Metal fabrication services are an inseparable part of any industry since metal materials play a significant role in operating every household and working environment. From light fixtures and appliances to building materials, chairs, desk tools, claddings, metal is the stabilizing element that makes all required comforts possible.
Metal fabrication services utilize various procedures to turn raw metal into pre-made shapes for any demanding application. For example, the aluminum composite panel used for modern building cladding systems is made through custom metal fabrication processes performed at a metal fabricator facility. However, the metal fabrication services involve complex and varied methods that this article will introduce.
What is Metal Fabrication Services Process?
Metal fabrication services are an essential part of any industry. Metal fabricators utilize various systems and methods to create practical products for building and other applications. Each process takes years of training, experience, and skill to master. Moreover, industrial machines and tools required for metal fabrication are often expensive and consume considerable working space and energy. Here are some of the most used fabrication processes that metal manufacturers utilize:
- Metal Cutting
- Metal Folding
- Metal Welding
- Machining
- Punching
- Bending and Press Brake
- Shearing
- Notching
- CNC Routing
- Stamping
- Casting
Cutting Metal Fabrication Services
The most common metal fabrication services involve cutting, splitting sheet metals into smaller pieces. The cut metal is freshly made in most applications and needs to be fabricated into a particular product. Manufacturers submit pre-shaped metal products such as bars and measured panels in other applications. Metal fabricators perform the cutting process with various devices and machines. For example, laser cutting services are one of the most modern metal fabrication methods that are extremely precise.
Metal Fabrication with Folding
Folding is another metal fabrication service that is more complicated than metal cutting. In this method, metal surfaces are manipulated to shapes at a particular angle. With specific metal fabrication services with the folding process, the intent is to fold the metal product’s surface at a 90-degree angle or something else that is either less or blunter. However, metal folding can be performed in facilities equipped with high-tech devices and equipment due to the complexity of the whole procedure. In most fabrication where folding is required, joining two metal panels at a specific angle would be the best alternative.
Metal Welding Services
Along with metal cutting fabrication, metal welding services are also popular fabrication methods among manufacturers. The metal welding process involves the joining of two metal pieces. The pieces can be sheets, bars, panels, or shapes. This metal fabrication service can be done with various tools and methods. Generally, metal welding is achieved through the process of heating at the points where two metal pieces are meant to be attached or joined. Most metal fabricators pursue the area of fabrication with welding applications.
Metal Machining and CNC Routing
Metal machining and CNC routing are some of the most practical methods of metal fabrication services. In these fabrication systems, the machine removes certain portions from a metal piece. The process is performed on a lathe that rotates the metal against sharp tools that trim edges and corners to cut the material and produce the desired shape. CNC routing is the most modern machining process that is precise and does not require hard labor.
Punching Metal Fabrication Services Method
Machining and CNC routing can create holes on the working piece, which will require punching where the material is placed under a die and submitted to a punch with a drill. For a precise punching metal fabrication, the circumference of the grill must fit and slot perfectly through the die. The process is generally classified into one of two subcategories depending on the intention of the application. In most applications, the intent is to punch holes into sheet metal for further fastening purposes. In other applications such as blanking, the area that consists of holes is extracted from the larger board to create a smaller bit portion.
Shearing and Notching
Shearing is the metal fabrication service that is used for sheet metals that require long cuts. In this method, the metal panel is usually fed horizontally through a cutting machine. In some cases, a cutting tool is applied vertically against the sheet metal’s length. Metal Shearing and Notching Services are often used to trim the edges of the metal panel. However, the process can be done anywhere along with the metal piece.
Stamping
Stamping is another metal fabrication method that utilizes a die. However, the intent of this process is not to create holes but to raise a particular area of sheet metal without penetrating the surface. For such applications, stamping is utilized for forming certain shapes or images within a metal panel. Metal stamping is similar to carving woods, and the primary example of the fabrication is seen on coins.
Metal Casting
Metal casting is one of the oldest types of metal fabrication systems. In this method, metal is melted and poured into a mold and left to congeal into a particular form. Metal casting is perfect for a wide array of complex shapes. In many cases, casting can provide solutions to fabrication issues that would otherwise take several systems to solve, such as with assembly parts that would require shearing, stamping, and folding. The most common metal substances used in this method include steel, aluminum, gold, copper, magnesium, and silver.
Bending and Press Brake
Press brake and Bending machines are practical metal fabrication devices that feature long and narrow characteristics to fabricate large pieces of metal panels. Press brake machines lower a punch onto the metal piece and bend it in the demanding shape.
Products that are Made from Fabricated Metals
Metal fabrication services for forming pieces for assembly use are just a small part of the process when it comes to developing metal products. Another essential stage involves taking various pre-made parts and turning them into appliances, machines, and other practical products. Depending on the operations, a set of parts can go to an independent craftsperson or a factory. In most applications, a project will begin with one or more of the materials below:
- Expanded Metals
- ectional Metals
- Flat Metal Sheets
- Welding Wire
Industries that Need Metal Fabrication Services
According to the statistics, the following industries require metal fabrication services:
- Architectural and Structural Metals: In this industry, builders utilize fabricated metal to form structures of large and small buildings.
- Construction and Building Materials: From cladding systems to fire escapes and metal staircases, metal fabricators create custom products for use in the building industry.
- Tank, Boiler, and Shipping Containers: Metal is used almost in everything when it comes to tanks, boilers, and shipping containers. Thus, this industry requires complex and numerous metal fabrications.
- Spring and Wire Products: Since welding wires are used for helping in welding pieces of metal together in different products, wires are essential components to custom metal fabrication processes. Additionally, wires play a crucial role in industrial machinery and devices.
- Specialty Manufacturing: Metal fabricators utilize different methods in original equipment manufacturing processes that are used in specialty environments.
- Other Metal Product Manufacturing: If this list were to contain all the industrial and commercial industries and machines, products, and parts that feature metal parts, it would create an encyclopedia. Since metal materials are produced every day in the world for various uses, metal fabrications serve as the backbone of the industry.
- Hardware Manufacturing: Metal fabricators play an essential role in hardware development with their modern technologies that can create the most precise pieces with every demanding size.
- Hand Tools and Cutlery: The metal fabrication processes are responsible for the precision of hand tools. Without good casting, cutting, and shearing, most tools would be impossible to produce, resulting in facing unpredictable limitations.
- Machines, Screws, Nuts, and Bolts: At metal fabricators across Canada, screws, nuts, bolts, industrial machine parts, and other essential components of most industries are being developed. Meaning that without metal fabrication systems, there will be no other industry.
- HVAC Systems: Metal fabricators make the production of equipment for HVAC systems possible.
- Forging and Stamping Industry: Shaping metal products with dies and machines is done with forging and stamping subsectors. Many items that are commonplace throughout the industrial section, as well as in retails, are developed through these systems.
Profelez Custom Metal Fabrication Services
Custom metal fabrication services require complex and modern technologies, systems, tools, and machinery. At Profelez Metal Supplier and Fabricators, we have specialized in various metal fabrication methods for clients across a vast array of residential projects, commercial, and industrial sectors.