An Overview of Methods used for Metal Fabrication

Metal Fabrication is a process that involves cutting, bending and assembling of metals into various shapes and sizes. Typically, all metal fabrication work is done in fabrication and machine shops using a variety of specialized tools and processes like forming and welding.

Some of the specialized metal fabrication methods include brazing, shearing, forming, extrusion, forging, heat treatment, powder coating, punching, casting, spinning, and chipping to name a few. Some of the higher level specializations include electrical, prototyping, machine design, and hydraulics.

Metal fabrication uses a number of raw materials such as, plate metal, formed metal, tube stock, square stock, welding wire, castings, hardware and fittings. The various stages of metal fabrication include cutting and burning, forming, machining, welding and final assembly.

These metal fabrication processes are used to construct various machines and structures. Popularly, sheet metal and stainless steel are used for the purposes of metal fabrication and are used to create various industrial and consumer products such as loose parts, structural frames for buildings, and machines.

When metal is formed into thin and flat pieces, it is known as Sheet Metal. These metal sheets can be of varying thicknesses and can be cut and bent into numerous shapes and sizes. The thickness of sheet metal is also called its ‘gauge’.

Apart from flat pieces, sheet metal is also available in coiled strips. Sheet metal is usually made out of metals such as aluminum, brass, copper, steel, tin, nickel and titanium. Sometimes, gold, silver and platinum are also used for decorative purposes.

Sheet metal fabrication is used to construct products such as car bodies, airplane wings, building materials, and food processing equipment and many other things.

Stainless steel is an alloy of iron, chromium, and other elements in varying amounts. It is also known as ‘Inox Steel’. Stainless steel is very strong. It resists corrosion and staining and has a very low maintenance. Stainless steel is also completely recyclable. Stainless steel is, therefore, used where these properties come in handy.

Stainless steel is made with a variety of grades and surface finishes depending on its eventual use. The grade and finish depends on the environment that the alloy has to endure after it has been converted into the final product.rnSome of the common Stainless steel finishes include the brushed finish, the satin finish, the mirror finish and the coarse, abrasive finish.

Various industrial and consumer items, such as industrial equipment, storage tanks and kitchen appliances are built using several stainless steel fabrication processes. Stainless steel fabrication processes enable us to leverage the strength and tenacity of stainless steel across a variety of industrial markets, thus helping meet a wide range of consumer requirements.

Metal Fabrication is a very intensive process that is an integral part of the creation of many industrial and consumer products. Sheet metal fabrication and stainless steel fabrication are among the main applications of metal fabrication, and are very useful during the manufacturing of many different products that we use in our everyday life.