Metal fabrication is crucial for creating the structures, components, and products that support our daily lives. This process involves many techniques, all contributing to high-quality custom products. The three primary functions of a custom metal fabricator are cutting the raw stock into desired sizes and shapes, forming the materials by bending them, and welding and joining the individual pieces together.
Preparation
Choosing custom metal fabrication rather than off-the-shelf products can save you money. It also allows for greater design flexibility, allowing you to create unique, innovative solutions for your manufacturing needs. Metal fabrication requires various high-tech tools and equipment to cut, bend, roll, and assemble metal into complex shapes. The most common raw materials are sheet metal and structural metal. During preparation, fabricators ensure that their finished product meets precise dimensions. They also test the fabricated metals to ensure they function correctly and according to industry standards. Any defects will be welded or repaired before moving on to the next step. Ensuring the quality of your blades should be a top priority for your business, regardless of your goals regarding industrial metalworking, from cutting sheet metal to knife sharpening. Utilizing only the best blades made from the best materials and sharpened to the highest standards will boost overall business efficiency and decrease downtime in industrial metalworking equipment.
Design
Custom metal fabrication is a vital and adaptable technique that adds value to diverse industries by crafting unique and intricate metal components aligned with precise specifications. From architectural embellishments to robust components for industrial machinery, the process unveils a meticulously orchestrated sequence that morphs raw metal into functional and aesthetically captivating objects. Shop drawings are reviewed and approved before the design phase starts. It guarantees that the finished product will fulfill your precise specifications and be resilient to the forces, temperatures, chemicals, and structural demands it will encounter during use. It also ensures that fabricated parts are compatible and able to fit together.
Materials
A custom metal fabrication shop will use various metals to create structures and parts for a product or machine. The choice of material depends on the design specifications and requirements. Stainless steel is an excellent choice for corrosion resistance, while aluminum provides strength and weight reduction. Ductility, or the ability to be formed into different shapes, is another important consideration for precision sheet metal fabrication. Choosing a metal fabricator that offers a one-stop shop for the entire product creation process can speed up projects and reduce costs. It can also eliminate the need for a separate design house, prototyping studio, and fabricator.
Fabrication
The fabrication begins after the initial design is formulated and the chosen materials are selected. At this stage, specialized machinery cuts the raw materials into individual parts. It is a crucial step, as the quality of the cutting can determine the final product. For example, shears are industrial machines that use blades to cut metal at specific angles and thicknesses. Other processes in the fabrication stage include casting, forging, punching, drawing, and rolling. Casting involves forming metal into an imprint in a mold. Rolling shapes raw metal into curved or angled surfaces by applying varying pressures and temperatures. The finished products are then assembled.
Assembly
Custom metal fabrication can create unique components and structures suited to particular requirements. This process plays a vital role across several industries. Choosing the suitable materials is crucial in the fabrication process. Some applications require resilient metal alloys that withstand heat, intense pressure, and corrosion. The cut parts are then formed and welded to create the final structure or product. This stage includes several quality control and inspection procedures. Depending on the project, surface finishing processes like deburring and powder coating may be applied. Simplifying and optimizing the design before sending it to your fabricator is one of the best ways to streamline this phase.
Finishing
In the final stage of custom metal fabrication, finishing techniques improve durability and prevent damage from moisture or chemicals. Typical finish options include powder coating and galvanizing. Quality control is vital to custom metal fabrication, guaranteeing that the end product meets desired standards and specifications. It also involves verifying that the initial design is accurate and identifying any errors or deviations early in the process to avoid costly rework.
Using custom metal fabrication allows businesses to create tailored pieces better suited for the structural demands, temperatures, and chemical environments they will be exposed to in real-world applications. It ultimately translates to greater efficiency and safety.
