Sterling Metalworks
Fictional demo of a custom metal fabrication shop serving OEM and industrial maintenance teams. CNC machining, laser cutting, welding, and finishing — from prototype to production.
Inside Our Shop
Our 18,000-square-foot facility houses eight major machines under one roof — from Haas CNC mills to a Trumpf fiber laser. That means no outsourcing, no subcontractor delays, and full quality control from raw material to finished part.
We run two shifts during peak season and maintain a 3-day safety stock of common materials — A36 steel, 304 stainless, and 6061 aluminum — so we can start cutting the day we receive your drawings.
Capability Matrix
Process, materials, envelope, tolerance, and inspection method. Real capability depends on the specific machine, setup, and job.
| Process | Materials | Part Envelope | Typical Tolerance | Inspection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CNC Milling | Aluminum, steel, stainless | 20" × 16" × 12" | ±0.005" typical | CMM, calipers, bore gauges |
| CNC Turning | Aluminum, steel, brass | Ø 8" × 20" L | ±0.003" typical | Micrometers, optical comparator |
| Fiber Laser | Mild steel, stainless, aluminum | 5' × 10' sheet | ±0.010" | Laser measuring, first-article |
| Press Brake | Steel, stainless, aluminum | 10' length, 175 ton | ±0.015" | Angle gauges, fixtures |
| Welding | Steel, stainless, aluminum | MIG/TIG/Stick, up to 3/8" | Per AWS D1.1 fit-up | Visual, dye-penetrant as needed |
| Powder Coat | Steel, aluminum | 6' × 4' × 4' booth | Cosmetic finish | Mil thickness, adhesion |
Precision Welding
AWS D1.1 certified welders. MIG, TIG, and stick on steel, stainless, and aluminum. Every weld inspected by our on-staff CWI.
Equipment List
Illustrative sample equipment list. Real capacity depends on the actual machines in the shop.
| Machine | Type | Capacity | Qty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haas VF-2 VMC (example) | CNC Mill | Illustrative capacity — verify with real machine specs | 2 |
| Haas ST-20 Lathe (example) | CNC Turning | Illustrative capacity — verify with real machine specs | 1 |
| Trumpf TruLaser 3030 (example) | Fiber Laser | Illustrative capacity — verify with real machine specs | 1 |
| Amada HG-1003 Press Brake (example) | Press Brake | Illustrative capacity — verify with real machine specs | 1 |
| Miller Multimatic 220 (example) | MIG/TIG/Stick Welder | Illustrative capacity — verify with real machine specs | 4 |
| Lincoln Power MIG 360MP (example) | MIG Welder | Illustrative capacity — verify with real machine specs | 2 |
| Cincinnati CLA 408 (example) | Hydraulic Shear | Illustrative capacity — verify with real machine specs | 1 |
| Powder Coat Booth (example) | Powder Coating | Illustrative capacity — verify with real equipment specs | 1 |
Material Specifications
Illustrative material guide. Real availability, grades, and thickness limits depend on supplier and shop capability.
| Material | Grade | Max Thickness | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mild Steel | A36, A1018, 1008 | 3/4" | Structural brackets, frames, machine bases, agricultural wear parts |
| Stainless Steel | 304, 316, 17-4 PH | 1/2" | Food-grade frames, washdown equipment, corrosion-resistant enclosures |
| Aluminum | 6061, 5052, 7075 | 1/4" | Lightweight housings, aerospace components, heat sinks, panels |
| Brass | C360 (free-machining) | 1/4" | Fittings, decorative trim, electrical contacts, valve bodies |
| Copper | C110 (electrolytic) | 1/4" | Bus bars, heat exchangers, electrical components, roofing trim |
Production Capacity
Real-time visibility into our shop's capabilities. This is what we can do, right now, without outsourcing.
Illustrative Case Studies
Sample projects showing the inputs, process, and result a buyer would see. These are fictional examples.
Agricultural Bracket Run
- Problem
- Customer needed 2,000 identical mounting brackets for a new planter attachment, delivered before spring planting.
- Drawing
- STEP and DWG supplied; nesting optimized for material yield.
- Material
- A36 mild steel, 3/16" plate
- Process
- Laser cut, deburr, press brake, powder coat
- Tolerance
- ±0.030"
- Quantity
- 2,000 pcs
- Inspection
- First-article layout, in-process spot checks, final sample inspection
- Lead Time
- 3 weeks
Finished application: Planter row-unit mounting brackets
Stainless Food-Grade Frame
- Problem
- Food processor needed a washdown-compatible frame for a conveyor line with tight sanitary requirements.
- Drawing
- PDF and hand sketch; weld callouts reviewed before quote.
- Material
- 304 stainless steel, 11 ga
- Process
- Laser cut, TIG weld, passivation
- Tolerance
- ±0.062"
- Quantity
- 12 frames
- Inspection
- Visual weld inspection, pit gauge, dimensional check
- Lead Time
- 4 weeks
Finished application: Conveyor support frame in washdown packaging line
CNC Machined Aluminum Housing
- Problem
- OEM required a prototype aluminum housing with internal bores and threaded inserts in two weeks.
- Drawing
- STEP file with GD&T; material and finish specified.
- Material
- 6061-T6 aluminum
- Process
- 3-axis CNC mill, tapped holes, deburr, anodize Type II
- Tolerance
- ±0.005"
- Quantity
- 25 pcs
- Inspection
- CMM report, thread gauges, surface finish check
- Lead Time
- 2 weeks
Finished application: Electronic control enclosure prototype
Quality Assurance
Every job gets a first-article inspection before production begins. In-process checks during machining and welding catch issues early. Final QC inspection — dimensional, visual, and weld — happens before anything leaves the shop.
Our CMM and gauge calibration is tracked and audited annually as part of our ISO 9001:2015 certification. Material certs and inspection reports ship with every order, every time.
Quality Control Process
Every part follows the same 4-step inspection process. No exceptions, no shortcuts.
First Article Inspection
Illustrative first-article process. Real jobs require dimensional verification and sign-off before production release.
In-Process Inspection
Illustrative in-process checks. Frequency and method depend on the part, tolerance, and production plan.
Final QC Inspection
Illustrative final inspection. Every production job should define acceptance criteria and non-conformance handling with the customer.
Documentation
Illustrative documentation. Material certs, inspection reports, and traceability should be agreed upon in the purchase order.
From Raw Steel to Finished Parts
Material sourcing, cutting, forming, welding, machining, coating, and assembly — all in one facility. One PO, one accountable partner.
Meet the Crew
The people who make your parts. Experienced, certified, and accountable.
Frank Sterling
Founder & Master Fabricator
Fictional profile for demo purposes. 35 years in metal fabrication. Represents the type of leadership a custom shop would have.
Carlos Mendez
Lead Welder
Fictional profile for demo purposes. Experienced in structural and stainless welding. Code welding requires current certifications and QC records.
Dale Hutchins
CNC Machinist
Fictional profile for demo purposes. CNC machinist example. Actual capability depends on equipment, setup, and inspection.
Marcus Webb
Fabricator / Laser Operator
Fictional profile for demo purposes. Laser and press-brake operator example. Real nesting and yield depend on the job and material.
Industries We Serve
Examples of markets where short-run fabrication and precision machining are commonly applied.
Agricultural Equipment
Illustrative parts: brackets, guards, frames, and wear parts for agricultural machinery. Actual capabilities depend on equipment and certifications.
Automotive Parts
Illustrative aftermarket and OEM-style components. Documentation and quality requirements vary by customer and industry.
Food Processing Equipment
Illustrative stainless steel fabrication for washdown environments. Food-grade finishes and sanitary welds require proper procedures and verification.
Construction Materials
Illustrative structural and architectural metalwork. Code welding requires qualified welders and inspection as specified.
Certifications & Quality
Our quality management system is audited annually. Material certs and inspection reports ship with every order.
ISO 9001:2015
Illustrative certification. Real ISO 9001 registration would be issued by an accredited registrar and verifiable on their website.
AWS D1.1
Illustrative welding-code reference. Actual AWS D1.1 certification requires welder qualification records and a Certified Welding Inspector as applicable.
ITAR Registered
Illustrative defense-manufacturing reference. ITAR registration and compliance must be verified through DDTC before handling defense articles.
Request a Quote
Fill out the form below with your part specifications. Upload your CAD file and we'll email a detailed quote within 24 business hours.
What Our Customers Say
"Sterling Metalworks has been our go-to fab shop for 8 years. They understand agricultural equipment — when we need a replacement bracket during harvest, they turn it around in 24 hours. No one else in the region does that."
"We switched from a Chicago shop to Sterling Metalworks and cut our lead times in half. The quality is better, the pricing is competitive, and they actually pick up the phone. The ISO certification gave our customers confidence too."
"Their stainless work for our food processing line is impeccable. Sanitary welds, perfect fit-up, and they understand washdown requirements. The powder coating on our enclosures has held up for 3 years with zero issues."
Frequently Asked Questions
What is your minimum order quantity?
Minimum order quantities, setup fees, and prototype pricing vary by shop and job complexity. Contact us for a quote tailored to your part and volume.
What are your typical lead times?
Lead times depend on job complexity, material availability, shop load, and finishing requirements. Standard production can range from 2–3 weeks, with rush service sometimes available. Confirm timing with your quote.
Can you source materials for us?
Most fabrication shops can source common materials such as mild steel, stainless, aluminum, brass, and copper. Material certifications should be requested and verified with your purchase order.
How do you ensure quality?
Quality systems vary by shop. A robust shop will have documented inspection procedures, first-article inspection, in-process checks, final QC, and calibrated measuring equipment. Ask for the specific quality plan and certifications for your job.
What is your delivery radius?
Delivery and shipping options vary. Local delivery may be available within a set radius, and common carriers or customer pickup can handle larger distances. Ask about landed-cost shipping in your quote.
What file formats do you accept for quotes?
Common formats include STEP, IGES, DWG, DXF, and PDF. For this demo, the RFQ form does not upload or transmit files. A production site would use a secure file-transfer integration.
Find Us
Located on IL Route 40, 2 miles south of US 30 in Sterling, IL. Serving the Rock River Valley and I-88 corridor.
Technology & Integrations
Real APIs and tools that power manufacturing & metal fabrication websites. This demo shows which ones are live, which are mocked, and which are available for your production site.
E2 Shop System
Mocked in this demoExample ERP integration. A production quote form could feed directly into job scheduling, material tracking, and invoicing.
QuickBooks Online
Available for productionSync invoices, purchase orders, and vendor payments between your shop system and QuickBooks.
Salesforce CRM
Mocked in this demoCRM integration example. Quote-form submissions could create leads and assign them by industry segment.
Shopify B2B Portal
Available for productionCustomer self-service portal example for reordering parts, checking order status, and downloading invoices.
Autodesk Fusion 360 Viewer
Mocked in this demoExample 3D model viewer. Customers could upload STEP or DWG files and see them rendered in-browser for quoting.
Google Maps Embed
Live in this demoInteractive map showing your shop location and delivery radius. Customers see if you're within trucking distance before requesting a quote.
ISO 9001 Certification Badge
Mocked in this demoExample certification badge. Real ISO 9001 certification would link to the registrar's verification page.
Stripe Payment Links
Available for productionEmail payment links with invoices. Customers pay by card or ACH for deposits and final payments.
Xometry / Protolabs Quote Comparison API
Mocked in this demoExample overflow quoting integration. In production, quotes could be compared from Xometry or Protolabs when capacity is full.
Thomasnet Supplier Profile
Available for productionExample Thomasnet supplier profile. A real listing would be verified and could feed RFQs into your CRM.
Made in USA Certified
Mocked in this demoExample domestic-manufacturing badge. Real certifications require third-party verification and FTC-compliant claims.
FedEx Freight Quote API
Available for productionExample LTL freight-quote integration. A production site could calculate shipping based on weight, dimensions, and ZIP for landed-cost estimates.
Dropbox / Google Drive File Sharing
Available for productionExample secure CAD file portal for customers to upload STEP, DWG, IGES, and PDF drawings.
Have a Part to Quote?
Call (815) 555-0420 or email quotes@sterlingmetalworks-demo.com. We'll turn your drawings around fast — harvest season or not.
Call (815) 555-0420