Machined parts in the same order
CNC milling and turning on 3- and 5-axis machines, ±0.005″ standard. Brackets and the blocks they bolt to ship together.
01 / The Xeon NC difference
What sets Xeon NC apart from Fabworks.
The cutting, bending and hardware overlap. Here is what Xeon NC adds. The first three are services Fabworks does not list.
Production 3D printing
HP Multi Jet Fusion in Nylon PA12, for housings, fixtures and covers that suit printing better than sheet.
Type II anodizing
Anodized aluminum panels and brackets, clear or dyed, finished in the same shop that cut them.
Published bend data
The K-factor, inside radius, die and bend deduction for every stocked thickness, on every material page.
A proof before production
A proof drawing comes back before your parts are cut, so a wrong flange is caught on paper, not on the brake.
A wider sheet catalog
16 material families from 0.005″ to 1.00″, including 316 stainless, Corten, AR500 and MIC-6. Every one is on the materials page.
02 / Capabilities comparison
Xeon NC vs. Fabworks, service by service.
From each company's own website. A dash means the service was not listed when we checked on October 9, 2026; confirm on fabworks.com before you order.
| Service | Xeon NC | Fabworks |
|---|---|---|
| Cutting and forming | ||
| Sheet laser cutting | ✓ | ✓ |
| Press brake bending | ✓ | ✓ |
| Press brake bend simulation | ✓ | — |
| Laser tube cutting | — | ✓ |
| Machining and printing | ||
| CNC milling and turning | ✓ | — |
| HP Multi Jet Fusion 3D printing | ✓ | — |
| Holes and hardware | ||
| Tapping | ✓ | ✓ |
| Countersinking | ✓ | ✓ |
| PEM hardware insertion | ✓ | ✓ |
| Finishing and joining | ||
| Deburring | ✓ | ✓ |
| Powder coating | ✓ | ✓ |
| Type II anodizing | ✓ | — |
| Welding | — | ✓ |
| Ordering | ||
| Instant online quote | ✓ | ✓ |
| No minimum order | ✓ | ✓ |
| Where parts are made | ||
| Production locations | Nampa, Idaho | Ventura, California |
03 / Materials and limits
A wider catalog at Xeon NC.
Both cut aluminum, steel and stainless. Xeon NC stocks more grades and a wider thickness range; Fabworks adds steel tube.
Xeon NC
- Metals
- Aluminum, carbon steel, stainless
- Catalog
- 16 material families, 126 stocked thicknesses
- Stocked thickness
- 0.005″ to 1.00″
- Bending
- Up to 0.75″, with the die, radius and K-factor listed per thickness
- Files
- STEP, DXF; STL for 3D printing
Fabworks (as published)
- Metals
- Aluminum, steel, stainless, galvanized
- Catalog
- 5052-H32, 6061-T6, 7075-T6, 1008, A36, 304-2B, G90; A513 and A519 tube
- Stocked thickness
- 0.024″ to 0.5″
- Bending
- Press brake bending, adds about 1 business day
- Files
- DXF for flat parts; STEP for bent and tube parts
04 / Which one fits
Pick the shop that runs the process.
A fair comparison says where the other shop is ahead.
Xeon NC is usually the stronger fit
Mixed orders and a wider catalog
- The order mixes sheet metal with machined parts or MJF prints.
- You need Type II anodized aluminum.
- You need 316 stainless, Corten, AR500, MIC-6 or sheet under 0.024″.
- You want the K-factor and bend deduction before you design.
- You want to simulate every bend on real tooling before you order, in our free bend simulator.
- You want parts made in Idaho.
Fabworks may be the stronger fit
Tube parts and welded assemblies
- Laser tube cutting in square, rectangular or round tube.
- Welded assemblies.
- Flat laser parts it says typically ship in 1 to 2 business days.
- Local pickup in Ventura, California.
Comparing other online shops too? See Xeon NC vs. OSH Cut, how Xeon NC compares with SendCutSend, Xeon NC vs. Xometry, or the guide to where to get sheet metal parts.
05 / Moving a job over
Bring the same file. Check the bend data.
01
Send the formed STEP when you have it.Both shops take DXF and STEP. With a formed STEP, we develop the flat pattern for the die that runs your job. See STEP vs. DXF.
02
Match material and thickness to our catalog.Every stocked alloy and thickness is on the materials page, with its laser and bend limits.
03
If you send a flat DXF, use our K-factor.A blank developed with another shop's bend allowance can come out a few thousandths off per bend. Use the row in our K-factor chart.
Same files, same upload-quote-order flow. Machining, printing and anodizing in the same box.
06 / Frequently asked questions
Xeon NC vs. Fabworks FAQs.
Why choose Xeon NC over Fabworks?
Choose Xeon NC when one order mixes sheet metal with CNC machined parts or MJF 3D prints, when you need Type II anodized aluminum, or when you need a stock Fabworks does not list, such as 316 stainless, Corten, AR500 or sheet thinner than 0.024 in. Xeon NC also publishes the K-factor and bend deduction for every stocked thickness and sends a proof drawing before production.
Does Fabworks offer CNC machining or 3D printing?
Neither appears among the services on fabworks.com as of October 9, 2026. Xeon NC offers CNC milling and turning and HP Multi Jet Fusion 3D printing in Nylon PA12 alongside its sheet metal work.
Does Fabworks offer anodizing?
Anodizing is not listed among Fabworks' services as of October 9, 2026; its listed finish is powder coating. Xeon NC offers Type II anodizing on aluminum, clear or dyed.
What materials does Fabworks stock compared with Xeon NC?
Fabworks lists 5052-H32, 6061-T6 and 7075-T6 aluminum, 1008 and A36 steel, 304 stainless and G90 galvanized sheet from 0.024 in to 0.5 in, plus A513 and A519 tube. Xeon NC stocks 16 material families and 126 thicknesses from 0.005″ to 1.00″, including 316 stainless, 1100-H14 and MIC-6 aluminum, Corten, AR500 and A572.
When is Fabworks the better choice?
Fabworks lists laser tube cutting and welding, which Xeon NC does not offer, and says laser-cut parts typically ship within 1 to 2 business days. If your job needs tube cutting or welded assemblies, Fabworks is a strong fit.
Where are Xeon NC and Fabworks located?
Xeon NC makes every part in one shop in Nampa, Idaho. Fabworks lists a shop in Ventura, California.
Can I send Xeon NC the same files I send Fabworks?
Usually. Both quote from DXF and STEP files. A formed STEP is the safest choice, because we develop the flat pattern from the bend data for the die that runs your job.
Is Xeon NC affiliated with Fabworks?
No. Fabworks (fabworks.com) is an independent company and a trademark of its owner. This page compares publicly listed services so you can pick the right shop for each job.
Sources, checked October 9, 2026: Fabworks home and services, bending, tube laser cutting, welding, powder coating and shipping pages. Fabworks is a trademark of its owner. Xeon NC is not affiliated with Fabworks.