Material grade and sheet thickness
Include the requirement or identify it as an open question for the project review.
CAPABILITIES
Custom Sheet Metal Fabrication Services & Prototypes
Our custom sheet metal fabrication service brings cutting and bending together for covers, enclosures and formed brackets. Start with the finished shape and its assembly requirements, then confirm the flat pattern and production details.
Covers, enclosures and formed brackets, cut and bent to your DXF.
Cutting produces a blank; bending forms it. Holes near bends, material direction and bend allowances affect the finished dimensions.
Typical part types: Covers, enclosures and formed brackets.
Define the finished part before approving the flat pattern
A DXF describes a flat cutting profile. A folded model or drawing explains which way the flanges bend, what the final dimensions mean and which face will be visible. Providing both avoids quoting a cut blank when you need a formed component.
| Requirement | Useful file or note | Decision it resolves |
|---|---|---|
| Flat outline | DXF at the stated scale and units | Which lines are cut, marked or reference only |
| Folded geometry | STEP plus dimensioned PDF | Bend direction, inside radii and final envelope |
| Material | Grade, condition and thickness in mm or inches | Stock choice and bending assumptions |
| Assembly | Hole relationships and mating-part reference | Alignment, fasteners and access |
| Appearance | Outside face, finish and masking notes | Which surfaces need protection and cosmetic review |
Sheet metal thickness is more useful than a bare gauge number
Write the material and nominal thickness together. The same gauge number has different thicknesses for steel, stainless steel and aluminum. Use our metal gauge chart to translate a reference, then approve the actual quoted thickness and tolerance before production.
For aluminum covers, the 5052 vs 6061 comparison explains why the folded route and temper matter. The material selected for a machined base does not automatically suit a tightly folded lid.
Use a sheet metal prototype to resolve an assembly question
For an enclosure sample, check the lid fit, screw access, cable clearance and alignment with the internal assembly. Identify which measurements must represent the production part and which finish decisions are still open. A flat laser-cut sample can check the profile, but it cannot answer whether the formed enclosure fits.
Example: two side flanges carry matching mounting holes. The meaningful check is their location in the formed component, not just their spacing in the DXF. Put those finished-part dimensions on the drawing and check the sample against the same references.
Production orders start at 100 pieces per part number, counted separately for each part. Prototypes and sample parts are quoted from a single piece. Design-only projects are quoted separately. Metal prototyping can be followed by a production quotation once the revision and acceptance points are fixed.
Separate cutting, forming and finishing requirements
For a flat plate, laser cutting may be the relevant service. For a formed bracket, add bend requirements. If the part needs joining or assembly, describe the interfaces and deliverable so those operations can be included in the quote. Show cosmetic faces and any mounting or electrical contact areas that must stay clear of coating.
Send quantity by part number, delivery country and the current revision. A drawing showing the finished part is the approval reference; any manufacturing flat-pattern adjustment should remain consistent with it.
PREPARE YOUR PROJECT
What a useful brief includes
Folded model plus a dimensioned drawing
Include the requirement or identify it as an open question for the project review.
Bend direction, inside radii and cosmetic faces
Include the requirement or identify it as an open question for the project review.
Choose material and finish together.
Identify the application before choosing a grade. Discuss material condition, critical surfaces and whether dimensions apply before or after finishing.
Browse the material libraryScope confirmed during review
- Geometry
- Size, tool access and feature complexity
- Material
- Grade, condition and sourcing requirements
- Quality
- Critical dimensions, surfaces and inspection records
- Delivery
- Quantity, destination and required date
YOUR QUESTIONS, ANSWERED
A clearer path
to your next part.
Find practical answers before starting a project.
Should I provide a flat pattern?
Provide the folded model and finished dimensions first. A flat pattern can help, but its bend assumptions must match the tooling and material used.
Can you recommend a material or finish?
Choose “Help me choose” in the inquiry. Explain the application and environment so the options can be reviewed against the function of the part.
When are price and delivery confirmed?
We provide a quotation within 24 hours. Estimated delivery is 3–7 days after the order, drawings and required upfront payment are all confirmed: full payment for new customers or the agreed deposit for returning customers. Returning customers pay the balance before shipment.
In-house service
Sheet Metal Fabrication: dimensions & tolerances
These tables provide process-planning references, not measured limits for a specific machine or factory. Dimensions are in millimeters unless stated otherwise. We confirm the usable size, tolerance, material and inspection requirements together in your quotation.
| Parameter | Reference / planning value | Application |
|---|---|---|
| General tolerance references | ISO 2768-c / ISO 2768-m | Select the applicable class on the drawing; they are not interchangeable. |
| Cut feature tolerance | ±0.2 mm | — |
| Bend angle tolerance | ±1° | — |
| Bend-to-edge tolerance | ±0.254 mm | — |
| Bend-to-hole tolerance | ±0.2 mm | General sheet-metal route; bending-specific values differ. |
LET’S MAKE IT TANGIBLE
What are you working on?
Bring a drawing. Bring a sketch. Start the conversation.