A Sheet Metal Enclosure turns flat material into a structure without any tooling investment, which is why it suits prototypes and volume equally well. The Sheet Metal Enclosure described here is built in 1 mm 304 stainless steel and brushing and developed for telecom cabinets. laser cutting, CNC bending, welding, hardware insertion and finishing is applied with tool life and the maintenance interval agreed before building starts.
The parts that matter most are the interfaces: bores, sealing faces, threads and mounting patterns. Those are held to ±0.2 mm, verified against the drawing, and recorded before anything is packed.
Specification
| Process | Laser cutting, cnc bending, welding, hardware insertion and finishing |
|---|---|
| Material / configuration | 1 mm 304 stainless steel and brushing |
| Size / capacity | leg lengths within 0.2 mm |
| Tolerance | ±0.2 mm |
| Surface finish | powder coated, anodised or brushed |
| Application | sheet metal enclosure for telecom cabinets |
| Inspection | Dimensional report, material certificate, first article report on request |
| Lead time | 7–15 working days for samples, 3–4 weeks for production |
| Minimum order | 1 piece for prototypes, from 50 pieces for production pricing |
Manufacturing process
The operation sequence is decided before the first chip is cut: roughing to leave even stock, semi-finishing, then laser cutting, CNC bending, welding, hardware insertion and finishing as the final operation. That order is what keeps ±0.2 mm stable as the batch runs and the machine warms up.
Material is purchased against a certificate and checked on receipt, so the composition is known before any cutting starts. Work in progress is identified by part number and operation, and the finished parts are deburred, cleaned and protected before they leave the machine area.
Typical applications
Most of the work supplied in this category falls into the following examples.
- Control cabinets and consoles.
- Machine guarding.
- Laboratory instrument cases.
- Telecom and server racks.
- Kiosk and vending bodies.
Quality control and documentation
Every batch is measured against the drawing with calibrated equipment, and results are recorded against the part number rather than kept on a scrap of paper.
Material certificates to EN 10204 3.1, dimensional reports and first article inspection reports are issued with the shipment where the application requires them. Calibration dates and measurement uncertainty are recorded alongside every result.
Ordering, lead time and packaging
Quotations are returned within one working day of a complete drawing package. Lead time is quoted from drawing approval, not from the date of enquiry.
Frequently asked questions
How is bend accuracy controlled?
By calculating the flat pattern from the material thickness and bend radius, then verifying the first part on the brake and adjusting the program before the batch runs.
Can machined features be added to sheet parts?
Yes. Tapped holes, countersinks and machined faces are added after bending where the tolerance requires it, usually on a machining centre with a dedicated fixture.
What file formats do you need for a quotation?
STEP or IGES for the 3D model and a PDF drawing with tolerances, material and surface finish called out. Native files from SolidWorks, Creo or Inventor are also accepted.
To discuss sheet metal enclosure requirements, send the model and the drawing with the quantities required. Feedback on manufacturability is given free of charge before any order is placed.
