What is metal fabrication all about?

Metal fabrication is a topic we discuss a lot, but really, what is metal fabrication all about?

In this blog, we’ll answer all your questions, including; what sheet metal fabrication is, and answering the question, ‘what are the stages in metal work fabrication?’.

 

Want to know how our metal fabrication expertise can benefit you?
Contact us today

 

What do you mean by fabrication?

Metal fabrication is the creation of metal structures through a series of processes, including welding, cutting, bending and forming, and assembling. Using metal fabrication, you have the capability to manufacture a wide range of machines and structures. Using fabrication processes, you can create anything from large machines for the construction industry to a small interior design project.

To fully answer the question “what is sheet metal fabrication”, take a look at our in-depth guide here.

 

What is the purpose of fabrication?

To be able to answer the question ‘what is metal fabrication all about?’, you need to know its purpose. As briefly covered in the previous question, the purpose of fabrication is to manufacture a wide range of products to serve purposes to various industries.

Using metal fabrication, here at Customised Sheet Metal, we have the capability to create anything from warehouse trolleys and shelving, to bespoke and unique design projects for Nando’s.

Using fabrication, you can craft either practical structures that serve a logistical purpose, or aesthetically pleasing centrepieces. Either way, the purpose of fabrication is to manufacture the perfect bespoke product that any client needs. 

 

What is a metal fabrication company?

A metal fabrication company is one who specialises in designing and manufacturing products using metal fabrication. Customised Sheet Metal is a leading metal fabrication company whose staff are fully trained, qualified and experienced.

A professional metal fabrication company should be able to handle your bespoke requirements, no matter your specific request. 

 

What are the stages in metal work fabrication?

You might start to be able to answer the question ‘what is metal fabrication all about?, but you still don’t know the answer to ‘what are the stages in metal work fabrication?’.

There aren’t any short cuts when it comes to the process of metal fabrication. The four main stages in metal work fabrication are cutting, forming and bending, rolling, joining, and finishing. 

Cutting

Cutting is the process of measuring out your metal and cutting it to the right shape and size. In the past, metal cutting was done using a specialised saw, which was effective but sometimes left rough edges. 

Today, however, the main cutting technique that’s used is laser cutting, using either plasma torches or high-powered water jets. Both cutting techniques allow for high precision, and the choice of technique will depend on the finish required on the project, as well as considering the budget.

Forming and Bending 

When you’re creating a product using metal fabrication, during the process, you will need to form the metal into the required shape without changing its size or volume. One forming technique is bending the metal.

Bending metal is a specialist task but being able to do it effectively is a highly versatile skill. The ability to bend metal means that you can manufacture a wide range of products, from small fixings to large items such as shipping containers.

Using a press brake, metal is most commonly bent into one of three shapes: a V shape, a U shape, or a channel shape. 

Rolling

In some circumstances, products being created using metal fabrication may need to be rolled. This is a specialist skill and a process which Customised Sheet Metal have a lot of experience in.

This process is used when the desired outcome is a smooth curved surface of the metal. It involves passing the metal through a series of rolls until you achieve the desired width and curvature of the product. 

We’ve written a blog about the process of producing metal cones, which gives more insight into this process. 

Joining

Next stage in metal fabrication is to join your metals together to form your product. 

Some methods you can use to join metals include soldering, brazing, riveting, and of course welding. 

Welding is the most common joining method and is the process of using electricity to melt and join pieces of metal together to form a single unit. Welding is a popular method of joining metals because the bond that’s formed when you weld can’t easily be broken.

Finishing

After assembling your product, no matter what you’re manufacturing, it will require some level of finishing. For example, you may need to clean your weld, or polish the metal.

Finishing the product has two main aims. Firstly, to ensure that the final product has the necessary protection against corrosion, and secondly to provide a professional and aesthetically pleasing look, such as a shine. 

 

Contact us

Hopefully we’ve managed to answer your burning question “what is metal fabrication all about?”, and you understand what it is, and the main stages involved.

Do you need a bespoke metal product manufactured? If so, we can help. With nearly 30 years of experience, our specialist metal fabrication teams can create the product that benefits you.

Whether for practical or aesthetic purposes, our sheet metal fabrication team can manufacture the product you need to your exact specifications.

Interested in how our services can help you?

Contact us today.

Category :