Sheet metal flattening operations are an essential step in sheet metal fabrication processes, with their purpose being to transform curved or bent sheet metals into flat shapes by applying controlled force and techniques with the intention of eliminating wrinkles, deformations or residual stresses from their material surface. Manual or automated machinery can be used for flattening sheet metal sheets, while manually flattening operations typically make use of hand tools such as mallets, hammers and rollers to gradually flatten it out. Automated flattening operations utilize specialized equipment like press brakes, rolling machines or laser flattening systems for greater precision, speed and consistency in their operations. Sheet metal flattening operations must carefully address any distortions or irregularities in the material to achieve flatness, in order to achieve accurate dimensions, proper assembly fitment, and facilitate subsequent fabrication processes like cutting, welding or forming.