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CapabilitiesSheet Metal Fabrication Services

Sheet Metal Fabrication Services

Upload your CAD files to get an instant online fabrication quote on custom formed sheet metal prototypes and production parts. Lead times as fast as days and free standard shipping on all US orders.

Sizes and Tolerances
How It Works
Materials
Finishes
Design Guide
Design Guidelines
Applications
Why Xometry?
Customer Examples

What Is Sheet Metal Fabrication?

Sheet metal fabrication is a subtractive manufacturing process that forms parts from thin metal sheets. Engineers often choose sheet metal parts for their high precision and durability, especially for end-use applications like chassis, enclosures, and brackets.


Xometry’s online sheet metal fabrication services provide a fast and cost-effective solution for any parts that need to be made from 3D CAD files or engineering drawings. Xometry offers a range of sheet metal materials, including aluminum, copper, steel, and stainless steel, as well as assembly services like installing PEM inserts, welding, and finishing services. With a network of domestic and overseas fabricators, Xometry can supply any quantity of sheet metal parts from low-volume, high-mix prototypes to high-volume production runs. Xometry offers competitive, custom sheet metal fabricating prices for low volume prototypes and cost savings for high volume production runs.

    Use the 3D viewer above to preview Xometry's part rendering features.

    Sheet Metal Services Available at Xometry

    Sheet metal laser cut and punched plate with Xometry logo

    Sheet Cutting Services

    Upload your CAD files to get an instant quote for laser cutting or waterjet cut prototypes and production parts. No minimums. Get parts in days and free standard shipping on all US orders.
    Sheet Cutting Services
    Laser Cutting

    Custom Online Laser Cutting Service

    High-quality Laser Cut Parts in Days | Free Standard Shipping on All US Orders
    Custom Online Laser Cutting Service
    Waterjet Cutting

    Online Waterjet Cutting Service

    Instant Quotes and Cost-effective, On-demand Fabrication | Free Standard Shipping on All US Orders
    Online Waterjet Cutting Service
    Plasma Cutting

    Plasma Cutting Service

    Custom Plasma Cutting for Prototyping and Production Part Fabrication | Free Standard Shipping on All US Orders | Subject to availability. Xometry doesn't guarantee that we can provide this service at any given time.
    Plasma Cutting Service

    What is Sheet Metal Forming?

    Sheet stock is procured in a flat state and cut then formed into its final state through a series of progressive steps. For a typical sheet metal project, the first step is equivalent to sheet cutting, where a shear, laser, waterjet, plasma, or punch press is used to create the internal holes and edge features of the part. This process is also known as blanking.


    Once the blank is produced, the next step is to form sheet metal using various tools, but most commonly some sort of brake. A brake press can be manual or automated and uses die inserts to create a desired angular bend, forming the two-dimensional sheet into a three-dimensional object. Sheet metal forming can bend the part in multiple directions, creating simple parts such as brackets up to highly complex geometries which may require custom die tools. Once the tools are in place, making subsequent sheet parts in production is very cost-effective. This makes sheet metal fabrication and forming ideal for low to high volume production.

      Illustration of a bent sheet metal part being formed

      Xometry Sheet Metal Fabrication Capabilities

      FeatureDescription
      Feature

      Blank Size

      Description

      10’ x 20’ (3.05 m x 6.10 m). We accommodate larger part volumes upon request.

      Feature

      Standard Lead Time

      Description

      3 business days

      Feature

      Sheet Thickness

      Description

      0.024” - 0.250” typical. We accommodate thicker or thinner gauges upon request.

      Feature

      General Tolerances

      Description

      For single planes or flat parts, +/- 0.010” on edge to edge, edge to hole, and hole to hole features; +/- 0.010” on bend to edge/hole features. For multi-planed bent parts, +/- 0.030” for hole to hole/edge, edge to edge, and over-formed parts; +/- 1 degree for bend angles.

      Feature

      Braking (Hydraulic)

      Description

      10’ length, fingers from 3” - 6”

      Feature

      Braking (Magnetic)

      Description

      6 tons of magnetic pull across the entire beam, 5/8″ minimum reverse bend

      Feature

      Punching

      Description

      2″ diameter hole capacity, or larger upon request

      Feature
      Description

      Welded edges and seams, weldments, and assemblies

      This table depicts the general tolerances for Xometry’s sheet metal services. Learn more about our sheet metal manufacturing standards.

      How Xometry Sheet Metal Fabrication Works

      Xometry's custom sheet metal fabrication services utilize the top sheet metal fabricators in the US and globally. Sheet metal fabricators first convert CAD and drawing data into machine code. A laser cutting, waterjet, or plasma cutting machine will then precisely remove sheet metal material. The raw material is formed into angular bends and features using brakes, punches, and dies. If any assembly or post-processing is required, our sheet metal manufacturers will weld, add inserts, or finish the part.


      The efficiency and high precision of sheet metal fabrication, coupled with Xometry’s variety of materials, range of sheet metal fabricators, and post-processing options means you can get parts for any application. Sheet metal applications include aerospace, defense, automotive, energy, industrial, medical, dental, and consumer products.

      A sheet metal housing

      Sheet Metal Materials Available at Xometry

      Aluminum

      Aluminum 1100-H14
      Aluminum 5052-H32

      Aluminum 6061


      Learn more about aluminum sheet metal.

      Copper

      Copper 101

      Copper C110

      Copper C110, H02

      Copper 260 (Brass)


      Learn more about copper sheet metal.

      Bronze

      Bronze 220

      Bronze 510


      Learn more about bronze sheet metal.

      Stainless Steel

      Stainless steel 301

      Stainless steel 304

      Stainless Steel 304 #4 brushed

      Stainless Steel 304, #8 mirror polish

      Stainless steel 316/316L

      Stainless Steel 316, #4 brushed


      Learn more about stainless sheet metal.

      Steel

      Steel 1018 (Low Carbon)

      Steel 1045 (Hot Rolled)
      Steel A569/ASTM A1011 (Hot Rolled)

      AZ55 Galvalume

      A653 Galvanized

      1095 Spring Steel

      Steel A36

      Steel A36, pickled and oiled

      Steel A366/1008


      Learn more about steel sheet metal.

      Nickel Alloys

      Inconel 625

      Nickel Alloy 200

      Nickel Alloy 400

      Titanium

      Titanium (Grade 2)

      Titanium 6AI-4V (Grade 5)

      Standard Sheet Thicknesses

      Available Sheet Metal Finishes

      Various material finishes are available for an instant online sheet metal quote. If you do not see the material finish combination you are looking for, please choose "Other" under the finish drop-down on your quote page and submit for an expert engineering review once you have specified features, tolerances, inspection needs, and quantities required.

      Check out our finishing galleries to see examples of our standard finishes.

        Xometry Image

        Available Sheet Metal Finishes

        Standard

        Minimal post-processing or treatment on parts is done.

        Bead Blast

        The part surface is left with a smooth, matte appearance.

        Anodize (Type II Or Type III)

        Type II (MIL-A-8625, Type II) creates a corrosion-resistant finish. Sheet metal parts can be anodized in different colors—clear, black, red, and gold are most common—and are usually associated with aluminum. Type III (MIL-A-8625, Type III, Class 1/2 "hardcoat") is thicker and creates a wear-resistant layer in addition to the corrosion resistance seen with Type II.

        Chem Film (Chromate Conversion Coating)

        This sheet metal finish provides corrosion resistance and good conductivity properties. Chem film can be used as a base for paint and can leave surfaces yellow or gold. Adds very little thickness, about 0.00001”-0.00004.” Chem film will conform to MIL-DTL-5541, TYPE I/II.

        Powder Coat

        This is a sheet metal fabrication process where powdered paint is sprayed onto a part that is then baked in an oven. This creates a strong, wear- and corrosion-resistant layer that is more durable than standard painting methods. A wide variety of colors are available to create the desired aesthetic. See examples of our options in our powder coating finishes gallery.

        Electroless Nickel Plating

        A sheet metal fabrication process that provides uniform nickel coating which offers protection from corrosion, oxidation, and wear on irregular surfaces. The finished part will be brighter. Thickness starts at .0001” and this finish conforms to MIL-C-26074.

        Gold Plating

        Gold Plating provides good corrosion and tarnish resistance with excellent solderability. Default application specification is MIL-G-45204 & ASTM B488, CLASS 00, 0, OR 1 (Thickness 0.00002" - 0.00005").

        Silver Plating

        Silver offers high solderability and electrical conductivity but is susceptible to tarnish on sheet metal parts. Conforms to AMS QQ-S-365D. Thickness is about 0.00002”- 0.0003.”

        Xometry Image

        Get In-Depth Tips With Our Design Guide

        Sheet Metal Design Guidelines
        FeatureDescription (MT = Material Thickness)
        Feature

        Minimum Bend

        Description (MT = Material Thickness)

        1X MT

        Feature

        Minimum Hole to Edge Distance

        Description (MT = Material Thickness)

        2X MT

        Feature

        Minimum Hole to Hole Distance

        Description (MT = Material Thickness)

        6X MT

        Feature

        Minimum Bend Edge to Hole Distance

        Description (MT = Material Thickness)

        6X MT

        Feature

        Minimum Feature to Countersink Distance

        Description (MT = Material Thickness)

        8X MT

        Feature

        Minimum Countersink Depth

        Description (MT = Material Thickness)

        0.6X MT

        Feature

        Relief Cuts

        Description (MT = Material Thickness)

        1X MT

        Feature

        Corner Fillets

        Description (MT = Material Thickness)

        0.5X MT

        To see more design-for-manufacturing recommendations, view our Sheet Metal Fabrication Design Guide.

        Applications and Advantages of Sheet Metal Fabrication

        Laser cutting metal sheet

        Rapid Tooling

        Sheet metal can be quickly cut into 2D profile shapes and formed out of a variety of high-strength materials, making it perfect for rapid tooling.

        Sheet Metal

        Rapid Prototyping

        With lead times starting at 3 days, no minimum order volumes, and low-per-unit costs, rapid sheet metal is a great option for prototyping.

        Xometry Illustration

        End-Use Production

        Per-unit pricing lowers significantly in production volumes. Combined with end-use materials and high throughput, sheet metal fabrication is a well-known production method.

        Xomety X

        Ready to Get a Sheet Metal Fabrication Quote?

        Free shipping available for domestic sheet metal orders ; learn more!

        Why Use Xometry's Sheet Metal Fabrication Services?

        Xometry Illustration

        Endless Options

        Choose from thousands of possible combinations of sheet metal materials, finishes, tolerances, markings, and certifications for your order.

        Xometry Illustration

        Easy to Use

        Get your parts delivered right to your door without the hassle of sourcing, project management, logistics, or shipping.

        Xometry Illustration

        Vetted Network

        We are ISO 9001:2015, ISO 13485, and AS9100D certified. Only the top shops that apply to become Suppliers make it through our qualification process.

        Examples of Our Sheet Metal Fabrication Work

        Video
        Chocolate Printed Parts Using Cocoa Press

        Case Study: The First Commercial 3D Chocolate Printer

        By Serena Ngoh
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        Asylon drone

        Case Study: Asylon’s Autonomous Drones Secure the Skies with Help from Xometry

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        Article
        Zaiput flow machine

        Sheet Metal Fabrication Near You

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