Have you ever wondered if what type of welding is best for your precision sheet metal prototype or production run? We excel at high-quality welding at Approved Sheet Metal using three different techniques: spot welding, seam welding, and plug welding.  Spot and seam welding are both standard assembly methods, but it’s important to consider which is right for your part.  Spot Welding vs. Seam Welding Need a refresher on spot and seam welding? You got it! Spot welding consists of firing an electrical current through two pins that are pinching two or more layers of sheet metal together ..read more

Building a successful sheet metal fabrication shop is a marathon—not a sprint. It takes time to get established, assemble a talented team, and foster relationships with customers.  Well, it's been two years since we opened our doors, and with great pride, we can say—Approved Sheet Metal keeps getting better. We've been in our new, expanded metal fabrication shop for over a year, and our team is continuously growing to meet increasing demand.  How are we making such impressive progress? It's simple. We wake up every day and commit to being the BEST.  Our Core Values Inspire Us t ..read more

What do table legs, tubular frames for medical equipment infrastructure, and aluminum tubes for structural aerospace frames have in common? Tube laser cutting, of course! Tube laser cutting is precisely what it sounds like: the technique for cutting tubes and other structural shapes. It’s also used to cut holes or more complex shapes into the tube itself.  At Approved Sheet Metal, we provide precision tube laser cutting capabilities in-house at our metal fabrication shop so you can get parts delivered quickly. How quickly? We can ship parts as fast as the same day!  And all while mai ..read more

Did you know you can get powder coated sheet metal parts in any color you want?  It’s true! In a world of 6,500+ powder coating color options, don't settle for basic black or generic gray with a traditional matte finish.  Life is short—what’s stopping you from having glittery aqua car turbo pipes or bright red motorcycle parts? Source: Prismatic Powders, "Disco Teal" Source: Prismatic Powders, "Illusion Red" Make your powder coated sheet metal parts pop with unique and eye-catching customized powder coating options. Powder Coating Is Faster and More Durable Than Traditional Paint ..read more

We’re all familiar with the expression, “time is money.” At Approved Sheet Metal, we constantly look for ways to expedite precision sheet metal fabrication services to help customers save time and money. To put it simply. . . we want to get you your sheet metal parts lightning fast.  Quoting is one phase of the process where you can save substantial time. If you want to get in our work queue quickly and help expedite your project, upload your information and submit your project online using our digital quoting form. How Digital Quoting Expedites Sheet Metal Fabrication Projects We receive ..read more

Sheet metal punching is a highly efficient capability for adding formed features such as louvers and embossments to precision sheet metal parts.  The process involves sandwiching a piece of sheet metal between a punch and a die. Although it’s relatively straightforward, there is one design tip that can help you get your punched sheet metal prototypes as quickly as possible: following the 3:1 rule.  The 3:1 Rule for Sheet Metal Punching The 3:1 rule states that when designing a formed feature in a precision sheet metal part, the feature's height should be no more than 3x the material ..read more

At Approved Sheet Metal, we know many of our customers need their parts ASAP, so we’re always finding ways to speed up the rapid sheet metal fabrication timeline.  We’ve successfully implemented many time-saving initiatives in our shop, such as offering same-day shipping for flat laser-cut sheet metal parts. However, there are also steps customers can take to expedite their precision sheet metal fabrication projects—one of the easiest is to provide comprehensive drawings.  5 Ways to Optimize Drawings for Precision Sheet Metal Fabrication Services Follow these best practices next time ..read more

Do you know how to select the right hardware for your precision sheet metal fabrication?  Many types of hardware accomplish the same end goal—for example, all fasteners connect parts—but there is a massive variety of hardware to choose from.  Generally, hardware can vary by type, material, thread code, thickness, shank, and length. Making the ideal selection for your part can be overwhelming, but don’t worry: Approved Sheet Metal is here to make the decision process much easier.  8 Types of Hardware Used by Metal Fabricators  PEM Nuts Standoffs Studs Panel Fasteners Let ..read more

Now more than ever, the medical community is tasked with providing outstanding care to patients worldwide.  Medical experts rely on top-quality devices to do their jobs well, and these products require high-precision fabricated parts—our specialty here at Approved Sheet Metal. We're proud that Fortune 500 medical device companies trust us with their sheet metal fabrication projects. From our custom fabrication shop in Hudson, New Hampshire, we fabricate various precision sheet metal medical device components and assemblies for manufacturers worldwide.  Our team of mechanics, laser o ..read more

Our medical and pharmaceutical customers frequently compliment us on the stainless steel tubular frames we fabricate for them. They especially appreciate that we get their frames right the first time, which we attribute to a unique and proven approach that differentiates us from other custom metal fabrication shops. Today, we’ll pull back the curtain and spill (just a few) of our secrets to fabricating beautifully welded stainless steel tubular frames. Essential Characteristics of Stainless Steel Tubular Frames for the Medical and Pharmaceutical Industries Stainless steel tubular frames are a ..read more