Sheet metal design and drafting services precision fabrication drawings.
From flat patterns to complex formed assemblies, our Australian team delivers accurate sheet metal design and drafting services to AS 1100 and AS/NZS 1665 standards. Trusted by fabricators and manufacturers since 2010.
ASTCAD offers high-quality Sheet Metal Design Services at competitive and affordable prices. With years of hands-on industry experience, we deliver accurate, robust, and standards-compliant sheet metal designs that meet Australian Standards (AS). Our outsourcing sheet metal design services help manufacturers, fabricators, and product developers reduce lead time, control costs, and improve overall product quality.
We provide end-to-end sheet metal design, product development, and optimisation services, ensuring that every component is designed for both aesthetics and functionality. By leveraging advanced CAD tools and a systematic design approach, we transform concepts into manufacturable, production-ready designs.
The sheet metal design team at ASTCAD has intensive experience with sheet metal components for aesthetics and functional design. We can help shorten lead times with reduced scrap and material costs. We have a professional sheet metal design services team that uses the best design process with accuracy, systematic approach, and precision and minimises the waste of material.
Australian design & drafting sheet metal design services
As one of the leading CAD companies in Australia, we have a team of sheet metal experts who use state-of-the-art CAD tools, CAE tools and a systematic approach to design sheet metal parts. Our 2D and 3D CAD drawings develop accurate, manufacturing-ready blueprints of each project. For design guidelines, refer to our Sheet Metal Design Handbook covering bend radii, hole sizing, flange rules, tolerances and Australian standards.
Sheet metal design services
We specialise in offering end-to-end services for sheet metal design, optimisation, product design and development. Our experts are certified and use a systematic approach to design sheet metal parts. By allowing high-quality services, we create a precise sheet design that maintains specified client requirements.
The systematic sheet metal design approach incorporates the following:
- Identify crucial design parameters and specifications
- Evaluate design services to meet customer needs
- Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA)
- Optimisation of product design and manufacturing processes
- Cost estimates based on material, number of operations, etc
- Calculation of the adequate size of corner reliefs, bend angles and radii
- Creation of 3D sheet metal model and complete 2D flat drawings
Our engineers have skills in sheet metal design using the following software:
- SolidWorks (Sheet Metal module)
- CATIA
- Autodesk Inventor
- Pro/Engineer (Creo)
- Tekla
Industries served:
- Automobile
- Aerospace
- Electronics
- Power & Energy
- Transport
- Telecom
Why Choose Our Sheet Metal Design Services?
- Proven expertise in sheet metal product design and drafting
- Compliance with Australian and international standards
- Cost-effective outsourcing solutions
- Faster turnaround times without compromising quality
- Strong focus on Design for Manufacturing & Assembly (DFMA)
Key Features of Our Sheet Metal Design Services
- End-to-end sheet metal product design and development
- 3D sheet metal modelling and 2D fabrication drawings
- Flat pattern and unfolding calculations
- Design optimisation to reduce scrap and material waste
- Tolerance analysis and bend allowance calculations
- Integration of aesthetics with functional requirements
- Accurate BOM creation and manufacturing-ready documentation
Our Process
- Identify critical design parameters and client specifications
- Evaluate design feasibility based on application and industry needs
- Apply Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA) principles
- Optimise product design and manufacturing processes
- Estimate costs based on material selection and manufacturing operations
- Calculate bend radii, angles, corner reliefs, and tolerances
- Create detailed 3D sheet metal models and complete 2D flat drawings
Sheet Metal Design Reference
For detailed design guidelines covering bend radii, hole sizing, flange rules, K-factor, Australian material standards and finishing requirements, see our Sheet Metal Design Handbook — a free reference for Australian engineers and fabricators.
Related CAD Drafting Services
Sheet metal design capabilities
Our team handles the full range of fabrication-ready documentation, from flat-pattern development to complex formed assemblies, all compliant with AS 1100 and AS/NZS 1665 standards.
Accurate unfolded blanks accounting for bend allowance, K-factor and material springback, ready for laser, plasma or punch cutting.
2D and 3D views with bend lines, radii, angles and weld callouts to AS 1100 for press-brake and roll-forming operations.
Full assembly drawings with BOM, hardware callouts, fastener schedules and finish specifications for enclosures, frames and brackets.
Design-for-manufacture checks on bend radii, hole spacing, flange heights and relief cuts to reduce scrap and rework before fabrication.
Australian standards for sheet metal design
- AS 1100.201 — Mechanical engineering drawing (dimensions, tolerances, surface finish)
- AS/NZS 1665 — Welding of aluminium structures
- AS/NZS 1554 — Structural steel welding (for steel sheet assemblies)
- AS 4024 — Safety of machinery (guards, access panels)
Frequently asked questions — sheet metal design
What materials do you design for?
We regularly design for mild steel, galvanised steel, stainless steel (304, 316), aluminium (5052, 6061), copper and brass. Material properties such as K-factor and bend allowance are applied per material specification.
Can you work from an existing part or sample?
Yes. We can reverse-engineer from a physical sample, photograph with measurements, or hand sketch, producing full CAD drawings ready for fabrication quotation.
Do you supply DXF flat patterns for cutting?
Yes. Flat patterns are delivered as DXF or DWG files suitable for direct import into laser, plasma, waterjet and punch-press cutting machines.
Which CAD software do you use for sheet metal?
SolidWorks Sheet Metal, Autodesk Inventor, CATIA, Fusion 360 and AutoCAD. We deliver in your preferred native format or as STEP/IGES for any downstream workflow.
Need sheet metal
design and drafting?
Send your concept or sample part — we’ll review and quote within one business day.