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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Want to Cut Lead Times in Half for Sheet Metal Prototypes? Provide a 3D CAD File (Updated for 2025)
Did you know that 3D CAD technology can cut lead times on sheet metal prototypes by up to 50%? As a sheet ...
4 Tips for Expediting Sheet Metal Prototypes (Updated for 2026)
Need your custom sheet metal part… yesterday? If other shops are taking their sweet time, Approved Sheet Metal ...
Deep Forming Considerations for Sheet Metal Fabrication (Updated for 2026)
When forming deep sheet metal boxes, one of the biggest challenges is press brake tooling clearance. A part ...
Sheet Metal Fabrication Finishing Options: Plating vs. Powder Coating (Updated for 2026)
Metal finishing is an important part of custom sheet metal fabrication because the finish can affect corrosion resistance, ...
Welding vs. Fastening: Choosing the Right Assembly Method for Your Sheet Metal Fabrication (Updated for 2026)
Sheet metal fabrication often involves assembling multiple components into a larger part or finished assembly. At Approved Sheet ...
How to Create Sheet Metal Offset Bends Without Custom Tooling (Updated for 2026)
How to Create Sheet Metal Offsets without Custom Tooling To determine whether you need dedicated offset tooling for ...
Use Rivnuts For Stronger, Removable Fittings for Sheet Metal Fabrication (Updated for 2026)
When you're assembling a series of industrial sheet metal components, it's important to use fasteners that provide strong, ...
Flat Sheet Metal Parts Delivered to Your Door the Same Day You Order Them (Updated for 2025)
In a jam with that trade show right around the corner? Itching to see your design transformed into a ...
New Capability: Stainless Steel Tubular Frames for the Medical Industry (Updated for 2025)
Customers in the medical device industry have long trusted Approved Sheet Metal to fabricate chassis, covers, custom medical carts, enclosures, and more. Now, ...
High-Power Fiber Laser Technology Means Better and Faster Sheet Metal Fabrication Delivery (Updated for 2026)
Fiber laser cutting has become a core process in modern sheet metal fabrication because it combines high cutting ...
Choose the Right Material to Speed Up Lead Time for Precision Sheet Metal Parts (Updated for 2026)
In sheet metal fabrication, material selection has a direct impact on lead time. Availability, finishing requirements, formability, and ...
3 Expert Weldment Techniques for Sheet Metal Fabrication (Updated for 2026)
Welded sheet metal assemblies can combine multiple laser-cut and formed components into larger enclosures, frames, brackets, cabinets, and ...
Approved Sheet Metal Acquires Nashua Fabrication, Expanding Sheet Metal Fabrication Capabilities
HUDSON, NH - June 1, 2022: Approved Sheet Metal, a leading sheet metal fabrication company based in Hudson, ...
Is Bridge Production Right for Your Sheet Metal Parts? (Updated for 2026)
Are delays in tooling slowing down your entire production line? When you're under pressure to cut costs and ...
The Importance of Accurate Hardware Hole Sizes (Updated for 2026)
Incorrect hardware mounting-hole sizes are one of the easiest ways to create problems during sheet metal assembly and ...
Need a Quick Quote? Include These 5 Details in Your RFQ (Updated for 2025)
How to Get a Sheet Metal Part RFQ FAQ At Approved Sheet Metal, we love having the opportunity ...
The Benefits of Louvers in Your Sheet Metal Parts (Updated for 2026)
Louvers are formed features built directly into sheet metal to create an opening while leaving a raised portion ...
Silk-Screening for Sheet Metal Parts (Updated for 2026)
If you're looking to enhance an enclosure, panel, or part, take advantage of Approved Sheet Metal's silk-screening services. ...
ASM in Action: Notching, Tabbing, and Rolling a Complex Part (Updated for 2025)
We recently completed a project that's just too exciting to keep to ourselves. Our end customer asked us ...
4 Reasons ASM Excels at Sheet Metal Prototyping (Updated for 2026)
Have you been burned by a metal fabrication shop before? You're not alone. Maybe you were in the ...