Sheet Metal Fabrication

Receive custom sheet metal parts swiftly with our online cutting and bending service. Get instant quotes for durable, end-use metal components, ensuring rapid delivery of your projects. Precision and efficiency, tailored to your needs.

Advantages of Sheet Metal Fabrication

Sheet metal fabrication stands out as the most cost-effective option for on-demand production of sheet metal parts and prototypes, featuring a consistent wall thickness.

Durability and Malleability:

Offers high durability, malleability, and pressure tolerance for both prototyping and end-use applications.

Cost Efficiency:

Lower prices and shorter cycle times are achieved through reduced tooling time and setup costs.

Scalability:

Cost-effective scaling from low to high production quantities.

Versatility in Gauges:

A wide variety of gauges available for laser cutting or bending, providing flexibility in design.

Construction Quality:

Enhanced construction quality with low maintenance costs and frequency.

Environmental Benefits:

Low material waste, and sheet metal parts are recyclable.

Weather Resistance:

Great tolerance to moisture, corrosion, and ultraviolet exposure.

Machinability:

High machinability, allowing for easy shaping into almost any desired form.

Sheet Metal Options at ProtoTech Machining

Explore a variety of materials for sheet metal fabrication, each serving unique purposes. Aluminum, with grades like 3003-H14, 5052-H32, 6061-T6, and 1100-H14, is a popular choice. Stainless steel, particularly grade 304, offers excellent weldability, formability, and corrosion resistance. Grade 316 is recommended for marine, valve, pump, or chemical equipment applications. Brass, known for its high formability, strength, corrosion resistance, and conductivity, is another ideal material in the sheet metal fabrication process.

Aluminum

Aluminum 6061 Aluminum 5052 Learn More Details About Aluminum

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel 301 Stainless steel 304 Stainless steel 316/316L Learn More Details About Stainless Steel

Steel

Low carbon steel, SPCC

Copper

Copper 101 Copper C110 Copper 260 (Brass) Learn More Details About Brass

Ready for a Sheet Metal Quote

Opt for our sheet metal fabrication services to obtain intricate parts with tight tolerances and comprehensive assembly options like welding, PEM insert installation, and secondary processing. Committed to quality assurance, we offer competitive and cost-effective sheet metal fabrication solutions and services, catering to both small-scale prototyping and large-scale production.

Sheet Metal Fabrication: Standard Dimensions and Tolerances

Refer to the two tables below for the standard dimensions and tolerances of the sheet metal parts we manufacture.

Dimensions of sheet metal parts

Feature	Tolerance
Size	47 in. x 119 in. OR 1,193.8mm x 3,022.6mm (max)
Formed part	1.5 in. x 1.5 in. OR 38.1mm x 38.1mm (min)
Flat part	0.5 in. x 0.5 in. OR 12.7mm x 12.7mm(min)
Bend length	10 ft. OR 3.048m (max)

Tolerances of sheet metal fabrication

Feature	Tolerance
Bends	+/- 2 degree
Offsets	+/- 0.024 in. (+/- 0.608mm)
Bend to Edge	+/- 0.020 in. (+/- 0.508mm)
Bend to Hole/Hardware/Bend	+/- 0.030 in. (+/- 0.762mm)
Hole Diameters	+/- 0.010 in. (+/- 0.254mm)
Edge to Edge/Hole; Hole to Hole	+/- 0.010 in. (+/- 0.254mm)
Features Separated By Two or More Bends	+/- 0.060 in. (+/- 1.524mm)
Hardware to Edge/Hole	+/- 0.020 in. (+/- 0.508mm)
Hardware to Hardware	+/- 0.030 in. (+/- 0.762mm)

Sheet Metal FAQs

What is the sheet metal fabrication?

Sheet metal fabrication is the manufacturing process of shaping flat metal sheets into desired structures or products through material removal, material deformation, and assembly. Sheet metal can be cut, bent, or stretched into almost any shape, usually by cutting and burning the metal.

Which processes should I choose to fabricate my sheet metal?

The selection of the cutting machine is determined by the gauge of the sheet and the material used, along with other key elements like delivery, tolerances, and geometric complexity as expected. You don’t have to figure out the type of cutting machine suiting your sheet metal as our experts clearly know what kind of equipment, technology, and even materials are best suitable for your project. Thus, just submit your 3D files online and get a professional solution from our experts in fabricating sheet metal quickly.

Is it more expensive when using multiple sheet metal forming processes?

Generally, the cost of using just a single cutting machine such as a laser cutter to cut a part will spend less than that of multiple forming processes, for instance, cutting, bending, and punching. But most sheet metal parts need to be machined with a combination of different forming processes, and the per-unit costs will reduce by large-volume quantities.

What are the tolerances for fabricated parts?

The tolerances of sheet metal fabrication are decided by the features and dimensional details of sheet metal parts necessary for consistent and precise integration and installation.

To ensure the accurate control of the variables affecting the part precision and manufacturability, our custom sheet metal fabrication services are in accordance with the ISO 2768-mk.

What’s K factor in sheet metal?

The K factor in the sheet metal process is the ratio of the neutral axis to the thickness of the material. This value varies with various physical properties and the thickness of the material used.

How much does sheet metal fabrication cost?

The costs of sheet metal fabricated parts or products depend in every respect including the design, geometric complexity, forming processes, surface finishing operations, and more. Besides these crucial factors, the material costs should be also considered. Our quote online will include all of these factors and even variables in line with the manufacturability of sheet parts, so request a quote to get started with your project right now.