A good surface finish can improve not only the appearance but also the performance and lifespan of sheet metal parts. Our clients often choose powder coating, anodizing, or brushed finishes based on application needs.

Question: What's your main consideration when selecting a surface finish for sheet metal? Aesthetics, protection, or functional performance?

Have you ever tried a finishing technique that surprised you with its effectiveness? Share your experiences so we can all learn!

#sheetmetal# #JLCCNC#

A common question in real projects is:
Should this part be sheet metal or CNC machined?

The answer is not about “which is better” but which is more suitable.

🔸 Sheet metal works best when:

• Wall thickness is uniform
• Parts are enclosure-like or structural
• Quantities are medium to large
• Cost efficiency matters

🔸 CNC machining works best when:

• Complex 3D geometry is required
• Tight tolerances are critical
• Parts are thick or solid
• Quantities are small or prototype-focused

📌 In real projects, the best solution is often:
Sheet metal + CNC parts combined for optimal cost and performance.

💬 Discussion:
Have you ever chosen the wrong process and later regretted it?
What would you do differently next time?

#sheetmetal# #JLCCNC#

Many designers and makers only see the final sheet metal part, not the full manufacturing process behind it.

A typical sheet metal workflow looks like this:

1️⃣ Laser cutting – defines shape and hole accuracy

2️⃣ Bending – the most critical forming step

3️⃣ Welding or riveting (if needed) – creates assemblies

4️⃣ Surface finishing – powder coating, anodizing, brushing, etc

📌 Why does this matter?

Understanding the process helps you:

• Reduce unnecessary cost
• Improve manufacturability
• Shorten production lead time

💬 Discussion:

Which step of sheet metal fabrication concerns you the most—precision, bending accuracy, or surface finish?

#sheetmetal# #JLCCNC#

From real production experience, most sheet metal issues are not caused by manufacturing, but by design decisions made early on.

Here are some common design mistakes we see repeatedly:

1️⃣ Zero bend radius

In real fabrication, a bend radius can never be zero.
Minimum bend radius depends on material type and thickness, and ignoring this often causes cracking or deformation.

2️⃣ Holes too close to bend lines

Holes or slots placed too close to a bend line may lead to:

• Distortion
• Cracking
• Unstable dimensions

3️⃣ No consideration for assembly sequence

A part may look fine in CAD, but once bent:

• Tools cannot reach
• Parts cannot be assembled
• Welding becomes impossible

📌 Design tip:
When designing sheet metal parts, always ask:
👉 “How will this part actually be manufactured step by step?”

💬 Discussion:
What is the biggest sheet metal design mistake you've made or seen?
Bend issues, tolerances, or assembly problems?

#sheetmetal# #JLCCNC#

I bought a silicone heater just like this on JLCPCB for less than five US dollars. It’s insanely cheap, and it’s more than enough to make a pair of hand warmers.

A Bottom Side Stencil follows the bottom side data of your Gerber file.

Use this if your PCB has components on the bottom side and you want precise paste deposition.

💬 Have you ever tried printing the bottom side first, or do you usually start with the top?

This is the standard method for double-sided PCB assembly:

One stencil for the top side

One stencil for the bottom side

It gives you full flexibility, easier handling, and usually better printing consistency.

💬 Which method do you prefer for double-sided boards: single stencil or separate stencils? Why?

his option lets you create one stencil that contains both top and bottom side patterns from your Gerber files.

It can be convenient for some prototyping or small-size PCBs, but make sure your assembly method supports it.

💬 Question: Have you ever used a single stencil for both sides? How did it go?

A Bottom Side Stencil follows the bottom side data of your Gerber file.

Use this if your PCB has components on the bottom side and you want precise paste deposition.

💬 Have you ever tried printing the bottom side first, or do you usually start with the top?

Flexible heaters offer several benefits over traditional heating solutions:

✅ Conformability - adheres to curved, complex surfaces

✅ Thin profile - adds minimal thickness to your design

✅ Fast response - quick heat-up and cool-down times

✅ Energy efficient - heat is applied directly where needed

✅ Customizable - any shape, size, power density, voltage

✅ Durable - withstands vibration, bending, harsh environments.

Common applications include: anti-condensation, freeze protection, process heating, comfort warming, and temperature compensation in electronics. What applications are you considering?

Every month is a new chance to innovate! Whether it's a simple LED blinker or a complex drone controller, we want to see what you're building.

Community Bonus: Did you know? From next month, every EasyEDA user gets $20 coupons every month upon file export.

1. Finish your project.
2. Export from EasyEDA.
3. Claim your $10 PCB +$10 PCBA Coupon.
4. Post a photo of your finished board here!

What are you ordering with your coupon? Share your project below!

How to Calculate PCB Impedance in Seconds!
Designing high-speed boards? Then you know that matching impedance is non-negotiable for signal integrity.
Instead of manual math, use the JLCPCB Impedance Calculator. Simply input your layer stackup and trace width to get instant results.

JLCPCB Impedance Calculator：

https://jlcpcb.com/pcb-impedance-calculator

FPCs are great because they are thin, but sometimes you need a little "backbone" for soldering components or inserting into connectors. At JLCPCB, we offer three main types of stiffeners:

1. FR4: Best for providing rigid support under heavy SMT components.
2. Polyimide (PI): Adds thickness for ZIF connector insertion without losing too much flexibility.
3. Stainless Steel: The thinnest way to provide extreme rigidity and heat dissipation.

Which stiffener do you prefer for wearable designs? Let's discuss!

Choosing the right surface finish is a critical decision that affects both the cost and the reliability of your assembly. Here’s a quick breakdown to help you decide for your next JLCPCB order:

• HASL (Hot Air Solder Leveling): The most cost-effective and traditional choice. Great for through-hole components, but the surface can be slightly uneven.
• ENIG (Electroless Nickel Immersion Gold): Perfect for fine-pitch SMT components and BGAs. It offers a flat surface, excellent oxidation resistance, and a long shelf life.

Quick Tip: If your design has components with a pitch smaller than 0.5mm, go with ENIG to ensure high soldering yield!

What's your "go-to" finish for prototypes? Let us know in the comments!

#PCB#

At its core, a flexible heater consists of three main layers:

1. Flexible substrate (PI film, silicone, PET, etc.)
2. Resistive heating element (etched foil, printed silver, or wire)
3. Insulation/protective layer.

When electrical current passes through the resistive traces, it generates heat through Joule heating effect. The serpentine or spiral trace pattern ensures even heat distribution across the surface. We can customize the resistance, voltage, and power density to match your specific temperature requirements - from gentle warming at 40°C to high-temp applications reaching 200°C+.

Every functional sheet metal part starts with precise design and manufacturing. JLCCNC supports projects of all scales—here's how👇

JLCCNC Sheet Metal delivers reliable, on-demand fabrication for both prototypes and production parts. Our capabilities cover the full workflow:

• Laser cutting
• Precision bending
• Welding and assembly
• Surface finishing (powder coating, anodizing, brushing, silkscreen, etc)

We commonly work with steel alloy, stainless steel (304/201), and aluminum(5052)—materials ideal for enclosures, brackets, frames, and structural components.

In this community, feel free to share what you're working on, like:

• Custom enclosures for your electronics or robots
• Brackets, frames, or other structural parts
• Any cool or creative sheet metal designs you've made
• And questions or doubts about sheet metal

💬 Discussion:

What unique challenges or insights have you encountered in your sheet metal projects? Share your experiences—we'd love to learn from your approach.

📢 Community note:

Feel free to share your own projects here! For any order inquiries or support, please contact our official website customer service.

Flexible heaters are thin, lightweight heating elements that can conform to curved or irregular surfaces.

Unlike traditional rigid heaters, they're built on flexible substrates like polyimide (PI) or silicone rubber with etched or printed resistive heating traces.

They're perfect for applications where space is limited or the heating surface isn't flat - think 3D printer beds, medical devices, aerospace components, and battery thermal management.

Typical thickness ranges from 0.1mm to 3mm depending on the construction.