PARTS IN  1-3 DAYS

Quick-Turn Sheet Metal Fab

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 sheet metal fab service

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

Sheet Metal Fab – Working with PROTOTEK

Deep capabilities in commercial sheet metal and machining – design, sheet metal fab, 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 sheet metal fab 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 Prototek Sheet Metal Fab

Sheet metal fab, a common shortened term for “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. As a sheet metal fab shop, we employ multiple specialists and have a variety of machines for different purposes. During sheet metal fabrication, we often use multiple techniques simultaneously to create a finalized part.

What is Sheet Metal Fab?

Sheet metal fab is a group of processes that involve the use of sheet metal to create parts or completed products. Sheet metal manufacturing is incredibly adaptable, and it can be employed with a variety of processes and sheet metal types.

Services Offered at Our Sheet Metal Fab Shop

Because of sheet metal’s versatility, we use a variety of techniques to reach a final product. Some of those sheet metal fab services include the following:

  • Laser Cutting and Punching

    This involves cutting sheet 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 technique for removing scrap metal from a raw metal sheet. To squeeze a tool through a sheet of raw metal, a punch press is utilized. Punching is frequently less expensive and more efficient than laser cutting.

  • Material Graining

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

  • Drilling, Countersinking and Tapping

    Drilling produces holes of superior quality that can be used in thicker materials. Following that, thread-tapping and countersinking are usually performed. Thread tapping establishes a thread inside the drilled hole, which allows a bolted link to be created afterwards. A countersink removes the sharp edge of a drilled hole and generates a bevel as well as a recess (deep bevel) for a blind bolt head.

  • Forming and Bending

    Forming and bending are cold-working techniques to change the shape of sheet metal. The metal must be stretched beyond its elastic limit without cracking or splitting.

  • Hardware Insertion

    Higher depth for load bearing threads is provided by sheet metal components with hardware insertions. Fastener placement accuracy is improved by using existing holes created by high-precision instruments such as a laser cutter or a waterjet cutter.

  • Mechanical Assembly

    Mechanical assembly involves assembling sheet metal fab components together to complete the final part or product.

  • TIG, MIG, Spot Welding and Weld Grinding

    Welding is a fabrication technique which involves joining two or more sheets of metal together by heat, pressure, or both while they cool. The fastest alternative is MIG welding, although the results are not as smooth as TIG welding.

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

    Weld grinding is an important stage in many sheet metal fabrication processes because it involves removing extra weld metal in a safe and efficient manner.

  • Welded Assemblies and Frames Offered

    For big quick sheet metal fabrication projects, sheet metal can be used to build full welded assemblies and frames.

The best techniques to use will depend on the specific details of your sheet metal fab project. As a sheet metal fab shop, we can help you determine the best strategy for your particular needs.

Finishes Available for Our Sheet Metal Fab

Sheet metal fab can be finished with different materials and methods depending on the aesthetic and functional needs of your project. Those include:

  • Powder Coating

    Powder coating is a dry coating process that is mostly used to finish metal. Powder coating is not suitable for all sheet metal fab materials; however, it is suitable for most sheet metals. The powder coating is applied as a dry powder using an electrostatic process and then cured with heat.

  • Painting

    Painting is a good alternative for sheet metal fab projects that involve heat-sensitive materials and tasks that don’t require a lot of durability. With paint, you can choose from a greater range of colors.

  • Chemical Agent Resistant Coating

    Chemical Agent Resistant Coating is a form of paint that is used to protect military vehicles against chemical and biological weapons.

  • Silk Screening

    Silk-screening involves using thin polyester mesh and a squeegee or blade to apply paint on a properly prepared area of metal.

  • Laser Engraving

    In sheet metal fab, a laser is sometimes used to engrave a design or an identifying mark on the project after completion.

  • Chem Film

    Alodine, often known as chem film, is a corrosion-resistant chemical conversion coating for aluminum sheet metal.

  • Anodizing

    Anodizing is an electrochemical process in which aluminum is immersed in a liquid bath and an electric current is passed through it. The oxide layer on the aluminum’s surface thickens as a result of the chemical process.

  • Black Oxide

    Black Oxide 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 striking a round spherical substance against a sheet metal project’s surface to provide a more consistent finish.

  • Tumbling

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

Sheet Metal Fab Materials Available

Here are the materials available for sheet metal fab:

Sheet Metal Fab Material Grade / Alloy Max. Sheet 
Material Thickness
 (in) Heat Treatable Tensile Strength (Ultimate, PSI) Fatigue Strength (PSI) Hardness (Brinell) Machinability (AISI Rating)
Sheet Metal Fab 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-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 fab is popular due to its versatility, durability and precision, which makes it ideal for a variety of tasks ranging from prototypes to parts. Contact us today to learn more about our sheet metal fab services.

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
Directions

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.