What is metal fabrication?
Metal fabrication is the process of designing and manufacturing machinery, structures, etc. from raw metal materials. The process incorporates a variety of manufacturing techniques to complete the finished product.
When it comes to metal fabrication, some clients may be happy with commercially available, pre-made goods. Others, however, prefer to work with specialized custom metal fabrication companies, ensuring that their projects are produced to particular specifications with high accuracy, precision, ingenuity, and consistency.
Processes used typically depend upon the client’s unique requirements, architectural specifications, etc. Custom metal fabrication requires sophisticated equipment and a skilled team. Parts and components such as metal sheets, metal plates, metal rods, and metal bars are commonly available in a range of materials and dimensional measurements. These parts are then fabricated using methods that cut, form, or mold these metal materials into the finished product.
Metal fabrication projects can include virtually anything made from metal- from handrails, to large tools and machinery. Many metal fabrication companies specialize in a specific type of fabrication, including kitchen utensils and cutting tools, decorative and composite metals, hardware, springs and wires, screws, locks, bolts, and much more.
How is metal fabrication performed?
Custom metal fabrication has a variety of applications in a wide range of industries. Resources commonly found in a fabrication shop include metal plates, fittings, castings, molded and extended metal, flat metal, and welding wires. Metal fabrication shops recruit a wide variety of specialists such as welders, fabricators, blacksmiths, and other professionals who work with these raw materials to transform them into the finished product.
About 1,425 million employees work in the metal fabrication industry. They include superintendents, managers, cutters, machine operators, sorters, welders, brazers, and more. Typical metal fabrication processing usually requires any or more of the following eight steps, which you can find more information on here.
cutting
Many metal fabrication projects start with the cutting of metal plates/sheets into smaller parts. The scale of these parts depends on the nature of the commodity and the limits of any required machines.
forming
During the fabrication process, metal pieces are twisted into different forms. Forming machines can be used to perform these twists based on design specifications.
welding
Welding binds two different metal pieces by heating them and causing them to attach together. This may include joining two separate items to build a bigger piece, or fitting together large, completed parts to form the full product. Sheets, panels, chains and a number of other metal pieces can be welded securely.
machining
In the machining process, several methods are used to create small parts from a larger piece of metal. The metal may be rotated against specific instruments to cut off portions of the object before it has reached its final form.
punching
This method can be used to connect other pieces to a larger item or to make holes in a large sheet of metal. Depending on the shape and scale of the metal to be punched, this process may be carried out by a small manual punching press or a bigger, more complicated CNC punching press.
shearing
Shearing involves creating lengthy cuts in metal sheets. This method is also used to trim the edges off of long sheets of metal.
stamping
Stamping utilizes great force on a die to form an imprint on metal, but it does not puncture the base material. Metal stamping has a wide variety of uses, such as placing marking or lettering on an item forming a particular design. More sophisticated designs will use a sequence of dies to make subtle improvements to the object as it goes through the process.
casting
In casting, molten metal is placed into a mold and allowed to solidify into its final form. This versatile fabrication technique is typically used to form unique or complicated shapes.
what industries rely on metal fabrication?
Metal fabrication is an essential process in many industries. A variety of industries that you may never think of depend on metal fabrication. Here are some of the different industries that rely on custom metal fabrication, among many others.
architecture and construction
The architecture and construction industries rely heavily on the manufacturing of metals, especially for the structural integrity of large buildings. Heavy duty, industrial metals such as beams, columns, etc. are critical to uphold the structure and safety of a variety of buildings and developments. Smaller items created by metal fabrication, such as railings, stairs, etc. are another important component used by architects and construction companies in the development of a new building or structure.
interior design
Interior designers rely on custom metal fabrication for the creation of unique design-related items, such as railings, partitions, furniture, and much more. Working with a reliable and creative custom metal fabrication company is critical to the success of any interior designer hoping to achieve a creative and high-end appearance.
mining
The mining industry relies on the fabrication of metals for a variety of tools and machinery. Miners need machinery that performs safely and effectively in severe conditions. Accurate and rapid production is also important. Products such as mine cars, machines, and belt drives are all made by metal fabricators/manufacturers.
automotive
Metal fabrication is used by the auto industry to produce components for vehicles as well as the instruments and machinery used in the production of vehicles.
medical
While many people seem to think about more commercial uses for metal fabrication, there are also medical applications. Medical instruments are critical, and are expected to perform reliably and consistently. For this industry, precise and high-quality metal fabrication is key to ensure the effectiveness of these instruments.
appliances
There are several types of appliances that rely on the manufacturing of metals. Many common household items are made up of metal parts, such as vacuum cleaners, washing machines, etc. These components need to be carefully designed and fabricated to ensure that the appliance works correctly.
aerospace and aviation
There are several types of appliances that rely on the manufacturing of metals. Many common household items are made up of metal parts, such as vacuum cleaners, washing machines, etc. These components need to be carefully designed and fabricated to ensure that the appliance works correctly.
the benefits of working with a custom metal fabrication company
Some people may prefer to use off-the-shelf items for their metal-related work, but clients with a unique specification or style require the work of a custom metal fabricator. Custom metal fabricators can conform to the exact specifications that these clients require. The key advantage of a custom metal fabrication company is the customized planning and adaptation of their operations. A custom metal fabrication shop enables clients to reduce their need to deal with several suppliers to finish complex tasks.
Custom metal fabrication shops accomplish this by:
– Investing in the satisfaction of clients
– Developing goods that rivals cannot obtain or duplicate
– Providing durable, high quality fabrications
– Providing fabrications that are both visually appealing and unique
Read on to find out the advantages of working with custom metal fabrication company.
enhanced customization
The exact metal component needed often cannot be found in a commercially available form. Customization is the primary reason that professionals in various fields favor custom metal fabrication. When choosing a custom metal fabrication company, customers are often surprised by how many customization choices are available.
Customization is also of great importance in the medical industry, where sheets of metal are used to produce parts for medical equipment, personalized hospital beds, and much more. Custom metal fabrication companies allow clients to choose the exact style and material of their finished product.
With custom metal fabrication, clients can expect a finished product tailored beautifully and perfectly to their specifications, if not better. This advantage is simply not achieved without working with a custom metal fabricator.
Consider a commercially available automobile vs a completely personalized vehicle… which one would you choose?
unparalleled skill, experience, and availability of tools
Custom metal production demands highly-trained professionals with a large amount of experience. That is why, when choosing to work with a custom metal fabrication facility, clients can be confident that the goods will be of the highest standard. Experienced engineers and fabricators are also able to aid clients in coming up with a design that avoids wasted materials and excess costs.
Custom metal fabrication shops generally have a wide variety of state-of-the-art machinery that guarantees higher efficiency and enhanced precision. This machinery is generally very expensive. A fabrication shop specializing in custom metal fabrication has the tools and machinery needed to create these products without delay or mistakes.
durable fabrications
Metal is one of the most durable and robust materials available, and when tailored to suit requirements exactly, it becomes even more durable. One of the most significant benefits found using custom metal fabrication is the longevity and minimal upkeep of the product. Metal can be effectively preserved through a variety of fabrication and finishing techniques.
sophisticated methods
Using customized metal fabrication means that the metal is manufactured and produced using more sophisticated processes. These businesses have a variety of unique equipment and tools at their disposal, meaning that your project will be fabricated exactly to suit the client’s need. Many typical fabrication shops depend on conventional processes, allowing for less customization.
professional advice and insight
Custom metal fabrication companies focus on supplying clients with optimum service and customization options. From conception, to the final stages of fabrication, skilled professionals aid clients through the steps of the process, answering questions and offering valuable engineering opportunities.
Difficult and unique projects are the specialty of custom metal fabrication companies. We love a challenge!
choosing a custom metal fabrication company
Metal fabrication is a highly specialized industry, requiring employees to be qualified and trained to meet consumers’ unique and difficult requirements. By choosing a custom metal fabricator with proven results and experience, clients can rest assured that they have made the correct choice.
Selecting a custom metal fabrication company is an important choice that can profoundly impact the standard of your fabrication quality and the total price of your production process. Here are some important aspects to consider when selecting a fabrication shop.
experience
Experience is likely the most significant element to consider when choosing a custom metal fabrication shop. Consider the amount of time that the company has been in the industry, the types of projects that the company has worked on previously, and the difficulty of the projects that the company has previously worked on compared to your needs.
materials
Large metal fabrication companies generally utilize high quality materials of various types. Consider the type of fabrication, its desired location (indoors vs. outdoors), and the type of materials needed to complete the project before choosing a custom metal fabricator.
location
Although a business within your local area may sound like a convenient option, larger and more skilled fabrication companies may be available outside of this area. Many fabricators also specialize in packing and transporting projects safely, allowing clients to work with the fabricator of their choice, no matter where they are located.
adaptability
Adaptability is a reasonably straightforward predictor of whether a metal fabrication shop will be able to satisfy the client’s requirements.
Not every custom metal fabrication shop has the capacity to produce custom goods that conform to the different fabrication and finishing requirements demanded by certain applications and industries.
industries served
Nearly every custom metal fabrication company specializes in working with clients in a couple of specific industries. A custom metal fabrication company that typically produces automotive parts may not have the equipment and experience necessary to successfully complete an architectural metal fabrication.
the bottom line
Custom metal fabrication can save clients both time and stress. Working with a qualified and experienced custom metal fabricator ensures that the project is completed exactly to its specifications, saving clients time and headache. Our experienced team has successfully produced beautiful custom metal fabrications of various types for construction companies, architects, interior designers, and high-end private clients for nearly 30 years. Our state-of-the-art fabrication techniques coupled with our team’s vast experiences and specialties ensures that our fabrications exceed clients’ expectations time and time again.
Nothing is out of reach for Metal City Fab. Work with us today to discover why we are consistently chosen and trusted by our clients for their most difficult and unique custom metal fabrication needs.
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