Help Grow WeldProjects.com!
The Texas Metal Works engineering team works tirelessly, and has created many of the projects on offer here on the site. However, we obviously have limited resources – so in order for the library of projects on the site to grow we need everyone in the community to participate! You can use the form at the bottom of this page to submit your design, but we ask that you read the information below to understand our requirements and ensure your project will be manufacturable.
Commissions
Right off the bat, we’ve carved out 5% of the product pricing to go to the project designer (not including shipping, tax or other cost items). So not only can you be a hero by submitting projects that bring people joy, or make lives better – you’ll share in the financial reward for doing so.
Rules
We do have some rules when it comes to submissions which you can review here. But also, there are some things you can do to really ensure that your project has the greatest chance as being accepted for development and made available to the community in kit form.
Design REquirements
A successful Weld Project design package is generally going to meet several criteria. So the closer your concept is to matching these criteria, the more ready it is for testing and inclusion.
Manufacturing Capabilities
For now we’re sticking to creating parts that fall within these guidelines:
Laser Sheet / Plate Cutting
Our 22kw lasers have bed sizes of 2 meter x 4 meter and can cut extremely thick materials. We limit the sizes of material we cut to what’s generally available. There are certain materials, such as mild steel, which we order millions of pounds of annually, so we have those on hand in 6’x12′ sizes. Other materials, where we aren’t purchasing entire coils, are available in sizes up to 5’x10′.
It’s critical that all designs are able to fit on a standard sheet size, and
- Stainless (304, 326)
- Sheets up to 5’x10′
- Thicknesses from 16ga to 1/2″
- Aluminum (5052)
- Sheets up to 5’x10′
- Thicknesses from 16ga to 1/2″
- Mild Steel (A36, A572-50)
- Sheets up to 6’x12′ in 10ga, 3/16″, 1/4″, 3/8″
- Sheets up to 5’x10′ in all other thicknesses
Laser Tube / Angle Cutting
Our CNC Tube Laser can cut most things that are found in “stick” format. Certainly round or rectangular tubing, angle, L and C channel, and even I or H beam that fit within the chucks. These are the general limitations:
- Lengths to 20′
- Wall thickness to 1/4″
- Round material up to 8″ diameter
- Rectangular material up to 6″x6″ square
Bending
Our bending capabilities are as follows, however keep in mind that bending can become extremely complex so we need to minimize the number of bends when possible. Super complex parts that have a lot of bends will drive the price of a project up, so there should be a balance between what needs to be machine bent, and what can be welded, or even seamed and hand bent.
- Widths up to 12′
- Thickness up to 1/4″ on most materials
- Thickness up to 3/8″ on parts under 30″
- Inside radiuses should be a minimum of 1.5X material thickness
Design Formats
Our shop uses SolidWorks 2023, so that would be the preferred format for design submissions. If you can “Pack and Go” a model, that’s perfect! However, we know most people don’t have access to SolidWorks, so we can accept 3D models in any format supported. When submitting projects we need a few things:
- We need a 3D model so we can see what the project looks like in totality.
- We need DXF files for all of the flat parts that are to be cut on the laser.
- We need STEP files for all 3D parts that will be cut on the tube laser.
- We need drawings for any parts that require bending.
- An overview document which describes features, benefits and any unique things we might not spot would also be very helpful in understanding the design. Basically anything you think we should be aware of.
If you aren’t able to submit all of the files, it’s Ok. Include what you can and we’ll work together on the rest.
Submission Form
By submitting this form, you’re granting us some rights, and we’ll discuss things under NDA, but if we don’t choose to use your design ALL rights revert back to you. Don’t worry, we’re not going to do anything shady with your design. Contact us in advance if you have any concerns.