Fathom’s sheet metal shops deliver high-quality parts to its customers. Our team specializes in time-sensitive, high-precision, highly complex or short production run related jobs. Let Fathom quote you on your sheet metal part today.
A sheet metal shop is a facility that produces parts from sheet metal. Fathom’s sheet metal shops offer multiple manufacturing services including laser cutting, forming, stamping, wire EDM and more. Sheet metal shops utilize and house equipment such as laser cutters, waterjet cutting machines, finishing tools, autodeburring systems, 4 slides, multi-slides, 300 Ton presses, etc. Fathom’s sheet metal shops have the latest technology, ready to help you complete your next sheet metal project.
Getting a quote on a sheet metal project can be time consuming and confusing. You may need to contact one manufacturer to create the part, another to provide finishing services, and another to assemble. Some sheet metal shops take a long time to reply, greatly delaying your project or even missing your deadline. Fathom’s comprehensive sheet metal fabrication services include everything from production to finishing and assembly. Getting a quote is easy. Submit the details of your design through Fathom’s SmartQuote application and receive a quote within 1 to 24 hours. Our team is ready to assist you with everything from selecting the best manufacturing process to raw material selection.
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, producing 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 quote 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 available. 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 |
Fathom’s manufacturing facilities utilize over 530 machines, including mills, lathes, presses, press brakes, turret punches and additive systems. Fathom has equipment dedicated to sheet metal fabrication, including lasers, waterjet machines, 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.
Fathom provides not just sheet metal fabrication but also hybridized services that leverage sheet metal fabrication. Do you need sheet metal as part of a more complex project? Fathom can deliver. 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 has 3 US-based metal shops offering metal fabrication services, providing nationwide coverage to the entire United States. Fathom’s network includes advanced prototyping and manufacturing technologies including injection molding, CNC machining, chemical etching, metal 3D printing, and more. We have provided over 200,000 quotes to leading US companies and are ready to provide you with 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: Sheet metal shops provide a variety of manufacturing services to create parts from sheet metal, including laser cutting, welding, forming, punching, deburring, finishing and more.
A: National companies can quote local sheet metal projects by providing quotes online.
A: Fathom can provide a fast sheet metal fabrication quote within 1 to 24 hours through its SmartQuote online platform.
A: The cost of both sheet metal fabrication and 3D printing depend on the complexity of the part’s design, raw material selected, volume of parts and turnaround time.
Ready for a metal fabrication quote or to calculate costs on your next project? Use Fathom’s SmartQuote application to get started today.
