Sheet metal casings are used in various industrial sectors: from earthmoving machines to machine tools, from machines for the production of compressed air to energy generation.
In addition to iron, they can be made of aluminum or stainless steel. Solutions with materials other than metal are also possible. The most common solutions are with fiberglass, telene or ABS. The choice of material and production process depends on the type of application, the complexity of the shapes and the production volume. While a sheet metal solution can be made without molds, solutions with plastic materials require molds, which are more or less complex depending on the material and the technology chosen.
Casings are made to achieve different objectives:
- improve the aesthetic appearance of the vehicle or machine
- increase the safety level of the machine by isolating moving parts
- reduce the acoustic impact of the system as a whole
We at Agrital, who come from the earthmoving machinery sector, produce customised hoods to design, in small batches. We mainly produce the casings in iron but in some cases in stainless steel.
Let’s now look in detail at the main characteristics and how a sheet metal hood can be produced.
Design and customization
We support the customer in designing their own canopy. In this phase there are many aspects to consider: from operational functionality to aesthetics, from sound-absorbing capacity to watertightness. Finally, as for cabins, for casings it is necessary to minimize the vibrations of the frame without weighing down the structure.
For the design we use 3D CAD software. If necessary, it is possible to share the drawings with the customer for an immediate verification of the dimensions.
The production of metal casings
We produce all the carpentry in-house. Thanks to this, we have significant advantages in terms of production flexibility for small batches. In addition, quality also benefits by being able to guarantee control at every stage of the production cycle.
We are equipped with 5 laser cutting systems, two of which are dedicated only to tube laser cutting. Then we have the bending presses, the calenders and the tube bender that shape the individual components before moving on to the welding stage.
Our company is ISO9001:2015 and ISO3834-3 certified (specific for welding) in order to guarantee high quality standards to our customers.
The paintwork
For metal casings, painting is a very important phase of the production process because a high aesthetic standard is required. Therefore, our parts are also filled and sanded to eliminate any defects. Finally, all our bonnets are sealed in order to avoid the formation of rust; especially in the spaces between the sheets and the tubes.
Painting can be done with powder or enamel (liquid) according to the customer’s instructions. Where the dimensions allow it, as an anti-rust treatment, we prefer cataphoresis rather than other solutions. This choice is made to try to maintain a high quality standard.
Assembly and soundproofing for metal casings
After painting, the assembly department prepares the metal casing by fitting hinges, locks, shock absorbers, gaskets and anti-vibration devices. We also install fireproof and sound-absorbing panels inside to insulate the casing. Depending on the final use, the materials used for the lining can be of different nature and thickness.
We pay particular attention to the final packaging, also with the use of custom-made wooden crates. This is to avoid damage during handling and transport.
Agrital
AgritalWe are a metalworking company active since 1972. We started in the agricultural mechanization sector with the construction of tractor cabins.
Today, thanks to a staff of over 50 people, we are present in various product sectors, mainly producing driver’s cabins, hydraulic tanks and hoods. In addition to having been the forerunners since 2003 in laser tube processing.
