What is Metal Fabrication and How Does it Work?

What is Metal Fabrication?

Metal fabrication is the process in which we use raw materials to construct machines and structures.

Metal fabrications take a raw material at one stage of production and adds value to it by constructing it into another form. This is why fabrication is known as a value added process.

Metal fabricators are companies that have made this process their specialty. They play a key role in providing the world with consumer goods, turning sheet metal into important finished products.

 

How Does Metal Fabrication Work?

The fabrication of metal is both an art and a science, involving a significant amount of complexity. However, we can break down the bulk of these complex methods into several categories such as welding, folding, cutting, shearing, machining, stamping, and punching.

Welding – Welding is probably the most commonly known method of fabrication. It is the process by which we use extreme heat to combine metal together. Even within the broader category of welding there are many different methods used to meet the requirements of the manufacturer and the specific metals to be welded.

Folding – Folding is the process by which we use a brake press to bend the metal into a new shape. Due to its complexity, folding can be fairly slow and expensive.

Cutting – Cutting is the process by which we cut metal sheets into new sizes as needed for forming. Modern cutting processes involve advanced technology such as plasma torches, laser cutting, and water jets.

Shearing – Shearing is often confused with cutting, however this process involves cutting metal sheets into specific sizes with a single, longer cut.

Machining – Machining is the term for how we remove metal and reshape it into a finished product using machinery.

Stamping – Stamping is how we create a raised section in the metal. The metal is not punched through but rather pressed between a stamp die.

Punching – Finally, punching is, of course, the way we make holes through the metal using dies.

Raw materials used in the fabrication process may include plate metal, expanded or pre-formed metal, fittings, castings, and wire.

At first, these raw materials usually need to be cut to the required dimensions. The newly cut metal is then formed using dies and then bent into a specific shape. The metal may then be welded together. After cooling, the product is usually sanded, painted, and following a final inspection, shipped to the customer.

We hope this has given you an overview of the main processes of fabrication. Of course, the fabrication of metal is extremely complex and we recommend diving deeper into the subject. There are always new methods being developed which are, unfortunately, beyond the scope of this post.

 

Metal Fabricators – Putting It All Together

Metal fabricators often work on a variety of projects, anything from hand railings and stairs to machinery and equipment. Fabrication shops specialise in metal forming and welding.

For metal fabrication in the UK, China Special Metal Parts, Inc. (CSMPI) has a large fabrication shop with a wide range of capabilities in all of the above methods and more. When you give us the dimensions and specifications of your project, our fabricators are usually able to give an estimated price based on the time and materials required to complete the job within the same day.

We stock a wide variety of metals, in various thicknesses and colours, including molybdenum, niobium, tantalum, tungsten, zirconium and titanium. Our variety of stock ensures we keep turnaround times short, with most jobs being completed very quickly.

CSMPI conducts all metal fabrications and machining in-house to give our customers complete peace of mind. Whether you’re looking for fabrication, bead and aqua blasting, or our wrought product service, we can meet your needs today. We even offer a welding and next day delivery service for urgent jobs. So if you’re looking for metal fabrication in the UK, call us now for a same day quotation.

Posted on: Oct 17, 2016