What is a “SWAGE” in sheet metal work ?
A “swage” is a recessed or raised area of material (a bump or a dip) put into sheet metal components typicaly to strengthen the panel.
The swage is made by 2 matched dies – one a “male” and one a “female” these are used on what is known a “swaging machine” where the sheet can be placed in between the dies and pressure is used to clamp the sheet and “roll” it through the “dies” producing the bump or dip. Usually other shaped dies can be swapped onto the machine to produce various shapes of form to strengthen, shrink, stretch or even add decorative patterns to sheet panel work.
See example of swage below and also a typical manual swaging machine.
SWAGING MACHINE SWAGES IN TANK PANELS TO STRENGTHEN THE SHEET
Recommended sites
www.flashcustoms.co.uk 