Sheet Metal

Sheet Metal

Custom and precision sheet metal prototypes and low-volume parts in 5-7 days

Premium Parts is your one-stop manufacturing shop for making custom precision parts from an array of sheet metal materials. Our sheet metal fabrication solutions are geared for making a non-exhaustive list of parts with simple or complex geometries, excellent finish, and improved functionality.

Our services in China are ideal for rapid prototyping and on-demand, low-volume production. By integrating laser cutting and precision forming, Premium Parts delivers a high level of precision and tight tolerances to ensure that your parts match specifications and work as intended. We also offer a range of in-house finishing techniques and treatments to improve your parts post-fabrication.

What is Sheet Metal Fabrication?

Sheet metal fabrication is the umbrella term for many processing methods used to transform flat and thin sheets of metals into high-quality end-use parts. It refers to thin plates no more than 0.25 inches thick.

The process begins with a CAD file – a digital copy of the final design intended for the part. Depending on the fabrication process, the material may be cut with a laser cutting machine that uses pre-programmed instructions to direct the cutting tool paths. Alternatively, the parts are fabricated through one or a combination of laser cutting, milling, forming, bending, punching, cutting, or stamping processes. Sheet metal parts can have simple or complex geometries. The affordability, scalability, and range of material selection make it popular across several industries. It is popularly used in making part enclosures, brackets, and chassis.

At Premium Parts, our sheet metal fabrication can be used for rapid prototyping, low-volume manufacturing, and mass production.

Our Sheet Metal Fabrication Processes

There are several forming processes for making sheet metal parts. The fabrication method usually depends on the size of the part, the complexity of the design, and the finish type. At Premium Parts, we offer the most popular metal fabrication operations covering cutting, forming, and joining processes. Some of our techniques include:

Metal deformation

Bending
Contouring of sheet metals into several shapes with hand or brake press

Stamping
Use of two dies to press and “stamp” the metal till the desired shape is achieved

Spinning
Rotation of sheet metal at high speed by lathing machine to form an axially symmetric part

Metal forming/assembly

Assembly
Using rivets or weld to assemble and put sheet metal parts together as one final component

Roll forming
Processing of flat sheet metals into a coil with the use of rolls

Welding
Infusion of two or more sheet metal parts with a special flame that melts parts together in the presence of a filler.

Riveting
Joining of two parts together by embedding small rivets through the sheets.

Brazing
Infusion of two or more sheet metal parts with a special flame that melts the filler to join the pieces.

Material removal

Laser cutting
Laser-focused light beam for precision cuts into sheet metals.

Punching
A hole-forming process achieved using a punch and a die to force a hole into a metal sheet sandwiched between. The size and shape of the hole depending on the die.

Machining
Use of CNC machines, tool paths, and cutting tools to make highly accurate and precise cuts until the material is formed into the desired path. CNC milling and spinning are popular for sheet metal applications.

Plasma
High-speed, heat-compressed plasma directed at sheet metal for cutting operations.

Waterjet
High-velocity concentrated water streams for cutting sheet metals.

Advantages of Sheet Metal

Strength/Weight Ratio

Made from steel, aluminum, and copper, have excellent strength-to-weight ratios. This makes them ideal for applications where both high strength and lightweight are vital.

Scalability

Sheet metal fabrication can make high-quality parts independent of volume. You can expect the same quality on ten parts to be consistent with one thousand pieces. This is excellent for rapid prototyping and low-volume manufacturing.

Affordability

Make large volumes of end-parts at a lower cost-per-unit. It is a more effective solution for producing quality end parts.

Durability

Highly durable metal parts and is well-suited for both functional prototypes and end-use production.

End-use product quality

They are durable for direct application components and as part of other parts. Most sheet metal parts can be used directly to the end-use product after painting or plating.

Custom finishes

Sheet metal parts can be painted, anodized, plated, and finished in several ways to beautify and improve your parts’ functionality.

Applications of Sheet Metal Fabrications

They can be typically used to make the following parts and components:

Chassis

Surgical implants

Chipsets and boards

Office equipment

Brackets

Enclosures

Culinary, Cutlery, and Kitchenware

Body panels

On-demand production

Sheet metals are suitable for on-demand production and mass manufacturing as needed. This is because they can be easily fabricated into desired angles, forms, and shapes.

Rapid prototyping

Sheet metals can make high-fidelity prototypes in various production-grade materials starting from one unit.

Low-volume manufacturing

Sheet metals can make low-volume units of your parts without compromising quality and durability. At Premium Parts, you can receive low-volume units of your parts in as fast as seven days or lesser.

Industries

Sheet metal parts are widely coveted across industries for their affordability, diversity, and precision. It can be typically used in the following industries:

Agriculture
Automotive
Transportation
Medical and Dental
Aerospace
Energy
Robotics
Electronics
Industrial
Consumer Products

Material options

Sheet metal fabrication is possible with virtually any type of metal alloy. However, certain metals have more widespread uses than others across industries. The most popular material options are:

 

Aluminum

Corrosion-resistance
High strength-to-weight ratio
Temperature resistance
Affordable

Copper

High ductility
Very malleable
Excellent electrical conductivity

Steel

High strength
Toughness
Durability
Easy to clean

 

Magnesium

High malleability
Stiffness

Brass

Lightweight
Corrosion-resistance

Titanium

Corrosion-resistance
High strength-to-weight ratio
Temperature resistance

Finishing options

After our sheet metal parts have been fabricated, Premium Parts proceeds with post-processing and finishing services to improve functionality and offer protection or beautify your parts. Some of our finishing options are summarized below:

 

Standard

Bead blasting

Anodization

Powder coating

Painting

Plating

Silk-screen

Why Choose Us

High Quality

Premium Parts will help you make high-quality prototypes and end-parts with our range of processing techniques. We have fabrication experts with years of experience in creating complex parts. From brackets to chassis, body frames, enclosures, and more, our sheet metal processing will get you excellent parts with dimensional precision.

Complete assemblies

Our one-stop services mean that we have enough in-house capacity to make your part from start to finish. You can trust the safety of your information under our privacy and security. Our post-processing finishing options will help you maintain part consistency in your complete assemblies.

Instant quoting and Design For Manufacturing

We give every client a free design analysis and quote to improve the design, optimize production effectiveness, speed, and cost savings.

Sheet Metal FAQ

What’s the thinnest sheet plate can you use for manufacturing?

The thinnest plate we can use for manufacturing is 0.05mm.

What’s the thickest sheet plate can you bend?

The thickest plate we can bend is 8mm.

Can you rivet the parts for us?

Yes, we can rivet the parts for our clients.

Can you bend the aluminum 6061?

Generally, we can bend the aluminum 6061 at no more than a 90-degree angle. Otherwise, the parts would be cracked.

Can you source the PEM nuts and install them for us?

PEM nuts would need a MOQ to be sourced here and we would use the equivalent inserts to install if that can be accepted.

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