It isn’t easy to imagine a life without objects partially or entirely made of metal. These items range from large-scale machines to everyday household fixtures. Metal fabrication is a cyclical industry, and earnings depend on factors such as the auto, aerospace, construction, and energy industries. Many fabricators diversify their client base and streamline production practices to increase profitability.
Sheet Metal
Metal sheet fabrication offers numerous benefits for businesses. These include the material’s malleability and durability, which are perfect for different building designs and shapes. These materials can also withstand a lot of pressure and are highly resistant to moisture, sunlight, and corrosion. Sheet metal fabrication techniques such as bending, cutting, blanking, shearing, and laser cutting are used to create a variety of parts and products. These processes are often automated, allowing manufacturers to produce large amounts quickly and accurately. Metal fabrication is also cost-effective. Unlike plastic, which requires an expensive mold to be created, metal can be bent into various shapes. This is especially useful when creating retail display cubes, portable displays, and point-of-sale stands. These types of shows need to be eye-catching and functional. Moreover, they must be made of high-quality, durable materials that will withstand frequent use. Metals like galvanized steel and stainless steel offer these qualities.
Metal Alloys
When metals are combined to form alloys, they have a variety of traits that make them more valuable than pure metals in specific applications. This includes increased strength, lower weight, improved resistance to corrosion, and more. Alloys are also more versatile than pure metals, allowing them to be shaped into specific shapes. Alloys are used in various applications, from building materials to the components of alternative energy systems. Metal fabricators can also use centerless grinding and polishing for tight tolerances and CNC machining for high-volume production. Many items that we use daily are made from metals like aluminum, copper, and brass, including the appliances in our homes and cars. Cutting and finishing techniques are the most important aspects of metal fabrication. For example, sawing is the most common way to cut raw materials. Still, various other methods are available – from power tools and lasers to waterjets and plasma arc cutters.
Soft Metals
Soft metals are a unique class of materials that can be molded into various shapes. They are malleable due to their atomic structure; unlike hard metals such as iron, they have loosely packed atoms that make them easier to work with. Zinc, cadmium, and mercury are among the most popular soft metals used in various applications for their versatility and durability. These soft metals can be CNC machined easily, making them an excellent choice for engineering and product teams. They are also naturally corrosion-resistant and highly reactive to outside temperatures, which can benefit some projects. Once a project has been designed on a computer or by hand (if using the more traditional approach), it’s time to start the fabrication process. The first step involves cutting the raw materials down to component sizes. This can be done using several tools, depending on the project’s specific requirements.
Cutting
Almost everything in the modern world is made of metals. This includes large-scale buildings and minor home appliances. The metal fabrication industry has existed for millennia and will continue to exist for a long time.
The first step in any project is planning. Metal fabricators use CAD designs and other information to develop a blueprint for the final product. They also communicate with their clients to understand the product’s specifications and end purpose. This helps them select the best materials for the job at hand. The next step is cutting. This may be done using simple equipment like shears or high-tech machinery. Other processes in this phase include shearing, bending, and notching. All these methods change raw metal’s shape into a more valuable product. The final step is assembling. This can involve different methods like welding, riveting, and thread fastening.