Fathom delivers high-quality parts to its customers by using sheet metal fabrication technology. Whether your project is time-sensitive, high-precision, highly complex or short production run related, Fathom will meet your requirements.
When calculating the cost of a custom sheet metal job, consider the design, material, quantity ordered and turnaround time.
Custom sheet metal projects that call for complex geometric and intricate shapes with a high level of accuracy are possible. Certain sheet metal fabrication methods such as wire EDM make little to no contact with the raw material, making it possible to cut very precise intricate features. Quotes are often based upon whether an item is flat, formed, or drawn.
Fathom can assist you in selecting the best sheet metal material for your custom project. Sheet metal fabrication uses thin metal sheets to produce parts. Common materials for sheet fabrication include aluminum, stainless steel, brass, copper and bronze.
The volume of parts required also factors into the cost of a sheet metal job. To reduce costs, parts can be stacked during cutting, which helps save time. Quotes are based on the amount of time needed on the cutting machine to yield a complete part.
Fathom offers a rapid turnaround time thanks to an all-in-one approach to manufacturing. Our team can fulfill every customer need throughout the sheet metal fabrication process from design to fabrication to finishing and assembly. By eliminating the need to outsource another supplier, you save both time and money.
Fiber laser cutting uses laser diodes transmitted through optical fibers to create desired cuts in the raw material. Laser cutting machines make their cuts within an enclosure using no mechanical components. The enclosure decreases the risk to the machine operator while also producing less noise. Fiber laser cutting uses a high-power output and high-intensity level, making it a very efficient manufacturing process.
Water jet cutting uses a high-pressure pump which forces water through a nozzle to make precise cuts. The cut is facilitated by the balance of volume and velocity. To create abrasive water cuts, an abrasive substance is mixed with water. Both the water and abrasive media can be recycled and reused, which helps to increase energy efficiency while reducing costs.
Micro water jet cutting uses the manufacturing capabilities of water jet cutting to produce parts on a micro-level. Water jet cutting’s high-level of accuracy is what allows Fathom to produce tiny and complex parts.
The wire EDM process submerges a metal piece into a dielectric bath where a charged thin metal wire uses electrical sparks to melt the material and make cuts. The spark’s voltage jumps the gap from the wire to the workpiece which causes the material to melt. The metal wire never contacts the workpiece. The dielectric fluid is used to control the sparks, cool and flush away excess material.
A blanked or coiled piece of sheet metal is placed in a press where the stamping tool is pressed onto the material. The stamping tool or die contains the desired shape of the part. Stamping may involve punching, blanking, bending, drawing, embossing and more.
Sheet metal is loaded onto a flatbed where a laser cutter draws pre-programmed parts onto the material. To add additional features to the part, a sheet metal punch may be used. The part is deburred and then moved to a press brake where it is shaped further.
Photochemical machining, chemical milling, or acid etching may all be used during prototype etching. Material is selectively removed by using baths of temperature-controlled etching chemicals. Chemical etching is ideal for prototyping because of its shorter lead time and inexpensive tooling.
Production etching may use photochemical machining or chemical milling to produce parts with high precision and intricacies. Production etching is perfect for transitioning prototypes into production because it is fast, cost-effective and offers great design flexibility.
During laser cutting, a high-powered laser beam is used to cut the workpiece. A gas, liquid, or solid-state laser cutting technique may be used. CO2 lasers use a gas state laser using a mixture of carbon dioxide to make cuts. Solid state lasers use laser diodes transmitted through optical fibers to create cuts.
CNC punching machines move raw material in a 2-axis direction, positioning it beneath a punching ram. While under the punching ram, a hole or form is punched into the sheet metal. CNC punch press machines can have one head and tool rail design or a multi-turret design
Trust Fathom with your sheet metal fabrication needs. Laser cutting, water jet cutting, Microcut™ and photochemical machining are just a few of the services offered by Fathom. In addition, Fathom also offers post-processing services such as welding, deburring, bead blasting and more. Sheet metal prototyping is just one of 28 manufacturing services offered by Fathom
Post processing and finishing can improve the overall quality of a part while also ensuring the part meets design specifications. To customize or finish a part, smoothing or painting are often required. Fathom offers all of these services in-house or can outsource to one of our strategic partners.
Fathom’s welding team uses heat and pressure to fuse two or more parts together. Welding services include arc welding, metal inert gas (MIG), tungsten inert gas (TIG), resistance spot welding, laser welding and oxyfuel welding and cutting.
As part of Fathom’s complete sheet metal fabrication program, we offer hardware installation services. Whether a project a low or high volume of parts, Fathom can ensure great quality and efficiency.
Fathom offers sanding and grinding services. Grinding adds any desired cosmetic surface and can also remove weld. Sanding deburrs and removes scratches from parts after they have been punched or laser cut.
Liquid painting is a finishing process suitable for projects where powder coating cannot be used. Liquid painting can result in a professional finish, corrosion resistance, custom colors and more.
The sheet metal part is covered with an even coating of powder and then cured. After the part has cured, it has a professional finish that can be matte, smooth, textured and more. Fathom has a variety of different powder coating finishes to choose from.
Sheet metal parts can be screen printed in a variety of different finishes and colors. Fathom can also add a design of your choice to your custom part.
Assembly and kitting can be performed in-house by the Fathom team. Services include hardware installation, manual or automated processes and more. Fathom will ensure your finished part meets your exact specifications.
Fathom has strategic partnerships and with key suppliers of heat treating, plating and powder coating who meet our standards for both quality and speed. As part of the Fathom Manufacturing Platform, Incodema has access to a robust nationwide network of comprehensive additive and advanced manufacturing. Fathom Manufacturing’s extensive certifications include ISO 9001:2015, ISO 9001:2015 Design, ISO 13485:2016, AS9100:2016, NIST 800-171 and ITAR.
After the fabrication process CNC machining is sometimes required to complete a part. Fathom has in-house CNC machining centers that can add post-mill features to sheet metal parts, allowing us to successfully manufacture parts within time constraints.
Fathom’s team of engineers and master tool makers can deliver creative tooling solutions for your formed parts. We specialize in complex bending and precision and are not intimidated by challenging design features. Our capabilities include intricate EDM tooling, waterjet cut tools and robust CNC machined tooling.
Our experts understand that attention to detail is critical to the manufacturing process. We can uniformly remove laser dross, mechanical burrs, harps or other surface imperfections using our in-house deburring and finishing operations. Our finishing process include hand sanding, automated deburring, tumbling and more.
Standard lead times are below, but 24hr expedite options are available.
| Parts | Delivery time |
|---|---|
| 1-50 flat part pieces | 2 days |
| 50-1,000 flat part pieces | 5-7 days |
| 1-500 formed parts | 6-8 days |
| 1-5 drawn part pieces | 10-15 days |
| 4 slide tooled parts | 4-6 weeks |
Fathom’s manufacturing facilities include over 530 machines, such as mills, lathes, presses, press brakes, turret punches and additive systems. Fathom has equipment dedicated to sheet metal fabrication, including lasers, waterjet machines, finishing tools, autodeburring, 4 slide machines, multi-slide machines, press brakes, 300-ton presses, 22-ton presses, wire EDM machines, seely slide forming tools and 35-ton blanking presses.
Fathom provides not just sheet metal fabrication but also hybridized services leveraging sheet metal processes. Need sheet metal fabrication as part of a more complex project? Fathom can handle it. A recent case study is listed below where Fathom delivered 20,000 parts in 27 days using 55+ tools, including metal prototype fabrication services:
A customer came to Fathom with a complex project that spanned the technologies and processes of rapid production—and needed it done fast. Fathom delivered.
55+ Tools to Injection
Mold 15,000 Parts
First Article in 2 Weeks
3,000+ 3D
Printed Parts
2,000+ Metal
Fabricated Parts
3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing—PolyJet, SLS, MJF.
DFM Analysis + CAD Mods.
CNC Machining. Laser Cutting.
Stamping. Die Cutting. Post-Opp Drilling.
24-hour Turnaround Urethane Casting.
Injection + Compression Molding.
Model Finishing. Insert Assembly.
Advanced Project Management.
Fathom has 3 US-based locations that offer sheet metal fabrication, offering nationwide coverage to the entire United States. Fathom’s advanced prototyping and manufacturing services include injection molding, CNC machining, chemical etching, metal 3D printing, and more. We have provided over 200,000 quotes to leading US companies and are ready to provide you with a quote today.
Locations include:
COLORADO
7770 Washington Street
Denver, CO 80229
ISO 9001:2015
ITAR
NEW YORK
1920 Slaterville Road
Ithaca, NY 14850
ITAR
401 W. Shore Boulevard
Newark, NY 14513
ISO 9001:2015
AS910:2016
ITAR
A: Yes, Fathom offers metal prototype fabrication.
A: Metal prototype manufacturing is creating a sample or “rough draft” part that can be used to test the form and function before mass production.
A: Fathom’s certifications include ISO 9001:2015, ISO 9001:2015 Design, and ISO 13485:2016. For site-specific certifications, please visit https://fathommfg.com/fathom-manufacturing-certifications.
A: Yes, Fathom is ITAR certified. For site-specific certifications, please visit https://fathommfg.com/fathom-manufacturing-certifications.
A: Yes, Fathom is AS9100:2016. For site-specific certifications, please visit https://fathommfg.com/fathom-manufacturing-certifications.
A: Yes, Fathom’s certifications include NIST 800-171. For site-specific certifications, please visit https://fathommfg.com/fathom-manufacturing-certifications.
A: Yes, Fathom offers 24 hour expedite sheet metal fabrication services.
A: To calculate sheet metal fabrication prices, consider the quantity ordered, design, raw material and turnaround time.
A: Use Fathom’s SmartQuote program to receive a sheet metal quote in as fast as 1 hour, usually within 24 hours.
A: The cost of both sheet metal fabrication and 3D printing largely depends on the design of the part, quantity ordered, raw material, turnaround time and more.
Ready to get a quote or calculate costs on your next sheet metal project? Use Fathom’s SmartQuote application for a fast quote.
Precision manufacturing
from coast to coast.
HEADQUARTERS //
1050 Walnut Ridge Drive
Hartland, WI 53029
877-328-4668
ARIZONA
444 W. 21st St. Ste. 101
Tempe, AZ 85282
480-966-2300
CALIFORNIA
46758 Lakeview Blvd
Fremont, CA 94538
COLORADO
7770 Washington St.
Denver, CO 80229
303-288-6855
ILLINOIS
1207 Adams Drive
McHenry, IL 60051
815-385-7500
1401 Brummel Ave
Elk Grove, IL 60007
847-952-8088
MINNESOTA
13758 Johnson Street NE
Ham Lake, MN 55304
763-755-7575
NEW YORK
1920 Slaterville Rd.
Ithaca, NY 14850
607-277-7070
401 W. Shore Blvd.
Newark, NY 14513
315-331-7680
TEXAS
1513 Sam Bass Rd.
Round Rock, TX 78660
512-255-1477
