It is important that a material undergoes several metal fabrication processes before you use it for your assembly and manufacturing tasks. These metal manufacturing processes could vary, and this depends on what you intend to use the metal for. However, you can use them in several decorative, industrial, or structural applications. There are different types of metal fabrication projects.
In most cases, manufacturers combine one type with other types. These methods include any or some of stamping, casting, cutting, extrusion, etc. Also, these methods of metal part fabrication reveals a metal’s properties and how versatile it is in specific applications.
What is Metal Fabrication?
Metal fabrication is a process for cutting, shaping, and molding metal materials to create an end product. Rather than assembling the product from pre-prepared components, fabrication deals with the use of semi-completed or raw materials for producing the final product. Metal fabrication manufacturing is useful for both stock and custom products.
You can create most custom products from different commonly-used metals as well as their alloys. These metal fabricators usually begin with raw metal components like rods, bars, sheets, etc. for creating new products.
Equipment manufacturers, resellers, and contractors make use of metal fabricators when handling different projects. Fabricators usually submit their drawings to bid on different jobs and then start building the project once they get the contract. They start planning by getting the right materials. Next is to hire the professional services of an engineer to program the CNC machines.
Also, fabrication shops might utilize many processes for creating the end product. Furthermore, they offer finishing services like coating, polishing, painting, and deburring to the end product. Note that, finishing and fabrication differ.
Finishing is not a primary process, in contrast to metal fabrication, and it helps in treating a product’s exterior. On the other hand, fabrication techniques shape a product or create a new one.
Different Types of Metal Fabrication
Selecting a particular method for your metal fabrication that suits a specific product is dependent on some factors
- Geometry of the designed part
- The materials you use
- The intended purpose of the product
