PARTS IN  1-3 DAYS

QUICK-TURN METAL MANUFACTURING

We don’t have minimums, we deliver the best parts for your money, and meet your deadlines!

Every job is unique, and many require special considerations for materials, finishing, custom work, or urgent delivery – your commercial quote will be turned around by seasoned estimators who confirm all aspects of your job.

Amazing companies choose PROTOTEK for high-quality parts done fast!

Licenses, certifications
and real metal manufacturing service

Expertise and quality are paramount. With more than three decades of experience in commercial metal manufacturing, we’ve achieved a rich set of certifications and provide high-touch attention and service to every quote – and every job.

We engage with our customers to help them design better and more cost-effective parts. We want to be your one-stop shop for commercial sheet metal fabrication. Most of our business is from returning customers, and to achieve that, we strive to hit our customer’s deadlines across all project types.

ITAR Badge Prototek

sam certified

Prototek FAB 40 2020 award

Better Business Bureau Prototek

CA - ISO

NH - ISO

WI - ISO

D&B Number Prototek

AS9100 D Certified

Metal Manufacturing – Working with PROTOTEK

Deep capabilities in commercial sheet metal and machining – design, metal manufacturing, manufacturing, finishing, and even challenging assemblies.

What do we do?

  • Sheet Metal Parts & Assemblies in 1-3 Days
  • CNC Milled and Turned Parts in 1-3 Days
  • Additive Manufactured Parts in 1 – 3 Days
  • Expedited Jobs

About our fast, flexible, personalized service:

  • ISO-9001:2015 Certified, ITAR Registered
  • Quotes within 24 Hours
  • Contact us about our expedited services

Our metal manufacturing capabilities start below but they don’t stop there. Want to talk to someone about a job, upload a file for quote or call us now.

QUOTES WITHIN 24HRS

We accept these file types STP, PRT, IGS, DXF, STL, and more!

PARTS & ASSEMBLIES – ONE STOP SHOP

NO ORDER TOO SMALL

EXPEDITED PARTS IN 1-3 DAYS

Why Prototek?

PROTOTEK AS SEEN ON MANUFACTURING MARVELS®

Prototek's In-house Capabilities

Sheet Metal

  • Manufacturing Design Assistance
  • Laser Cutting - Punching
  • Material Graining
  • Drilling - Countersinking - Tapping
  • Forming - Bending
  • Hardware Insertion
  • Mechanical Assembly
  • TIG, MIG, Spot Welding & Weld Grinding
  • Welded Assemblies & Frames

Machining

  • Up to 5-Axis Milling
  • Horizontal & Vertical Milling
  • 9-Axis Mill-Turn
  • Turning
  • CNC Routing
  • Surface Grinding
  • Lapping & Polishing
  • Welding / Post-Weld Machining
  • Heli-Coils / Hardware Inserts

Cutting & Engraving

  • Wire & Sinker EDM Cutting
  • Waterjet Cutting
  • CO2 Laser
  • Fiberoptic

Quality Assurance

  • Quality Engineering Assistance
  • CMM Inspection Services
  • First Article and AQL Inspections
  • Compliance and Document Control

Plastic & Composite Fabrication

  • Plastic Thermoforming - Bending
  • Annealing
  • Cryogenic Deflashing & Deburring
  • Plastic Welding
  • Thermal, Adhesive, & Mechanical Bonding
  • Vapor Polishing
  • Radiological Film-Cutting Services

Assembly

  • Manufacturing Design Assistance
  • Tooling and Fixture Fabrication
  • Electro-Mechanical Services
  • Welded, Mechanical, & Small Parts Assembly
  • Wire Harnessing
  • Laser Cutting – Polymers & Metals
  • Insert Installation

Finishing

  • Powder Coating
  • Painting
  • Chemical Agent Resistant Coating
  • Silk Screening
  • Laser Engraving
  • Chem Film
  • Anodizing
  • Black Oxide
  • Bead Blasting
  • Tumbling

Additive Manufacturing

  • Laser Sintering
  • Multi Jet Fusion
  • Stereolithography
  • Digital Light Processing
  • Fused Filament Fabrication
  • Material Jetting
  • Cast Urethane

Prototek Metal Manufacturing 101

Metal manufacturing represents an overview of many metal fabrication processes. The process of fabricating parts and products out of raw metal materials is known as metal manufacturing. To make the final product, processes can include cutting, welding, machining, forming and assembling. Metal machining often requires multiple processes to be completed in tandem, so it’s helpful to find a metal machining facility that can complete multiple services.

Our Metal Manufacturing Services

Metal machining often requires multiple processes to be completed in tandem. That’s why our metal machining services involve handling multiple processes and requirements simultaneously. Our metal manufacturing services include the following:

  • Laser Cutting and Punching

    Laser cutters cut metal by focusing light energy into a laser beam and supplementing it with gas. The sheet remains fixed when the laser head travels in the X, Y and Z axes, unlike punches. Part numbers and labeling can also be etched with lasers. Laser cutters are more precise and generate a smoother edge than traditional cutters.

    Punching is a machining method for scrap metal removal from a raw metal sheet. A punch press is used to squeeze a tool through a sheet of raw metal.

  • Material Graining

    Graining is the process of grinding metal components with a belt grinder to achieve a consistent surface polish.

  • Drilling, Countersinking and Tapping

    Drilling produces a fully cylindrical hole with a smooth interior surface and no heat or mechanical strains on the hole’s surface. Thread tapping generates a tapping that allows for a bolted connection, which is more durable than welding. The sharp edge of a drilled hole is removed during countersinking, allowing for a smoother finish.

  • Forming and Bending

    Forming and bending are cold-working techniques to change the shape of metal. During this metal manufacturing process, metal must be stretched beyond its elastic limit without cracking or splitting.

  • Hardware Insertion

    PEM nuts, standoffs and studs are among the components that can be installed using hardware insertion services as part of the metal manufacturing process.

  • Mechanical Assembly

    This is the process of assembling metal components that may have been machined separately.

  • TIG, MIG, Spot Welding and Weld Grinding

    Welding is a metal manufacturing technique where sheets of metal are joined using heat, pressure, or both while they cool. The fastest method is MIG welding, although the results are not as smooth as TIG welding.

    Spot welding is a technique for uniting two or more pieces of metal using an electric current to impart pressure and heat to the weld zone.

    Weld grinding removes extra weld metal to complete the metal manufacturing process.

  • Welded Assemblies and Frames

    Metal manufacturing can be used to build full welded assemblies and frames.

Metal Manufacturing Materials We Use

Here are the materials available for metal manufacturing:

Metal Manufacturing Material Grade / Alloy Max. Sheet 
Material Thickness (in) Heat Treatable Tensile Strength (Ultimate, PSI) Fatigue Strength (PSI) Hardness (Brinell) Machinability (AISI Rating)
Metal Manufacturing Material Grade / Alloy Max. Sheet 
Material Thickness (in) Heat Treatable Tensile Strength (Ultimate, PSI) Fatigue Strength (PSI) Hardness (Brinell) Machinability (AISI Rating)
Aluminum 1100-0 0.190 No 13000 5000 23 360%
Aluminum 1100-H112 0.190 No 13000 4600 23 360%
Aluminum 2024-0 0.125 Yes 27000 13000 47 360%
Aluminum 2024-T3 0.190 Yes 63800 20000 120 360%
Aluminum 2024-T81 0.090 Yes 70300 19000 128 360%
Aluminum 3002-0 0.125 No N/A N/A N/A 360%
Aluminum 3003-0 0.800 No 16000 7300 28 360%
Aluminum 3003-H14 0.190 No 23000 8700 42 360%
Aluminum 3003-H22 0.250 No 20000 10000 37 360%
Aluminum 5005-H14 0.130 No 24000 9900 48 360%
Aluminum 5005-H34 0.130 No 23000 11000 43 360%
Aluminum 5052-H32 0.220 No 34000 17000 60 360%
Aluminum 5052-H34 0.125 No 37000 18000 68 360%
Aluminum 5083-H116 0.190 No 47000 23000 83 360%
Aluminum 5086-H116 0.190 No 44000 22000 81 360%
Aluminum 6061-0 0.190 Yes 19000 8800 33 360%
Aluminum 6061-T4 0.190 Yes 33000 14000 63 360%
Aluminum 6061-T6 0.190 Yes 45000 14000 93 360%
Aluminum 7075-0 0.190 Yes 35000 18000 59 360%
Aluminum 7075-T6 0.190 Yes 83000 23000 150 360%
Copper C11000 0.140 No 25000-29000 11000-17000 82-92 60%
Stainless Steel 301 0.125 Yes 85000-210000 31000-88000 190-440 N/A
Stainless Steel 304 0.250 Yes 84000-170000 30000-63000 170-360 40%
Stainless Steel 304L 0.250 Yes 78000-170000 25000-62000 160-350 40%
Stainless Steel 316 0.250 Yes 76000-170000 30000-63000 160-360 36%
Stainless Steel 316L 0.250 Yes 77000-170000 25000-65000 170-350 36%
Titanium 6AL-4V 0.125 Yes 131000 74000 334 22%
Titanium 6AL-4V ELI 0.125 Yes 125000 20300 326 22%
Titanium 3Al 2.5 0.171 No 89900 24700 256 N/A

Quality Assurance of Our Metal Manufacturing

Quality assurance is an important step of metal manufacturing to ensure your completed projects are safe, reliable, and up to compliance requirements. There are many different quality assurance standards that we follow and abide by as a metal manufacturer. Some of those include:

  • Quality Engineering Assistance

    Anodizing helps with reducing corrosion and enhancing your part with a more metallic look to your aluminum parts. It can reduce scratching, act as an electrical insulator and is also a very durable finish.

  • CMM Inspection Services

    Objects for products can be assessed for quality and measured using a CMM (coordinate measuring machine). It ensures precision by measuring an object’s dimensions and properties.

  • First Article and AQL Inspections

    First article inspection is the inspection of a few pieces from the start of the production run. The pieces are chosen at random and examined for any issues. This strategy is meant to prevent continuing production if there are any defects.

    AQL stands for ‘Acceptance Quality Limit,’ and it is defined in ISO 2859-1 as the “worst tolerable quality level.” It denotes the maximum number of faulty units that a batch can have before being discarded.

  • Compliance and Document Control

    Compliance and document control are a crucial part of our metal manufacturing operation. Industry compliance and document management practices must be followed to ensure quality operations.

Metal manufacturing has many applications, but it’s important to find a metal manufacturing shop that maintains high quality control standards. That’s why Prototek is the right choice for your metal manufacturing needs. If you’d like to learn more about our metal manufacturing, contact us today.

Prototek's Locations

Prototek
215 Devcon Dr.
San Jose, CA 95112
Directions

Sac EDM a Prototek Company
11341 Sunrise Park Dr.
Rancho Cordova, CA 95742
Directions

Midwest Prototyping a Prototek Company
1100 W 120th Ave #100
Westminster, CO 80234
Directions

Prototek
900 Cheyenne Ave.
Grafton, WI 53024
Directions

Midwest Prototyping a Prototek Company
10949 Blackhawk Dr
Blue Mounds, WI 53517
Directions

Prototype Solutions Group a Prototek Company
1621 Indianhead Drive
Menomonie, WI 54751
Directions

Prototek
205 Pine St.
Contoocook, NH 03229
Directions

Prototek
244 Burnham Intervale Rd.
Contoocook, NH 03229
Directions

ProtoCAM A Prototek Company
6620 Grant Way
Allentown, PA 18106
Directions

Prototek Trending Topics

Sheet Metal

CNC Machining

Additive Manufacturing

Frequently Asked Questions

Are you a broker or a manufacturer?

We are a full service sheet metal and machining manufacturer with four U.S. production facilities across the nation allowing us to deliver your high-quality parts FAST.

Does PROTOTEK manufacture in higher-volume quantities?

We focus on prototypes to low-volume production and can do larger runs. All our parts, from one – to 100 – to 1,000+ are always delivered with production-quality finish.

What are your payment terms?

PROTOTEK offers Net 30 payment terms for established customers with good credit.

What file formats are required or suggested for requesting a quote?

We accept .STP, .DWG, .IGS, .PDF, Parasolid files, and more.

What if I need help with my part design?

Our estimators are on hand to discuss your specific job needs. Our expert team can help you move your project smoothly through the design process and on to delivery.

If I do not have a CAD model, can you quote/fabricate my parts?

Yes, we can work directly from your drawings. Additional engineering charge (NRC) may apply depending on complexity.

How do I submit my NDA and other document requests?

Submit your NDA, Approved Vendor and other document requests to your sales rep or estimator.

How long is a quote valid?

Our quotes stand firm for 7 days from the date of issue.

How fast can I get my order?

Lead time for standard orders is 10 business days. Expediting options are available, including emergency service – down to as fast as 1-2 business days, depending on complexity of work and materials.