Sheet Metal Fabrication
Custom sheet metal fabrication including cutting, bending, forming, and welding. From single prototypes to high-volume production in aluminum, steel, stainless, and copper.
About Sheet Metal Fabrication
Sheet metal fabrication transforms flat metal sheets into functional enclosures, brackets, panels, and structural components through cutting, bending, forming, and joining operations. It is the most cost-effective method for producing thin-walled metal parts and enclosures.
FabRapid's sheet metal capabilities span the full fabrication workflow: fiber laser cutting (up to 20 mm steel), CNC press brake bending (up to 3-meter length), TIG/MIG welding, spot welding, hardware insertion (PEM fasteners), and finishing. We work with aluminum, mild steel, stainless steel, copper, and brass in thicknesses from 0.5 mm to 12 mm.
Our instant DFM analysis checks for manufacturability issues like minimum bend radius violations, hole-to-edge spacing, and bend-to-feature interference before production begins — ensuring your parts can be fabricated correctly the first time.
Key Capabilities
Fiber Laser Cutting
High-precision cutting of metals up to 20 mm thick with minimal heat-affected zone, clean edges, and ±0.1 mm accuracy.
CNC Press Brake Bending
Precision bending with ±0.1 mm accuracy on sheets up to 3 meters long. Complex multi-bend sequences executed with automated backgauge.
Welding & Assembly
TIG and MIG welding for structural joints, spot welding for sheet-to-sheet connections, and complete enclosure assembly with hardware insertion.
Hardware Insertion
PEM self-clinching fasteners, standoffs, studs, and nuts pressed into sheet metal for threaded connections without welding.
Surface Finishing
Powder coating in 200+ colors, anodizing, plating, bead blasting, and silk screening for professional-grade finished enclosures.
Technical Specifications
How Sheet Metal Fabrication Works
Design & DFM Review
Upload your 3D model or 2D drawing. Our system unfolds the sheet metal geometry and checks for manufacturability including bend radius, K-factor, and feature spacing.
Laser Cutting
High-power fiber lasers cut your flat pattern with ±0.1 mm precision. Tight nesting optimizes material utilization and reduces per-part cost.
Bending & Forming
CNC press brakes execute precise bends with ±0.1 mm accuracy. Complex bend sequences are programmed and verified with backgauge measurements.
Joining & Finishing
Welding (TIG, MIG, spot), hardware insertion, and surface finishing complete your parts. Assembly of multi-part enclosures available.
Our Sheet Metal Fabrication Services
Explore our specialized sheet metal fabrication capabilities for your specific application.
Sheet Metal Prototyping
Rapid sheet metal prototypes in as fast as 5 days. Test fit, form, and function before committing to production tooling.
Metal Bending
CNC press brake bending for precise angles and complex bend sequences. Supports sheet thicknesses from 0.5 mm to 6 mm across a range of metals.
Laser Cutting
High-precision fiber laser cutting for metals up to 20 mm thick. Clean edges, minimal heat-affected zone, and tight nesting for cost efficiency.
Compatible Materials
Materials available for sheet metal fabrication.
Sheet Metal Fabrication FAQ
The minimum inside bend radius is typically 1× the material thickness for aluminum and cold-rolled steel. Stainless steel may require 1.5-2× thickness. Tighter bends risk cracking, especially with grain direction. We automatically check bend radii during DFM analysis.
Yes. We fabricate fully welded and ground enclosures with seamless corners. TIG welding provides the cleanest welds for visible surfaces, while MIG welding is more cost-effective for internal structural joints.
Powder coating (200+ RAL colors), anodizing (for aluminum), zinc plating, nickel plating, bead blasting, brushed finishes, and silk screening. We can combine finishes (e.g., bead blast + anodize) for premium aesthetics.
Ready to Start Your Sheet Metal Fabrication Project?
Upload your CAD file and get an instant quote. Most parts ship in 3-5 business days.