If you're looking for information on design for manufacturing (DFM) for sheet metal fabrication, you've come to the right place. Our blog is packed with articles on everything from how to design parts for manufacturability to tips on choosing the right material, weld type, hardware, and more for your project. Whether you're a design engineer or a buyer of custom sheet metal parts, we're sure you'll find something interesting here.
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Custom Sheet Metal Cabinets: Design and Fabrication Choices for Ideal Performance
When standard, off-the-shelf metal cabinets don't meet your size or feature requirements, custom sheet metal fabrication is the ...
The Benefits of Partnering With an ITAR-Registered Sheet Metal Fabricator
International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR) is a set of U.S. government regulations that control the export of ...
ASM’s Guide to Fabricating Sheet Metal Kiosks
Sheet metal kiosks are perfect for a wide array of applications, and these hardworking structures are nearly everywhere ...
Editing the Sheet Metal Default Bend Radius, Bend Allowance, Bend Deduction, or Relief Type in SOLIDWORKS
When designing sheet metal parts in SOLIDWORKS, understanding how to adjust key parameters like the Default Bend Radius, ...
Industry Spotlight: Sheet Metal Fabrication for the Telecommunications Industry
Telecommunications infrastructure forms the backbone of our digital world, enabling the instant global communication that billions rely on ...
Sticker Shock from Lot Charges? Explore 4 Smart Strategies to Manage Costs
In sheet metal fabrication, sometimes an RFQ for a seemingly simple part can return an unexpectedly high quote, ...
When Design Meets Reality: Tackling Unachievable Tolerances in Sheet Metal Fabrication
The ASM team has reviewed tens of thousands of sheet metal drawings over the years. Our experience allows ...
The Engineer’s Guide to Custom Tubular Frames
At the core of many industrial and commercial products lie tubular frames-structures designed to provide support, stability, and ...
Beyond Price: 5 Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Metal Fabricator
At Approved Sheet Metal, we take pride in offering competitive pricing. However, we know that there's more to ...
Choosing the Right Zinc Plating: Type I vs. Type II Explained
When it comes to protecting your metal parts, the choice of finish is crucial for both the functionality ...
From Design to Delivery: Best Practices to Prevent Rework in Metal Fabrication
At Approved Sheet Metal, we are often asked to rework parts for our customers, either because of a ...
Bookmark These Top 5 Sheet Metal Design Formulas (Updated for 2025)
At Approved Sheet Metal, we bring decades of expertise to custom sheet metal fabrication. A crucial aspect of ...
Top 3 Benefits of Using Copper in Custom Sheet Metal Fabrication
When you think about sheet metal fabrication, which metals come to mind? Most people think of aluminum and ...
A Guide to EMI/RFI Shielding in Custom Sheet Metal Fabrication
EMI/RFI shielding provides critical protection against electromagnetic and radio frequency interference for many electronics components and assemblies. Without ...
Industry Spotlight: Sheet Metal Fabrication for the Electronics Industry
Here at Approved Sheet Metal, we know how much the electronics industry relies on high-precision sheet metal parts. ...
Simplify, Consolidate, Save: 8 Key Benefits of Component Consolidation in Metal Fabrication
Here at ASM, we believe that efficient sheet metal fabrication starts with simplification. One way of streamlining the ...
Copper vs. Aluminum Busbars: 8 Key Differences and How to Choose Which One Is Right for Your Application (Updated for 2025)
While busbars have become the go-to option for electricity distribution across a range of industries, it can be ...
Mastering Sheet Metal Fabricated Covers: Design Tips and Fabrication Insights from Approved Sheet Metal
With all the metal enclosures we fabricate at Approved Sheet Metal (ASM), it's no surprise that we also ...
Top Certifications and Inspection Reports That Matter for Custom Precision Sheet Metal Part Buyers
A certificate or registration can speak volumes in precision sheet metal fabrication, assuring customers that a shop offers ...
How to Design Corrosion Resistant Sheet Metal Parts (Updated for 2025)
Corrosion occurs when environmental conditions trigger a chemical reaction that converts refined metal into its hydroxide, oxide, or ...