Why are 304 and 304L Stainless Steel in a single material name?

If you regularly order 304 stainless steel sheet metal, you’ve probably come across the designation 304/304L in a material name. In this blog, we explain the difference and why they’re often mentioned together.

Customer insights

Working together with R&R Steel Design to find solutions

R&R Steel Design is one of our Belgian customers of custom steel parts. Our intensive collaboration also includes a project involving the production and supply of the charging stations.

Materials and operations

Raex® 400 or Hardox® 400: Which one should you choose?

The wear-resistant steel grades Raex® 400 and Hardox® 400 are very similar, but not entirely the same. In this article, we discuss important differences and give advice on which one is best for you.

Tips & tricks

Top 6 design errors in sheet metal in Sophia®

In Sophia®, sheet metal parts are regularly uploaded with one or more design errors. In this article, we show you the most common errors and explain how to prevent them.

Tips & tricks

Sophia® error code 1800: Overlapping contours

If Sophia® gives you error code 1800, there are overlapping contours in your drawing. In this blog, we explain what these are, why they are a problem, and what you can do to resolve them.

Tips & tricks

Positioning your bent part against the backgauge

In this blog, we explain what the backgauge of a bending machine is and describe four scenarios (with examples) in which the backgauge affects the manufacturability of your bent part.

Tips & tricks

Top 5 design errors for tubes in Sophia®

In Sophia®, tubes (and structures containing them) are regularly uploaded with one or more design errors. In this article, we show you the most common errors and explain how to avoid them.

Feature Friday

How to indicate the tube side with the seam weld in Sophia®

In response to popular demand, you can now specify the seam weld side of a tube yourself in Sophia®. In this blog post, we explain why you would want to do so and what the exact procedure is.

Tips & tricks

From 3D to 2D in Sophia®: Export Part to DXF

Do you want to find out more about the 'Export part to DXF’ function in Sophia®? In this blog, you can read what this is, how to use it, and why it can be useful when ordering sheet metal.

Work smarter

Everything about the flat blank of bent metal parts

‘Flat blank’ is a term you will often encounter in connection with making 3D objects in metal. In this blog we explain exactly what this is, what formulas you use to calculate it and how Sophia® deals with it.