Sheet Metal Fabrication

Express Manufacturing Starting From 7 Days
Laser, Plasma, Water-Jet Cutting and Bending
Aluminium, Steel, Stainless Steel
Prototype & Serial Manufacturing
Certifications & inspection reports

Sheet Metal Fabrication

Get instant pricing, project lead times,and DFM feedback.

Order Sheet Metal Fabrication: How It WorksOrder

1. Request Manufacturing

Upload your designs, choose quantity, material and colour options.

2. Quote & DFM

We perform design-for-manufacturability analysis and prepare your quote within 48 hours.

3. Delivery

Place your order and get parts.

Overview: What is Sheet Metal?

The Basics Of Sheet Metal Fabrication
Sheet metal fabrication is the process of turning flat sheet metals, typically 0.15 mm to 10 mm thick, into parts and structures of various shapes. The stock materials for this process are flat metal sheets. Sheet metal fabrication is used to create objects such as enclosures, chassis, brackets, stamped features, curls, etc. It is also used for decorative purposes to make patterns in metal sheets.

Overview: Sheet Metal Materials?

Steel

Cold-rolled steel plates (SPCC, CRS, etc.)
Characteristics: High hardness, large tensile strength, thickness ranging from 0.25mm to 3.2mm, with a surface color of iron gray.
Surface treatment: Suitable for electroplating, baking paint, powder coating, etc.
Application fields: Electrical appliance shells, structural parts, etc.
Hot-rolled steel plates (SPHC, HRS, etc.)
Characteristics: Hardness and tensile strength are close to those of cold-rolled steel plates, thickness ranging from 1.4mm to 6.0mm, with a surface color of black gray.
Application fields: Manufacturing of automotive frames and other structural parts.
Hot-dip galvanized steel plates (SPGC)
Characteristics: Surface metallic white, not prone to rust, thickness ranging from 0.4mm to 3.2mm.
Application fields: Refrigeration equipment, air conditioners, roof structural parts, etc.

Aluminium

Aluminum plate (AL)
Common types: A1100P, A5052H32P, AL6061T6, etc.
Characteristics: Light weight, good thermal conductivity. After anodizing treatment, it can improve corrosion resistance and present various colors.
Application fields: Electronic product shells, automotive parts, aerospace, and other fields.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel plates (SUS series)
Common types: SUS304, SUS301, SUS430, etc.
Characteristics: Strong corrosion resistance, diverse surfaces, including matte, bright, mirror, and brushed finishes, etc.
Application fields: Appliance shells, decorative structural components, etc.

Copper

Copper Plate (COPPER)
Classification: Red copper and brass.
Characteristics: Excellent electrical conductivity and ductility.
Application fields: Red copper is used in the electrical and chemical industries; brass is used in wiring equipment, instrument panels, etc.

Overview: Finishing Options for Sheet Metal Fabrication?

Bead blasting

Depowdering of parts with bead blasting. The final parts are slightly grainy in the touch with a satin-like matte appearance.

Notes:

Semi-sintered surface particles remain on the part even after initial depowdering.

Slightly grainy in the touch
Uniform, matte or satin-like appearance

Anodising (Type II)

Type II anodise provides increased corrosion resistance and can be used as a base for paint and other finishes.

Notes:

Aluminium is typically anodised
Anodised coatings are not electrically conductive
Possibility of requesting custom colours (RAL)

Powder coating

Provides a continuous, protective color finish on parts using evenly applied, heat-cured paint. The finish is usually tougher and even compared to conventional painting. Metals like aluminium and steel can be efficiently coated with polymer powders.

Media tumbling

Tumbling vibrating media to remove sharp edges and burrs on machined parts.

Notes:

Sharp edges may be dulled. Parts with fragile features are not recommended for tumbling.

Smooth in the touch
Satin-like matte appearance

Electropolishing

An electrochemical process that cleans steel parts to reduce corrosion and improve appearance by making the metal brighter.

Notes:

Reduced corrosion
Brighter appearance

Passivation

A colorless coating that improves corrosion resistance for 200 and 300 series and precipitation hardened corrosion-resistant steels by removing free iron from the surface.

Electroless nickel plating

Electroless nickel plating provides a uniform nickel coating, which offers protection from corrosion, oxidation, and wear on irregular surfaces.

Chromate conversion

Chromate conversion coatings, also known as chem-film, enhance corrosion resistance and conductivity properties and can be used as a base for paint.

Notes:

Type I chromate conversion caused the coating to appear gold or brown in color typically
Type II chromate coating will appear clear and does not affect surface colouration

Zinc coating / Galvanising

Zinc plating involves the electrodeposition of a thin coating of zinc metal onto the surface of another metal object, known as a substrate. The zinc coating creates a physical barrier that prevents rust from reaching the underlying metal surface.

Gold plating

Gold Plating provides good corrosion and tarnish resistance. Gold has low contact resistance, excellent conductivity, and solderability.

Silver plating

Electroplating silver provides good corrosion resistance but easily tarnishes. Silver offers high solderability and electrical conductivity.

Black oxide

Black oxide is a type of conversion coating for ferrous materials, such as steel and stainless steel, which blackens the top layer of the material. It can be used to reduce reflection and glare, as well as provide some additional corrosion resistance without affecting part dimensions.

Advantages of Ordering Sheet Metal Parts from

Rapid Turnaround

Combining the latest cutting, bending and punching with automated technologies, provides instant sheet quotes and completed parts in as fast as 10 business days.

Certifications & Inspection Reports

Our QA department performs strong quality assurance.

Precision & QC

offers various tolerance options in accordance with ISO 2768 (standard, fine) and ISO 286 (Grades 8, 7, 6). Our QA department performs strong quality assurance. is ISO 9001 certified.

Fast Delivery

Xometry delivers parts to many countries fastly. Just get a quote and see available delivery options along with your parts quote.