Welded Frame Geometry
Base frames, support rails, crossmembers and gusseted corners are reviewed around load path, flatness and inspection access.
OEM Fabricated Frame Assemblies
Custom Sheet
Custom Sheet
Metal Frames
& Weldments
Fixture-welded sheet metal frames, base frames, support structures and weldments for OEM machinery, automation cells, test equipment and industrial assemblies. We control flatness, hole position, weld quality, finish and protected packout.
✓ Fixture-welded frame assemblies
✓ Flatness and datum inspection
✓ Powder coat and protected packout
RFQ program quantity
RFQ
Example Order Size
Drawing
Critical Dimensions
RFQ
Configuration Count
Plan
Inspection Scope
01 / What We Fabricate
Frame Structures Built Around Datums and Load Path
Welded frames need more than strong welds. We build around datum control, load transfer, mounting face flatness, distortion control and shipping protection so each frame fits the equipment it supports.
Fixture-Controlled Welding
Critical datums, hole patterns and mounting faces are held in fixtures so frame distortion stays inside the drawing requirement.
Secondary Machining and Hardware
Tapped holes, PEM hardware, slots, leveling feet and machined mounting faces can be built into the same frame program.
Finish-Ready Assemblies
Frames can ship raw, zinc plated, powder coated or stainless passivated with packaging that protects corners and finish faces.
Our scope: fabricated frames and weldments
We fabricate the sheet metal parts, weldments, hardware, finish and packout. Your team defines the final equipment loads, mating interfaces and certification requirements.
02 / Frame & Weldment Types
Fabricated Frames for OEM Equipment Programs
We support small to mid-volume frame programs where weld distortion, mounting accuracy and finish handling can decide whether the assembly line runs smoothly.
Base Equipment Base Frames
Welded bases, mounting feet and formed rails for industrial machines, test equipment and production fixtures.
- Features: feet, rails, gussets
- Materials: carbon steel / stainless
- QC: flatness and hole position
Weldments Precision Sheet Metal Weldments
Formed plate weldments with tabs, brackets, machined pads and inspection-controlled datum features.
- Features: tabs and pads
- Process: laser, bend, weld
- Control: fixture inspected
Support Support and Rack Frames
Open frames, rack frames, cross braces and support structures for OEM equipment and modular assemblies.
- Format: open frame
- Finish: raw or powder coat
- Use: equipment support
Hardware Hardware Mounting Frames
Compact frames with PEM nuts, standoffs, slots and formed brackets for repeatable mechanical assembly.
- Hardware: PEM / rivnuts
- Features: slots and tabs
- Packout: assembly ready
03 / Technical Capabilities
Typical Sheet Metal Frame Specification
| Materials | Cold-rolled steel, hot-rolled steel, galvanized steel, stainless steel, aluminum and mixed sheet metal weldments |
|---|---|
| Processes | Laser cutting, punching, press brake forming, MIG/TIG welding, fixture welding, tapping, PEM insertion and grinding |
| Part features | Base frames, crossmembers, mounting feet, gussets, slots, lifting tabs, leveling feet, hardware and machined pads |
| Finishes | Powder coating, zinc plating, passivation, black oxide, e-coat, protective oil and raw weldment shipment |
| Quality controls | Fixture checks, flatness checks, hole position inspection, weld visual inspection, finish checks and protected packout |
04 / Manufacturing Process
From Frame DFM to Repeat Welded Assemblies
01
DFM and Datum Review
Review load path, weld access, hole-to-edge distance, finish faces, shipping risk and inspection datums.
02
Laser Cut and Form
Cut plates, brackets and rails, then form channels, lips, tabs and stiffeners before welding.
03
Fixture Build
Set weld fixtures around critical mounting holes, flatness zones and repeat assembly datums.
04
Welding and Distortion Control
Use staged welding, tack sequence and heat control to keep frame twist and bow within target.
05
Secondary Operations
Machine pads, tap holes, install PEM hardware, grind welds and prepare coating masks where needed.
06
Inspection and Packout
Verify flatness, hole position, weld quality, finish and packaging before shipment.
05 / Why It Matters
What Makes a Welded Frame Program Work
Frames carry loads, locate mating parts and survive handling. Geometry control matters as much as weld strength.
Frame Flatness
A strong frame can still fail assembly if twist, bow or mounting pad flatness is not controlled through welding.
Repeatable Datums
Production frames need consistent datum strategy so mating equipment, panels and covers align without rework.
Weld Quality
Weld size, penetration, grinding and cosmetic requirements are matched to the load, finish and visible surfaces.
Protected Shipping
Large frames need corner protection, stack limits and packout planning so geometry and finish survive transit.
Customer Project
Automation Frame Weldment: Flat Mounting Surfaces
Materials, fabrication decisions and results for an anonymous customer project.
Component reference image
The Customer Challenge
Weld distortion left mounting faces uneven and contributed to vibration and unstable equipment accuracy.
Project Measurements & Details
≤0.2 mm/mFrame flatness
≥500 kgLoad test
1,000 × 800 × 1,800 mmFrame envelope
Results apply to the project configuration described on the linked page.
Explore Customer Projects → 07 / Why Choose Us
Why OEMs Trust DRAmetal for Frames and Weldments
01
Fabrication-aware engineering
We review frame geometry around welding sequence, fixture access, finishing and final equipment assembly.
02
Fixture discipline
Critical hole patterns and mounting faces are held in fixtures and verified before finish or packout.
03
One supplier for the full frame
Laser cutting, bending, welding, hardware, machining support and finishing can be managed together.
04
Production documentation
Inspection records, weld requirements, material lots and packaging controls are aligned to repeat orders.
08 / Related
Related Fabricated Products
09 / FAQ
Custom Sheet Metal Frames FAQ
Can you hold tight flatness on welded sheet metal frames?
Yes. We review the datum scheme, weld sequence and fixture plan before release, then inspect flatness and hole position after welding and finishing where required.
Which materials are common for frames and weldments?
Carbon steel, galvanized steel, stainless steel and aluminum are common. Material choice depends on load, corrosion, finish and weight requirements.
Can you supply powder coated or assembled frames?
Yes. We can manage grinding, PEM hardware, tapping, machining support, powder coating, plating, passivation and protected packout for assembly-ready frames.
Get Started
Need Welded Frames
Need Welded Frames
Built to Drawing?
Send your frame drawing, load notes, critical datums, finish, quantity and delivery target. Our engineering team will review manufacturability and return a frame fabrication quote.