WHAT is Metal Fabrication ?

Metal fabrication is defined through the construction of machines and equipment from raw materials that have been designed, cut, burned, shaped, machined and welded to form the final product. In most cases, metal-fabrication shops focus on preparing metal for welding and assembly.

Engineering Drawings

Engineering drawings are used to bid for metal-fabrication contracts. When a contract is awarded based on the drawings, the structures and/or machines will be built.

Materials

Raw materials used in metal fabrication include expanded, form and plate metal, fittings, castings, hardware and welding wire.

Cutting, Burning, and Forming

Cutting and burning are necessary to take the raw materials and make them the right shape. Some metal fabricators use cutting methods like band saws while others use burning methods like cutting torches and laser cutting tables. Many metal fabricators employ both cutting and burning methods. The next step in the metal fabrication process is forming the metal and this is accomplished with a hydraulic brake press. Tube-bending machines, wheeling machines and rolling machines are also used to shape metal.

Machining and Welding

The metal fabricator uses machining and welding to complete construction. Machining capability is usually limited in a metal fabricator, but magnetic drills, metal lathes and mills are common. On the other hand, welding is the most important job of a metal fabricator. Once the cutting, burning, forming and machining has been completed these parts will be welded together based on the engineering drawings.

The Final Product

Once the parts have been welded together and cooled they are then usually primed and then painted. Any other details will be finished and the product will be inspected to ensure it has been built properly. Then it's ready for customer pick up or shipping.

A typical steel fabrication shop