Laser Cutting
Precision cutting for profiles, holes, slots, ventilation patterns, panels, brackets, and flat blanks before forming.
Clean profilesDXF / CAD
Custom Sheet Metal Fabrication Service
Precision cutting, bending, welding, hardware insertion, and finishing.
Sheet metal prototypes and production parts built for fit, strength, and repeatability.
Cut + Bend
Core fabrication
0.5-6mm
Common sheet range
ISO 9001
Quality system
What is Sheet Metal Fabrication?
A practical process for strong, lightweight metal structures.
Sheet metal fabrication turns flat metal sheet into finished parts through cutting, punching, bending, welding, riveting, hardware insertion, deburring, and surface finishing. It is widely used for enclosures, brackets, chassis, panels, covers, frames, and equipment components.
Fengnuo supports sheet metal projects from early design review to finished assemblies. Our team helps select material, thickness, bend strategy, surface finish, hardware, and inspection requirements based on geometry, tolerance needs, order quantity, and application risk.
Sheet Metal Fabrication Capabilities
Processes for flat parts, formed parts, welded assemblies, and finished panels.
Use one partner for laser cutting, punching, press brake bending, welding, hardware insertion, deburring, finishing, and inspection.
CNC Punching
Efficient production of repeated holes, louvers, knockouts, countersinks, and selected formed sheet features.
Batch holesFormed features
Press Brake Bending
Accurate forming for L brackets, U channels, Z profiles, box shapes, flanges, enclosure walls, and chassis parts.
Flanges±1° review
Welding & Assembly
TIG, MIG, spot welding, welded frames, brackets, cabinets, panels, and light assembly support.
TIG / MIGAssemblies
Hardware Insertion
PEM nuts, studs, standoffs, rivets, threaded inserts, and fastener planning for repeatable assemblies.
PEM hardwareRivets
Deburring & Finishing
Edge breaking, sanding, brushing, powder coating, plating, anodizing, passivation, marking, and masking.
Safe edgesCoatings
Sizes & Tolerances
Clear expectations for cut, bent, and finished sheet metal parts.
Sheet metal tolerances depend on material, thickness, bend count, part size, geometry, tooling, welding, surface treatment, and inspection method. Critical dimensions should be marked on drawings.
| Item | Practical Guideline |
|---|---|
| Common thickness range | 0.5 mm - 6.0 mm is common; final capability depends on material and geometry. |
| Flat cutting features | Laser-cut holes, slots, and profiles can be held tighter than formed dimensions when material and thickness allow. |
| Bend angle | ±1° is a practical starting point for many formed parts; drawings are reviewed before production. |
| Across multiple bends | Tolerance stack-up increases across two or more bends. Critical fit dimensions should be identified on 2D drawings. |
| Finish impact | Powder coating, plating, anodizing, and masking can change clearances, hole fit, and mating surfaces. |
| Inspection | Dimensional reports can be provided when drawings define critical features and measurable requirements. |
Sheet Metal Materials
Metals selected for strength, formability, corrosion resistance, weight, and cost.
Common Sheet Metals
Stainless Steel 304 / 316
Aluminum 5052 / 6061
Cold Rolled Steel
Galvanized Steel
Carbon Steel / Mild Steel
Copper
Brass
Specialty Materials
Selection Factors
Formability
Weldability
Corrosion Resistance
Weight Target
Conductivity
Cosmetic Requirement
Surface Treatment
Budget
Surface Finishes
Finish options for appearance, corrosion resistance, marking, and assembly fit.
Deburred
Edge breaking and burr removal for safer handling and functional internal parts.
Brushed Finish
Directional grain finish for visible stainless steel and aluminum surfaces.
Powder Coating
Durable color coating for enclosures, covers, panels, frames, and equipment parts.
Anodizing
Common for aluminum parts requiring corrosion resistance, color, or harder surfaces.
Zinc Plating
Protective coating for selected steel parts where corrosion resistance is needed.
Passivation
Improves corrosion resistance for stainless steel sheet metal components.
Silk Screening
Adds labels, icons, instructions, and panel graphics to finished sheet metal parts.
Masking
Protects threads, inserts, mating faces, grounding areas, and other functional zones during coating.
Design Guidelines
Design around bending, material behavior, hardware, and finishing from the start.
A few early design decisions can reduce cost, shorten lead time, and avoid rework.
Use practical bend radii
Inside bend radius is commonly designed near or above material thickness, then confirmed against tooling and material.
Keep holes away from bends
Holes, slots, and cutouts too close to bend lines can deform during forming.
Allow enough flange length
Short flanges may not contact press brake tooling correctly and can be difficult to form repeatably.
Add bend reliefs
Relief cuts help reduce tearing, bulging, warping, and stress around bend ends and corners.
Plan PEM hardware early
Nuts, studs, and standoffs need correct holes, edge distance, bend clearance, and coating protection.
Mark critical dimensions
Use 2D drawings for tolerances, appearance faces, weld notes, masking, threads, inserts, and inspection points.
Advantages of Sheet Metal Fabrication
- Cost-effective for thin-wall metal housings, brackets, panels, and chassis.
- Suitable for prototypes, bridge production, batches, and repeat orders.
- Combines strength, low weight, fast fabrication, and many finish options.
Things to Consider
- Bends, welds, and coatings can shift final dimensions and should be reviewed early.
- Overly tight tolerances across multiple bends can add cost and lead time.
- Cosmetic requirements should define visible faces, grain direction, color, and masking.
Applications
Sheet metal parts for product, equipment, and industrial teams.
Electronics Enclosures
Control boxes, covers, faceplates, mounting plates, shielding parts, and instrument panels.
Industrial Equipment
Machine guards, access panels, brackets, cabinets, equipment frames, and support parts.
Automation & Robotics
Sensor mounts, robot brackets, conveyor parts, fixtures, covers, and lightweight structures.
Automotive & EV
Battery brackets, covers, trays, shielding, prototypes, and low-volume metal components.
Medical & Laboratory
Equipment housings, stainless panels, brackets, trays, covers, and cleanable metal parts.
Communication Equipment
Rack panels, chassis, shielding covers, mounting hardware, and outdoor equipment housings.
Sheet Metal Fabrication FAQ
Answers before you send drawings.
What files do you need for a sheet metal quote?
STEP, STP, DXF, DWG, and PDF drawings are helpful. A 2D drawing is recommended when tolerances, bend notes, hardware, welds, finishes, masking, or critical dimensions are required.
What tolerances can sheet metal fabrication achieve?
Tolerance depends on material, thickness, geometry, feature location, bend count, welding, and finish. Critical dimensions should be marked on drawings for review.
Which materials are commonly used?
Common choices include stainless steel, aluminum, cold rolled steel, galvanized steel, carbon steel, copper, and brass. Selection depends on formability, corrosion resistance, weight, finish, and cost.
Can you provide welding and assembly?
Yes. Fengnuo can support welded brackets, frames, panels, cabinets, hardware insertion, riveting, and selected assembly work based on drawings and application requirements.
Can you install PEM nuts, studs, or standoffs?
Yes. Hardware location should be defined in the drawing, and holes must allow enough edge distance and clearance from bend lines for reliable installation.
How can I reduce sheet metal fabrication cost?
Use standard materials and thicknesses, avoid unnecessary tight tolerances, keep bend radii consistent, avoid features too close to bends, and define finish requirements clearly.
Get a Sheet Metal Fabrication Quote
Get sheet metal pricing and engineering feedback within 24 hours.
Upload CAD files and drawings to get practical feedback on material, thickness, bend radius, tolerance, hardware, surface finish, and lead time.
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Send STEP, STP, DXF, DWG, and PDF drawings.
Engineering Review
We review geometry, material, thickness, bends, hardware, tolerance, and finish needs.
24-Hour Quote
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