Sheet Metal Fabrication Services
From laser cutting and CNC bending to welding, assembly and finishing, Weldo supports sheet metal prototypes and production parts from your drawings.
*Capability depends on material, thickness, geometry, tooling, datum strategy and inspection method.
What Is Sheet Metal Fabrication?
Sheet metal fabrication converts flat metal stock into functional parts through cutting, forming, joining and finishing. The process is suited to brackets, housings, frames, panels and complete assemblies.
Laser Cutting
Cuts profiles, holes and complex contours with a narrow kerf and repeatable positioning.
Punching
Efficient for repeated holes, louvers, slots and formed features in production quantities.
CNC Bending
Forms flanges and enclosures while controlling bend radius, direction and springback.
Welding & Riveting
Joins fabricated components using a process selected for material, strength and appearance.
Assembly
Adds fasteners, inserts, hinges and subcomponents before final inspection and packing.
Structural welding requirements, where applicable, should be defined on the drawing. See the retained AWS D1.1 reference.
Materials for Sheet Metal Fabrication
Select the grade by strength, formability, corrosion exposure, conductivity, finish and documentation—not metal family alone.
| Material | Common Grades | Key Consideration | Typical Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold-Rolled Steel | SPCC | Good formability and paintability | Cabinets, housings, brackets |
| Structural Steel | Q235 / A36 | Strength and economical fabrication | Frames, supports, bases |
| Stainless Steel | 304 / 316 / 430 | Corrosion resistance; finish varies by grade | Medical, marine, kitchen equipment |
| Aluminum | 3003 / 5052 / 6061 | Lightweight; grade-dependent bendability | Covers, panels, electronics |
| Copper & Brass | Project-specific | Electrical or decorative performance | Busbars, shields, trim |
| Titanium | Project-specific | High strength-to-weight and corrosion resistance | Demanding specialty components |
Mechanical values and corrosion performance vary with exact specification, temper, thickness, weld condition and surface treatment.
Sheet Metal Fabrication Capabilities
Critical tolerances should be assigned only where function requires them; all capability is confirmed against the drawing and process route.
| Laser cutting reference | Up to ±0.1 mm for suitable parts |
| Positioning reference | Up to ±0.03 mm under controlled conditions |
| Maximum bend length | Up to 3100 mm |
| Bend angle reference | Up to ±0.1° under qualified conditions |
| Minimum bend radius | Normally at least material thickness; grade and temper dependent |
| Supported materials | Steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper and selected titanium alloys |
Laser Cutting
Complex contours, slots, holes and nested profiles.
CNC Bending
Controlled flanges, angles and enclosure forms.
Joining
Welding, riveting, fasteners and inserted hardware.
Finishing
Coating, plating, brushing and passivation as specified.
Sheet Metal Design Guidelines
Simple DFM decisions reduce distortion, tooling changes, rework and inspection ambiguity.
Use Consistent Thickness
Keep one thickness where possible to simplify stock, tooling and inspection.
Define Inside Bend Radius
Match radius to grade, thickness and tool opening; avoid an automatic 1:1 assumption.
Respect Hole-to-Bend Distance
Move holes away from bend zones or add relief to limit distortion.
Add Bend Relief
Relief at intersecting flanges helps prevent tearing and unwanted material buildup.
Control Welding Heat
Use suitable joint design, sequence, fixturing and intermittent welds where functional.
Specify Datums and Finish
Identify inspection datums, cosmetic faces, grain direction and coating exclusions.
Surface Finishes for Sheet Metal Parts
The finish should match the base metal, exposure, appearance, electrical needs and required coating thickness.
Powder Coating
Durable colored coating for cabinets, frames and outdoor or indoor parts.
Anodizing
Protective and decorative oxide finish for suitable aluminum alloys.
Passivation
Chemical treatment used to improve the corrosion performance of stainless steel.
Plating
Zinc, nickel or other metallic coatings selected for corrosion, wear or conductivity.
Brushing & Polishing
Directional or smooth cosmetic surfaces for visible metal components.
Blasting
Uniform matte texture and surface preparation before compatible downstream finishes.
Sheet Metal Fabrication Applications
Fabricated sheet metal combines low part weight, structural efficiency and scalable production across many industries.
Automotive & Transport
Brackets, battery enclosures, guards and lightweight panels.
Electronics
Cabinets, shields, chassis, panels and heat-management components.
Medical Equipment
Frames, carts and housings with defined cleanability and finish.
Architecture
Cladding, trims, brackets and fabricated structural details.
Industrial Equipment
Machine guards, control boxes, covers, trays and support frames.
Energy & Communications
Racks, electrical enclosures, busbar parts and mounting hardware.
Frequently Asked Questions
Concise guidance on bending, welding, coating, structural design, cost and quotation files.
How can stainless steel welding distortion be reduced?
Use balanced joint design, controlled heat input, proper sequence and secure fixturing; confirm any stress-relief process against the grade and application.
Why can aluminum crack during bending?
Low-ductility tempers, a small bend radius and unfavorable grain direction increase risk. Select a bend-friendly grade or temper and review radius and tooling.
How can coating adhesion be improved?
Remove oil and oxide, use a compatible conversion or blasting process, then control coating thickness, cure and handling.
How should a long sheet metal frame be stabilized?
Use sections, ribs, gussets and cross-members based on load and allowable deflection; verify critical structures by engineering analysis.
How can sheet metal fabrication cost be controlled?
Standardize thickness, reduce setups and special tooling, simplify bends and welds, and design parts for efficient nesting.
What files should be supplied for quotation?
Send STEP or native 3D data plus a dimensioned PDF or DWG/DXF identifying material, thickness, finish, quantity, tolerances and cosmetic faces.
Start Your Sheet Metal Project
Upload the 3D model and drawing with material, thickness, finish, quantity and critical dimensions.
Upload Sheet Metal Files