PARTS IN  1-3 DAYS

QUICK-TURN RAPID SHEET METAL SERVICES

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 rapid sheet metal service

Expertise and quality are paramount. With more than three decades of experience in rapid commercial sheet metal services, 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

Rapid Sheet Metal Services – Working with PROTOTEK

Deep capabilities in commercial sheet metal and machining – design, rapid sheet metal, manufacturing, finishing, and even complex 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 rapid sheet metal 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

Guide to Rapid Sheet Metal Services

Sheet metal fabrication is a subtractive manufacturing technique that uses thin metal sheets to create parts. Sheet metal parts are popular because they are versatile and durable. With advances in technology, it is possible to complete sheet metal fabrication projects faster than ever before. In fact, sheet metal is often used for rapid prototyping because of its versatility and efficiency.

What is Rapid Sheet Metal Fabrication

Sheet metal fabrication refers to a collection of operations that use sheet metal to construct parts or finished products. Sheet metal fabrication is extremely versatile and can be used with many techniques and kinds of sheet metal. Rapid sheet metal services enable a quick turnaround on sheet metal projects and are often used to create rapid sheet metal prototypes.

What is Rapid Prototyping

The rapid manufacture of a physical item, model or assembly utilizing 3D computer aided design (CAD) is known as rapid prototyping.

Rapid prototyping has a variety of advantages, including the ability to get a more full view of how a product will look or perform early in the design and production cycle, allowing adjustments or upgrades to be incorporated sooner.

Rapid Sheet Metal Services

Sheet metal is a versatile material that can be fabricated using many techniques, including…

  • Laser Cutting and Punching

    Laser cutters work by concentrating light energy into a laser beam and augmenting it with gas to cut sheet metal. Unlike punches, the sheet remains fixed as the laser head moves in the X, Y and Z axes. Lasers can also be used to etch part numbers and labelling. Laser cutters are more accurate and produce a smoother edge.

    Punching is a machining method for scrap metal removal from a sheet of raw metal. A punch press is used to squeeze a tool through a sheet of raw metal. Punching is often less expensive and faster than laser cutting.

  • Material Graining

    Graining gives sheet metal pieces a consistent surface finish by grinding the metal with a belt grinder.

  • Drilling, Countersinking and Tapping

    Drilling creates higher-quality holes that can be used in thicker materials. Thread-tapping and countersinking are frequently done after that. Thread tapping creates threads inside the drilled hole, allowing for the eventual creation of a bolted link. Countersinking a drilled hole removes the sharp edge and creates a bevel as well as a recess (deep bevel) for a blind bolt head.

  • Forming and Bending

    Cold working activities such as metal bending and shaping allow the sheet metal to be shaped to configurations that allow for creation of the optimal parts.

  • Hardware Insertion

    Sheet metal pieces with hardware insertions provide higher depth for load bearing threads. Hardware insertion uses existing holes generated by high-precision tools such as a laser cutter or a waterjet cutter, which improves fastener placement accuracy.

  • Mechanical Assembly

    Describes the process of assembling sheet metal project components on an assembly line, as well as the end result.

  • TIG, MIG, Spot Welding and Weld Grinding

    Welding is a fabrication method that involves fusing two or more pieces of sheet metal together using heat, pressure, or both to join them as the pieces cool. MIG welding is the fastest option, but the results do not appear as smooth as TIG welding.
    Spot welding is a method of joining two or more pieces of sheet metal by applying pressure and heat to the weld region using an electric current. Weld grinding is a crucial step in many sheet metal production processes that entails removing excess weld metal in a clean and effective manner.

  • Welded Assemblies and Frames

    Sheet metal can be used to create complete welded assemblies and frames for large rapid sheet metal fabrication projects.

The best techniques to use will depend on the specific details of your rapid sheet metal project. Rapid sheet metal prototyping often requires the use of more than one technique.

Common Rapid Sheet Metal Finishing Services

Sheet metal can be finished with different techniques and materials depending on the aesthetic and functional needs of your project.

  • Powder Coating

    Powder coating is a dry coating procedure that is mostly used as a metal finish. Not all materials can withstand powder coating, but most sheet metals can. An electrostatic method is used to apply the powder coating as a dry powder, which is subsequently cured using heat. Powder coating is possible on aluminum, bronze, copper, brass, titanium and steel (including stainless, galvanized, anodized and e-coat).

  • Painting

    Painting is a good option for materials that can’t withstand heat and projects that don’t need to be as durable. There is also a wider color selection available with paint. It may also be less expensive and result in a thinner coating.

  • Chemical Agent Resistant Coating

    Chemical Agent Resistant Coating is a type of paint used to defend military vehicles from chemical and biological weapons.

  • Silk Screening

    Silk-screening (also known as serigraphy) involves applying paint to a specially prepared portion of metal using fine polyester mesh and a squeegee or blade.

  • Laser Engraving

    A laser is used to engrave the sheet metal with a design or identifying mark for manufacturing.

  • Chem Film

    Alodine, often known as chem film, is a chemical conversion coating intended to protect aluminum sheet metal from corrosion.

  • Anodizing

    Anodizing is an electrochemical technique that involves immersing aluminum in a liquid bath and passing an electric current through it. This causes a chemical reaction, thickening the oxide layer on the aluminum’s surface.

  • Black Oxide

    Black Oxide, often known as blackening, is the process of chemically changing the top layer of a sheet metal made of ferrous substance, turning it black and adding durability.

  • Bead Blasting

    Bead blasting is the process of impacting a round spherical material against a part’s surface to provide a more consistent finish caused by the sphere hitting the surface.

  • Tumbling

    Tumble finishing is a method of smoothing and polishing a rough surface on small parts.

Materials Used in Rapid Sheet Metal Services

Rapid Sheet Metal Materials Grade / Alloy Max. Sheet 
Material Thickness
 (in) Heat Treatable Tensile Strength (Ultimate, PSI) Fatigue Strength (PSI) Hardness (Brinell) Machinability (AISI Rating)
Rapid Sheet Metal Materials 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-H14 0.190 No 18000 7200 32 360%
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

Sheet metal services are popular because of their adaptability, durability and precision, making them excellent for a wide range of projects from prototypes to parts. Projects can be completed quickly, making rapid sheet metal prototypes a top choice for many. To learn more about rapid sheet metal services, 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
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Midwest Prototyping a Prototek Company
1100 W 120th Ave #100
Westminster, CO 80234
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Prototek
900 Cheyenne Ave.
Grafton, WI 53024
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Midwest Prototyping a Prototek Company
10949 Blackhawk Dr
Blue Mounds, WI 53517
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Prototype Solutions Group a Prototek Company
1621 Indianhead Drive
Menomonie, WI 54751
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Prototek
205 Pine St.
Contoocook, NH 03229
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Prototek
244 Burnham Intervale Rd.
Contoocook, NH 03229
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ProtoCAM A Prototek Company
6620 Grant Way
Allentown, PA 18106
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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.