Custom Sheet Metal
Fabrication Services
We fabricate precision sheet metal enclosures, brackets and frames.
One-stop manufacturing with CNC machining available.
What is Sheet Metal Fabrication?
Sheet metal fabrication is a cold forming process for thin metal sheets (typically ≤6 mm thick). Flat metal blanks are shaped into thin-wall structural components via cutting, bending, welding, riveting and other operations. The finished parts retain the original thickness of the raw sheet metal.
DFM Design Support
Strict Quality Inspection
Fast Lead Time
Custom OEM & ODM
How Does Sheet Metal Fabrication Work?
Thin metal sheets feature good ductility and can be processed by various techniques. Sheet metal processes fall into three main categories:
Material Removal
Laser cutting, punching and other methods are used to cut the blank profiles from metal sheets.
Material Deformation
CNC bending forms flat metal sheets into required 3D shapes.
Material Assembly
Welding, riveting, screwing to join sheet metal parts into finished assemblies.
Sheet Metal Cutting Processes
We offer a full range of sheet metal cutting solutions, from intricate profiles to thick plate cutting to match your project requirements.
Laser Cutting
Laser cutting is a high-precision, efficient process for sheet metal fabrication. A high-power laser beam is focused down to a spot of approximately 0.001" (0.025 mm) to make clean, precise cuts on metal sheets.
The focal length ranges from 1.5"–3" (38–76 mm) with tight tolerance up to ±0.002" (0.05 mm) and narrow kerf width of 0.006"–0.015" (0.15–0.38 mm). It works great for complex geometries and fine details, though not ideal for extremely thick metal.
Advantages: High precision, low material waste, compatible with a wide range of metals.
Waterjet Cutting
Waterjet cutting is a cold cutting method that uses high-pressure water mixed with abrasives to erode and separate sheet metal. No heat distortion occurs during processing.
It can cut much thicker metal than laser cutting, with heat-affect-free edges without melting. Suitable for hard and heat-sensitive materials, also works for non-metals. The downside is slower cutting speed and higher equipment cost.
Advantages: No thermal distortion, capable of thick plates, works for both metals and non-metals.
Plasma Cutting
Plasma cutting melts metal using high-temperature plasma arcs. It is a cost-effective solution for rapid cutting of thick metal plates.
It delivers fast cutting speed for conductive metals including carbon steel, stainless steel and aluminum. However, it creates a heat-affected zone with average accuracy and minor edge slag, not recommended for intricate precision parts.
Advantages: Fast cutting speed, low processing cost, ideal for rough cutting of thick metal.
Punching
Waterjet cutting is a cold cutting method that uses high-pressure water mixed with abrasives to erode and separate sheet metal. No heat distortion occurs during processing.
It can cut much thicker metal than laser cutting, with heat-affect-free edges without melting. Suitable for hard and heat-sensitive materials, also works for non-metals. The downside is slower cutting speed and higher equipment cost.
Advantages: No thermal distortion, capable of thick plates, works for both metals and non-metals.
Sheet Metal Deformation Methods
With bending, stamping and metal spinning, we fabricate sheet metal parts from simple bends to complex curved surfaces. Supporting prototyping and mass production to ensure stable dimensional accuracy.
Bending
Bending uses press brake equipment to shape thin sheet metal into V-shaped, U-shaped or channel workpieces. The sheet is clamped and bent under pressure, with a maximum forming angle of 120°. Actual parameters vary according to sheet thickness and material tensile strength.
Metal springback is an inherent property. We adopt over-bending for angle compensation to ensure the formed dimensions meet design specifications.
Bending is the preferred forming solution for housings, brackets and structural sheet metal parts requiring stable angles and high repeatability.
Advantages: Cost-effective, stable performance in mass production, compatible with a wide range of metal materials.
Stamping
Stamping uses press machines and precision dies to transform sheet metal into finished components quickly and accurately. The tooling defines the part shape, while stable pressure ensures uniform geometry from the first piece to the last.
This process is especially effective for high-volume production of flat parts, brackets, covers and structural sheets. It reduces manual work, shortens lead times and maintains tight repeatability.
Advantages: Fast production, reliable part-to-part consistency, cost-effective for large orders, compatible with various metal sheets.
Spinning
Metal spinning fixes sheet metal onto the spindle of a spinning machine for high-speed rotation. Continuous pressure is applied by rollers to gradually fit the sheet to the die profile and form rotary curved workpieces. The whole part is integrally formed without welding seams.
Wall thickness and curved profiles can be precisely controlled by adjusting feed rate and rotational speed to reduce material waste.
Metal spinning is widely used to manufacture rotary sheet metal parts such as heads, cones, cylinders and curved housings.
Advantages: High structural strength of seamless one-piece parts, excellent surface finish, suitable for various complex curved rotary components.
Assembly Methods for Sheet Metal
Reliable Joining & Assembly for Sheet Metal Components
Assembly
Our sheet metal assembly service integrates discrete sheet metal components into a fully functional end product. A wide range of joining methods are available, such as fastener assembly, welding and riveting.
Assembly operations take place after cutting, forming and surface finishing processes. Strict pre-assembly checks ensure all components meet tolerance requirements.
We provide assembly for enclosures, frames and mechanical housings, supporting sophisticated multi-part product designs.
Advantages: Turnkey finished assemblies, high design adaptability, manual and automated assembly options.
Welding
Welding is a metal joining process that fuses sheet metal components together at high temperatures to create durable, high-strength connections. It is widely adopted for structural frames and equipment enclosures.
Materials such as aluminum and stainless steel exhibit excellent weldability for thin metal work. We select proper welding methods including TIG, MIG and spot welding according to material grade, thickness and application requirements.
Welding operations are normally carried out after forming and before finishing machining to guarantee structural integrity and seamless assembly.
Advantages: High-strength joints, long-lasting connection, compatible with a wide range of metals.
Sheet Metal Fabrication Applications
Sheet metal fabrication processes metal sheets via cutting, bending and welding to produce custom metal parts.
Our sheet metal components are widely used in many industries.
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Industrial & Automation
Equipment enclosures, machine frames, protective covers, electrical cabinets
Electrical & Telecom
Server racks, control boxes, 5G base station housings
Automotive & Transportation
Chassis guards, heat shields, vehicle structural brackets
Medical & Precision Instruments
Medical device housings, instrument support frames
Sheet Metal Materials
Aluminum
Use 6061 、6063、6082、7075、5052/2A12 aluminum alloy sheets. Lightweight and bendable. Surface treatments including anodizing and powder coating are available, featuring great heat dissipation and corrosion resistance.
Copper
Use C11000, C10100, C10200 pure copper sheets. Excellent ductility, electrical and thermal conductivity. Surface treatments including polishing, tin plating and passivation are available.
Brass
Use H59, H62, C260 and C360 brass sheets. Excellent ductility and good bending performance. Surface treatments including polishing, nickel plating and passivation are available.
Steel
Structural steel, mold steel, alloy steel, tool steel, bearing steel and carbon steel sheets available. High strength and excellent mechanical properties. Surface treatments including sandblasting, black oxide, galvanizing and painting are available.
Stainless Steel
Grades include 416, 15-5, 301, 430, 440C, 420, 304/304L, 2205 Duplex, 17-4PH, 303, 316/316L. Excellent corrosion resistance. Surface treatments including polishing, brushing, passivation and PVD are available.
Select suitable surface finishes to improve durability and aesthetics for custom metal components. Specific requirements can be accommodated upon request.
Sand, Bead Blasted
Surfaces remain as-machined directly from CNC operations. A cost-efficient solution with visible tooling marks.
Fine abrasive media is projected onto the surface to form consistent matte texture while eliminating blemishes and machining marks.
Anodized
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Sanding & Polishing
As Machined
Electrochemical treatment improves surface durability and corrosion resistance. Multiple color options, with smooth or matte finishes.
Tool marks are eliminated to achieve smooth surfaces. Refined finishes available with customizable gloss and texture grades.
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Sheet Metal Surface Finishes
E-Coating
The surface is treated with a protective decorative coating, delivering a smooth, consistent surface finish. Colors and textures can be tailored to your requirements.
Electrodeposited coating forms a consistent, corrosion-proof layer with superior adhesion. It serves both protective and decorative applications.
Nickel Plating
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Powder Coating
Painted
Electrochemical treatment improves surface durability and corrosion resistance. Multiple color options, with smooth or matte finishes.
Electrostatically applied and thermally cured, this robust finish delivers consistent protective performance with excellent wear resistance, available in a wide range of color options.
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Choose from multiple surface finish solutions to extend component service life and boost long-term durability under harsh operating conditions.
Sheet Metal Design Guidelines
Optimize your sheet metal designs for manufacturability, quality and cost efficiency
Minimum Bend Radius
Hole Spacing Rules
Hole to Bend Distance
Countersink & Feature Clearance
Corner & Relief Cut Design
Recommended at 1× material thickness. Avoid cracking; varies by material: soft aluminum ≤0.5×MT, stainless steel ≥2×MT.
Hole-to-edge ≥2×MT; hole-to-hole ≥6×MT. Prevents edge distortion and maintains part structural integrity.
Keep holes at least 6×MT away from bend lines, to stop hole deformation during bending operations.
8×MT clearance between adjacent features and countersinks. Minimum countersink depth: 0.6×MT for flat fastener seating.
Relief cut width ≥1×MT, internal corner radius ≥0.5×MT. Reduce stress concentration and eliminate sharp corner cracking.
Case Study
Industry: Industrial Automation OEM
Our Solution
1.DFM review at early stage, add bend relief slots and optimize flat pattern to reduce springback.
Project: Aluminum Sheet Metal Control Enclosure for Automation Equipment
Customer Challenges
The original thin-sheet design suffered from bending springback and weld distortion. Poor alignment between panels and internal mounting brackets, plus inconsistent powder coating color across batches. Fast prototype validation required, followed by medium-volume mass production with ISO2768-mk tolerance.
2.Split welded structure, shorten weld seams, apply TIG welding & seamless grinding.
4.One-stop service: laser cutting, CNC bending, riveting, welding, deburring, powder coating, final inspection.
3.Standardize pretreatment and powder coating color, full FAI inspection on first article.
Material: AL5052, thickness 1.5mm / 2.0mm Tolerance: ISO2768-mk
Result
Prototype delivered in 7 days. Mass production yield >98.5%, uniform assembly gap and stable coating. Support repeat orders with full inspection documents.
Case Study
Industry: Robotics
Our Solution
1.DFM optimization: replace full welding with interlocking tabs + spot welding to reduce thermal distortion.
Project: 304 Stainless Steel Sheet Metal Guard Assembly for Humanoid Robot
Customer Challenges
The exposed protective bracket needs high structural strength with minimal visible weld marks. High coaxiality requirement for mounting holes. Thin 304 sheet tends to warp during welding, causing assembly jamming and heavy rework with previous supplier.
2.Custom fixture for bending & welding to lock hole position, stress relief, brushing & passivation after welding.
3.Full inspection on dimension, fit test and cosmetic appearance.
Material: 304 stainless steel, t=1.2mm
Process: Laser cutting, CNC bending, spot welding, wire brushing, passivation
Tolerance: ISO2768-mk
Result
Low-volume trial passed assembly validation at first run. Controlled weld marks and smooth fit. Rework rate greatly reduced for long-cycle robot operation.
Case Study
Industry: New Energy Storage
Our Solution
1.Add reinforcing ribs and adopt segmented forming strategy to minimize diagonal deformation.
Project: Sheet Metal Cabinet for New Energy Energy Storage
Customer Challenges
Outdoor application requires anti-corrosion & water resistance. Large cabinet prone to diagonal distortion after bending; inconsistent gap between door and frame. Stable mass production with complete quality documentation required.
2.Fixture-based welding and post-weld straightening; outdoor weather-resistant powder coating.
3.SPC process control in mass production, dimension & coating adhesion sampling per batch.
Material: SPCC cold rolled steel, t=2.5mm
Process: Laser cutting, bending, riveting, MIG welding, grinding, outdoor powder coating
Tolerance: ISO2768-mk
Result
Cabinet diagonal deviation controlled within 0.8mm. Weather-proof coating passed adhesion test. Stable mass delivery with batch inspection reports for overseas project acceptance.
Why Choose Yangchi Precision for Sheet Metal Fabrication?
One-shop manufacturing
Laser cutting, CNC bending, riveting, welding and CNC machining completed in our factory. Avoid tolerance errors, miscommunication and lead time risks caused by multiple outsourced suppliers. Materials: stainless steel, aluminum, cold-rolled steel. Surface options: sandblasting, anodizing, powder coating, electroplating.
DFM design review before production
Our engineers evaluate your CAD drawings upfront to optimize structures, cut costs and identify assembly or tolerance issues, minimizing sample rework and shortening project cycles.
Consistent quality assurance
Flexible Orders & Stable Lead Time
We follow ISO9001 procedures with incoming, in-process and final inspection. Parts can be produced to ISO2768MK. FAI, inspection reports and material certificates are available for your audit.
No MOQ. One-on-one engineer support, fast quotation, expedited sampling and real-time production updates for overseas R&D projects.
Yangchi Precision is an ISO9001:2015 certified factory. We offer custom sheet metal fabrication with in-house CNC machining, welding, polishing and surface finishing. Our one-stop service supports prototyping, pilot runs and mass production for industrial, robotics, medical, new energy and printing applications.
Sheet Metal FAQs
What is your sheet metal fabrication capability?
We provide one-stop sheet metal services including laser cutting, bending, welding, stamping, surface finishing and assembly. We handle materials like stainless steel, aluminum, cold rolled steel, copper with strict tolerance control.
What file formats do you accept for quotation?
We accept 3D files in STEP, IGES, SolidWorks and 2D drawings in PDF, DWG. Technical drawings with tolerance requirements will help us give accurate quotes quickly.
Can you make custom sheet metal prototypes and mass production parts?
Yes. We support rapid prototyping for small batches as well as large-volume mass production. We can adjust the manufacturing plan according to your project schedule.
Can you help with DFM design optimization?
Our engineering team can review your drawings and provide DFM suggestions to reduce manufacturing difficulty and control cost while keeping part function.
What is your typical lead time?
Prototype lead time is normally 3–7 working days. Mass production lead time depends on quantity and post-processing, we will confirm the exact schedule before order.
Do you provide quality inspection reports?
Yes. We perform full dimensional inspection. Inspection records can be provided upon request to meet your quality requirements.