Metal Stamping & Sheet Metal Fabrication FAQ

Buying custom metal stamping or sheet metal fabrication raises the same questions again and again. This FAQ collects the answers our engineers give every day. All facts come from our Nanpi factory, which has run since 1999. Your question is missing? Send drawings and get a free quote within 8 hours.

Company & Capabilities

Q: What does Xinjiuxinji Hardware do? A: We run a custom metal stamping and sheet metal fabrication factory. Parts go from raw sheet to finished product under one roof. The factory was founded in 1999 in Nanpi, Hebei, near Beijing and Tianjin.

Q: Does Xinjiuxinji hold ISO certification? A: Yes. Our quality system is certified to ISO 9001:2015. Certificates cover custom metal parts made in our Nanpi plant.

Q: What equipment does your factory use? A: We operate 40 stamping presses from 80 to 400 tons. Two 6 kW laser cutters and five CNC machines support them. Bending, welding and finishing lines run in-house. Two CNC machines are five-axis. Three are vertical machining centers.

Q: How many custom parts have you produced? A: Since 1999, we have made more than 70,000 different types of custom metal parts. Many projects combine stamping, deep drawing, cutting and welding in one part.

Q: How large is your team and factory? A: The factory covers about 9,000 square meters. Our team counts 120+ people, including 19 engineers and skilled toolmakers.

Q: Which industries do you serve? A: Aerospace, automotive, medical and healthcare, electronics, energy, construction tools, home and garden, farming, firefighting, packaging and marine. Quality expectations are high in these fields. We meet them with ISO-certified production.

Services & Processes

Q: Which metal fabrication services do you offer? A: Stamping, deep drawing, laser cutting, bending, welding, CNC machining, drilling, grinding, spinning, casting and surface treatment. One factory, one team, full control of your project.

Q: What is the difference between stamping and deep drawing? A: Stamping cuts and forms sheet metal with dies under a press. Deep drawing pulls sheet metal into a hollow three-dimensional shape. Deep drawing suits cups, shells and housings.

Q: Can one project use several processes? A: Yes. Most custom parts need two or more processes. Combining processes in-house protects quality, cost and delivery time.

Q: How thick can your laser cut stainless steel? A: Our 6 kW laser cutters handle stainless steel up to about 28 mm. Mild steel and aluminum reach similar thickness in many cases. Send your drawing for a quick feasibility check.

Q: Do you provide CNC machining after forming? A: Yes. We machine stamped or drawn parts where tight features are required. Five CNC machines cover three-axis and five-axis work.

Q: Can you cast parts too? A: Yes. Aluminum, zinc and iron castings are available. We also machine castings and combine them with stamped parts in one assembly.

Q: Which surface treatment options do you offer? A: Polishing, painting, powder coating, anodizing, plating and other finishes. State your finish on the drawing. Our team then suggests the best option for cost and durability.

Q: Do you support prototyping and design review? A: Yes. Nineteen engineers review manufacturability before tooling starts. We recommend material and process changes that cut cost without hurting function.

Q: What is the largest size you can deep draw? A: Maximum deep drawing size depends on material, thickness and tooling. Our presses range from 80 to 400 tonnes. Part diameter and depth must fit the die structure. Send your drawing, and our engineers will confirm the feasible size within 8 hours.

Q: Can cast parts be machined after casting? A: Yes. Castings are machined to final tolerances when drawings require it. CNC machining refines holes, faces and threads after casting. Surface finish improves with machining as well. We handle casting and post-machining in one order.

Materials

Q: Which metals can you process? A: Carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum and titanium. Special alloys are available on request. Material certificates can accompany every shipment.

Q: Which stainless steel grade should I choose? A: 304 suits most indoor and food-contact parts. 316 and 316L resist corrosion in marine, chemical and medical use. 430 offers a lower-cost, magnetic option for less demanding parts.

Q: What is the difference between 316 and 316L? A: 316L has lower carbon content. It keeps corrosion resistance better after welding. Choose 316L when welded joints face corrosive environments.

Q: Aluminum or stainless steel, which is better for my part? A: Aluminum is light and cost-effective for most products. Stainless steel wins on strength and corrosion resistance. Weight, environment and budget decide the right answer.

Q: Can you supply materials with test certificates? A: Yes. Mill certificates and material test reports are available on request. We also check incoming material before production starts.

Quotes & Costs

Q: What do you need to send for a quote? A: A 2D or 3D drawing works best. Please add material, quantity, finish and tolerances. PDF, DWG/DXF, STEP, IGES, SolidWorks and Solid Edge are all fine.

Q: How fast do you reply to inquiries? A: We send a quotation within 8 hours on working days. Complex projects may take longer, and we will tell you the exact time.

Q: What decides the price of a custom metal part? A: Material, quantity, tolerances, tooling and surface finish. Process steps also matter. Send drawings early so engineers can lower the cost with small design changes.

Q: Do I need to pay for tooling? A: New stamping dies are quoted separately. We store your tooling safely and keep it ready for repeat orders. Tooling cost drops quickly on larger quantities.

Q: How can I reduce the cost of my part? A: Relax tolerances where possible. Use standard sheet thickness and bend radii. Combine features into fewer processes. Our engineers will show you the savings before you commit.

Q: How long does new tooling take? A: Tooling time depends on die complexity. Simple dies typically take two to three weeks. Progressive and compound dies need four to six weeks. We state the tooling schedule in every quotation. Sample and production dates follow the tooling plan.

Q: Is design feedback free? A: Yes. Our engineers review drawings before tooling starts. Design for manufacturability feedback is free of charge. We suggest material and process changes that reduce cost. You only pay after you approve the quotation.

Q: Why do quotes differ between suppliers? A: Quotes differ on materials, tolerances, finishes and tooling. Labor rates and process methods also vary. We itemize every cost in our quotation. Compare line by line, not by total price alone.

MOQ, Samples & Orders

Q: What is your minimum order quantity? A: There is no fixed MOQ. Small batches and prototypes are welcome. Large volumes enjoy the best unit price. The right MOQ depends on process and part size.

Q: Can you make samples first? A: Yes. Samples verify design, material and finish before mass production. Sample tooling cost is quoted case by case. You confirm samples before we start the full order.

Q: How long is the lead time for custom fabrication? A: Typical lead time is one to eight weeks. Simple samples can ship within days. Complexity, material stock and quantity set the final date. We confirm timing with every quotation.

Q: Can you handle urgent or split deliveries? A: Yes. Express shipping and split deliveries are available. We reserve press time for confirmed urgent orders. Photos and video updates keep you informed during production.

Q: What is your monthly production capacity? A: Monthly capacity exceeds 500,000 pieces across our stamping lines. Press capacity is never the bottleneck in our delivery promises.

Q: Can you make parts from a customer sample? A: Yes. Send us the physical sample with target quantity. We inspect the sample and confirm critical dimensions with you. An engineering drawing is made for your approval. The quotation follows the agreed drawing.

Q: Do you provide free samples? A: Free samples can apply to approved custom parts orders. New dies may carry a sample fee, quoted in advance. Sample policy depends on part complexity and volume. Confirm the terms when you send your inquiry.

Quality & Protection

Q: How do you control quality during production? A: Inspection runs at every stage. We check incoming material, first-off parts, in-process output and final lots. Final checks use calibrated gauges and CMM equipment.

Q: What tolerances can you hold on stamped parts? A: Typical tolerances follow ISO 2768 standards. Tight values depend on material, thickness and tooling. We confirm achievable tolerances before tooling starts.

Q: Can you prevent scratches on finished parts? A: Yes. Aluminum and stainless steel can carry removable protective film. Finished surfaces are handled with clean gloves and separated trays.

Q: How do you protect my design and IP? A: All drawings are treated as confidential. We sign non-disclosure agreements on request. Your tooling and designs stay yours at all times.

Q: What happens if parts arrive defective? A: Send photos and our team reviews the case at once. Defective parts are reworked or remade quickly. Inspection reports and photos support every claim.

Q: Can I check quality before shipment? A: Yes. Video and photos are provided before delivery. Third-party inspection is also welcome at our factory.

Q: Which documents come with the shipment? A: Packing list, invoice and certificates of conformity. Material test reports and inspection records are available on request.

Packaging, Shipping & Cooperation

Q: How do you pack metal parts for export? A: Parts are wrapped with bubble wrap or pearl cotton first. Fragile surfaces get foam or EVA inserts. Five-layer export cartons and edge guards protect sharp corners.

Q: Which shipping terms do you support? A: Sea, air and express freight are all available. FOB, CIF, DAP and DDP terms can be arranged. We choose the option that balances cost and delivery time.

Q: Which countries do you export to? A: The USA, Germany, the UK, France and Ireland are our main markets. We also ship to Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

Q: How do I start a project with Xinjiuxinji? A: Send your drawings with material and quantity. Our engineers review manufacturability and send a quote within 8 hours. Approve samples, then production starts with staged QC.

Q: How do we communicate during the project? A: Email and WhatsApp are the fastest channels. English-speaking engineers answer technical questions directly, not only sales staff.