Question 1

What files should I upload for a metal fabrication quote?

Accepted Answer

Upload a 3D CAD file (STEP preferred) and/or a 2D drawing (PDF/DXF) showing critical dimensions, tolerances, material, thickness, and finish requirements.

Question 2

What tolerances can I expect for sheet cutting and bending?

Accepted Answer

Sheet cutting typically holds ±0.005" to ±0.015" depending on material and thickness. Bend angle tolerance is commonly ±1° for shorter bends and ~±2° for longer bends; multi-bend parts should allow for stack-up. Reference our ***ISO 2768 chart***(/resources/charts/iso-2768-tolerance-chart), ***tap drill calculator***(/resources/tools/drill-tap-chart), and ***drill bit size chart***(/resources/charts/drill-bit-size-chart) when specifying holes and threads.

Question 3

How do I reduce cost on sheet metal parts?

Accepted Answer

Keep tight tolerances only on functional features, avoid placing holes too close to bend lines, use bend reliefs at tight intersections, and reduce the number of unique bends/setups when possible.

Question 4

Do you support prototypes and production runs?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We support prototype quantities for design validation and scalable production for recurring assemblies, including finishing and inspection options.

Question 5

Can you provide inspection reports or first-article verification?

Accepted Answer

Yes. For critical parts, you can request measurement reporting for key features (hole pattern, bend-to-hole, overall envelope) and sample approval workflows.

CustomMetal Fabrication

CustomMetal Fabrication