Frank Li

Starting as an apprentice at 17, Frank has mastered every station of the fabrication process—from laser cutting and bending to precision welding. He founded ShincoFab to give global clients direct access to an ISO9001-certified factory, eliminating trading company markups. On this blog, Frank shares expert insights on manufacturing optimization, cost reduction, and quality control for your custom metal projects.

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Frank
Focused fiber laser cutting metal sheet flying sparks
Frank

Waterjet vs. Laser Cutting: How to Choose the Right Method

You have a design ready, but now you face a costly choice: waterjet or laser cutting? Pick the wrong one, and you will waste time, ruin your material, or blow your budget. Here at ShincoFab, our factory floor runs both high-power fiber lasers and heavy-duty waterjets daily. I have personally overseen thousands of custom sheet

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Frank August 31, 2026
Open wall-mounted industrial electrical enclosure
Frank

A Manufacturer’s Guide to NEMA vs IP Ratings for Enclosures

The primary difference between NEMA and IP ratings is that IP ratings primarily measure protection against dust and water, while NEMA ratings also measure resistance to real-world environmental hazards like corrosion, ice, and oil. IP is an international standard, whereas NEMA is widely used in North America. As a fabrication engineer at ShincoFab, I oversee

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Frank August 28, 2026
Close-up of MIG welding process with sparks
Frank

MIG vs. TIG Welding: How to Match the Method to Your Metal

At ShincoFab, we use both MIG and TIG welding in day-to-day sheet-metal fabrication—from structural steel assemblies to aluminum and stainless-steel enclosures. The right process depends on the material, thickness, joint design, appearance requirement, production volume, and the welder’s skill. This guide explains the practical differences between MIG and TIG welding, including learning curve, productivity, material

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Frank August 28, 2026
Close-up of press brake bending sheet metal
Frank

Mastering Bend Reliefs: Sizing, Shapes, and Material Choices

If you design sheet metal parts, treating a bend relief like just another boring CAD rule is a costly mistake. Here at ShincoFab, our press brake operators bend thousands of parts every single week. After years of manufacturing sheet metal on the shop floor, I’ve seen what happens when designers ignore bend reliefs or size

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Frank August 22, 2026
Flush screws on black sheet metal server rack
Frank

From CAD to the Factory Floor: A Practical Guide to Countersink Design

At ShincoFab, our quality control bins have seen thousands of parts hit the scrap pile because of a single badly designed hole. As a lead fabrication engineer who spends every day walking between our CAD department and the ShincoFab factory floor, I know firsthand that countersink design is where most engineers make their most expensive

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Frank August 21, 2026
Anodizing vs. Powder Coating
Frank

A Sheet Metal Factory’s Guide to Anodizing vs. Powder Coating

You just finished making a great metal part. Now, you need to protect it. At ShincoFab, our sheet metal fabrication floor processes thousands of parts every month. We have seen what can happen when a precisely stamped, bent, or machined part receives the wrong finish: the coating can interfere with fit, raise finishing costs through

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Frank August 20, 2026
CNC press brake dies bending sheet metal
Frank

The Ultimate Sheet Metal DFM Checklist: Optimize CAD and Cut Costs

A comprehensive sheet metal DFM checklist ensures your CAD designs are optimized for factory-floor manufacturing, reducing scrap rates and avoiding costly custom tooling. I know this firsthand because I have reviewed thousands of CAD files before they hit the ShincoFab factory floor. Over my years as a manufacturing engineer here, I have seen recurring design

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Frank August 18, 2026
Seamless deep drawn metal shells on production line
Frank

Deep Draw Sheet Metal Forming: The Complete Guide for Engineers

Deep draw sheet metal forming is a high-volume manufacturing process that turns flat sheet metal (blanks) into hollow, seamless 3D shapes. As an engineer with 15 years on the ShincoFab factory floor, I have watched this process create thousands of high-precision parts—and I know exactly how it fails when corners are cut on tooling. While

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Frank August 17, 2026
Precision press brake tooling bending aluminum sheet close-up
Frank

5052-H32 Yield Strength: A Fabricator’s Guide

As the lead fabrication engineer here at ShincoFab, I work with aluminum on our factory floor daily. I know firsthand how these metals behave when you put them on a 100-ton press brake or send them out into harsh marine environments. The standard yield strength of 5052-H32 aluminum is 28,000 psi (193 MPa). However, the

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Frank August 16, 2026
Fabricated custom sheet metal bracket held by operator
Frank

How to Import Custom Sheet Metal: A Factory-Direct Guide

At ShincoFab, we have spent years running the CNC machines, press brakes, and welding stations for overseas clients, and we see the same expensive mistakes happen frequently. First-time buyers often chase the cheapest quote from a trading company, only to get derailed by hidden tooling fees, damaged components, and unexpected customs duties. In this guide,

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Frank August 12, 2026

ShincoFab specializes in precision sheet metal fabrication, delivering high-quality custom metal solutions to clients worldwide with advanced technology and expert craftsmanship.

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  • Building 1, No.8, Second Street, Huangjiang Town, Dongguan City, Guangdong Province
  • Whatsapp: +86 13392819510
  • [email protected]

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