SHEET METAL FABRICATION

DESIGN FOR MANUFACTURING

EBOOK

HEMS & OFFSETS

NOTCHES & TABS
CORNERS & WELDING
UNIFORM THICKNESS AND MORE!

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Sheet Metal Part Design for Manufacturing

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Uniform Wall Thickness 3

Bends 4

Offsets 5

Hems 6

Holes & Slots 7

Notches & Tabs 8

Countersinks 9

Corners & Welding 10

Approved Sheet Metal 11

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Sheet Metal Part Design for Manufacturing

UNIFORM WALL THICKNESS

Sheet metal parts are manufactured from a single sheet of metal, each sheet has a uniform
thickness throughout the material. Approved Sheet Metal manufactures sheet metal parts
with a minimum of 0.010 in. to 0.25 in. in thickness.

Alternatives include cutting shapes completely through the material, or post machining
the material to the desired shape.

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Sheet Metal Part Design for Manufacturing

BENDS
Bending sheet metal parts is a process that is completed by utilizing press brakes and
our very skilled press brake operators. At Approved Sheet Metal, we are able to hold
tolerances of +/- 1 degree on most bend angles. The ideal bend radius on formed parts is
0.030 in., this ensures that you are able to get consistant, quality parts that will maintain
solid structural integrity.

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Sheet Metal Part Design for Manufacturing

OFFSETS
Offset height tolerance is +/- 0.012 in. top of sheet / top of form. The ideal offset radius is
0.030 in. Approved Sheet Metal is able to offer non-standard offsets to parts, but there
will be addionial costs associated.

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Sheet Metal Part Design for Manufacturing

HEMS
Hems are often used when designers require a rounded edge on a sheet metal part.
Approved Sheet Metal can fabricate parts with both open and closed hems. Hem return
length should be a minimum of 4X the material thickness in length.

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Sheet Metal Part Design for Manufacturing

HOLES & SLOTS

To avoid distortion, holes and slots should be a minimum of 4X the material thickness
away from the outside edge. You may add a slot close to the bend if a kerf cut has been
applied to the edge (see figure A)

Material that is 0.036 in. or thinner - The hole should be 0.062 in. from the material edge.

Material that is thicker than 0.036 in. - The hole should be at least 0.125 in. from the
material edge.

Figure A

Figure B

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Sheet Metal Part Design for Manufacturing

NOTCHES & TABS

Notches must be at least the material’s thickness or 0.04 in., whichever is greater. They
should be no longer than 5X its width. Tabs must be at least 2X the material’s thickness
or 0.126 in., whichever is greater, and can be no longer than 5X its width.

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Sheet Metal Part Design for Manufacturing

COUNTERSINKS
There are two ways to apply countersinks to a part, with machining and material forming.

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Sheet Metal Part Design for Manufacturing

CORNERS & WELDING

Proper technique on corners that need to be welded is necessary to reduce cost and
increase overall strength of the corners. Approved Sheet Metal will always reprogram
corners that need to be welded to ensure customers receive the best possible welds.

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Sheet Metal Part Design for Manufacturing

ABOUT APPROVED SHEET METAL

Take your product development process to the next level by leveraging our 30+ years of
sheet metal fabrication experience. Approved Sheet Metal (ASM) will fabricate a single
prototype all the way to low volume production quantities in the thousands. Our rapid
sheet metal services utilize state-of-the-art software, seasoned employees and top-of-
the-line equipment to get parts out the door fast and right the first time.

Formed in 2020, Approved Sheet Metal was built by leaders in the sheet metal fabrication
industry. We leverage technology to get parts quoted, fabricated and delivered faster
than anyone. We are dedicated to our craft and we are proud to be making parts in the
U.S.A

We don’t just get it, we get it done.

Contact us today for more information about our capabilities.

Contact Approved Sheet Metal

Web: https://www.approvedsheetmetal.com/

Email: info@approvedsheetmetal.com

Phone: (603) 883-1510

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