Aerospace

Provide efficient production and faster design to delivery.

Automotive

Produce precision parts that exceed industry standards.

Automation

Create and test products quickly to bring them to market.

Consumer Products

Bring new, affordable products to market faster.

Communication

Empower to innovate faster, maximizing performance.

Electronics

Innovation in enclosures for low-volume production.

Industrial Equipment

Deliver machinery that beats the competition.

New Energy

Speed up innovation and development.

Medical Devices

Build prototypes and products that adhere to medical safety.

Robotics

Improve efficiency with precise, fast, and constant part quality.

Semiconductor

Drive time-to-market through on-demand production.

CNC Machining for Aerospace

The extremely high level of precision needed within the aerospace industry makes CNC machining a suitable manufacturing process for the sector.

 

This article provides you with a complete guide to aerospace machining and its importance.

 

Blogs

Gain valuable insights into manufacturing processes.

Materials

Choose from 50+ metals and plastics for your project.

Case Studies

Learn successful stories to inspire your project.

Knowledge Base

Whitepaper, design guide, materials, and finishing.

Surface Finishes

Different finishing options enhance part appearance and functionality.

Videos

Discover our library of educational videos.

CNC Machining eBook

If you want to produce high-quality machined parts with a sleek appearance, it’s essential to consider some critical factors related to CNC machining. 

 

Here, we’ve gathered some basic information and important considerations to help you achieve the desired results.

About RapidDirect

Our vision, mission, development history, and dedicated team.

Testimonials

Real feedback on experiences and opinions of our services.

News

Company news, platform updates, holiday announcement.

Our Platform

Get instant quotes with our smart online platform.

Our Capabilities

Rapid prototyping, and on-demand production.

Quality Assurance

Deliver quality parts that meet requirements and exceed expectations.

Contact Us

Online Quotation Platform v3.0

Attention! We have exciting news to share with you. We have just launched the latest online platform, version 3.0! 

 

 

The updated platform boasts a fresh and intuitive design, along with enhanced functionality that streamlines and accelerates the quoting process, like a new manufacturing process, streamlined quoting summary page, and improved checkout page. 

Sheet Metal Fabrication Services

Custom engineering and manufacturing services from prototypes to on demand production of sheet metal parts. Low-cost sheet metal fabrication solution for you.

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Our Custom Sheet Metal Fabrication Services

Sheet metal fabrication is the most cost-effective choice for custom sheet metal parts and prototypes with uniform wall thickness. RapidDirect provides various sheet metal capabilities, from high-quality cutting, punching, and bending, to welding services.

Intense lasers cut through 0.5mm to 20mm thick sheet metals to create high-grade prototype sheets for various parts.

CNC plasma cutting is widely used in custom sheet metal services, it is especially suitable for custom cutting of thicker sheet metals.

Sheet metal bending is used to shape steel, stainless steel, aluminum parts and custom sheet metal prototypes after the cutting process.

Gallery of Sheet Metal Fabrication Parts

For several years, we have been manufacturing various of metal fabricated parts, prototypes, and various products for different clients. Below are the previous sheet metal fabrication parts we had made.

Quote Within One Day, Operate at Your Fingertips

RapidDirect provides a AI-powered, hassle-free online quotation platform that can help simplify your ordering and manufacturing process. Stop wasting time in emails, get interactive quotes with DFM analysis within seconds, optimize your orders immediately, compare your multiple quotes side by side, manage your orders in one place.

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Bulk Pricing

Get in-bulk sheet metal fabrication quotes, allowing you to make a pricing comparison between different specs, quantities, raw material, and surface finishes, and helping you choose the solution that best suits your needs and budget.

Real-Time Order Tracking

Our online platform enables real-time visibility of the sheet metal manufacturing process that fosters more efficient operation monitoring and quicker response to negative changes.

All-in-One Order Management

Quickly check, search, and manage all your sheet metal fabrication orders in one place. What's even better is that you get visibility into all stages of the production process and every aspect of the manufacturing operation.

Sheet Metal Fabrication From Prototyping to Production

RapidDirect’s custom sheet metal fabrication services can be used for various applications such as mold tooling, rapid prototyping, and custom manufacturing, and more.

1Prototyping

Functional Prototype

Custom metal fabrication can be formed into 2D shaped profiles from various metals, creating functional molds for specific parts.

1On Roof Manufacturing

Rapid Prototyping

RapidDirect can produce sheet metal prototyping from sheet metal within a short time and at a low cost.

1Mass Production

On-Demand Production

From rich selections of materials to sheet metal parts manufacturing and assemblies, to flexible delivery, we provide end-to-end high-volume production solutions.

Sheet Metal Fabrication Standards

To ensure part manufacturability and precision of fabricated prototypes and parts, our custom sheet metal fabrication services are in compliance with the ISO 2768-m.

Dimension Detail Metric Units Imperial Units

Edge to edge, single surface

+/- 0.127 mm +/- 0.005 in.

Edge to hole, single surface

+/- 0.127 mm +/- 0.005 in.

Hole to hole, single surface

+/- 0.127 mm +/- 0.005 in.

Bend to edge / hole, single surface

+/- 0.254 mm +/- 0.010 in.

Edge to feature, multiple surface

+/- 0.762 mm +/- 0.030 in.

Over formed part, multiple surface

+/- 0.762 mm +/- 0.030 in.

Bend angle

+/- 1°

By default, sharp edges will be broken and deburred. For any critical edges that must be left sharp, please note and specify them in your drawing.

Available Sheet Metal Fabrication Processes

Check out the specific advantages of each sheet metal manufacturing process and choose one for your custom part needs.

Processes Description Thickness Cutting Area
Laser Cutting Laser cutting is a thermal cutting process that uses high-power laser to cut metals. Up to 50 mm Up to 4000 x 6000 mm
Plasma Cutting CNC plasma cutting is suitable for cutting thicker sheet metals. Up to 50 mm Up to 4000 x 6000 mm
Waterjet Cutting It is especially useful for cutting very thick metals, including steel. Up to 300 mm Up to 3000 x 6000 mm
Bending It’s used to shape custom sheet metal prototypes after the cutting process. Up to 20 mm Up to 4000 mm

Sheet Metal Fabrication Materials

No matter the application and requirement of your sheet metal parts, you’ll find the right material when you trust RapidDirect. The following outlines some popular materials available for custom metal fabrication.

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  • Aluminum
  • Copper
  • Brass
  • Steel
  • Stainless Steel
Sheet metal aluminum parts

Aluminum

Commercially, aluminum is the most sought-after material for sheet metal manufacturing. Its popularity is due to its adaptive qualities and its high thermal conductivity and low resistance rates. Compared to steel—another common sheet metal material—aluminum is more cost-effective and has a higher rate of production. The material also generates the least amount of waste and can easily be reused.

Subtypes: 6061, 5052

copper material

Copper

Copper is a broadly used sheet metal fabrication material in many industries as it offers good malleability and ductility. Copper is also well suited for sheet metal fabrication because of its excellent heat conduction properties and electrical conductivity.

Subtypes: 101, C110

Copper

Brass

Brass has desirable properties for a number of applications. It is low friction, has excellent electrical conductivity and has a golden (brass) appearance.

Subtypes: C27400, C28000

Steel

Steel

Steel offers a number of beneficial properties for industrial applications, including rigidity, longevity, heat resistance and corrosion resistance. Steel sheet metal is ideal for producing complex designs and parts that require extreme precision. Steel is also cost-efficient to work with and has excellent polishing properties.

Subtypes: SPCC, 1018

Sheet metal Stainless steel

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is the low carbon steel that contains a minimum of 10% chromium by weight. The material properties associated with stainless steel have made it a popular metal within a broad range of industries, including construction, automotive, aerospace and more. Within these industries, Stainless steel is versatile and is an effective choice for many applications.

Subtypes: 301, 304, 316

Finishing Options for Sheet Metal Fabrication

Choose from a wide variety of finishing options that alter the surface of sheet metal fabricated parts and products to improve their corrosion resistance, enhance cosmetic appearance, and decrease cleaning time.

Name Description Materials Color Texture Link
Anodizing Anodizing improves corrosion resistance, enhancing wear resistance and hardness, and protecting the metal surface. Widely used in mechanical parts, aircraft, and automobile parts, precision instruments, etc. Aluminum Clear, black, grey, red, blue, gold. Smooth, matte finish. Learn More>>

Bead Blasting

Bead blasting results in parts with a smooth surface with a matte texture. Used mainly for visual applications and can be followed by other surface treatments.

ABS, Aluminum, Brass, Stainless Steel, Steel

n/a Matte Learn More>>
Powder Coating Powder coating is a type of coating that is applied as a free-flowing, dry powder. Unlike conventional liquid paint which is delivered via an evaporating solvent, powder coating is typically applied electrostatically and then cured under heat or with ultraviolet light. Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Steel

Black, any RAL code or Pantone number

 Gloss or semi-gloss

Electroplating Electroplating can be functional, decorative or corrosion-related. Many industries use the process, including the automotive sector, in which chrome-plating of steel automobile parts is common.

Aluminum, steel, stainless steel

n/a

Smooth, glossy finish

Polishing

Polishing is the process of creating a smooth and shiny surface, either through physical rubbing of the part or by chemical interference. The process produces a surface with significant specular reflection, but in some materials is able to reduce diffuse reflection.

Aluminum, Brass, Stainless Steel, Steel

 n/a

Glossy

Brushing

Brushing is a surface treatment process in which abrasive belts are used to draw traces on the surface of a material, usually for aesthetic purposes.

ABS, Aluminum, Brass, Stainless Steel, Steel

n/a satin

Why Choose Us for Sheet Metal Fabrication

1Fast Online Quote SheetMetal

Fast Online Quotation

Just upload your design files and configure material, finishing options and lead time. Quick quotes for your sheet metal components can be created in just a few clicks.

1Assurd Quality SheetMetal

Assured High Quality

With an ISO 9001:2015 certificated sheet metal manufacturing factory, we provide material and full dimensional inspection reports as your request. You can always rest assured the parts you get from RapidDirect will exceed your expectations.

1On Roof Manufacturing 1

Strong Manufacturing Capacity

Our domestic factories in China provide a complete sheet metal project solution through flexible material, surface finish options and infinite manufacturing capacity for low volume and high volume production runs.

1Support

Sheet Metal Engineering Support

We provide 24/7 online engineering customer support for your custom sheet metal engineering and manufacturing problems. This includes case-by-case suggestions to help you reduce costs early on in the design phase.

Play Video about types of sheet meta fabrication techniques

Our Sheet Metal Fabrication for Various Applications

Whether it’s metallic auto parts or electronic device components, RapidDirect’s sheet metal fabrication has helped businesses in different industries.

Automotive

Aerospace

Consumer Goods

Medical Devices

Robotics

Sheet Metal Fabrication Overview

What's Sheet Metal Fabrication?

Sheet metal fabrication involves cutting, shaping, and joining metal sheets into various components. It transforms flat metal sheets, like steel or aluminum, into designed structures using specialized techniques and tools, catering to diverse applications.

How Does Sheet Metal Fabrication Used Work?

The process starts with CAD-designed blueprints. Next, the metal is cut using techniques like laser cutting. It’s then bent into shapes using machinery. Components are assembled through welding or riveting, followed by finishing processes for appearance and protection, ensuring product quality.

What Materials Are Used for Sheet Metal Fabrication?

Predominant materials in sheet metal fabrication include stainless steel (for its strength), aluminum (lightweight, corrosion-resistant), brass (decorative fixtures), copper (electrical components), mild steel (versatile), and galvanized steel (corrosion-resistant due to zinc coating).

What Is Sheet Metal Fabrication Used For?

Sheet metal fabrication serves various industries: automotive (vehicle parts), aerospace (aircraft parts), construction (components like HVAC ductwork), electronics (enclosures), and more. Its versatility allows production of everyday to specialized items.

FAQs for RapidDirect Sheet Metal Fabrication Service

RapidDirect offers a comprehensive range of services including cutting, bending, punching, welding, and assembling. Our state-of-the-art machinery ensures precision and high-quality finishes for all projects.

Sheet metal fabrication tolerances refer to the acceptable deviations for features of sheet metal parts required for accurate and consistent installation and integration.

For sheet metal parts, ISO 2768-mk is usually used to ensure proper control of the elements of geometry and size. The following will show you 7 tolerance standards range of linear and angular dimensions, flatness & straightness, cylindricity, and circularity.

K factor is the sheet metal process is the ratio of neutral axis to material thickness. This value changes with respect to the various physical properties and thickness of materials used.

Every aspect of a sheet metal fabrication project comes with an associated cost — the design, possible prototype, finishing processes, and others. Asides from the process itself, materials also cost money. To learn some tips for reducing custom sheet metal fabrication costs, you can learn from this article.

RapidDirect accommodates both small and large production runs, from single prototypes to mass production, with no strict minimum order quantity.

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