Sheet Metal Fabrication Services Specifications

Help with Sheet Metal Fabrication Services specifications:

Capabilities

	Capabilities
	Your choices are...
	Shearing		A shearing machine cuts sheet metal by applying shear stress.  This process is used to cut large sheets of metal into smaller parts.
	Laser Cutting		Laser cutting machines use laser light to cut or etch holes or profiles.  Laser cutting machines are very precise programmable pieces of equipment.
	Bending / Forming		Bending and forming processes are used to shape the sheet metal to its final shape.
	Deburring / Graining		Deburring and graining processes are used to remove sharp edges, and to polish and buff the part for cosmetic purposes.
	EDM Machining		Wire electrical discharge machining (EDM) equipment is used to cut conductive materials using a thin electrode.  The electrode is a thin wire (typically .004"-.012") that follows a programmed path.  The wire does not physically contact the part.  It is charged to a certain level and surrounded by de-ionized water.  A spark is generated that jumps the gap and melts a small amount of material on the part.
	CNC Fabrication		Service company that fabricates sheet metal by the use of Computer Numeric Controls (CNC). CNC machines are fast, repeatable, and programmable. Machines are typically automated and unattended, making it possible to manufacture complex and simple parts efficiently.
	Punching		The process of punching holes in the sheet metal.
	Rolling		In the rolling process, a series of roll stands is used to progressively shape or bend a strip of flat-rolled metal to a desired cross section.
	Stamping		Stamping is the process of impressing surface definition and three-dimensional designs onto materials with pressurized tools and dies.
	Water / Abrasive Jet Cutting		Water jets and water abrasive jets rely on highly pressurized water (20,000 - 60,000 psi) flowing through a nozzle or "jewel" approximately 0.010" in diameter.  Advantages include almost no material heating during cutting, low side loads, and ability to achieve complex shapes and tight inside radii. Low fixturing costs and fast setup and programming times make this process very suitable for prototypes or short runs.  It is most widely used for two-dimensional cutting; three-dimensional machining is possible in specialty applications.
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Materials

	Materials
	Your choices are...
	Ferrous Metals		Broad category of metals for which iron is the primary constituent, including carbon and cold-rolled steels, stainless steel, etc.
	Nonferrous Metals		Metals and metal alloys such as brass, copper, aluminum, and nickel and their alloys.  Bronze, Inconel®, Monel® and other specialty alloys fall into this category.
	Exotic Metals and Alloys		Metals and their alloys with special properties and applications; include such materials as beryllium copper, beryllium nickel, niobium, tantalum, and titanium.
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Services

	Secondary Operations
	Your choices are...
	Assembly		Supplier services include assembly of components.
	Hardware / Fasteners		Supplier has capabilities to supply and integrate hardware such as handles, latches and threaded, self-clinching fasteners used to provide threads in sheet metal that is too thin or soft to be tapped (commonly referred to as PEM® inserts).
	Painting / Powder Coating		Application of decorative and/or protective finishes; coatings are typically thicker than plating or anodizing operations.
	Plating		Plating is a chemical process to add a decorative finish or protect from corrosion.  Plating processes include anodizing, black oxide, zinc, nickel, chrome, and chromate.
	Welding		Joining of metals and metal parts by melting and re-forming a metal bond between materials, with or without additional filler metal.
	Search Logic:		All products with ANY of the selected attributes will be returned as matches. Leaving all boxes unchecked will not limit the search criteria for this question; products with all attribute options will be returned as matches.
	Additional Services
	Your choices are...
	CAD / CAM Support		Vendor has the computer technology to receive solid model files electronically and use those files for part creation.
	Design Assistance		Supplier can assist with concepts, manufacturing costs, manufacturing techniques and material considerations. Supplier may also be able to assist in upgrading or redesigning, re-evaluating or modernizing existing products to increase performance and/or reduce manufacturing costs.
	Pattern Layout		Supplier can generate flat pattern layouts from a finished part drawing.
	Just-in-Time Capability		Supplier has Just-in-Time manufacturing capability of subassemblies / harnesses in order to reduce need for inventory maintenance.
	Prototype		Prototype or part will be used in actual functional testing.
	Short Run		Supplier has capabilities for providing low volume production.
	Production		Supplier has capabilities for providing high volume production.
	Search Logic:		All products with ANY of the selected attributes will be returned as matches. Leaving all boxes unchecked will not limit the search criteria for this question; products with all attribute options will be returned as matches.

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Location

	Your choices are...
	North America		Companies are located in the United States, Canada or Mexico.
	United States Only		Companies are located in the United States.
	Northeast US Only		Companies are located in the Northeast United States, namely Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont.
	Southern US Only		Companies are located in the Southern United States, namely Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington D.C., and West Virginia.
	Southwest US Only		Companies are located in the Southwest United States, namely Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah.
	Northwest US Only		Companies are located in the Northwest United States, namely Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming.
	Midwest US Only		Companies are located in the Midwest United States, namely Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
	Canada Only		Companies are located in Canada.
	South / Central America Only		Companies have facilities in South American countries such as Argentina, Brazil, or Chile; or in Central American countries such as Costa Rica, Honduras, Panama, etc.
	Europe Only		Companies are located in Europe, namely Germany, Ireland, Italy, United Kingdom, etc.
	South Asia Only		Companies are located in South Asia, namely India, Pakistan, Nepal, etc.
	Near East Only		Companies are located in the Near East, namely Egypt, Israel, Saudi Arabia, etc.
	East Asia / Pacific Only		Companies are located in East Asia, namely China, Japan, Taiwan, etc.
	Other		Other unlisted country or region.
	Search Logic:		Products with the selected attribute will be returned as matches. Leaving or selecting "No Preference" will not limit the search criteria for this question; products with all attribute options will be returned as matches.

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