Atlas Tech Talks
Hole-to-Edge and Hole-to-Bend Distance in Sheet Metal: DFM Minimums
How far should a hole sit from an edge or a bend? The DFM minimums that keep holes from tearing out or distorting, with tables and diagrams.
Read MoreSheet Metal Bend Radius Guide: Minimum Bend Radius by Material and Thickness
How tight can you bend sheet metal before it cracks? A practical minimum-bend-radius guide by material and thickness, with grain direction, springback, and DFM rules.
Read MoreGalvanized vs Galvannealed vs Pre-Painted Steel: When to Use Each
Same substrate, three coating philosophies. The right pick depends on what touches the part next: paint, weather, a welder, or the customer’s hand.
Read MoreAluminum for Sheet Metal: 5052 vs 6061 vs 3003 (When to Use Each)
5052, 6061, and 3003 are not interchangeable. A practical guide to picking the right aluminum alloy for a sheet metal part, by formability, strength, welding, and finish.
Read MoreMaterial Substitution: A Lower-Risk Way to Upgrade Sheet Metal Part Performance
Same part, two materials. Material substitution upgrades the alloy or coating in an existing sheet metal part without redesigning the geometry, preserving the tooling and most of the validation work. Run through a DFM lens, it is often the lowest-risk, fastest way to fix corrosion, strength, weight, finish, or supply problems.
Read MoreStainless Steel for Sheet Metal: A Practical Guide to 304, 316, and 430
Three identical panels, three different stainless grades. Picking the right one is rarely about the part — it’s about the environment, the budget, and how the part gets made. Welcome to Atlas Tech Talks, a series dedicated to sharing insights, best practices, and technical know-how from the world of sheet metal fabrication. In each post,…
Read MoreAtlas Tech Talk: The Complete Guide to Capacitor Discharge (CD) Stud Welding
When it comes to attaching fasteners to thin or cosmetically sensitive sheet metal, engineers face a critical challenge: how do you create a strong, permanent bond without warping, discoloration, or backside marking? For Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) where quality and appearance are non-negotiable, the answer is often Capacitor Discharge (CD) stud welding. While the name…
Read MoreAtlas Tech Talk: Rethinking the Hinge with Integrated Forming
When designing a sheet metal enclosure, cabinet, or chassis, the need for a door or access panel is a common requirement. The traditional approach is straightforward: purchase a standard continuous or “piano” hinge, and then invest the additional labor to attach it to your components with fasteners, welds, or adhesives. This method is functional, but…
Read MoreTariff Update Part 2: April Market Impacts and Pricing Volatility
April 2025 – On the heels of new tariff announcements, the steel market is experiencing significant volatility. On April 2, the U.S. administration expanded its tariff regime under a so-called “Liberation Day” policy. The new measures, aimed at broadening tariff coverage and pressuring trade partners, include: These April tariffs are in addition to the existing…
Read MoreAtlas Tech Talk: Progressive Ribs in Sheet Metal – Strengthening Without Added Weight
In sheet metal design, progressive ribs (also known as strengthening ribs) are raised or embossed features formed into a panel to significantly increase its rigidity and resistance to bending without adding excessive weight. By adding depth and contour to what would otherwise be a flat sheet, ribs greatly improve the panel’s moment of inertia –…
Read More