Sheet metal ducts are essential to home and business HVAC systems. A professional can help with new ducts or repair existing ones, ensuring they’re sized properly for efficient airflow and are free of leaks. They’ll also ensure that your ducts are made of durable materials, such as galvanized steel or stainless steel that resist corrosion and withstand years of harsh weather.
When making ductwork, contractors must follow the engineering adage of “measure twice, cut once.” They should make accurate measurements and carefully reference their designs when cutting metal. Additionally, they must chamfer all edges of the pieces to prevent cuts and lacerations. These cuts and abrasions account for 30% of all workplace injuries, so mitigating them is important.
Once the ducts are cut, they need to be shaped and fabricated into their final forms. This is done with various machines and techniques. For example, a brake press manipulates the sheets to create precise angles, while a roll-forming machine makes longer bends—important for creating circular or spiral ductwork. Other machines include a duct beading machine, which adds beads to the edges of duct sections, and a duct crimper, which creates longitudinal crimps to strengthen duct connections and reduce air leakage.
Lastly, the ducts must be coated to prevent corrosion and protect them from harsh environmental conditions. A good coating can make ducts quieter and prevent them from losing valuable heated or cooled air through leaks. In addition, a well-designed and fabricated duct system can save you money by eliminating air leaks and allowing you to use less energy. ductwork fabrication