriculture for a variety of reasons, including its long lifespan, low cost, and high strength.

Additionally, steel is available in a variety of grades and material thicknesses, allowing you to obtain the precise performance qualities needed for a given application.

The majority of manufacturers still rely largely on steel for the essential parts of agricultural equipment because it is the ideal metal for the sector. Given that the material is durable, sturdy, eco-friendly, and reasonably priced, it is simple to understand why.

Engineers can obtain the appropriate performance characteristics for a specific use case with steel products because they are available in a variety of grades, forms, and sizes.

In areas where exposure to dampness, harsh chemicals, and extreme temperatures is expected, many agricultural operations take place. To withstand these conditions, using carbon steel with a galvanized surface finish is highly recommended.

Galvanized parts

Which Metal Is Used to Make Agricultural Tools?

Sheet metal part made with Galvanized Steel

Despite the fact that there are many different kinds of metals used in agriculture, hot-dip galvanized steel is frequently employed because of its overall strength and affordability. Galvanized steel is steel that has acquired a zinc coating to prevent degradation.

When zinc is coated to a surface, it stops moisture and other airborne elements from corroding the underlying steel.

The name “hot-dip galvanized steel” comes from a subsequent procedure. A metallurgical bond is created by dipping steel into a molten puddle of hot zinc. The end result is a surface coating that shields the underlying steel from corrosion caused by moisture and other airborne substances.

Galvanized steel also offers good value for the money. It costs less than other treated steels and needs little upkeep, so there is less need for repairs or replacements.

Galvanized steel has special performance qualities that make it useful for a variety of agricultural uses, including:

• Metal structures
• Fences
• Wagons
• Silos
• Storage Spaces
• Components for harvesters
• Feeding Machines
• Balers
• System of conveyors

System of conveyors

What Are the Major Applications of Sheet Metal in Agriculture?

Due to the effectiveness of the operations, the agriculture industry is getting more and more competitive. Using superior metals, agricultural equipment makers may produce more dependable, effective machinery that leads to improved farming. Numerous pieces of farming equipment, including:

• barns and silos
• Harvesting tools, including cotton pickers, tractors, hay balers, etc.
• Greenhouses
• Equipment for managing livestock, such as fences, feeding troughs, and milking machines.
• Equipment used in general operations, such as forklifts, irrigation systems, and drainage.

Key Benefits of Sheet Metal

When choosing one of the types of sheet metal, first of all, its main operational characteristics are taken into account. The physical and mechanical properties of sheet metal can differ significantly from each other.

Benefits of Sheet Metal Fabrication

For example, a profiled sheet made of rolled products with a thickness of less than 3-4 mm will not provide the product with high-strength characteristics.

Among the main advantages of using sheet metal for industrial or domestic purposes, it should be noted:

• High technology. The metal sheet lends itself well to various types of processing (cutting, welding, forming, etc.). The correct geometry of the sheet allows you to perform design calculations as accurately as possible, which in turn allows you to reduce material costs.
• Wear resistance. Of course, this characteristic largely depends on the grade of steel or alloy used in the production of sheet metal.
• Variety of species. As already noted, metal sheets can be smooth, profiled, perforated, metal surfaces – galvanized, painted, etc. There is always the possibility of selecting the most optimal option for any area.

Speaking about the advantages, it should be noted: they all appear only if the material is used for its intended purpose. For example, perforated stainless steel sheet, which exhibits excellent performance in corrosive environments, does not provide the product with insulating properties.

Main uses of Sheet Metal

Sheet metal is one of the main types of raw materials for the manufacture of various types of equipment.

 It is widely used in most industrial fields:

• Mechanical engineering and automotive industry;
• Shipbuilding;
• Agriculture;
• Instrumentation;
• military sphere;
• Chemical and food industry;
• Production of various types of equipment, containers, and reservoirs;
• Production of household appliances.

It is difficult to overestimate the scale of the use of sheet metal in the construction industry. Sheets of metal are lined with external and internal surfaces of the room; equip barriers, and flights of stairs.

Thin sheet metal is used as a raw material for the production of metal tiles. Sheet metal is often used to create unique decorative elements in modern or loft-style interiors.

How Can we help you?

In this very competitive industry, having the best source for metal fabrication is crucial for any agricultural industry.

Prolean offers a wide range of sheet metal processing services for precision parts, such as galvanized steel and modern high-strength steel, as well as steel processing services like blanking and pickling.

Our experts are capable of offering a variety of materials with excellent design, optimum corrosion resistance, and quick customer service.