Last updated on February 5th, 2026 at 09:58 am
One thing that sets Approved Sheet Metal apart from other precision metal fabrication shops is our team’s extensive Design for Manufacturing (DFM) expertise.
We use our blog to share tips and tricks that have helped us achieve consistently excellent results when manufacturing customers’ parts. Today, we’re rounding up six sheet metal design blogs our readers have found the most useful in 2022. Be sure to bookmark this page!
Table of Contents
- 1 1. Use This Flange Formula for Sheet Metal Forming
- 2 2. 3 Tips for Designing a Custom Sheet Metal Part in SOLIDWORKS
- 3 3. 5 Best Practices for Precision Sheet Metal Fabrication Drawings
- 4 4. 7 Considerations for Spot Welding Precision Sheet Metal Parts
- 5 5. Are You Using the Right Bend Radius for Your Precision Sheet Metal Formed Part?
- 6 6. DFM Tip: Get Approved Sheet Metal’s Proprietary Formula for Designing Countersinks
1. Use This Flange Formula for Sheet Metal Forming
In custom sheet metal fabrication, a flange is a feature consisting of a face with a bend that connects to an existing face. Flanges can add strength to precision sheet metal parts and provide a more finished edge along a straight side of a part.
To ensure your precision sheet metal fabricator can make your parts correctly, we developed a formula that guarantees flanges will always be the right height.
2. 3 Tips for Designing a Custom Sheet Metal Part in SOLIDWORKS
While there are plenty of options for engineers seeking computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided engineering (CAE) software, our team has extensive real-world experience working in SOLIDWORKS and similar platforms.
The software has many capabilities, and through years of fabrication work, we’ve developed a handful of best practices that make designing custom sheet metal parts easier, faster, and more reliable.
3. 5 Best Practices for Precision Sheet Metal Fabrication Drawings
At Approved Sheet Metal, we know many of our customers need their parts ASAP, so we’re always finding ways to speed up the rapid sheet metal fabrication timeline.
We’ve successfully implemented many time-saving initiatives in our shop, such as offering same-day shipping for flat laser-cut sheet metal parts. However, there are also steps customers can take to expedite their precision sheet metal fabrication projects — one of the easiest is to provide comprehensive drawings.
4. 7 Considerations for Spot Welding Precision Sheet Metal Parts
Spot and seam welding are both standard assembly methods, but it’s important to consider which is right for your part. Our team recommends spot welding over seam welding whenever possible. Here are seven factors to consider.
5. Are You Using the Right Bend Radius for Your Precision Sheet Metal Formed Part?
When you need precision sheet metal parts fast, standard Design for Manufacturing (DFM) tips are your best friend. DFM advice helps ensure part designs are optimized for quick, accurate, and cost-effective fabrication.
Approved Sheet Metal published a free eBook filled with helpful DFM best practices, and this blog shares expert insights on bends and bend radii.
6. DFM Tip: Get Approved Sheet Metal’s Proprietary Formula for Designing Countersinks
Countersinks are conical holes cut or formed into precision sheet metal parts that allow hardware to sit flush with the material. Here’s everything you need to know about designing countersinks, including our proprietary formula for getting countersinks right every time.
If you found this design content useful, get in touch! Request a quote for sheet metal services today.
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