Our online sheet metal fabrication service allows you to receive a quote in minutes and have your parts delivered within days. We provide 3D Design for Manufacturability (DFM) feedback to help you optimize costs and gain valuable design insights. With a wide range of fabrication and finishing options, our advanced technology and skilled team ensure the production of high-quality, precise parts, whether your project requires a single component or many.
Laser cutting is a subtractive manufacturing technique that employs a high-powered, focused laser beam to make accurate cuts in sheet metal materials.
Press brake forming involves using a matching punch and die set to apply force along a straight axis, creating precise linear bends in metal sheets.
Punching is a process that utilizes a punch tool and a bottom die, applying pressing force to cut part profiles and shape metal sheets into defined forms and patterns.
Sheet metal assemblies involve combining multiple sheet metal parts using various techniques, such as welding or riveting, to create a finished assembled product.
Our online quoting platform for sheet metal fabrication allows you to upload, configure, and place orders for your sheet metal projects much faster than traditional methods. This guide walks you through the essential features of the platform, helping you complete your order to meet your precise requirements.
Learn MoreOur online sheet metal fabrication service provides components and assemblies within days. With a wide range of in-house fabrication and finishing options, we ensure the production of high-precision, functional, or end-use parts.
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Material thicknesses: ≤0.125 in. (≤3.175mm) |
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All material thicknesses: 0.024 in. – 0.250 in. (0.61mm-6.35mm) |
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In sheet metal fabrication, thin metal sheets are placed on a flat surface, where a laser cutter (1) uses pre-programmed patterns to cut the desired shapes. Depending on the design, a sheet metal punch (2) may be used to create additional features. After deburring, the parts are transferred to a press brake (3) to be shaped into their final form. To complete the process, various secondary operations may be performed to finish the sheet metal parts.
Sheet metal fabrication is perfect for creating metal components, offering advantages for both prototyping and large-scale production.
Unlike conventional sheet metal workshops, we offer unlimited production capacity and a seamless online quoting system to guarantee on-time delivery, whether you need just one part or up to 500. Our experienced engineers are available to help refine your designs, and our intuitive online resources make the process even smoother. Streamline your production workflow and accelerate product launches with a single, reliable sheet metal supplier—from prototypes to full assemblies and finishing services.
Our automated design analysis for sheet metal components identifies potential fabrication challenges, ensuring smoother production. With real-time Design for Manufacturability (DFM) feedback, you receive insights within minutes to enhance the quality and manufacturability of your sheet metal parts.
Sheet metal manufacturing is highly versatile, accommodating both large-scale production and custom, low-volume projects. Common applications include:
“Collaborating with AIXI was seamless. We achieved high-quality hardware at a great price, all within a highly competitive timeline.”
Our intuitive platform provides quotes in as little as one hour for simple designs, with an average turnaround of one day. Easily customize material choices, finishing options, and other specifications.
Receive high-quality parts with our standard five-day lead time, ensuring your project stays on schedule.
With a facility housing over 200 machines, we are committed to expanding and enhancing our manufacturing capabilities to meet diverse production needs.
All sheet metal components are produced in New Hampshire, with secondary processes like hardware installation, welding, and finishing handled in-house or by trusted local partners.
Our experienced engineering team provides technical design insights, helping optimize manufacturability while identifying cost-saving opportunities.
Need more than just basic sheet metal parts? We provide a full range of finishing options, including welding, hardware insertion, plating, silk screening, and powder coating—all in one place for a seamless production experience.
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Explore our sheet metal guide for a concise overview of the Standard and Cosmetic finishing options available for different sheet metal materials.
| Unfinished | Dots, or standing “nibs,” remain evident on the bottom of the part from the support structure remnants. |
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| Natural | Supported surfaces are sanded down to eliminate the support nibs. |
| Standard | Supported surfaces are sanded, and the entire part is finely blasted for a consistent look. Note that the layers are still present. |
| Custom | Soft-touch paint, clear part finishing, painting, masking, color matching, decals/graphic, and texture finishes are available. |
Want to enhance the strength, clarity, or look of your 3D-printed parts? Select from options like microfluidic and high-resolution materials, metal plating, additional machining, and custom finishes such as painting, clear coating, and decals.
| Clear Coat | Clear cosmetic finish that can be applied to ABS-Like Translucent/Clear (WaterShed XC 11122) and PC-Like Translucent/Clear (Accura 60) materials. |
| Painting | After smoothing the part with sanding and polishing, parts can be painted with automotive-grade paint. Provide a pantone color with your quote request. We also offer soft-touch painting. |
| Plating | Electroless nickel plating can be used to achieve parts that are similar to cast aluminum or magnesium. |
| Dyeing | Dyeing is another method for adding color to 3D prints. This is a faster option with a limited color selection, so it is a more cost-effective choice than painting. |
| Decaling | Decaling can be used to add a logo or other graphics to boost cosmetics or function. |
| Polishing | We can polish parts to a mirror-like finish. If this is a requirement, we ask that you provide either a drawing or image that indicates your finish expectations. |
| Heat Treatment | Harden and strengthen metal 3D prints with multiple heat treatment options: NADCAP heat treatment, hot isostatic pressing (HIP), solution annealing, and aging. |
| Machining | Machine metal 3D prints to achieve exceptional surface finish quality or meet tight tolerances. |
Upload your 3D CAD file to receive an instant quote for your 3D printing design. Our quoting platform provides real-time cost estimates based on your selected material and resolution options.
If you have any questions about your quote or design, our applications engineering team is available to assist you and guide you through the entire process.
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The cost of 3D printing per part is influenced by various factors, such as design, material, process, and post-print operations. Post-print operations, particularly those requiring manual labor, usually make up the majority of the cost. For cost-effective end-use parts, laser powder bed sintering processes like SLS and MJF tend to be the most economical options. Visit this blog post to gain a deeper understanding of the factors that affect 3D printing costs.
When choosing a 3D printing technology, start by identifying the key design requirements such as strength, temperature resistance, water resistance, appearance, or durability. These factors will typically help you decide whether you need metal or plastic 3D printing for your project. For more guidance on selecting the right technology based on your design needs, refer to this 3D printing material selection guide.
Although all file types are eventually converted to STL (.stl) for 3D printing, it is recommended to upload files in STEP (.stp/.step), SOLIDWORKS (.sldprt), or IGES (.igs/.iges) formats. For more details on how to design files for 3D printing in .stl format, check out further guidance on .stl files.
The size of the part you can 3D print is determined by the build volume of the 3D printer being used. Thanks to advancements in large-format printing, metal parts can be printed with a maximum size of 31.5 in. x 15.7 in. x 19.7 in., while plastic parts can reach up to 29 in. x 25 in. x 21 in.
One of the key benefits of 3D printing is its speed, or the quick turnaround from design to finished part. Other advantages include design flexibility, cost efficiency, and the ability to produce high-quality parts without the need for tooling investment.
Historically, 3D printing has been used primarily for rapid prototyping. However, with improvements in post-processing techniques and the development of engineering-grade materials, it is now frequently used for producing end-use parts.
