Are you looking for the best sheet metal factories in China to bring your project to life? Here’s a comparison of the top protolabs sheet metal factories, highlighting their capabilities, lead times, and what sets them apart. Let’s dive in and find the perfect fit for your needs. ### Laser Cutting and Precision Both Protolabs and their network partners in China offer advanced laser cutting capabilities, ensuring precise cuts in various sheet metal materials. With tolerances as tight as ±0.1 mm

Protolabs | Rapid Prototyping & On-demand Production Services

Online Custom Sheet Metal Fabrication Service

Sheet Metal Forming and Bending Service

Product Details: Protolabs’ sheet metal forming and bending service offers custom formed sheet metal parts for rapid prototyping and production. The process uses press brake forming, where a press brake machine bends flat sheet metal into the final shape using a punch and die. This method is suitable for creating parts with U-bends, flanges, channels, and internal bends. The service includes automated design for manufacturability (DFM) feedback to improve part quality. Lead times for qualifying formed parts can be as fast as three days. The service is certified with ISO 9001:2015 and ITAR Registered. Materials available include various types of aluminum, stainless

steel, mild steel, and copper, with thicknesses ranging from 0.01 in. to 1 in.[5]

Pros:
– Rapid prototyping and production with lead times as fast as three days
– Automated design for manufacturability (DFM) feedback to improve part quality
– Precise part positioning and repeatability using CNC controllers
– Wide range of materials available, including aluminum, stainless steel, mild ste…
– Certified with ISO 9001:2015 and ITAR Registered for quality assurance

Cons:
– Formed parts made out of Aluminum 6061-T6 require manual review and are not conf…
– Bending capabilities vary based on material thickness, which may limit design fl…

Protolabs Network | On-demand manufacturing for custom parts

Product Details: Protolabs Network, formerly known as Hubs, offers a wide range of manufacturing capabilities including CNC machining, 3D printing, sheet metal fabrication, and injection molding. The platform provides instant quoting, competitive prices, and lead times as short as 1 business day. It supports both prototyping and low-volume production with tolerances down to ±0.020 mm (±0.001 in) for CNC machining and ±0.3 mm (±0.012 in) for 3D printing. The service includes a Design for Manufacturability (DFM) tool to optimize designs, team accounts for collaborative work, and a rigorous quality management system that is ISO-9001 certified. Protolabs Network also handles customs clearance and

provides essential documentation like CMM dimensional reports and Certificates of Conformance.

Pros:
– Broad range of manufacturing capabilities including CNC machining, 3D printing,…
– Instant quoting with competitive prices and lead times as short as 1 business da…
– Support for both prototyping and low-volume production with high precision toler…
– DFM tool to optimize designs and reduce costs and lead times.
– Team accounts for collaborative work and streamlined order management.
– ISO-9001 certified quality management system ensuring consistent quality.
– Handling of customs clearance and provision of essential documentation.
– Global network of manufacturing partners providing virtually limitless capacity…

Cons:
– Users need to create separate accounts for ordering on the Protolabs and Protola…
– Some features and platforms are still in the process of integration, which may c…
– Users may need to quote parts separately through protolabs.com and hubs.com depe…

Manufacturing Locations

Product Details: Protolabs offers a range of manufacturing services including CNC Machining, Injection Moulding, 3D Printing, and Sheet Metal Fabrication. For CNC Machining, they provide rapid prototyping and production with over 100 CNC machines and 40+ materials, delivering parts in as little as 1 day. Injection Moulding services include plastic and liquid silicone rubber moulding, with parts available in 1-15 working days. 3D Printing services cover various additive technologies, and Sheet Metal Fabrication offers quick-turn production with multiple finishing options.

Pros:
– Fast and reliable delivery with parts available in as little as 1 day
– Comprehensive design for manufacturability (DFM) analysis to optimize part desig…
– Infinite manufacturing capacity through a global network of manufacturers
– Wide range of materials and finishing options available
– Free technical consultation and design feedback from in-house experts
– European production and support to eliminate overseas risks
– Cost-efficient production at higher volumes

Cons:
– Tighter tolerances may not be selectable for quick-turn options, but available t…
– Limited mould life for prototype injection moulding (guaranteed for at least 2,0…
– Higher part prices for prototyping compared to on-demand manufacturing

Sheet Metal Assemblies

Product Details: Protolabs offers custom sheet metal fabrication services, including laser cutting, forming, and bending. The process uses high-power laser beams for cutting and press brake machines for forming. Materials available include aluminum (5052, 5754), stainless steel (304, 316L), mild steel (1018), and copper (C110). The service provides tolerances down to ±.00787’’ (0.2mm) for cutting features and ± 1.0° for bend angles. Surface finishes such as bead blasting, brushing, anodizing, powder coating, and black oxide coating are also available. Lead times start from 5 business days, with some services delivering parts in as fast as 1-3 days.

Pros:
– Fast turnaround times, with parts delivered in as fast as 1-3 days
– Advanced surface finishes to enhance part properties
– High precision with tolerances down to ±.00787’’ (0.2mm)
– Automated design for manufacturability (DFM) feedback
– Quality certifications: ISO 9001:2015 and ITAR registered
– Expansive capacity with over 200 machines
– Technical expertise and design guidance from engineering team

Cons:
– Material thickness limitations (1-6mm depending on material)
– Manual review required for certain materials like Aluminum 6061-T6
– Potential for higher costs due to advanced technology and quick turnaround

Compare Sheet Metal Materials | An Interactive Tool

Sheet Metal Fabrication | Finishing Options

Manufacturing Materials | Plastic, Metal, Elastomer, & LSR

Design for Sheet Metal Fabrication Toolkit

Product Details: The Design for Sheet Metal Fabrication Toolkit provided by Protolabs is a comprehensive resource designed to optimize part design for sheet metal fabrication. It includes a free 30-minute virtual design review with a sheet metal applications engineer to discuss manufacturability, cost, and quality. The toolkit offers automated design analysis on CAD models to highlight features that can be adjusted for better manufacturability. Key design considerations include minimum flange lengths, bend radii, integrating hardware, and working with sheet metal tolerances. The toolkit also covers specific guidelines for material types such as aluminum, copper, CRS, galvanized, galvanneal, and stainless steel, with detailed

tables for minimum flange lengths based on material thickness and bend radius[1].

Pros:
– Accelerates production time and reduces costs throughout the product lifecycle
– Provides automated design analysis for manufacturability feedback
– Offers free 30-minute virtual design review with a sheet metal applications engi…
– Includes detailed design guidelines for various material types
– Helps in optimizing part design for cost, quality, assembly, and manufacturabili…

Cons:
– Requires adherence to specific design guidelines and tolerances
– Complex features may require additional tooling and lead time
– Internal radii greater than 1 inch may require ‘bump’ forming, resulting in mult…
– Material and bend radius limitations can restrict design flexibility

Comparison Table

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What sheet metal fabrication services are offered by Protolabs in China?

Protolabs in China offers a wide range of sheet metal fabrication services, including laser cutting, punching, and bending. These processes allow for precise cuts, the formation of specific shapes and patterns, and the creation of linear bends on metal sheets. Additional services include welding, machining, and various surface treatments like powder coating, zinc plating, and polishing.

What materials can I use for sheet metal fabrication with Protolabs in China?

You can choose from a variety of materials for your sheet metal fabrication needs, including stainless steel (201/304/316), aluminum alloys, and different types of sheet metal (SPCC, SECC). This range of materials ensures you can select the best option for your specific project requirements.

How quickly can I get my sheet metal parts from Protolabs in China?

Protolabs is known for its quick turnaround times. You can receive quality sheet metal parts in as fast as 5 business days. For urgent needs, some services even offer lead times as short as one day, making it ideal for both prototyping and production.

What kind of tolerances can I expect from Protolabs’ sheet metal fabrication in China?

Protolabs ensures high precision in their sheet metal fabrication. You can expect tolerances down to ±0.1 mm (±0.004 in), which is suitable for most engineering and manufacturing applications. This level of precision is maintained through the use of advanced machinery and strict quality control measures.

Are there any special considerations for ordering parts around Chinese New Year?

Yes, it’s important to plan ahead when ordering parts around Chinese New Year. All factories in China are closed during this period, typically between early to mid-February. To avoid delays and secure standard prices, it’s recommended to place your orders before mid-December to ensure timely delivery.