Get quotes for custom sheet metal parts
Cut, bent, and welded sheet metal parts, from brackets and enclosures to panels and chassis. Upload your flat pattern or a 3D model and we'll source competitive quotes from qualified manufacturing partners.
STEP · STL · IGES · DWG · DXF · PDF · and more
Uploads are secure & confidential
How OpenSpindle works
We tap our partner network. You get the best-match quote.
Upload your part and we tap our network of partner shops to get you a competitive, all-in quote that is the best match for the job.
One upload
A CAD file or a sketch. That is the whole ask on your end.
Your best-match quote
Sourced from the partner shops set up for your exact part.
All-in, on your timeline
Machining, finishing, and shipping detailed to your turnaround.
Sheet stock our fab shops run
Sheet metal work starts from flat stock. Common gauges are below; if your material is not here, ask when you request a quote.
Specs
Tolerances you can expect
| Feature | With a drawing | No drawing supplied |
|---|---|---|
| Cut edge (laser) | ±0.005 in | ±0.010 in |
| Bend angle | ±1° | ±2° |
| Hole-to-edge | ±0.010 in | ISO 2768 Medium |
| Bend-to-hole | ±0.015 in | ISO 2768 Medium |
Every bend stacks tolerance. Dimension from a single datum edge, not bend-to-bend, and shops hold tighter. Confirm on your drawing before cutting.
Design rules
How to design for Sheet Metal Fabrication
The design choices that most affect whether a sheet-metal part forms cleanly and quotes well.
| Design rule | Typical spec | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Min bend radius | >= material thickness | Tighter radii crack the outside of the bend or need special tooling. |
| Min flange length | ~4x thickness + bend radius | Short flanges will not seat in the brake and form cleanly. |
| Min hole or slot to edge | >= 2x thickness | Features too close to an edge or bend distort during forming. |
| Min hole diameter | >= material thickness | Holes smaller than the material thickness risk punch breakage. |
| Bend relief | >= 1x thickness deep | Prevents tearing where a bend meets an unbent edge. |
| K-factor (typical) | 0.33 to 0.45 | Sets how much the flat pattern stretches, which drives blank size. |
Typical starting points for steel and aluminum sheet. Thicker plate and stainless shift these; a shop confirms against your part.
Reference
Related reference charts
Free spec + tolerance charts for designing these parts.
Secondary operations
Inserts, hardware and finishing
Threads and inserts
PEM-style self-clinching nuts, studs, and standoffs pressed into the sheet, plus tapped and countersunk holes done in the flat.
Finishing
Applied after forming. Bare ships fastest; powder coat, plating, and anodize are common on fabricated sheet parts.
| Finish | Materials | Adds | Can be applied with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bare / deburred | All | +0 days | Anything |
| Powder coat | Steel, aluminum | +3-5 days | After welding and hardware |
| Zinc plating | Steel | +3-5 days | Before powder coat |
| Anodize | Aluminum | +3-5 days | Not over welds |
Weld first, finish last. Powder coat over a weld hides it; anodize over a weld will not take evenly.
Process comparison
Sheet metal vs other processes
When another process fits better than cutting and bending flat sheet.
| Process | Best for | Typical volume | Choose it over Sheet Metal Fabrication when |
|---|---|---|---|
| CNC Machining | Solid parts, tight tolerance, machined features | Prototype to production | The geometry is 3D or needs tolerances tighter than formed sheet holds. |
| Waterjet Cutting | Thick plate, no heat-affected edge | Prototype to production | You need thick plate cut cold, without bends. |
| 3D Printing | Complex geometry, low volume | One-off to low volume | The shape cannot be unfolded into flat sheet. |
| Injection Molding | High-volume plastic enclosures | 1,000+ | You are making thousands of plastic, not metal, enclosures. |
Get a better quote
Getting a quote that comes back fast
| Instead of | Send this |
|---|---|
| "Sheet metal bracket, need a quote" | "0.063 in 5052 aluminum, 4 bends, qty 25, powder coat RAL 9005" |
| "With some holes" | "Holes and PEM locations per the flat DXF, hardware called out" |
| "Bent to shape" | "Bend angles and inside radii on the drawing, dimensioned from the left edge" |
Send a flat DXF plus a 3D model if you have one. Material, gauge, bend count, and hardware are what set the price.
Applications
Industries we serve
Fab shops on OpenSpindle build enclosures, brackets, panels, and chassis for a wide range of industries.
More on OpenSpindle
Need a different process?
Get a quote for these capabilities too.
Designing for this process
What actually changes your quote
Not a definition of sheet metal fabrication. The design choices that move your price and lead time.
Keep bends on one datum
Dimension every feature from a single edge, not bend-to-bend. Bends stack tolerance, so chained dimensions drift and cost inspection time.
Respect the bend radius
Holes and features too close to a bend distort. Keep them at least 2.5x thickness plus the bend radius away from the bend line.
One material and gauge
Mixing thicknesses or materials in one part means multiple setups. A single gauge keeps it a single cut-and-form flow.
Add bend relief
A relief notch at the end of a bend stops tearing and bulging at the corner. It is a few seconds in CAD that saves a scrapped part.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Most fab shops cut and form from about 0.024 in up to 0.250 in, with plasma and heavier brakes going thicker. Note your gauge and material in the request and shops confirm what they can form.
Get sheet metal quotes
Upload your flat pattern or a model and we'll source competitive quotes from qualified manufacturing partners.
STEP · STL · IGES · DWG · DXF · PDF · and more
Uploads are secure & confidential