Sheet Metal Design Checklist Before Quoting
Use this sheet metal design checklist to prepare drawings before requesting laser cutting, bending, welding, hardware insertion, or enclosure fabrication quotes.
A sheet metal quote should check material, thickness, bend radius, flange length, hole spacing, bend relief, hardware, welds, finish, flat pattern, and inspection requirements before production starts.
Design for bending before quoting
Most sheet metal quote problems come from bend geometry, hole spacing, flange length, and missing flat pattern information.
- ✓Avoid holes too close to bends.
- ✓Define internal bend radius.
- ✓Check flange length against tooling.
Finishing affects tolerances and cost
Powder coating, anodizing, plating, brushing, and painting can affect final dimensions and cosmetic acceptance. Include finish details in the RFQ.
- ✓Specify finish type and color.
- ✓Call out masked areas.
- ✓Define cosmetic inspection expectations.
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FAQ
Should I send STEP or DXF?
Send both if possible. STEP helps 3D review and DXF helps flat pattern quoting.
What causes sheet metal quote delays?
Missing material thickness, bend details, finish notes, hardware specs, or flat pattern information.
Can DFocus support enclosures?
Yes. Sheet metal enclosures can include cutting, bending, PEM hardware, welding, and finishing.