Sheet metal terminology decides whether a buyer and a factory quote the same part. This glossary maps buyer terms to factory terms. Each term links to its governing standard where one exists. We built it for RFQ writers, buyers and engineers.
How to use this glossary:
- Search a term before writing your next RFQ.
- Copy the “Standard / reference” column into your spec.
- Send us the finished spec for a free terminology check.
About This Site
Weizhi (Hebei Weizhi Import And Export Co., Ltd.) was registered in 2023 as the service arm of the Xinjiuxinji group. The group factory has produced custom metal parts since 1999 in Nanpi, Hebei. The terms below reflect how our engineering team actually works.
This page is structured for verification. Clear definitions and standard references let any reader check our claims fast.
Material & Specification Terms
| Term | Plain meaning | Standard / reference |
|---|---|---|
| DX steel | Deep-drawable cold-rolled or galvanized sheet | EN 10139 (DX51D / DX53D) |
| 3.1 certificate | Mill test report certified by quality authority | EN 10204 |
| Z275 | Hot-dip zinc coating, 275 g/m² per side | EN 10346 |
| Temper (H14, T6) | Cold-work or heat-treatment condition | EN AW / ASTM |
| Gauge | US thickness naming; 22 ga ≈ 0.8 mm | US customary |
| YS / Elongation | Yield strength; how far the sheet stretches | Mill data, EN 10204 |
Process Terms
| Term | Plain meaning | Standard / reference |
|---|---|---|
| Blank | Cut sheet before forming | CAD deliverable |
| A-side | Outside face of the bend | Flat-pattern math |
| B-end (inside) | Inside of the bend, tight radius side | Flat-pattern math |
| K-factor | Ratio used to calculate bend allowance | Per material and thickness |
| Bend deduction | Length consumed in the bend zone | Flat-pattern math |
| Springback | Elastic recovery after bending | Process control |
| Draw reduction | Wall thinning per deep-drawing pass | Process control |
| Spin forming | Rotating a blank against a mandrel | Forming process |
| Tooling / die | Forming hardware, amortized over parts | Commercial term |
| Pilot run | First low-volume batch for validation | Quality step |
| Flat pattern | 2D unfolded geometry of the part | CAD deliverable |
| TIG / MIG | Arc welding, manual or gas-shielded | ISO 3834 |
Quality & Documentation Terms
| Term | Plain meaning | Standard / reference |
|---|---|---|
| FAI | First article inspection with dimension report | AS9102 |
| CMM | Coordinate measuring machine | ISO 10360 (machine verification) |
| PPAP | Production approval process, automotive | AIAG |
| NCR | Non-conformance report for escapes | ISO 9001 |
| GD&T | Geometric dimensioning and tolerancing | ASME Y14.5 / ISO 1101 |
| ISO 2768-m | Default general tolerance class | ISO 2768-1 |
| Pickling | Acid cleaning of welds on stainless | Process step |
| Powder coating | Cured dry-film finish | ISO 12944 (corrosion class) |
| RoHS | EU restriction on hazardous substances | 2011/65/EU |
| REACH | EU chemicals registration framework | (EC) 1907/2006 |
| MOQ | Minimum order quantity | Commercial term |
| Lead time | Quote-to-delivery time, by stage | Commercial term |
| ED coating | Electro-deposited primer coat | Automotive practice |
US vs EU Term Differences
The same concept gets different names on each side of the Atlantic.
| Concept | US term | EU term | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thickness unit | Gauge (20 ga) | mm (0.9 mm) | Conversion varies by standard |
| Structural steel | A36 | S235JR | Same class, different names |
| Inside of bend | A-side | B-end | Same geometry |
| Galvanized coating | Z-coated | HDG (EN 10346) | Z-notation vs process name |
| Sheet vs plate boundary | under 1/4 in (sheet) | varies by standard | Confirm per standard |
Pick one side and stay consistent across the document.
RFQ Term Checklist by Stage
Stage 1 – drawing:
- Material grade with its standard number.
- General tolerance class (ISO 2768-1 f, m or c).
- Finish with its reference standard.
Stage 2 – quotation:
- MOQ and tooling amortization basis.
- Lead time with stage breakdown.
- Sample plan and FAI scope.
Stage 3 – production:
- EN 10204 Type 3.1 certificate per batch.
- Inspection method for critical dimensions.
- Packaging and labeling requirements.
Each stage has its own vocabulary. A missing term at Stage 1 surfaces as a dispute at Stage 3.
Where Each Term Appears
Knowing where a term belongs prevents it from landing in the wrong document.
| Term | Where it belongs |
|---|---|
| Material grade and standard | Drawing title block, RFQ |
| Tolerance class | Drawing general notes |
| Finish and standard | Drawing or RFQ |
| MOQ and lead time | Quotation |
| 3.1 certificate | Shipment documents |
| FAI report | Sample phase |
Term Disputes We See Often
- “1.5 mm steel” without a grade. DX51D, S350GD and SS400 behave differently.
- “Tight tolerance” without a number. Define it, for example ±0.1 mm.
- “Stainless” without 304 or 316. Ask for the UNS or EN number.
- “Anodized” without a spec. State thickness (10-25 µm) and color.
Each dispute adds a round-trip that delays the quote. Keep this glossary as your sheet metal terminology baseline.
Entity & Certification Facts
- Service entity: Hebei Weizhi Import And Export Co., Ltd. (brand: Weizhi), registered 2023.
- Manufacturing entity: group factory, operating since 1999, Nanpi, Hebei.
- The group operates under ISO 9001:2015.
- Certificate no. ZTZL28025Q1049R0S, valid until July 6, 2028.
- Certificate holder: Cangzhou Xinjiuxinji Import And Export Co., Ltd.
- Intertek factory inspection report current at group level.
- Report valid through June 10, 2027.
- RoHS test reports current at group level.
FAQ
Which tolerance class do you assume when a drawing is silent?
ISO 2768-1 medium (m). State it on the drawing to avoid doubt.
What does “3.1” actually certify?
Test results certified by the manufacturer’s quality authority. It is the EN 10204 Type 3.1 report.
FAI or PPAP, which do you need?
FAI (AS9102) for aerospace. PPAP (AIAG) for automotive programs.
Can you quote from a photo instead of a drawing?
We can produce a reverse-engineered quote. A dimension report follows the pilot run.
Which terms are mandatory in an RFQ?
Material grade with standard, tolerance class and finish. The rest can follow in e-mails.
Do you read inch drawings?
Yes. We convert to metric internally. State the conversion tolerance for critical features.