Sheet metal fabrication service for custom parts

High-quality Sheet Metal Fabrication prototypes delivered in days, not months

Looking for quick and reliable Sheet Metal Fabrication prototyping or production services? Look no further. Receive a free quote within hours, and get high-quality parts delivered to you in just days.

All uploads are secure and confidential
All uploads are secure and confidential

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Sheet Metal Fabrication for a wide range of materials

We have a range of machines and can create prototypes in metals with Sheet Metal Fabrication.

Perfect for

Prototypes requiring high strength and durability

Large and small scale prototyping

Functional and fit testing

End-product aesthetic and feel

Product launch and marketing

Metal Sheet Metal Fabrication prototype manufacturing

Sheet Metal Fabrication in Aluminium, Stainless Steel, Copper, Brass, and Carbon Steel.

metal sheet

Finishes Sheet Metal Fabrication prototype manufacturing

Sheet Metal Fabrication with finished in Powder Coating, Anodizing and Galvanizing.

Metal Printing
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Sheet Metal Fabrication cost and pricing

The exact cost and price of your Sheet Metal Fabrication prototype depend on factors such as size, material choices, shipping options, and the complexity of your prototype. Click the button below to obtain an accurate cost estimate for your project.

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How to order

Using our streamlined process

Step 1
3D printing bike parts
.step
.igs
.sldprt
etc
Send us your design file and get a quote

To get started, just request a quote and upload your 3D CAD file, specifying your manufacturing preferences. Within a few hours, we will get back to you with a fair, real-time price.

Step 2
factory staff operating a injection molding machine
Order your prototype and we will manufacture it for you

Once you review the quote and place your order, we'll start the manufacturing process. Our digital manufacturing process allows us to produce parts as quickly as in one day.

Step 3
Quality control
Prototype is quality inspected and expertly packed

Our team conducts rigorous quality inspections on all parts and ensures they are securely packed for delivery.

Step 4
receive 3d printed parts
Receive the parts

We ship the prototypes to you via your preferred shipping option.

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Industrial 3D printing

We make modern manufacturing techniques accessible to everyone

400 precision-engineered machines and a dedicated team of 500 professionals are ready to meet your unique 3D printing and prototype production needs – seven days a week.

No order is too small or too big. Get parts within days.

We manufacture small to medium batches

Whether you need just a few parts or a few thousands, we help you acquire your parts for a fair price.

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With a fair price, you can experiment more

With ProtoAnything, you get more value for your 3D printing and prototyping budget. Order multiple versions featuring different colours, finishes, and designs, allowing you to make an informed decision while finalising your choice.

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3d printing sample
3d printing sample
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Expert assistance with ProtoAnything

Expert assistance and help

Our expert team is here to assist you with a wide range of services. Here are a few examples of what we can help you with:

DFM analysis

We offer Design for Manufacturability Analysis to ensure your product is optimised for efficient and cost-effective production. Our expert team identifies and resolves design issues that could complicate the manufacturing process.

3D scanning of parts

Our 3D scanning service captures the precise shape of any physical object, creating an accurate digital model. This tool is invaluable for quality control, inspection, and part replication.

Reverse engineering

We provide a comprehensive reverse engineering service, deconstructing and analysing products or components to understand their functionality. This service is ideal for improving designs, replicating discontinued parts, or studying a competitor's product.

Consultancy

Our expert team can help you with everything you need. Just contact us and we will provide you with the support and assistance you require.

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Rapid manufacturing and delivery

We can manufacture and deliver in as little as 5 days

High quality 3D printing

High quality

All our 3D printing and rapid prototyping services are of exceptional quality and undergo expert inspection before delivery

Fair pricing with ProtoAnything

Fair price

We offer fair prices and don’t compromise on quality

General questions

What is Sheet Metal Fabrication and prototyping?

Sheet metal fabrication is a process that involves forming, shaping, and joining metal sheets to create parts and structures. Unlike 3D printing, which builds objects layer by layer, sheet metal fabrication involves techniques such as cutting, bending, punching, and welding to transform flat sheets of metal into the desired shape. The process begins with a digital design file, which is used to guide the fabrication machinery. Sheet metal fabrication offers numerous advantages, including the ability to create large, durable parts, cost-effectiveness for large production runs, and compatibility with a wide range of metals.

Prototyping in the context of sheet metal fabrication refers to the creation of a preliminary or scaled-down version of a product or part before proceeding to full-scale production. Sheet metal fabrication is often used for prototyping due to its ability to quickly produce physical prototypes directly from digital models.

By combining sheet metal fabrication technology with prototyping, product designers and engineers can create tangible and functional prototypes that closely resemble the final product. This enables early testing, validation, and iteration of the design, leading to more efficient and cost-effective product development processes.

Sheet metal fabrication and prototyping have become invaluable tools in various industries including manufacturing, healthcare, automotive, aerospace, product design, consumer goods, and more. Its capabilities allow for the creation of complex designs that would be challenging or impossible to achieve with additive manufacturing methods. Furthermore, sheet metal fabrication often offers a more cost-effective solution, particularly for large production runs.

Sheet metal fabrication starts with a digital design, usually created in a Computer Aided Design (CAD) program. The design is then used to guide the fabrication machinery. There are several different types of sheet metal fabrication technologies. Here are some of the most common types:

  • Cutting: This involves removing parts of the sheet metal to create the desired shape. This can be done using various methods such as shearing, laser cutting, or plasma cutting.
  • Bending: This involves deforming the sheet metal along a straight line to change its shape. This is typically done using a press brake.
  • Punching: This involves creating holes in the sheet metal using a punch and die.
  • Welding: This involves joining two pieces of metal together by melting the surfaces at their interface.
  • Forming: This involves deforming the sheet metal without removing any material to create a three-dimensional shape.

These are just a few examples of sheet metal fabrication technologies, each with its own advantages, materials compatibility, and applications. The selection of the appropriate technology depends on the specific requirements of the project, including desired materials, level of detail, and production volume.

What are the advantages of Sheet Metal Fabrication prototype manufacturing as compared to traditional manufacturing methods?

Design versatility: Sheet metal fabrication allows for the creation of parts with a wide range of shapes and complexities that may be challenging with traditional manufacturing methods. It offers design versatility without the constraints of certain other processes such as casting or moulding.

Speed of production: Sheet metal fabrication can be a quicker process compared to some traditional manufacturing methods. The use of automated machinery and software in modern sheet metal fabrication can significantly reduce production times, making it particularly beneficial for projects where quick turnaround times are essential.

Rapid prototyping: Sheet metal fabrication is often used for the rapid creation of prototypes. This allows for faster design validation and product development cycles, enabling quicker iterations and improvements.

Cost-efficiency: Sheet metal fabrication can be more cost-effective than some traditional manufacturing methods, particularly for larger production runs. The process uses flat sheets of metal, which are generally less expensive and more readily available than other forms of raw materials. Additionally, the use of automated machinery can reduce labour costs and increase production efficiency.

Customization: Sheet metal fabrication allows for high levels of customization. Each part can be easily tailored to meet specific requirements, making it ideal for producing bespoke products or parts.

Waste reduction: Sheet metal fabrication can be more efficient in terms of material usage compared to some traditional manufacturing methods. The process involves cutting and forming the metal from a flat sheet, which can be carefully planned to minimise waste.

Complexity and integration: Sheet metal fabrication can produce parts with complex geometries and integrated features. It allows for the production of complex, lightweight, and optimised designs with improved functionality.

Enhanced thermal management and fluid dynamics: Certain sheet metal fabrication processes, such as the creation of heat sinks, can improve thermal management and fluid dynamics within a component. This can be particularly beneficial in industries such as electronics, where efficient heat transfer is crucial.

On-demand manufacturing: With sheet metal fabrication, parts can be produced on-demand, reducing the need for large inventories or long lead times. This offers flexibility in manufacturing and reduces storage and inventory costs.

How much does Sheet Metal Fabrication Prototype Manufacturing cost?

The cost of sheet metal fabrication can vary depending on several factors. The price is influenced by the complexity of the design, the size of the object to be fabricated, the material used, and the specific fabrication processes employed. Additionally, the quantity of items to be fabricated, the desired level of detail, and requirement for any post-fabrication operations can also influence the cost. Post-fabrication operations refer to the additional steps or processes that are performed on a fabricated part to refine, finish, or enhance the final appearance, functionality, or characteristics of the part.

All these factors are why it is essential to consider the specific requirements of your project when estimating the cost of sheet metal fabrication. To obtain an accurate quote for your sheet metal fabrication project, we recommend reaching out to our team at ProtoAnything. You can provide us with your CAD file and manufacturing preferences, and we will promptly provide you with a fair real-time price for your project. Our goal is to offer cost-effective solutions while ensuring high-quality results for all your sheet metal fabrication needs.

What factors should I consider when choosing an Sheet Metal Fabrication technology for my project?

When selecting a sheet metal fabrication method, consider the size, complexity, and intricacy of the parts, along with desired material properties like strength, temperature, and corrosion resistance, and finishing requirements. Assess which material aligns best with your project's needs, and also keep your budget in mind. With this information, you can make an informed decision about the most suitable sheet metal fabrication method for your project.

What are the advantages of using Sheet Metal Fabrication for manufacturing prototypes or parts?

Using sheet metal fabrication to create prototypes or parts has several advantages. These include the ability to produce large and robust parts, cost-effectiveness (especially for large volumes), design flexibility (because it enables the creation of complex geometries), and the ability to use a wide range of materials. This is the reason it is used across industries such as aerospace, automotive, construction, electronics, and more.

What are the recommended file formats for Sheet Metal Fabrication?

For sheet metal fabrication, it is typically required to provide a CAD file in a specific format. The formats Step (.stp/.step), Solidworks (.sldprt), and IGES (.igs/.iges) are highly recommended. These formats retain the complete geometric data, including design structures, assembly information, and other intricate details of the model. This parametric information makes them suitable for design storage, collaboration, and engineering purposes.

Starting with Step, Solidworks, or IGES files ensures that the original design's integrity is preserved, reducing the risk of data loss or inaccuracies during fabrication. By uploading your design in one of these formats, you facilitate a smoother transition into the sheet metal fabrication workflow, resulting in more accurate fabricated objects.

Can large parts be moulded in an Sheet Metal Fabrication machine?

The size of a part that can be fabricated in sheet metal depends on the capabilities of the specific sheet metal fabrication technology and equipment used. Sheet metal fabrication can handle a wide range of sizes, from small intricate parts to large industrial structures.

In which industries is Sheet Metal Fabrication commonly utilized?

Sheet metal fabrication finds applications in a diverse range of industries. It is used for creating prototypes, custom manufacturing, manufacturing tooling, aerospace, automotive, construction, electronics, and more. The technology's versatility enables the precise transformation of digital designs into physical objects, offering customization and innovation across various sectors.

Our confidentiality promise

We understand the sensitive nature of prototyping and handle all of your proprietary information with the utmost caution, from file sharing through information handoff and manufacturing. If you require an NDA please click here to use ProtoAnything standard NDA or send your own NDA to quotes@protoanything.com and we will review and sign.