Trust Fathom for high quality parts made using the latest in sheet metal manufacturing technology. Whether your project is time-sensitive, high-precision, highly complex or short production run related, Fathom will meet your requirements and deadlines.
Laser cutting machines make cuts within an enclosure using no mechanical components. The process uses laser diodes transmitted through optical fibers to cut the raw material. The enclosure decreases the risk to the machine operator while also producing less noise. Fiber laser cutting uses a high-power output and high-intensity level, making it a very efficient manufacturing process.
The waterjet cutting method uses a high-pressure pump to force water through a nozzle to make precise cuts. When a more abrasive cut is necessary, abrasive media is mixed with water. Both the water and abrasive can be recycled and reused, helping to increase energy efficiency while cutting down on costs.
Microcut™ waterjet cutting uses manufacturing capabilities of waterjet cutting to create micro parts. Waterjet cutting’s high-level of accuracy is what allows Fathom to produce tiny and complex parts.
During the wire EDM process, raw metal material is submerged in a dielectric bath where a charged thin metal wire uses electrical sparks to melt and cut the material. The spark’s voltage jumps the gap from the wire to the workpiece which causes the material to melt. The metal wire never contacts the workpiece. The dielectric fluid is used to control the sparks, cool and flush away excess material.
To stamp, a blank or coiled piece of sheet metal is placed on a press where a stamping tool presses into the material. The stamping tool or die contains the desired shape of the part. Stamping may include punching, blanking, bending, drawing, embossing and more.
During forming, sheet metal is loaded on a flatbed where a laser cutter draws pre-programmed parts onto the raw material. To add additional materials, a sheet metal punch may be used. The part is deburred and moved to a press brake for further shaping.
Prototype etching may include photochemical machining, chemical milling or acid etching. Material is selectively removed by using baths of temperature-controlled etching chemicals. Chemical etching is ideal for prototyping because of its shorter lead time and inexpensive tooling.
Production etching may include photochemical machining or chemical milling. Production etching produces parts with high precision and intricacies. The production etching method is perfect for transitioning prototypes into production because it is fast, cost-effective and offers great design flexibility.
Laser cutting uses a high-powered laser beam to cut raw material. The laser cutting method may use a gas, liquid or solid-state laser. CO2 lasers use a gas state laser using a mixture of carbon dioxide to make cuts. Solid state lasers use laser diodes transmitted through optical fibers to create cuts.
CNC punching equipment moves raw material along a 2-axis direction, placing it beneath a punching ram. The punching ram creates a hole or form in the sheet metal. CNC punch press machines can have one head and tool rail design or a multi-turret design.
Welding uses heat and pressure to fuse parts together. Welding may include arc welding, metal inert gas (MIG), tungsten inert gas (TIG), resistance spot welding, laser welding and oxyfuel welding and cutting.
Fathom offers hardware installation services as a part of its complete sheet metal fabrication program. Fathom can ensure great quality and efficiency for projects with both low or high volume parts.
Fathom offers both sanding and grinding. Grinding adds a desired cosmetic surface and can also remove weld. Sanding deburrs and removes scratches from parts after they have been laser cut or punched.
Liquid painting is a finishing process perfect for projects where powder coating cannot be used. Liquid painting results in a professional finish, corrosion resistance, custom colors and more.
During powder coating, the sheet metal part is coated evenly with powder and then cured. Once cured, the part has a professional finish that may be matte, smooth, textured and more. Fathom offers a variety of powder coating finishes to choose from.
Sheet metal parts can be screen printed in a variety of different finishes and colors. Fathom can also add a design of your choice to your custom part.
Fathom performs assembly and kitting in-house. Services hardware installation, manual or automated processes and more. Fathom will ensure your finished part meets your exact specifications.
Fathom is ready to work with you on your sheet metal manufacturing project. Our services include waterjet cutting, laser cutting, photochemical machining, Microcut™ and more. Post-processing services like welding, bead blasting and deburring are also offered. Sheet metal manufacturing is just one of the 28 manufacturing services offered by Fathom.
Standard lead times are below, but 24hr expedite options are available.
| Parts | Delivery time |
|---|---|
| 1-50 flat part pieces | 2 days |
| 50-1,000 flat part pieces | 5-7 days |
| 1-500 formed parts | 6-8 days |
| 1-5 drawn part pieces | 10-15 days |
| 4 slide tooled parts | 4-6 weeks |
| Alloy | Temper | Ductility | Strength | Corrosion Resistance | Heat Treatable | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6061 | T6 | Low | Mid | Good | No | Minimum bend radii of 3x raw material thickness. |
| 6061 | T0 | High | Low | Good | Yes | Higher-cost heat treating due to warping and need for secondary straightening. |
| 5052 | H32 | High | Mid | Good | No | Most commonly used aluminum alloy and temper. |
| 5052 | H34 | Mid | High | Good | No | Small radii bends in line with grain may fracture. |
| 3003 | H14 | High | Low | Good | No | Good for deep drawn parts. |
| Alloy | Temper | Ductility | Strength | Corrosion Resistance | Heat Treatable | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 301 302 304 |
*Range | **High | High | Excellent | No | Small radii bends in line with grain may fracture in full hard temper. Full hard temper is cost effective for springs as there is no need for heat treating or plating. |
| 316 316L |
Annealed | High | High | Excellent | No | Used heavily in the medical industry. |
| 410 | Annealed | High | Mid | Mid | Yes | Excellent for springs. Stays stable in heat treating and has a bright finish. |
| 17-4 PH | Annealed | Low | Excellent | Mid | Yes | Small radii bends in line with grain may fracture. |
| 17-7 PH Cond. A |
Annealed | Mid | High | Mid | Yes | Excellent for springs intended for repeated cycles. Remains stable during heat treating. |
| 17-7 PH Cond. C |
Mill Hardened | Low | High | Mid | Yes | Small radii bends in line with grain may fracture. Highest hardness and strength achievable in alloy 17-7 PH. |
*Annealed, 1/2, 1/4, 3/4, and full hard possible
**Ductility decreases in harder tempers and mill hardened materials
| Alloy | Temper | Ductility | Strength | Corrosion Resistance | Heat Treatable | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1008 1010 |
Soft, 1/2, 1/4 Full Hard | High | Mid | *Poor | **Yes | When rolled at or near room temperature, excellent ductility and strength is produced and is more uniform than hot rolled steel. |
| 1008 1010 |
Annealed | High | Mid | *Poor | **Yes | Rolled at a temperature greater than the recrystallization point, which produces surface scale. Good ductility, but weaker and less uniform than cold rolled steel. |
| HSLA | Annealed | Mid | High | *Poor | **Yes | Requires 25-30% more power to form than cold rolled steel or hot rolled steel. |
| 1050 1074 1075 1095 |
Annealed | Excellent | ***High | *Poor | Yes | 1095 has the highest carbon content of the materials listed. Higher carbon content yields higher strength with less ductility after heat treating. |
| 1095 | Blue Tempered | Low | High | Mid | No | Good for flat springs or leaf springs with large radii. |
*Poor without plating or surface treatment
** Limited to carburizing
*** High strength after heat treatment
| Alloy | Temper | Ductility | Strength | Corrosion Resistance | Heat Treatable | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C10 Cooper | Wide Range | High | Mid | Good | No | Highly conductive. High cost. |
| C172 Beryllium Copper | Wide Range | Excellent | Excellent | Fair | Yes | Excellent for electrical spring contacts. Highly conductive, excellent electroplating adhesion coefficient and remains very stable during heat treating. Moderate cost. |
| C260 Brass | Wide Range | *Ranges | High | Good | No | Small radii bends in line with grain may fracture in full hard and spring tempers. |
| C510 Phosphor Bronze | Wide Range | *Ranges | High | Fair | No | Small radii bends in line with grain may fracture in full hard and spring tempers. |
*Ranges according to temper
Mills, lathes, presses, press brakes, turret punches and additive machines are a few of the 530 machines, used by Fathom. Our equipment includes machines dedicated to sheet metal fabrication, including waterjet machines, lasers, finishing tools, autodeburring, 4 slide machines, multi-slide machines, press brakes, 300-ton presses, 22-ton presses, wire EDM machines, seely slide forming tools and 35-ton blanking presses.
In addition to sheet metal fabrication, Fathom also offers hybridized services that leverage sheet metal manufacturing. Do you need sheet metal fabrication as part of a complex project? Let Fathom take care of it. A recent case study is listed below where Fathom delivered 20,000 parts in 27 days using 55+ tools, including metal prototype fabrication services:
A customer came to Fathom with a complex project that spanned the technologies and processes of rapid production—and needed it done fast. Fathom delivered.
55+ Tools to Injection
Mold 15,000 Parts
First Article in 2 Weeks
3,000+ 3D
Printed Parts
2,000+ Metal
Fabricated Parts
3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing—PolyJet, SLS, MJF.
DFM Analysis + CAD Mods.
CNC Machining. Laser Cutting.
Stamping. Die Cutting. Post-Opp Drilling.
24-hour Turnaround Urethane Casting.
Injection + Compression Molding.
Model Finishing. Insert Assembly.
Advanced Project Management.
Fathom offers nationwide coverage to the entire United States, including 3 US-based locations offering sheet metal fabrication. Fathom’s manufacturing and prototyping services include injection molding, CNC machining, chemical etching, metal 3D printing and more. Fathom has provided over 200,000 quotes to leading US companies and are ready to give you a quote today.
Locations include:
Locations include:
COLORADO
7770 Washington Street
Denver, CO 80229
ISO 9001:2015
ITAR
NEW YORK
1920 Slaterville Road
Ithaca, NY 14850
ITAR
401 W. Shore Boulevard
Newark, NY 14513
ISO 9001:2015
AS910:2016
ITAR
A: Fathom’s certifications include ISO 9001:2015, ISO 9001:2015 Design, and ISO 13485:2016. For site-specific certifications, please visit https://fathommfg.com/fathom-manufacturing-certifications.
A: Yes, Fathom is ITAR certified. For site-specific certifications, please visit https://fathommfg.com/fathom-manufacturing-certifications.
A: Yes, Fathom is AS9100:2016. For site-specific certifications, please visit https://fathommfg.com/fathom-manufacturing-certifications.
A: Yes, Fathom’s certifications include NIST 800-171. For site-specific certifications, please visit https://fathommfg.com/fathom-manufacturing-certifications.
A: A variety of manufacturing methods can be used to make sheet metal parts including wire EDM, stamping, forming and more.
A: Sheet metal is a raw material that can be used for manufacturing.
A: Sheet metal manufacturing can be used to make a wide variety of products including appliances, enclosures, chassis and more.
A: Sheet metal manufacturing is the process of turning sheet metal into parts.
Looking for a sheet metal fabrication quote? Ready to calculate costs for your next project? Use Fathom’s SmartQuote application to get a fast quote.
