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MetalKeen fabricates custom stainless steel precision sheet metal components from 304 and 316L stainless steel. Using laser cutting, CNC press brake bending, TIG welding, and precision assembly, we produce enclosures, brackets, panels, chassis, and structural housings with tight tolerances and consistent quality for food processing, medical equipment, electronics, and industrial machinery.
Precision sheet metal components are parts fabricated from thin-gauge stainless steel sheet (typically 0.5 mm – 6 mm) through a combination of cutting, forming, joining, and finishing processes. Unlike heavy fabrication, sheet metal work emphasizes:
Tight dimensional tolerances — ±0.1 mm on bends; ±0.05 mm on hole patterns
Complex 3D geometries — Achieved through sequential bending and forming
Lightweight yet strong — Thin walls with stiffening ribs, hemmed edges, and gussets
Aesthetic and hygienic surfaces — Grain-matched finishes, welds ground flush, electropolish optional
MetalKeen specializes in custom low-to-medium volume production of stainless steel sheet metal parts engineered to your 3D models or drawings.
Table
Material | Grade | Thickness Range | Finish Options | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
304 Stainless Steel | ASTM A240 / EN 1.4301 | 0.5 – 6.0 mm | #4 brushed, #8 mirror, 2B mill, bead blast | General industrial, food equipment, architectural |
304L Stainless Steel | ASTM A240 / EN 1.4307 | 0.5 – 6.0 mm | Same as 304 | Welded assemblies; reduced sensitization risk |
316L Stainless Steel | ASTM A240 / EN 1.4404 | 0.5 – 6.0 mm | #4 brushed, EP, passivated | Marine, chemical, medical, pharmaceutical |
430 Stainless Steel | ASTM A240 / EN 1.4016 | 0.5 – 3.0 mm | BA finish, painted | Non-critical, magnetic applications; cost savings |
Galvanized Steel | DX51D / ASTM A653 | 0.6 – 3.0 mm | Zinc coated, painted | Non-corrosive environments; structural brackets |
Table
Process | Equipment / Method | Tolerance | Max Size |
|---|---|---|---|
Laser Cutting — Flat pattern | Fiber laser (up to 6 kW) | ±0.05 mm positioning | 3000 × 1500 mm sheet |
CNC Punching — Holes, louvers, embossments | Turret punch press | ±0.1 mm | 2500 × 1250 mm |
CNC Press Brake Bending — Angles, channels, boxes | Multi-axis press brake (up to 200 tons) | ±0.1 mm angle; ±0.2 mm leg length | 4000 mm bending length |
Roll Forming — Cylinders, cones, curved profiles | 3-roll and 4-roll bending | ±0.5 mm radius | 2000 mm width |
TIG Welding — Assembly of cut and bent parts | Manual and robotic GTAW | Weld bead controlled; minimal distortion | Unlimited (modular assembly) |
Spot / Resistance Welding — Lap joints, stud welding | Pneumatic spot welder | Consistent nugget size | Thickness up to 3+3 mm |
Hardware Insertion — PEM nuts, studs, standoffs | Hydraulic insertion press | Flush ±0.1 mm | M2 – M10 inserts |
Surface Finishing — Graining, polishing, coating | Belt sander, vibratory finisher, spray booth | Ra 0.2–1.6 μm | All sizes |
Table
Component | Description | Typical Features |
|---|---|---|
Enclosures & Cabinets — Electrical, control, and instrument housings | Folded and welded box structures with doors, panels, and mounting flanges | Seams welded and ground; gasket grooves; vent louvers; hinge mounts |
Brackets & Mounting Plates — Structural supports for equipment and piping | L-shaped, U-shaped, or complex multi-bend brackets | Slotted holes for adjustment; gussets for rigidity; tapped or clearance holes |
Panels & Faceplates — Front panels, switch plates, display bezels | Flat or slightly formed sheets with cutouts and graphics | Anodized or painted finish; engraved or laser-marked legends |
Chassis & Frames — Equipment skeletons and subframes | Welded assemblies of bent sheet and machined brackets | Precision hole patterns for PCB or module mounting; grounding tabs |
Guards & Shields — Safety covers, splash guards, heat shields | Perforated or solid sheet formed to contour | Quick-release fasteners; viewing windows; interlock brackets |
Trays & Baskets — Processing, cleaning, and sterilization containers | Wire-reinforced or solid-sheet welded baskets | Perforated drainage; stacking flanges; electropolished for hygiene |
Ducting & Hoods — Exhaust, fume, and ventilation components | Folded and seam-welded rectangular or round ducting | Flanged ends; access doors; filter mounting frames |
Table
Finish | Process | Appearance | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
2B Mill Finish — Cold-rolled, annealed, pickled | As-rolled from mill | Smooth, slightly reflective grey | Hidden components; cost-sensitive parts |
#4 Brushed Finish — Belt sanding with 120–180 grit | Unidirectional abrasive belt | Satin, hairline grain | Food equipment; architectural; visible panels |
#8 Mirror Finish — Progressive polishing to 800+ grit | Buffing and polishing compounds | Highly reflective, mirror-like | Decorative; pharmaceutical; cleanroom |
Bead Blast — Glass bead or ceramic media | Pressure blast cabinet | Uniform matte, non-directional | Medical; aesthetic hides fingerprints |
Electropolish — Electrolytic surface removal | Immersion in electrolytic bath | Bright, smooth, chromium-enriched | Hygienic; pharmaceutical; easy cleaning |
Passivation — Nitric or citric acid treatment | Immersion or spray | No visible change; improved corrosion resistance | All welded 316L parts; marine applications |
Powder Coat / Paint — Electrostatic spray + bake | Primer + topcoat | Color-matched, durable | Non-stainless parts; branding colors |
Table
Industry | Component Examples | Material / Finish |
|---|---|---|
Food & Beverage — Processing equipment, packaging machinery | Guards, trays, chutes, hopper liners, control enclosures | 304 #4 brushed; electropolish; FDA-compliant |
Pharmaceutical & Medical — Device housings, sterilization carts, lab furniture | Instrument enclosures, wire baskets, splash shields | 316L EP; bead blast; passivated |
Electronics & Electrical — Control panels, server racks, EV charging stations | Chassis, faceplates, heat sinks, cable management brackets | 304 #4; powder-coated galvanized; grounded |
Semiconductor — Cleanroom equipment, gas panel enclosures | Mini-enclosures, bracketry, gas line supports | 316L EP; cleanroom packaged |
Marine & Offshore — Boat fittings, deck hardware, pump housings | Brackets, guards, covers, ventilation ducting | 316L; passivated; salt-spray resistant |
Industrial Machinery — Conveyors, presses, automation equipment | Machine guards, operator stations, pneumatic enclosures | 304 #4; robust weld construction |
Architectural & Retail — Store fixtures, signage, elevator interiors | Decorative panels, trim, display frames | 304 #8 mirror; #4 brushed; PVD colored |
Table
Inspection | Method | Standard | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
Dimensional Inspection — First article and in-process | CMM, height gauge, calipers, gauges | ISO 9013 | Verify bend angles, hole positions, overall fit |
Visual Weld Inspection — All welded joints | Magnification; weld gauges | AWS D1.6 / ISO 5817 | Detect cracks, porosity, undercut |
Surface Roughness — When specified | Contact profilometer | ISO 4287 | Confirm brushed or polished finish Ra |
Material Verification — PMI spot check | XRF spectrometer | ASTM E415 | Confirm 304 or 316L grade |
Assembly Fit Check — Functional verification | Fixture or mating part | Customer drawing | Ensure hardware alignment and door clearances |
✅ Full In-House Capability — Laser cutting, bending, welding, and finishing under one roof
✅ 304 & 316L Expertise — Material selection guidance for corrosion and hygiene requirements
✅ Tight Tolerance Bending — CNC press brakes with angle correction and backgauge precision
✅ Clean Weld Aesthetics — TIG welds ground and blended for visible food and medical equipment
✅ Hygienic Finishes — Electropolishing and passivation for pharmaceutical and food compliance
✅ Low-to-Medium Volume — Ideal for custom machinery, prototypes, and specialized equipment
✅ Drawing-to-Part — Accept STEP, IGES, SolidWorks, DXF, and PDF drawings
Q1: What is the difference between sheet metal fabrication and machining? Sheet metal fabrication starts with flat sheet stock that is cut, bent, and formed into 3D shapes. It is ideal for hollow or shell-like structures (enclosures, brackets, ducts) with thin walls (0.5–6 mm). Machining starts from solid block or bar and removes material with cutters. It is better for solid, thick, or highly complex 3D parts. MetalKeen offers both capabilities and can advise which process is more cost-effective for your geometry.
Q2: What thickness range can you fabricate in stainless steel sheet metal? We fabricate stainless steel sheet metal components from 0.5 mm to 6.0 mm thickness. Below 0.5 mm, parts become difficult to weld without distortion. Above 6.0 mm, the material is better suited to plate fabrication or machining. The most common thicknesses for precision components are 1.0 mm, 1.5 mm, 2.0 mm, and 3.0 mm.
Q3: Can you achieve tight tolerances on bent sheet metal parts? Yes. Our CNC press brakes with precision backgauges achieve ±0.1 mm on bend angles and ±0.2 mm on flange lengths for typical components. For critical applications (e.g., semiconductor chassis or medical enclosures), we can hold ±0.05 mm on hole patterns and ±0.5° on bend angles through first-article inspection and in-process adjustment.
Q4: What stainless steel grade should I choose for my sheet metal component? For general industrial, food, and architectural applications, 304 stainless steel is cost-effective and corrosion-resistant in most environments. For marine, chemical, pharmaceutical, or medical applications exposed to chlorides or requiring sterilization, 316L stainless steel is essential. We provide material selection guidance based on your operating environment and regulatory requirements.
Q5: Do you provide welded assemblies, or only cut-and-bent parts? We provide complete welded assemblies including multi-piece chassis, enclosures with internal brackets, and structural frames. Our TIG welding ensures clean, strong joints with minimal distortion. Welds can be ground flush and blended for aesthetic or hygienic requirements, and all welded 316L assemblies are pickled and passivated to restore corrosion resistance.
Q6: What file formats do you accept for sheet metal quotations? We accept 3D CAD files (STEP, IGES, SolidWorks, Parasolid), 2D manufacturing drawings (PDF, DWG, DXF), and even hand sketches with dimensions. For sheet metal parts, a flat-pattern DXF is helpful but not required — we can generate the flat pattern from your 3D model using specialized unfolding software.
Q7: What is the typical lead time for custom stainless steel sheet metal components? Prototype quantities (1–10 pieces) typically ship in 1–2 weeks. Small production runs (50–500 pieces) require 2–4 weeks depending on complexity and finishing requirements. Lead times for electropolished or mirror-finished medical/pharmaceutical parts may extend by 1 additional week. Expedited turnaround is available for urgent projects.
