Sheet Metal Fabrication
Sheet Metal Fabrication Services
What Is Sheet Metal Fabrication?
Sheet metal fabrication is a subtractive manufacturing process that forms parts from thin metal sheets. Engineers often choose sheet metal parts for their high precision and durability, especially for end-use applications like chassis, enclosures, and brackets.
solidmetal online sheet metal fabrication services provide a fast and cost-effective solution for any parts that need to be made from 3D CAD files or engineering drawings. solidmetal offers a range of sheet metal materials, including aluminum, copper, steel, and stainless steel, as well as assembly services like installing PEM inserts, welding, and finishing services. With a network of domestic and overseas fabricators, solidmetal can supply any quantity of sheet metal parts from low-volume, high-mix prototypes to high-volume production runs. solidmetal offers competitive, custom sheet metal fabricating prices for low volume prototypes and cost savings for high volume production runs.
What is Sheet Metal Forming?
Sheet stock is procured in a flat state and cut then formed into its final state through a series of progressive steps. For a typical sheet metal project, the first step is equivalent to sheet cutting, where a shear, laser, waterjet, plasma, or punch press is used to create the internal holes and edge features of the part. This process is also known as blanking.
Once the blank is produced, the next step is to form sheet metal using various tools, but most commonly some sort of brake. A brake press can be manual or automated and uses die inserts to create a desired angular bend, forming the two-dimensional sheet into a three-dimensional object. Sheet metal forming can bend the part in multiple directions, creating simple parts such as brackets up to highly complex geometries which may require custom die tools. Once the tools are in place, making subsequent sheet parts in production is very cost-effective. This makes sheet metal fabrication and forming ideal for low to high volume production.
Solid Metal Sheet Metal Fabrication Capabilities
| Feature | Description |
| Blank Size | 10’ x 20’ (3.05 m x 6.10 m). We accommodate larger part volumes upon request. |
| Standard Lead Time | 3 business days |
| Sheet Thickness | 0.024” - 0.250” typical. We accommodate thicker or thinner gauges upon request. |
| General Tolerances | For single planes or flat parts, +/- 0.010” on edge to edge, edge to hole, and hole to hole features; +/- 0.010” on bend to edge/hole features. For multi-planed bent parts, +/- 0.030” for hole to hole/edge, edge to edge, and over-formed parts; +/- 1 degree for bend angles. |
| Braking (Hydraulic) | 10’ length, fingers from 3” - 6” |
| Braking (Magnetic) | 6 tons of magnetic pull across the entire beam, 5/8″ minimum reverse bend |
| Punching | 2″ diameter hole capacity, or larger upon request |
| Welding | Welded edges and seams, weldments, and assemblies |
How Solid MetalSheet Metal Fabrication Works
Solid Metal custom sheet metal fabrication services utilize the top sheet metal fabricators in the US and globally. Sheet metal fabricators first convert CAD and drawing data into machine code. A laser cutting, waterjet, or plasma cutting machine will then precisely remove sheet metal material. The raw material is formed into angular bends and features using brakes, punches, and dies. If any assembly or post-processing is required, our sheet metal manufacturers will weld, add inserts, or finish the part.
The efficiency and high precision of sheet metal fabrication, coupled with Solid Metal variety of materials, range of sheet metal fabricators, and post-processing options means you can get parts for any application. Sheet metal applications include aerospace, defense, automotive, energy, industrial, medical, dental, and consumer products.
Applications and Advantages of Sheet Metal Fabrication
Rapid Tooling
Sheet metal can be quickly cut into 2D profile shapes and formed out of a variety of high-strength materials, making it perfect for rapid tooling.
Rapid Prototyping
With lead times starting at 3 days, no minimum order volumes, and low-per-unit costs, rapid sheet metal is a great option for prototyping.
End-Use Production
Per-unit pricing lowers significantly in production volumes. Combined with end-use materials and high throughput, sheet metal fabrication is a well-known production method.