HEMMING

Table of Contents
 What is Sheet Metal Hemming?

 How Does Sheet Metal Hemming Work?

 Sheet Metal Hemming Tools & Equipment

 Types of Hemming Processes

 Common Types of Hems in Sheet Metal Fabrication

 Advantages & Limitations of Hemming in Sheet Metal Fabrication

 Applications of Hemming in Various Industries

 Tips for Successful Hemming

 Sheet Metal Hemming vs Seaming

 To Sum Up

 Related Questions

Sheet metal hemming is an important technique which is used in

manufacturing. This technique not only gives metal parts a clean finished look
but also increases their durability. Therefore in this blogpost we will cover
different types of hemming, their benefits, and practical applications. We’ll also
give some tips so you can improve your projects

What is Sheet Metal Hemming?

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To put it simply sheet metal hemming is a fabrication technique in which the
edge of sheet metal is folded back on itself. This process creates double layer
rounded edges which in turn improve appearance, safety and structural
integrity of metal components.

How Does Sheet Metal Hemming Work?

Step# 1: Material Preparation
The production procedure starts with selecting and inspecting materials. Some
of the common materials are cold rolled steel, aluminum, copper, brass,
stainless steel etc. Once the material is selected each sheet is carefully
inspected for scratches, surface defects and warps.
When inspection is completed, the sheets are accurately cut to the required
dimensions and then all the bend locations are marked on sheets.

Step# 2: Positioning
The sheet produced is then placed firmly on edge or die rolling machine where
it is held in place using pins & clamps. This assures proper alignment which is
important to get uniform as well as consistent hemming results along the
whole edge.

Step# 3: Initial Bending

Once the sheet is properly positioned, a 90 degree bend is then made using
press brake and forming tool along the marked line on the edge. This serves
as the foundational base for hem. Moreover flange length should be four times
the sheet thickness to get accurate and clean bends.

Step# 4: Final Folding

When the initial bend is formed, press or rollers are used to fold the bend
edge back onto itself. This step can use different methods based on the needs
of particular project. For example die hemming or roller hemming.

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Final Step: Flattening
In the last step which is flattening, pressure is applied to the folded hem to
smooth out any irregularities and create uniform thickness. This guarantees
that hem is completely closed and has smooth accurate finish along with
consistent dimensions.

Sheet Metal Hemming Tools & Equipment

Each tool and machine used in sheet metal hemming performs an important
part in this process to assure quality and precision. The tools used in this
process are as follows

Hemming Dies

These special tools are used to fold sheet metal edges with precision. They
apply controlled pressure to create smooth reinforced hems that assure
uniform results in complicated designs and large volume production.

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Roll Hemming Machines

These machines use rollers to gently bend sheet metal edges. They provide
outstanding accuracy and are perfect for making hems on complicated
shapes. Besides that their low tooling requirements make them cost effective.

Hand Tools

Sheet metal hemming uses hand tools for precision bending and folding for
example hammers, pliers, seamers etc. These tools provide control and
adaptability that make them suitable for detail or general tasks.

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Press Brakes

These machines perform main function of bending and folding metal sheets.
They use die and punch system to clamp sheets between them and create
strong, smooth edges as well as precise angles.

Types of Hemming Processes

Die Hemming

In die hemming sheet metal edges are folded by die and press in two stages
of operation—pre hemming and final hemming. This process assures
uniformity as well as precision. Hence it is used for making flat panels & large
volume production in industries such as aerospace and automotive.

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Roller Hemming

In this process sheet metal edges are gently folded with robot controlled roller
in several passes. This process decreases tooling costs and proficiently
handles complicated shapes as well. This method is useful for irregular or
curved applications because it provides great proficiency for both big volume
& small volume production requirements.

Common Types of Hems in sheet metal

fabrication
Rope Hem

A rope hem is made using flattening die which bends flange more than 180°
and presses it strongly against sheet metal. This technique creates a secure
joint that not only increases edge’s strength but its longevity too. It is generally
best suited for applications where reinforcement is important such as in
construction & automotive applications.

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Open Hem

This is a folded edge with small air gap between layers that provides curved
and smooth finish. And it is perfect for material thicknesses ranging from
0.040 to 0.125 inches. Moreover it is suitable for metal roofing, ductwork and
siding as well as improving edge safety by reducing sharpness.

Teardrop Hem

A teardrop hem has distinct loop like edge which bends more than 180°. The
process begins with 90° bend and continues until the metal forms a teardrop
shape. It works particularly well with fragile metals like aluminum and requires
diameter of two to three times the thickness of material.

Rolled Hem

Rolled hem is produced by rolling edge of sheet metal onto itself with smooth
tubular finish. The metal is passed through series of rollers or dies to form
rolled hem. In HVAC and furniture manufacturing, they are mostly used to
assure that there are no sharp edges.

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Closed or Flat Hem

In closed hem the sheet metal edge is folded completely flat against itself at
180° angle. They are used mostly in electronics and automotive industries. It
provides three important advantages including sharp edge elimination,
improved durability, and a clean, smooth finish that assures structural
integrity.

Advantages & Limitations of Hemming in

Sheet Metal Fabrication
Advantages
Better Safety

Hemming process folds edges to remove sharpness and produces safe and
smooth surfaces. This in turn minimizes risk of injury during assembly or
handling. Thus it is generally best suited for industries such as aerospace &
automotive where safety is a priority.

Improved Aesthetics

Hemming makes polished and professional looking edges in order to improve

the appearance of product. This smooth, rounded finish not only adheres well
to surrounding contours but also aids in better adhesion of surface coatings
for premium finishes.

Outstanding Longevity

Hemmed edges resist corrosion, wear and environmental stress because of

their double layer structure. In addition to that, this gives them great protection

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against tough conditions and extends life span of these components in heavy
duty applications.

Facilitation of Assembly

Hemming makes uniform edges that facilitate assembly and assures accurate
alignment during component integration. This process in addition to
decreasing assembly time and errors also improves their compatibility with
other parts.

Edge Reinforcement

In sheet metal hemming, edge reinforcement increases strength of material by

folding its edges and doubling the thickness of material at important points.
This reinforcement besides preventing deformation under stress and
increasing structural integrity also assures long term durability.

Limitations

Risk of Deformation or Damage

Improper hemming technique can cause many problems such as cracks,

structural failures, warping etc. Also, in some cases over bending or under
bending can create too much tensile stress at bend corners. Similarly applying
wrong pressure can cause deformation of material during flattening.

Time-Consuming Process

Hemming requires precise execution of several steps—pre hemming and final

flattening. Hence tool setup and handling of complex shapes can take more
time which makes it slower compared to other alternative techniques.

Requirement for Skilled Labor

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Hemming requires operators who are skilled in process execution, tool setup
as well as material handling. Because without skilled workers, complex
projects can be prone to errors, inconsistent quality and slow production.

Material Thickness Constraints

If a sheet is thicker than 3mm it may be prone to cracking or warping during

folding.

Applications of Hemming in Various Industries

Automotive Industry

Hemming is used in automobile industry to join trunk lids, doors, body panels and

hoods. This technique provides advantages like corrosion protection and lightweight

design which in turn improves vehicles fuel proficiency.

Aerospace Industry

Hemming is used to reinforce lightweight aluminum components in aircraft. These

include floor structures, cabin interiors and aircraft panels. Moreover it facilitates

accurate assembly of complicated aircraft structures and decreases aerodynamic

drag as well.

HVAC Systems

Ducts, vents and enclosures that are used in HVAC systems are made by hemming.

This technique not only prevents air leakage but also extends product life and

assures clean finishes in visible installations.

Electronics Enclosures

Electronic device manufacturers use hemming to create smooth edges that protect internal

components & prevent injuries from cuts. It further improves structural integrity of enclosures

and permits accurate assembly of high-performance electronic devices.

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Appliance Manufacturing

Hemming is broadly used in ovens, washing machines and refrigerator doors in

order to make smooth, durable edges.

Tips for Successful Hemming

Select Appropriate Hem Type

When picking the type of hem, you should consider characteristics of your material,

its thickness and application needs. If you want maximum strength, use a closed

hem but if you want flexibility, use open hems. In case you are dealing with delicate

materials such as aluminum, then rolled or teardrop hem would be best.

Consider Material Thickness & Bend Radius

You must match your bend radius with material thickness in order to obtain best

results. Therefore for sheets that are less than 6mm in thickness, use bend radius

equal to the thickness. Similarly use 1.5x and 2-3x of bend radius for sheets with

thicknesses between 6-12mm and greater than 12 mm respectively.

Apply Progressive Bending Techniques

You should start with a 45 degree pre hem bend, then slowly increase the angle and

complete the process at 180° with final flattening. This step by step procedure will
help you prevent cracks as well as decrease stress on material.

Conduct Quality Control Test

You should perform systematic inspection with gauges & micrometers to guarantee

that dimensions are within ±0.1mm tolerances. In addition you should check for edge

smoothness, structural integrity and surface defects at each production stage. You
can assure durability and uniform quality by doing regular testing.

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Use Proper Tooling & Equipment

You should pick tools according to your hemming needs. Thus choose press brakes

for flat hems, rollers for complex shapes, and special dies for aerospace

components. Besides that keep your tools properly cleaned and maintained to

guarantee steady quality and avoid surface damage.

Sheet Metal Hemming vs Seaming

Characteristic Hemming Seaming

Process Folds edge of single sheet onto itself Joins two separate sheets via interlocking folds

Primary Purpose Edge reinforcement and finishing Creating strong, sealed joints

Tools Used Rollers, hemming dies Interlocking rollers, seaming machines

Applications Appliances, automotive panels HVAC ducts, canned goods, Roofing

Edge Profile Smooth, folded edge Interlocked or overlapped joint

To Rap Up
In short sheet metal hemming is adaptable technique that improves edge strength

and appearance in variety of industries. Manufacturers can obtain highly-precise

hems for applications such as aerospace and automotive by using proper tools and

hem types.

If you require sheet metal hemming or fabrication services for any kind of material,

then

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