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SHEET METAL
FABRICATION

Manufacturing Design Assistance

There are many parameters we must consider with any sheet metal fabrication project. Some of the fundamental considerations include:

• Product purpose
• Required product strength
• Product quantity demand
• Industry standards

As experts in sheet metal fabrication, we can handle just about any sheet metal fabrication job. That being said, we often work with our customers to change specifications, such as the shape, size, intricacy, materials and more to ensure the design is optimal for producing the end product. That’s why we offer manufacturing design assistance.

Laser Cutting

Laser cutting gets utilized in a wide range of sectors. Laser cutting involves the process of cutting materials using a high-power density laser beam. Laser cutting is a crucial process in sheet metal fabrication as it allows for initial shaping of parts and components.

Punching

Punching is a custom sheet metal fabrication process where a scrap slug is removed from the metal workpiece each time a punch enters the punching die. As a result, the metal workpiece now has a hole.

Material Graining

Material Graining is a method of gradually smoothing down the surface of the material being machined. Material graining can be done on a wide range of metals, parts and components.

Drilling – Countersinking – Tapping

Holes for flush fastener heads can be bored or drilled. Moreover, countersunk holes can be drilled into sheet metal pieces so that the fastening head is level with the metal surface. Finally, tapping drills create threaded holes in sheet metal items so that fasteners can be screwed in and inserted.

Forming

Forming is a sheet metal fabrication technique that includes processes like bending. Whereas cutting removes material from a sheet of metal, forming reshapes it to the appropriate contours. Furthermore, bending can be accomplished with press brakes or other bending machinery.

Hardware Insertion

To ensure hardware parts are inserted appropriately and effectively, we have in-house hardware insertion services. This allows us to ensure hardware insertion work is planned ahead and integrated optimally from the start of the project.

Mechanical Assembly

Our mechanical assembly services involve a range of processes that put your final product together. Sheet metal fabrication can involve many different details processes that in the end, must come together. Our mechanical assembly services ensure your final part is completed the way it was intended.

TIG, MIG & Spot Welding

Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding is a type of welding that employs a non-consumable tungsten electrode to supply electricity to the welding arc. Stainless steel components, thin gauge mild steel, and non-ferrous metals such as magnesium, copper and aluminum are common for TIG welding.

On the other hand, Metal Inert Gas (MIG) welding is an arc welding process in which a constant feed of solid wire electrode works at a fixed pace through a welding gun and into the welding pool. MIG welding gets used on various materials, including mild steel, stainless steel and aluminum.

Spot welding involves applying pressure and heat from an electric current to the weld region to join two or more metal sheets.

Welded Assemblies & Frames

As a sheet metal fabrication company, we leverage advanced production equipment and skills to fabricate assemblies and frames that integrate in-house machined parts, formed parts and welding methods.

Sheet Metal Fabrication Finishes

We leverage state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment and expert skills to offer a wide array of custom sheet metal fabrication finishing services, including the following:

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

Programming

The first step in the sheet metal fabrication process is to design the product that has to get created. With a design, we can better comprehend the breadth of the fabrication necessary. Moreover, we will help prepare the final blueprints, including the sheet metal product requirements used in the manufacturing process necessary to complete your job.

Punching or Laser Cutting (aka Blanking)

Essentially, large and thin metal sheets get cut to the desired length in this stage. This is often the first stage in sheet metal fabrication as it establishes the initial shapes to form the final product.

Deburring Operations

Deburring involves the clean-up of edges or material graining. Moreover, we can also utilize laser-cutting technologies to create holes with extreme precision.

Forming and Bending

With forming and bending, the sheet metal is bent at various angles and locations often using a press brake machine. Forming and bending will change the shape of a metal sheet according to the product’s specifications.

Hardware Installation or Fastening

After the sheet metal products have been formed, it is time to weld the elements into place in a structured manner. We offer hardware installation and fastening services as part of our overall sheet metal fabrication services. This allows us to handle a larger variety of sheet metal fabrication jobs, including those where fastening and installation of hardware is necessary.

Welding

Welding in sheet metal is used to seal the edges of bent parts. Prototek offers resistance spot welding (RSW), gas metal arc welding (MIG) and gas tungsten arc welding (TIG). The type of welding will vary for each individual project.

Inspection

The final product goes through a strict assessment to ensure that it is of the best quality. We offer CMM inspection services as well as first article and AQL inspections.