Stiffening Sheet metal design - design features in mechanical design
Mufaddal Rasheed 
A list of design features which are generally used to add stiffness to sheet metal parts
Ways in which we can improve the stiffness of sheet metal parts
1. Flanging: the simplest way is to bend the boundary of the sheet slightly in an L shape wherever possible.
2. Hemming : this is also like flanging but then instead of an L its more like a U.
3. Emboss : this feature is added by offsetting the plane of the sheet in a local area . There by greatly improving stiffness.
4. Dimples : In the case of cantilever brackets . Adding dimples at the bends greatly improves the stiffness and restricts deflections.
Even otherwise they are helpful in improving stiffness for most applications.
5. Ribs : these are combination of either dimples or embosses in a pattern . Doing the same work but for a larger area.
Generally they are along the length of the part and not localized to provide stiffness for panels as shown .
6. Stiffeners / reinforcements : when all the above feature additions fail to provide with required rigidity its better to add extra brackets, plates for stiffness. The manner in which you add them would be governed by the direction in which you want to increase stiffness.
Depending on thickness the applicability of these methods may vary.
Lower thickness = more possibilities.
Process parameters are important to avoid tear and too much thinning. Which may compromise durability.
To learn about Sheet metal design in deep here is a course which can help :
Basics of Sheet metal design for Mechanical design engineers
For more content on sheet metal design have a look at the list of articles here :
Categories: : Sheet metal