Metal Fabrication - What Are The 5 Main Fabrication Techniques?

Metal Fabrication – What Are The 5 Main Fabrication Techniques?

General

 

Metal fabrication forms, cuts, and joins metal pieces into finished products. The techniques used in the process are many. Most fabrication techniques involve the use of cutting tools. Find here one of the most effective techniques recommended by reputable metal fabrication companies near me.

Cutting:

Cutting involves dividing the metal sheet into smaller sections. These parts can be used for assembly, finishing, or welding. Some fabricators will use screws, glue, and other finishing touches to finish the project. If the finished product is small, it may be necessary to coat or add a coating. Some techniques include manual welding, MIG, and TIG. The finished products can be used in construction, transportation, and other applications.

Forging:

Forging involves heating metal to a high temperature, then shaping it. This process is also used to create metal pipes and bars. In some cases, the metal is shaped using multiple passes. The process involves using filler metal and a bonding agent to join the pieces. It is commonly used for aluminum and steel metal fabrication.

Bending:

Bending involves deforming the metal surface at a specified angle. It is commonly used to create custom shapes and sizes. Most sheet metal bending processes are designed to work with aluminum, spring steel, and copper. Using a rolling machine or press brake to bend metal is also possible.

Shearing:

Shearing is another metal fabrication technique. It is a two-step process that cuts straight lines on sheet metal. It is best for use on materials that have rough edges. It is also cost-effective when producing large quantities for high-volume applications. However, it may not be suitable for applications with fine finishes.

In addition to these metal fabrication techniques, more sophisticated forms of cutting include laser cutting, plasma arc cutting, and power scissors. Most fabricators begin their projects with computer-aided design software. This gives them the advantage of a 3-D model that can help them understand the project’s specifications.

Welding:

The final fabrication technique is welding. Most fabricators will join the pieces of metal together using welds, screws, or glue. The final step is assembling the metal parts. Depending on the size of the project, other steps may be required to complete the process.