From Sheet Metal to Stamping: How We Shape Metal for Every Industry

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Metal parts quietly power everything from smart home devices to off-road equipment. Programs move faster and perform better when the right process is matched to the right part, with quality guarded at every handoff. PacRim’s metals team supports that equation with sheet metal fabrication, stamping, CNC machining, extrusions, tube bending, weldments, castings, and magnet sourcing, scaled from small batches to 500,000+ assemblies. Read on to see how those processes come together for reliable, production-ready results.

Sheet Metal: Fast, Flexible Fabrication

Sheet metal is often the first stop when teams need custom enclosures, brackets, or chassis. Cutting, punching, and bending produce geometry quickly, while hardware insertion and welding create assembly-ready parts. PacRim delivers aluminum, steel, and stainless parts with cosmetic finishes like painting, plating, or anodizing to meet both functional and visual requirements. Programs benefit from quick turns during early builds and the ability to ramp without changing suppliers as volumes rise.

Stamping: Repeatability at Scale

High-volume runs call for stamping. Tooling creates consistent parts with tight features and clean edges, ideal for clips, connectors, housings, and panels. PacRim pairs stamping with secondary operations and finishing so parts arrive ready for assembly. The payoff shows up in electronics and consumer products where consistency, takt time, and cost matter. A single source managing tooling, material selection, and finishing keeps production smooth as demand increases.

CNC Machining and Fabrication: Detail Where It Counts

Complex features often require more than a press brake or forming die. CNC machining delivers tight tolerances, precise mating fits, and intricate geometry that can’t be achieved through sheet metal or stamping alone. PacRim supports 3-, 4-, and 5-axis machining in aluminum, stainless, and specialty alloys, machining parts from solid blanks or adding precision features to castings, forgings, and extrusions.

For larger structures, weldments and tube frames provide the strength and rigidity needed for demanding environments, and PacRim frequently blends machined features with fabricated assemblies to meet performance requirements without inflating cost.

When Processes Work Together

Real programs rarely live inside one silo. PacRim frequently combines metals with plastics and electronics to deliver finished assemblies with documented checks at each stage. Examples include:

  • Smart thermostats: Precision stampings, magnets, and switch hardware integrated with plastic housings and electronics.
  • Marine GPS and fish finders: Metal brackets, die cast heatsinks, and fasteners delivered alongside injection-molded plastics and full electronic assembly for waterproof units.
  • Rooftop LiDAR and camera mounts: Extrusions and high-precision machined components with anodized finishes for strength, stiffness, and corrosion resistance.
  • EV tractor components: Aluminum extrusion, machining, and final packaging coordinated under a single program team.

Each case pairs the right metal process with adjacent plastics or PCBA work so customers receive assemblies that drop straight into production.

How We Keep Programs on Track

Success in metals manufacturing hinges on communication, location options, and process control. PacRim’s model centers on:

  • U.S.-based engineering and program management. Teams that speak your drawings, tolerances, and quality plan from the first call through PPAP or FAI.
  • In-region supplier development. Engineers near each factory to audit, launch, and support builds, reducing surprises during ramp.
  • Global production options. Facilities in the United States, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Asia so you can balance cost, speed, and compliance without locking into a single path.
  • Scalability without minimums. Prototype, bridge, or steady-state volumes supported by the same team, backed by documented traceability and test plans.

Choosing the Right Process

Picking between sheet metal, stamping, machining, and fabrications isn’t guesswork. A few guidelines help frame the decision:

  • Geometry and tolerance: Sharp bends and flat panels lean toward sheet metal; high-volume flat parts with repeating features suit stamping; tight tolerances and complex geometry point to CNC machining; larger frames and load-bearing assemblies favor weldments and tube bending.
  • Volume and lifetime cost: Stamping wins at scale once tooling is justified. Sheet metal shines for prototypes, customization, and medium volumes. Machining adds precision features only where value is created.
  • Finish and environment: Anodizing, plating, and painting protect appearance and performance. PacRim recommends material and finish combinations based on corrosion risk, cosmetic goals, and handling needs.

Built for Every Industry

Metals programs at PacRim support specialty automotive, consumer goods, electronics, aerospace, medical devices, robotics, and industrial equipment. Teams lean on rapid prototypes for early risk reduction, then scale to hundreds of thousands of parts or assemblies with stable routing, documented checks, and clean handoffs. The aim stays the same across markets: parts arrive on time and in spec. No excuses. No surprises.

Ready to Shape What’s Next?

Send a print, model, or even a sketch. PacRim will review manufacturability, map the best process and location, and outline a straightforward path from first articles to production. Our metals, plastics, and electronics teams are ready to support your next build.

Let’s talk about your metal manufacturing program.