At Approved Sheet Metal, weldments represent one of the most critical ways we help customers transform ideas into functional, durable assemblies. Whether it’s a precision medical enclosure, a telecommunications frame, or a structural support for an industrial application, weldments demand expertise across cutting, forming, welding, and inspection.
Our ability to handle everything in-house, from RFQ to final shipment, sets us apart from other metal fabrication companies and provides our customers with both confidence and speed. When you work with a true partner for custom metal fabrication, you can count on predictable quality, reduced lead times, and peace of mind.
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From RFQ to Final Inspection: The Weldment Process
The process of producing a weldment at ASM begins long before the first arc is struck. Every project starts with a detailed RFQ review, where our engineering and estimating teams carefully evaluate drawings, 3D CAD files, and welding requirements.
This is the stage where we identify potential manufacturability concerns, such as tight tolerances that may shift after welding or joints that may be inaccessible once formed. By providing fast design for manufacturing feedback, we save customers from costly rework and delays.
Once these details are resolved, our team prepares a comprehensive quote that accounts for material, cutting, forming, welding, finishing, and inspection. We also provide realistic lead times based on our shop capacity, ensuring our customers know exactly what to expect. This proactive communication is one reason why so many companies trust Approved Sheet Metal for critical weldment projects.
When a purchase order is issued, the project moves into engineering release. Here, we finalize CAD/CAM for laser cutting, create flat patterns for formed parts, and generate weldment assembly drawings complete with weld symbols and callouts. Our engineering team develops detailed work instructions, ensuring every operator in the process understands the sequence from cutting to final assembly.
Material procurement follows, with our purchasing department sourcing sheet, plate, or tube stock that meets the exact specifications required. For industries such as aerospace, defense, and medical, we provide full traceability with certifications and documentation, further highlighting our capability as a top-tier fabrication company.
Advanced Welding Capabilities at ASM
At the heart of our weldment capabilities is our range of welding processes, which we select based on material, thickness, appearance requirements, and production volume.
TIG welding is our go-to method for stainless steel, aluminum, and thin-gauge parts that demand exceptional cosmetic finish. TIG’s precise control over heat input minimizes warping, making it ideal for custom stainless steel fabrication and custom aluminum fabrication projects in industries like medical and aerospace.
For thicker materials and structural parts, we choose MIG welding, which offers speed and strength, making it cost-efficient for load-bearing assemblies. Spot welding provides a fast, reliable way to join overlapping sheet metal panels, particularly for enclosures and housings. In select cases, such as watertight tanks or ducts, seam welding is employed for continuous, airtight joints.
By offering multiple techniques under one roof, ASM ensures that every weldment is built using the process that delivers the best balance of performance, appearance, and cost.
| Welding Method | Best For | Why ASM Chooses It | Example ASM Applications |
| TIG (GTAW) | Stainless steel, aluminum, thin-gauge materials, cosmetic welds | Precise heat control, clean finish, minimal spatter, reduced distortion | Stainless enclosures, aluminum guards, thin-wall precision frames |
| MIG (GMAW) | Mild steel, thicker gauge (10 ga+), structural parts | High deposition rate, strong welds, cost-efficient for heavier materials | Structural frames, brackets, base assemblies |
| Spot Welding (RSW) | Overlapping sheet metal joints | Fast, consistent, no filler metal, minimal distortion | Electrical enclosures, HVAC housings, cabinet shells |
| Seam Welding | Long, continuous, leak-tight joints | Airtight/watertight welds for rolled or formed assemblies | Stainless tanks, ductwork seams |
Post-weld processing further enhances part quality. Our team grinds or finishes welds when specified, and we can provide stress relief or heat treatment when required. Before parts move to finishing, surfaces are cleaned or sandblasted to ensure coatings or plating adhere properly. Many projects call for outside services such as powder coating, plating, passivation, or anodizing, and we coordinate these steps seamlessly to prevent delays.
Once finishing is complete, every weldment undergoes final inspection. Dimensional accuracy is verified with CMMs or calibrated hand tools, while welds are examined visually and, if required, documented with inspection reports and certifications. The process concludes with careful packaging and labeling to protect finishes and ensure easy identification on the customer’s production floor.
Why Customers Choose ASM for Weldments
Our customers benefit from this structured, ISO-compliant workflow in tangible ways. Having all fabrication processes from cutting to welding to inspection handled in-house reduces reliance on third parties, which shortens lead times and eliminates unnecessary handoffs.
For companies searching for sheet metal shops nearby that can deliver large or complex weldments quickly, ASM’s breadth of equipment and expertise is a differentiator. We can handle small precision weldments as well as assemblies as large as eight to ten feet, giving customers the flexibility to partner with us across a wide range of projects. For those in fast-moving industries, our ability to provide sheet metal parts fast is critical to keeping production lines running smoothly.
Material selection also plays an important role in weldment fabrication, and ASM’s team has extensive experience working with a wide variety of alloys. Mild steel is often chosen for structural assemblies, offering strength and cost-effectiveness. Stainless steel is the preferred material for medical, food service, and cleanroom applications, thanks to its corrosion resistance and aesthetic appeal. Aluminum is frequently selected for lightweight yet strong weldments, especially in aerospace and telecommunications.
No matter the material, ASM’s ability to apply the right welding process, finishing technique, and inspection method ensures customers receive parts that meet both functional and cosmetic requirements.
Partner with ASM for Your Next Weldment Project
If you’re looking for a custom fabrication shop that can deliver weldments on time and to spec, whether it’s a single prototype or a large production run, ASM is ready to help. Contact us today to discuss your project and see why so many companies across industries rely on us for their fabrication services.