4 Tips for Expediting Sheet Metal Prototypes (Updated for 2024)

Last updated on March 21st, 2024 at 09:25 am

Need your custom sheet metal part. . . yesterday?

If other shops are taking their sweet time, come to Approved Sheet Metal instead.

With our new facility and best-in-class equipment, we have 4x more capacity than before, which means even shorter lead times for rapid sheet metal prototypes.

Expediting custom sheet metal parts is our specialty. Our digitized quoting system allows for speedy RFQ processing so we can answer quotes in 4 hours or less. We also have a same-day rush service for flat laser cut sheet metal parts that arrive at your door within 24 hours of placing an order.

If you need your sheet metal prototype faster than ever, here are a few tips for expediting the process:

How to Get Your Sheet Metal Prototype Faster Than Ever

Tip #1: Choose in-stock material.

We can deliver sheet metal prototypes an average of 4 days faster when customers select an in-stock material.

Check out our Same Day Materials list to see which types of aluminum, steel, stainless steel, and galvanized steel we have on our shelf and ready to go.

Tip #2: Provide a CAD file.

3D CAD technology accelerates lead times on sheet metal prototypes by providing full visibility into the part, simplifying assemblies, and minimizing design ambiguities.

If you don’t have a CAD file yet, we can make one for you and deliver your part within a week. But if you want your part even faster, submitting a CAD file along with your RFQ will cut your lead time to just 3 days.

Tip #3: Choose mechanical fastening instead of welding.

In some ways, welding is a simpler solution than fastening —especially from a design perspective. But if lead time is your primary concern, mechanical fastening is the way to go.

Why? Because welding requires the skill set of certified technicians whose labor is highly in-demand. The in-depth inspection processes required for welding tend to be more time-consuming as well.

If you’re looking for quick and easy assembly or need to add strength to your sheet metal prototype, using hardware like screws, nuts, rivets, and rivnuts can save you considerable time.

Tip #4: Forego material finishing.

Post-processing and finishing operations inevitably add on to lead time, so look for opportunities to minimize these services.

If you need corrosion-resistance or cosmetic appeal, for example, we suggest using galvanized material or stainless steel instead of zinc plating to save on 3-5 extra days of processing. For demo parts that won’t be exposed to outside elements, we suggest skipping finishing altogether.

Ready to get your sheet metal prototype faster than ever? We’ve been known to turn formed parts around in as few as 24 hours, so send it our way! At Approved Sheet Metal, we’re committed to making your life easier however we possibly can.