This website requires certain cookies to work and uses other cookies to help you have the best experience. By visiting this website, certain cookies have already been set, which you may delete and block. By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to the use of cookies. Visit our updated privacy and cookie policy to learn more.
This Website Uses Cookies
By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Learn More
This website requires certain cookies to work and uses other cookies to help you have the best experience. By visiting this website, certain cookies have already been set, which you may delete and block. By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to the use of cookies. Visit our updated privacy and cookie policy to learn more.
SNIPSMag logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
SNIPSMag logo
  • HOME
  • NEWS
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Digital Editions
    • Subscribe
    • Submit a photo
    • SNIPS eNewsletter
    • Contractor of the Year
  • SUBMIT
    • Contractor of the Year
  • HOW TO + TIPS
    • Shop Layout
    • Fabrication
    • Spiral Duct
    • How To Webinars
  • STEEL REPORTS
  • PRODUCTS
    • Toolbox
  • DIRECTORY
    • Buyers Guide
    • Classifieds
    • Interactive Product Spotlight
  • EVENTS
    • Industry Calendar
    • AEC Buildtech
    • SMACNA
    • Webinars
  • VIDEOS
  • CONTACT
    • Editorial Staff
    • Advertise
    • Clear Seas Research
    • Custom Content & Marketing Services
    • Partners
    • Store
    • List Rental
    • Reprints
Home » Use these sheet metal shop fundamentals to boost your business
Shop Floor PlanShop LayoutHVAC ConstructionSheet Metal
Success, not excess

Use these sheet metal shop fundamentals to boost your business

LayoutFundamentals_FT
LayoutFundamentals_sl2
LayoutFundamentals_FT
LayoutFundamentals_sl2
December 2, 2015
Art Heuer
KEYWORDS ductwork / HVAC
Reprints
One Comment

Many sheet metal contractors ask, “When should I prepare a shop layout for my business?” To answer this question, I submit for consideration the following six elements — which should be present — either single or combined, because of current business conditions:

1. When starting a new HVAC construction contracting business.

2. New or additional plant space is required as a result of production volume increases.

3. The sheet metal shop changes emphasis from residential to commercial work, etc.

4. Shop is moved from one building to another.

5. When adding a major new sheet metal machine, such as a 10-foot power shear, 10-foot power brake or a coil handling system.

6. When use of raw material, such as steel changes from flat sheets to coil stock, as well as flat sheet stock. 

Production planning

The secret of successful and profitable sheet metal ductwork fabrication lies in proper production planning — the right kind of tools used in the right way.

The sheet metal products shop should be an integrated efficient production line that will turn out the greatest amount of work with the least amount of time, effort and cost. Sheet metal fabrication involves:

  • Preparation of metal in the flat, cutting metal to the required size and notching it to a pattern.
  • Forming metal, either a lock seam, cross breaking or beading, bending or shaping metal to a radius.
  • Final assembly, including final seaming, forming cleat edges and completion of the sheet metal product.

Minimum material handling

For the most efficient operation, the shop must be planned so that production operations can be performed in the proper sequence. Tools should be arranged systematically to keep material handling to a minimum. Cut down the amount of space through which materials or sheet metal forming workers must travel. Avoid the re-handling and piling of material and backtracking from one operation to another.

The most efficient production is obtained from setting up two flow lines. The primary line should handle the standardized types of components, which comprise the bulk of the shop’s work.

The secondary line should handle special or custom items. Plan the production so that as much work as possible moves through primary or standard flow lines. The secondary flow line should be for special fittings and other types of work not adapted to the primary line.

To implement sound planning practices, it is necessary to constructively and creatively strive for simplicity in shop production. In this respect, the following objectives are relevant:

  • Simplify and mechanize all operations.
  • Gain full value from money invested in production tools and shop equipment.
  • Stress flexibility in production by planning and selecting the means and methods used so that capacity can be increased when required.
  • Ensure versatility in production so that many different types of operations can be accomplished.
  • Work toward reducing space required. Use good housekeeping practices and implement a systematic production area.

Putting it all together

Considering the basic steps to take when making an individualized shop layout plan, begin with a scale drawing of the shop floor, omitting moveable items such as machinery or material racks in the initial plan.

These basic steps should be considered when making the rough plan:

  • Locate all existing walls, columns, power sources, doors and loading areas, and include in the plan stairways, windows and drive areas.
  • List all equipment in the shop and draw to scale the equipment or machinery to be considered in the layout, such as mobile tables, benches, A-frames, steel storage racks, vertical racks, brakes, notchers, roll formers, etc.  Draw symbols for these items on cardboard or colored paper; cut them out and label them. Also cut out aluminum samples or make use of miniature tool samples.
  • Place symbols in the best possible order, keeping in mind the above mentioned practices in production planning.

The scale of a shop layout is always an important consideration. The best scale to use in preparing the shop layout is with a quarter-inch to equal 1 foot. In this way, it is large enough for adequate detail, yet not so large as to be difficult to work with.

If shop dimensions are over 200 by 200 feet, use a smaller scale of one-eighth-inch is equal to 1 foot. The size of the paper to be used and the work surface where the layout is prepared will help control the scale used.

For reprints of this article, contact Renee Schuett at (248) 786-1661 or email schuettr@bnpmedia.com.

Subscribe to SNIPS

Art Heuer is the former sales manager for Engel Industries Inc.

Related Articles

Metal forming machinery you need to elevate your sheet metal shop’s production

Think twice before adding fabrication capacity to your sheet metal shop

The importance of good sheet metal machinery layout to your company’s operations

How to sell your sheet metal shop ... the right way

Related Directories

Roto-Die

US Duct Inc.

Shop Data Systems Inc.

Production Products Inc.

You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Subscribe For Free!
  • Print Edition Subscriptions
  • Digital Edition Subscriptions
  • eNewsletter
  • Online Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service
  • Mobile App

More Videos

Popular Stories

Sheet metal worker Lisa Davis

Portland sheet metal worker earns national position

Kevin Gill is SNIPS Sheet Metal Contractor of the Year

Introducing Our 2019 Sheet Metal Contractor of the Year

apex corporation duct design

A duct layout design in Boston requires a 9'x 9' high grease exhaust

Sheet metal and HVAC industry forecast

The 2020 sheet metal industry forecast you need to read

McCusker-Gill 2019 SNIPS Contractor of the Year

SNIPS' 2019 Sheet Metal Fabrication Contractor of the Year: McCusker-Gill Inc.

SNIPS Steel Reports

Events

December 30, 2030

Webinar Sponsorship Information

For webinar sponsorship information, visit www.bnpevents.com/webinars or email webinars@bnpmedia.com.

View All Submit An Event

Products

HVAC Duct Construction Standards - Metal and Flexible

HVAC Duct Construction Standards - Metal and Flexible

See More Products
SNIPS Classified

SNIPS

SNIPS December 2019

2019 December

Check out the December 2019 edition of SNIPS: 2019 Contractor of the Year, the state of the industry report, Industry Icon Vic Petrossian, metal roofing and much more!
View More Create Account
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Digital Editions
    • Submissions
    • Latest News
    • Subscribe
    • Advertise
  • HOW TO + TIPS
    • Shop Layout
    • Spiral Duct
  • ABOUT SNIPS
    • Contact Us
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Media Kit
    • Industry Research
    • Mechanical Group
    • Survey and Sample
    • Privacy Policy

Copyright ©2019. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing