How a Metal Locker Is Made

Primary process: Resistance Spot Welding. The full route, materials, tolerances and design tips for a metal locker, with an indicative cost.

Resistance Spot WeldingPrimary process
JoiningFamily
5Route steps

A metal locker is primarily made by Resistance Spot Welding. Resistance spot welding joins overlapping sheet metal by passing current through electrodes that heat and fuse a small nugget at each spot. Below is the full route to make a metal locker, the materials it suits, the tolerances to expect and the main design points. The route is free, from the finder.

Step by step

How a metal locker is made

The usual route, raw material to finished part. The amber step is where the metal locker gets its basic shape.

  1. Prepare the parts

    Make and clean the components the metal locker brings together.
    Tooling None   Tolerance ±0.125mm, to ±0.025mm   Lead 1 to 10 days
  2. Fit-up

    Jig and align the parts, set the gap and tack where needed.
  3. Resistance Spot Welding

    Join the parts to form the metal locker.
    Tooling Medium   Tolerance joint   Lead immediate
  4. Clean and finish

    Dress the joint, remove flux or spatter, and coat if required.
  5. Inspection

    Inspect the joint visually and, for critical work, by NDT or leak test.

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Materials

Materials for a metal locker

GradeWhy it suits this
Low-carbon steel sheetWelds easily
Galvanised/coatedCorrosion (harder to weld)
Stainless sheetCorrosion
Design

Design tips

General pointers. The full design-for-manufacturing list for a metal locker is in the dossier.

  • Welds too close / at edges. Respect spacing + edge distance.
  • Access for both electrodes. Design open flanges.
Cost

What a metal locker should cost

Fast sheet joining (auto bodies, enclosures); pennies per weld at volume, well suited to automation.

PER-PART COST vs VOLUME
one-offat volumeVolume per order, low to highCost per part
Per-part cost drops as volume spreads tooling and setup over more parts. The exact figures for a metal locker at your volume, in your currency, are in the dossier.
MODEL EST.
$0.79 to 1.9 per part at 100 off
A rough ballpark only. The dossier gives should-cost at your exact volume and currency, with the full breakdown.
GET THE FULL DOSSIER

Everything you need to quote and source it

The free route above is yours. To actually put a number on a metal locker and buy it well:

  • Should-cost at your exact volume in 12 currencies, with the material, processing, tooling and overhead breakdown
  • Who to source from, typical MOQ and lead time, and the exact RFQ checklist to send
  • A quote checker that tells you if a supplier quote is fair, and the red flags to watch
  • The full DFM list and a ready-to-send RFQ draft

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See also: How Resistance Spot Welding works and the full route for a metal locker in the finder.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How is a metal locker made?
A metal locker is primarily made by resistance spot welding. The route is: Prepare the parts; Fit-up; Resistance Spot Welding; Clean and finish; Inspection.
What does a metal locker cost?
It depends on size, tolerance and volume. As a rough ballpark it starts around $0.79 to 1.9 per part at 100 off and falls with quantity. The dossier gives should-cost at your exact volume and currency. A model estimate, not a quote.
What material is a metal locker made from?
Common choices are Low-carbon steel sheet; Galvanised/coated; Stainless sheet.
What is the main process for a metal locker?
Resistance Spot Welding. High-volume sheet assemblies: car bodies, enclosures, racks and wire goods.
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