Sheet Metal Fabrication eBook
Sheet Metal Design Guidelines eBook [Download]
Our sheet metal design for manufacturing eBook is an essential guide for anyone looking to design parts that can be manufactured faster with less back and forth. This ebook provides an overview of best practices in sheet metal design of features and common design elements, including hems, offset, notches & tabs, welding, corners, uniform thickness, and more. If you're a sheet metal designer, this eBook is an essential resource for you.
SOLIDWORKS Tech Tip Videos
Our estimators bring decades of combined experience in metal fabrication, with deep roots in both hands-on shop work and advanced design practices. With extensive knowledge of SOLIDWORKS and other CAD tools, they work closely with customers to demonstrate how sheet metal parts are designed for efficient fabrication. Whether it’s helping engineers reduce costs, avoid common pitfalls, or streamline production, our team is dedicated to creating a smooth, cost-effective, and frictionless fabrication process.
Sheet Metal CAD Tooling Library
Say goodbye to the tedious process of designing basic sheet metal features from scratch. Our 3D tooling library empowers mechanical engineers and product developers to accelerate their design process by providing pre-designed tooling options. Focus on the creative aspect of your projects and deliver exceptional results faster.
Charts and Reference Sheets
Sheet Metal Bend Gains Chart [Download]
At Approved Sheet Metal, we aim to make your life (and ours!) easier. We created our own custom sheet metal bend gains chart so engineers and metal fabricators can always be on the same page. This information is our secret sauce, but we’re happy to share it with you.
Sheet Metal Hardware Hole Sizes [Download]
Approved Sheet Metal is always looking for ways to improve the customer experience, so we created a handy hardware hole sizes chart for product developers to reference when designing custom sheet metal parts. We recommend using this chart for your drawings so that we can get your hardware inserted correctly the first time.
Sheet Metal Hardware Reference Sheet [Download]
Engineers commonly default to using steel hardware for their custom sheet metal parts—and it’s easy to understand why. Steel hardware is the cheapest and most ubiquitous option. If you have a steel part or a part that will be powder coated or zinc plated, steel hardware is a viable solution that will definitely save you some money. When you’re dealing with certain materials or processes, standard steel hardware can actually be detrimental to your parts.
Sheet Metal Design Centric Blogs
Custom Sheet Metal Cabinets: Design and Fabrication Choices for Ideal Performance
ASM’s Guide to Fabricating Sheet Metal Kiosks
Editing the Sheet Metal Default Bend Radius, Bend Allowance, Bend Deduction, or Relief Type in SOLIDWORKS
When Design Meets Reality: Tackling Unachievable Tolerances in Sheet Metal Fabrication
Bookmark These Top 5 Sheet Metal Design Formulas (Updated for 2025)
Simplify, Consolidate, Save: 8 Key Benefits of Component Consolidation in Metal Fabrication
Copper vs. Aluminum Busbars: 8 Key Differences and How to Choose Which One Is Right for Your Application (Updated for 2025)
Mastering Sheet Metal Fabricated Covers: Design Tips and Fabrication Insights from Approved Sheet Metal (Updated for 2025)
How to Design Corrosion Resistant Sheet Metal Parts (Updated for 2025)
