Sheet metal may seem like a fairly modern invention, but it actually has a long and rich history. If you’ve ever wondered about its origins, you have come to just the right place. As a leading sheet metal fabrication company, we certainly know our stuff when it comes to this highly versatile material. From its humble origins to how it’s utilised now, here is everything that you have ever wanted to know about sheet metal.
An Ancient Technique
The use of sheet metal can be traced back to Ancient Egypt, where it was used to make jewellery. So it’s been around for thousands of years! Of course, it looked a little different then, and there was no industrial-scale means of production. Somewhere around the 15th century, workers stopped using furnaces to pile alternated layers of charcoal and iron. Previously, this would be how they liquefied steel. It was also around this time that Leonardo da Vinci sketched a sheet metal press. In 1590, that sketch became a reality.
Later Developments
The modernisation of the process meant that sheet metal fabricating become a lot more straightforward. Pit coal became the heat source of choice for the manufacturing of cast iron. Soon, more complex shapes such as rails, squares, rounds, and double-T beams were able to be created. The Industrial Revolution led to yet more innovation. In 1857, the Bessemer process was used for the first time. This allowed for the inexpensive mass production of steel from cast iron.
The Current Day
Since the Industrial Revolution, the technology involved in sheet metal fabrication has come on in leaps and bounds. From rapid prototyping to blanking, laser cutting, and punching, automation has made lead times to much shorter and results so much more precise. It’s also more affordable than it’s ever been, meaning more clients than ever are able to access sheet metal fabrication services.
Our Passion For Innovation
Here at LL Potters, we have continued to invest in the latest technology and in our team. We’re always looking to the innovation and forward-thinking spirit of those who came before us, all while looking at how we ourselves can make the process as smooth and straightforward as possible for our clients.
Although we definitely haven’t been around for quite as long as sheet metal itself, we have been in business since 1964. So it’s safe to say that we’re experts in the field! We’ve made our name as the sheet metal fabrication of choice for clients in the communications and electronics industries.
We’ve built up long-standing relationships with many household name clients in the telecommunications, retail, medical and commercial computer sectors, focusing on the production of enclosures and associated metalwork.
Get in Touch Today
Thanks to our years in the industry, we understand that every customer comes with their own unique requirements. From help with design and development through to delivery on our vehicles, we offer full customisation at every stage. The result? Services that are made to suit you. That’s why we are the sheet metal fabrication company that so many businesses trust. If you want to find out more about us and how we could help you, then please do get in touch with a member of our team today.