Metal fabrication is complicated and encompasses a wide variety of processes. Whether you desire something made as a once off, or you would like something mass produced, it is important that one to understand fabrication and the various processes that get into it.
Below is an outline of the three main fabrication processes that are used for metal. You can find details about how these procedures work and some of their primary uses. Furthermore, there is a brief description of finishing touches and protective coatings that can be applied to fabricated metal products. This is usually a guide in line with the practices of professional operators and really should not be utilized as instructions for DIY jobs.
Cutting
Just as the name suggests, this fabrication process depends on cutting. It sounds heavy handed, yet it is actually one of the more technical and accurate processes available.
The first variant of cutting techniques may be the physical shearing or sawing of metal, generally done by large machines, nonetheless it is also possible to do manually. Furthermore, it is also possible to cut metal using Oxyacetylene or plasma torches to manually cut using heat.
The above methods have their place, nevertheless the most common method of cutting metals during fabrication is with CNC machining. These machines may use manual tools, laser cutting, or water jets. The desired design is programmed into the CNC machine and the metal is shaped by one of the aforementioned tools, into the shape specified by the computer design. As you can imagine, this method is particularly useful for intricate, or highly detailed projects.
Joining
This is one of the more commonly used methods of fabrication. Fabrication processes that are categorized as the broad category of 'joining' include welding, riveting or bonding with adhesives. If you look around you right now, you should be able to spot a number of items constructed using these procedures.
Welding, as you may know, is joining two pieces of metal together using heat and a filler material. Riveting also joins two bits of metal together, but with a metal rivet - no heat required. For some items, additionally it is possible to use an adhesive glue to become listed on different components. Each one of these methods have their very own strengths and weaknesses, so depending on task, a fabrication plant will recommend one of these methods over the others.
Bending
Bending, as the name suggests, is really a fabrication process that involves bending metal in to the desired shape. Although Go here is possible to get this done manually, modern machinery has largely replaced the more traditional manual bending methods. The lack of joints could make items made by bending much tougher and more durable.
Final Touches
The final touches to any fabricated product are applied once all the joining, cutting or welding has been completed. This can range from paint applied purely for aesthetic reasons, to protective coatings such as for example powder coating or sandblasting. In consultation with the manufacturer, you should be in a position to find a coating that is befitting your purpose and budget.
To learn more about fabrication, or to have an item fabricated, you need to contact your nearest specialist workshop. They'll be able to show you through the fabrication process and turn out an excellent finished product.