Step
Requirement & Reference Study
Fit, function, materials and constraints defined before any geometry is drawn.
Sheet Metal Design Services
Sheet metal design that your fabricator can cut and bend without guessing.
Sheet metal parts and assemblies modeled in SolidWorks with real bend allowances, correctly developed flat patterns, and fabrication-ready DXF files, not just a folded solid that looks right on screen.
Clear scope, editable files, practical handoff
The service page explains the risk it solves, the deliverables included and the workflow used to reach a production-ready result.
Where this usually goes wrong
Sheet metal problems usually surface at the powdercoater or the laser table: a flat pattern that does not match the bent part, a bend allowance that was guessed instead of calculated for the actual material and tooling, a DXF that needs to be redrawn by hand before it can be cut.
What you get
- Sheet metal part modeling with correct bend allowances for your material and process
- Flat pattern development with accurate unfolded geometry
- Fabrication-ready DXF and DWG files for laser, punch or CNC cutting
- Sheet metal assembly design with tabs, fasteners and joining features
- Dimensioned bend drawings with tolerance callouts
- Bill of materials for multi-part sheet metal packages
How it works
A practical five step workflow.
Every stage produces a clear decision, review point or manufacturing deliverable.
Step
Concept CAD & DFM Review
Parametric modeling reviewed early for moldability, machinability and assembly.
Step
Detailed Modeling & Simulation
Full assemblies, tolerancing, and FEA/thermal validation where load or heat matter.
Step
Manufacturing Drawings & GD&T
Dimensioned packages, flat patterns, BOMs and tolerance callouts a supplier can quote.
Step
Prototype & Handoff
Prototypes confirm fit and function, then final files are packaged for production.
Proof, not promises
A related project example.
The portfolio example shows how the same engineering decisions appear in completed work.
Project 12
Countertop Convection Oven Assembly
A complete 19-sheet manufacturing package for a countertop convection oven, covering a powder-coated AISI 316 front panel, insulated food chamber, top, bottom and back insulation covers, an aluminum extrusion frame and a glass-and-steel door assembly, with every part released with flat pattern development and bend data across a 36-item BOM.
View portfolioCommon questions
Can you design directly for my fabricator's equipment and material?
Yes, bend allowances and tooling considerations are matched to the specific process and material your fabricator will actually use, not a generic default.
Do you provide DXF files ready for cutting, or only 3D models?
Both. Fabrication-ready DXF/DWG exports alongside the native 3D sheet metal model are standard for every project.
Can you convert an existing 3D solid into proper sheet metal features?
Yes, converting a solid body into a true parametric sheet metal part with correct bend lines and K-factor is a common request.
How many sheets or parts can a manufacturing package include?
Packages have ranged from single-part drawings to full multi-part assemblies with dozens of sheet metal components and a complete BOM.
Do you handle mixed assemblies with glass, extrusion or plastic alongside sheet metal?
Yes, sheet metal work is frequently part of a larger mixed-material assembly rather than an isolated part.
Related options
Services that commonly work together.
Use these pages to compare scope and deliverables before combining services into one project.
Discuss this service
Share the current design problem.
I’ll review the available information and suggest a practical first milestone.