--- title: Choosing the Right Sheet Metal for Your Stamped Metal Parts description: When choosing a sheet metal for your stamped metal components, consider factors such as material, size, design, and tolerance requirements. --- [![Exit](https://info.hudson-technologies.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/HudsonTechnologies_June2024/images/ico-exit.svg) ](https://info.hudson-technologies.com/blog/choosing-the-right-sheet-metal-for-your-manufactured-components#) This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. # Choosing the Right Sheet Metal for Your Stamped Metal Components Posted by John DeBone on February 08, 2021 10:57 pm Choosing the right sheet metal for your manufactured components is crucial in ensuring that your parts will perform optimally. To make sure you choose the correct sheet metal, it is important to consider factors such as material, size, design, and tolerance requirements as well as manufacturing and fabrication processes that the material will undergo. ## Material and Size There are many [metal and alloy options](https://www.hudson-technologies.com/materials) to choose from when selecting a sheet metal material. To ensure that you choose the appropriate material for your particular needs, it is important to ask the following questions: - What is the desired size of your component? - How strong does your component need to be? - Does the material need to be easy to work with in terms of weldability, ductility, tensile strength, and machinability? - What is the budget for your project? - Is your component going to be used in an application, such as automotive or aerospace, that requires an excellent strength-to-weight ratio? ## Design and Tolerance When choosing a sheet metal for your manufactured parts, it is necessary to consider design and tolerance requirements such as: - ![water jet cutting](https://info.hudson-technologies.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/AdobeStock_295620415-500x333.jpeg?width=242&height=161&name=AdobeStock_295620415-500x333.jpeg)Wall thickness - Bend allowance - K-factor - Orientation of holes and slots ## Manufacturing Processes Utilized The sheet metal you choose needs to be capable of withstanding the manufacturing processes that your component may undergo before completion. Some common manufacturing processes include: - **![laser cutting](https://info.hudson-technologies.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/AdobeStock_273517326-500x333.jpeg?width=288&height=192&name=AdobeStock_273517326-500x333.jpeg)Laser cutting.** Laser cutting is ideal for precision designs with tolerances up to +/-0.005″. - **Waterjet cutting.** Waterjet cutting uses a high-pressure jet of water containing abrasive particles to cut plates of metal up to 150mm thick. - Bending forms the metal by applying stress along an axis with the use of V-bend dies, goose-neck dies, U-bend dies, or others, depending on the sheet metal bending design considerations. - Machinists can form a hollow or curved surface by drawing the metal into a die using a mechanical punch. - Annealing involves heating the metal to a specific temperature for a fixed period then cooling slowly to change the microstructure. Annealing softens and improves the machinability of metal and provides enhanced electrical conductivity. ## Sheet Metal Part Manufacturer Processes Fabrication involves finishing corners and closing gaps to enhance or maintain the shape and integrity of the finished product. Techniques like welding, riveting, and brazing join the metal, although the process used will depend on the component’s material. Common welding techniques include: - **TIG welding. **Tungsten inert gas, or TIG welding, does not use filler metal. Instead, it uses a tungsten electrode in an inert atmosphere of argon or helium to achieve a strong, high-quality, precise weld that is environmentally friendly. - **MIG welding. **Metal inert gas, or MIG welding, is a cost-effective, fast, and clean option when compared to TIG welding. However, it is less reliable and more hazardous than TIG welding. - Brazing is a joining method used for aluminum and brass components. Knowing the differences between these processes is important as the one you choose will directly affect the final product as well as the cost. ## Design the Optimal Stamped Metal Component with the Recommended Sheet Metal Hudson Technologies has a long history of partnering with companies to design high-performance metal components. We routinely work with design engineers to create everything from single prototypes to large-scale production runs. For more information on our capabilities, [contact us today](https://info.hudson-technologies.com/lp-contact-us), and for more help on choosing the right sheet metal for your project, download our eBook, [Choosing the Right Material](https://info.hudson-technologies.com/lp-how-to-chose-the-right-materials?utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fhttps://www.hudson-technologies.com%2Febooks%2F). #### Recent Posts - [The Advantages and Process of Forming Deep-Drawn Aluminum Parts](https://info.hudson-technologies.com/blog/the-advantages-and-process-of-forming-deep-drawn-aluminum-parts) - [Tips for Finding a Quality Deep Drawn Stamping Partner](https://info.hudson-technologies.com/blog/tips-for-finding-and-switching-to-a-better-deep-drawn-stamping-partner) - [The Two Main Types of Solid Center Metal Diaphragms and How They’re Different](https://info.hudson-technologies.com/blog/two-main-types-of-solid-center-metal-diaphragms) - [Metal Injection Molding (MIM) vs. Deep Drawn Stamping (DDS)](https://info.hudson-technologies.com/blog/metal-injection-molding-mim-vs-deep-drawn-stamping-dds) - [Deep Drawn Stamping Trends | 2022 and Beyond](https://info.hudson-technologies.com/blog/2022-deep-drawn-stamping-trends) ### Topics - [Aerospace Industry (1)](https://info.hudson-technologies.com/blog/topic/aerospace-industry) - [Aluminum Stamping (1)](https://info.hudson-technologies.com/blog/topic/aluminum-stamping) - [Battery Enclosures (1)](https://info.hudson-technologies.com/blog/topic/battery-enclosures) - [Catalog vs Custom Stamped (2)](https://info.hudson-technologies.com/blog/topic/catalog-vs-custom-stamped) - [Cost Saving Tips (5)](https://info.hudson-technologies.com/blog/topic/cost-saving-tips) - [Deep Drawn Stamping (20)](https://info.hudson-technologies.com/blog/topic/deep-drawn-stamping) - [Foil Diaphragms (2)](https://info.hudson-technologies.com/blog/topic/foil-diaphragms) - [Green Manufacturing (1)](https://info.hudson-technologies.com/blog/topic/green-manufacturing) - [Heat Treating (1)](https://info.hudson-technologies.com/blog/topic/heat-treating) - [Hudson Technologies (6)](https://info.hudson-technologies.com/blog/topic/hudson-technologies) - [Medical Industry (5)](https://info.hudson-technologies.com/blog/topic/medical-industry) - [Metal Diaphragms (8)](https://info.hudson-technologies.com/blog/topic/metal-diaphragms) - [Metal Stamping (12)](https://info.hudson-technologies.com/blog/topic/metal-stamping) - [Military Industry (1)](https://info.hudson-technologies.com/blog/topic/military-industry) - [Partnering (4)](https://info.hudson-technologies.com/blog/topic/partnering) - [Preventative Maintenance (1)](https://info.hudson-technologies.com/blog/topic/preventative-maintenance) - [Progressive Die Stamping (1)](https://info.hudson-technologies.com/blog/topic/progressive-die-stamping) - [Reducing Lead Times (1)](https://info.hudson-technologies.com/blog/topic/reducing-lead-times) - [Reshoring/Domestic Manufacturing (1)](https://info.hudson-technologies.com/blog/topic/reshoring-domestic-manufacturing) - [Stainless Steel Stamping (2)](https://info.hudson-technologies.com/blog/topic/stainless-steel-stamping) - [Stamped Covers (1)](https://info.hudson-technologies.com/blog/topic/stamped-covers) - [Stamping Materials (1)](https://info.hudson-technologies.com/blog/topic/stamping-materials) - [Titanium Stamping (6)](https://info.hudson-technologies.com/blog/topic/titanium-stamping) - [Tooling and Equipment (1)](https://info.hudson-technologies.com/blog/topic/tooling-and-equipment) - [Transfer Press (1)](https://info.hudson-technologies.com/blog/topic/transfer-press) [![Request Quote](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3301962/747c3e54-c716-40de-bd83-40d51ea90530.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3301962/747c3e54-c716-40de-bd83-40d51ea90530) ## Facilities List Hudson Technologies houses machines built to meet your specific needs. 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