Sheet metal workers or technologists manufacture, install and
repair sheet metal objects such as ducts, air vents, roofing, car
bumpers and manufacturing equipment.
A sheet metal technologist begins by examining blueprints or
plans of the item required. They decide on the material and
measure, shape and slice it to size. This can be done manually with
hand tools, or, increasingly, it can be done with automated
machinery, like lasers, controlled by computers. Using design,
drafting and programming software has increased efficiency and can
maximise material use.
Once the metal has been cut and shaped, the worker turns to
joining sections together using a selection of fastening and
finishing techniques.