Sheet vs CNC.
Hollow vs solid.
Fab choice.
Sheet metal vs CNC machining decision. Sheet metal for hollow enclosures, brackets, structures. CNC for precision, complex 3D geometry.
Key principles.
Light, cheap
Hollow envelope. Cost-effective at volume. Less material waste.
Precision, complex
Tight tolerance, complex 3D geometry, internal features.
Sheet cheaper at scale
Sheet metal cheaper for similar geometry at production volumes.
Hollow vs solid
Sheet: hollow boxes, panels. CNC: solid blocks, complex 3D.
CNC tighter
CNC ±0.025 mm. Sheet ±0.5 mm typical.
Sheet less
Sheet metal yields 80-90%. CNC 30-50%.
FAQ
Volume crossover?
Below 50 pieces: CNC competitive. Above: sheet metal usually cheaper for similar geometry.
Hybrid construction?
Sheet metal enclosure + CNC mounting brackets. Common pattern.
Tolerance allocation?
Tight tolerance to CNC features, looser to sheet metal positions. Combined achievable.
Welding sheet to CNC?
Yes — TIG for precision. Plan precise CNC features 5-10 mm from welds (HAZ).
Cost optimization?
Maximize sheet metal envelope. Use CNC inserts for precision features. Minimize CNC material.
Production scaling?
Sheet metal 100-10K typical. CNC 1-1000 typical. Each per economic optimum.
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