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Get an instant sheet metal quote All uploads are secure and confidentialOur network of manufacturing partners gives you easy access to sheet metal fabrication capabilities to serve all your manufacturing needs.
This manufacturing process uses a high-power laser beam to cut a material sheet.
Allowable sheet thickness: 1-6mm (depending on material)
This manufacturing process uses dies to produce a U-shape, V-shape or channel shape along a straight axis in ductile materials.
Allowable sheet thickness: 1-6 mm (depending on material)
Here is a list of our standard available metals for sheet metal fabrication. If you require a custom material please contact networksales@protolabs.com.
| Aluminum | 5052, 5754 |
| Stainless steel | 304, 316L |
| Mild steel | 1018 |
| Copper | C110 |
The table below summarizes the standard tolerances of the parts produced by our certified manufacturing partners.
| Feature | Tolerance |
|---|---|
| Cutting feature | ± .00787’’ (0.2mm) |
| Bend angle | ± 1.0° |
| Bend to edge | ± 0.010” (0.254mm) |
Surface finishes are applied after machining and can change the appearance, surface roughness, hardness and chemical resistance of the produced parts.
This is our standard finish. Parts as delivered as cut and bent, no additional treatment applied. Sharp edges are broken and deburred for safe handling.
Parts are bead blasted with glass beads which results in a grainy texture. Sharp edges are broken and deburred for safe handling.
Parts are manually brushed with grit #180 after cutting and bending. Sharp edges are broken and deburred for safe handling. Ideal to reduce the surface roughness of a part.
Parts are dipped in an anodizing bath (type II) after manual brushing. Ideal for increasing the corrosion resistance of the part. Ideal for increasing the corrosion resistance of the part. Sharp edges are broken and deburred for safe handling.
Parts are dipped in an anodizing bath (type II) after bead blasting. Ideal for increasing the corrosion resistance of the part. Sharp edges are broken and deburred for safe handling.
Parts dipped in an anodizing (type III) bath directly after fabrication. Ideal to improve corrosion and wear resistance of components. Sharp edges are broken and deburred for safe handling.
Powder coating layer is applied directly after fabrication. Sharp edges are broken and deburred for safe handling.
Parts are dipped in a black oxide bath after fabrication. Ideal to improve improve corrosion resistance and minimize light reflection in steel components. Sharp edges are broken and deburred for safe handling.
Parts are dipped in an alodine bath directly after fabrication. Ideal to increase the corrosion resistance of the part while maintaining its conductive properties. RoHS compliant. Sharp edges are broken and deburred for safe handling.
Protolabs and its network work together to bring you the world's most comprehensive manufacturing solution. While the network can provide a large breadth of capabilities, Protolabs’ factories offer expedited manufacturing with automated in-house machines for the industry's fastest lead times.
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Learn more about how sheet metal fabrication works and how to design the best parts for this technology.
Protolabs Network offers several types of materials for sheet metal fabrication. They include aluminum types 5052 and 5754, stainless steel types 304 and 316L, mild steel type 1018, and copper type C110. We can also source many custom materials on request. Contact networksales@protolabs.com to discuss the options.
We offer two types of sheet metal fabrication: laser cutting and bending. Laser cutting uses a high-power laser beam to cut a material sheet between 1 and 6mm thick, depending on the material. Bending uses dies to produce a u-shape, v-shape, or channel shape along a straight axis in ductile materials. It can work with metals 1-6mm thick.
We guarantee the quality of the parts we produce. The Protolabs Network Standard, our comprehensive quality management system, ensures that your parts are fabricated to your specifications.
The typical turnaround time for sheet metal fabrication varies depending on the metal’s thickness, design complexity and the number of parts you require. However, turnaround times generally start from five days.
Our sheet metal fabrication processes use advanced surface finishes to enhance part properties. These include bead blasting, brushing, anodizing (type II and III), powder coating, black oxide coating, and chromate conversion coating. These finishes improve corrosion and wear-resistance, surface texture, and appearance while maintaining conductive properties. All parts are deburred for safety to ensure quality and durability.
Milling (3-, 4- & full 5-axis), turning and post-processing
50+ metals and plastics & 10 surface finishes
Tolerances down to ±.0008 in (0.020 mm)
Lead times from 5 business days
FDM, SLS, MJF, SLA
Dimensional accuracy from 0.2%
25+ plastics & 35+ colors
Lead times from 1 business day
Prototypes and production tooling
6 metals & 9 surface finishes
Tolerances down to .004" (0.010mm)
Lead times from 5 business days
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