Chinese
DMG 5-axis and rows of 3-axis CNC in a 5,000 m² Chang'an base
Dongguan · Chang'anIn-house + partnersPrototypesLow volumeMass production
CNC machiningUrethane / vacuum castingSheet metal fabrication3D printing
English-speaking salesSource ↗
PR-06 · Process hubs
Sheet metal fabrication 钣金
Flat metal sheets are laser-cut and folded into cases, brackets and frames, like metal origami.
- Typical lead time (how long it takes)
- 5–10 days
- Typical cost
- Low setup cost. Price is driven by cutting time, bends, welding and finish.
- Minimum order (MOQ: the smallest order a shop will accept)
- 1 piece
- Best for
- Enclosures, chassis, brackets and panels, from one piece to production
What is it?
Sheet metal fabrication turns flat sheets of steel, stainless steel or aluminum into 3D parts. A laser cuts the flat shape, a press brake (a machine that folds metal along a straight line) bends it, and pieces can be welded or fastened together. Think of it as metal origami, used for cases, brackets and frames.
Design tips (DFM: designing so it's easy to make)
- 01Use one sheet thickness per part where possible
- 02Keep bend radii and flange lengths within the shop's tooling
- 03Keep holes away from bend lines
- 04Specify powder coat colour or plating, and PEM inserts
Shops for this process
Chinese
Silver contacts and electrical contact assemblies, riveted or welded in the mold
Dongguan · FenggangMakes in-housePrototypesLow volumeMass production
Metal stampingCNC machiningSheet metal fabricationInjection molding
English-speaking salesSource ↗
Sino-British founders (CEO Vader Yu and James Murphy) and English-speaking project managers
Shenzhen · Bao'anMakes in-housePrototypesLow volumeMass production
CNC machining3D printingUrethane / vacuum castingSheet metal fabrication
English-speaking salesSource ↗
Chinese
Five-axis machining, including a new 800 mm-travel five-axis centre
Shenzhen · Bao'anMakes in-housePrototypesLow volumeMass production
CNC machiningSheet metal fabricationSurface finishingFactory
English-speaking salesSource ↗
Chinese
Automotive white-body stamping prototypes and full-size show-car models
Shenzhen · Bao'anMakes in-housePrototypesLow volume
Rapid prototyping (multi-process)CNC machiningSheet metal fabricationMetal stamping
English-speaking salesSource ↗
Kaierwo
凯尔沃New-energy prototypes: battery packs, charger housings, inverters, cooling modules
Shenzhen · GuangmingMakes in-housePrototypesLow volumeMass production
Rapid prototyping (multi-process)CNC machiningUrethane / vacuum casting3D printing
English-speaking salesSource ↗
Instant online PCB quotes, prototypes from US$5 for 10 boards
Shenzhen · Bao'anMakes in-housePrototypesLow volume
PCB fabricationPCB assembly (SMT/PCBA)CNC machining3D printing
English online orderingSource ↗
English-speaking NPI partner for startups, builds from 5 units
Shenzhen · LonghuaPartner networkPrototypesLow volumeMass production
PCB assembly (SMT/PCBA)Injection moldingSheet metal fabricationCNC machining
English-speaking salesSource ↗
Chinese
Instant online quotes with automated DFM feedback for mechanical parts
Shenzhen · Bao'anIn-house + partnersPrototypesLow volumeMass production
CNC machiningInjection moldingSheet metal fabrication3D printing
English online orderingSource ↗
Get 3 quotes
Get 3 quotes: Sheet metal fabrication
Describe the part once. We send it to up to 3 shops that fit, and they quote you directly.
5 guides
Guides & articles
Everything we've written about Sheet metal fabrication, starting with the basics.
Start here10 min
What is sheet metal fabrication? A plain-English guide
How flat metal sheets are cut, bent and joined into brackets, chassis and enclosures, which materials to use, what it costs, and how to get sheet metal parts made in Shenzhen. Written for first-timers.
→
01Design · 9 minDesigning a sheet-metal enclosure
Practical design rules for a first sheet-metal enclosure, explained in plain words. Bends, flanges, holes, hardware, vents, grounding and finishing, so your first quote comes back without surprises.
02Basics · 9 minWhat is anodizing? A plain-English guide
How anodizing works, why it looks and wears the way it does, the difference between Type II and hard anodizing, and how to order anodized parts in Shenzhen. Written for first-timers.
03Choosing · 8 minAnodizing vs powder coating vs painting
Three common ways to finish a part, compared in plain words. What each one is, which materials it works on, how it looks and wears, and how to choose for your product.
04Design · 7 minTolerances explained for first-timers
What "±0.05 mm" means, why tighter tolerances cost more, and how to decide which features of your part actually need them.
Common questions
Sheet metal or CNC?
Sheet metal is cheaper for thin, box-like parts; CNC suits thick or complex solid parts.
Can they do finishing too?
Most shops arrange powder coating, plating and silk-screen locally.