Technologies Used in Metal Fabrication

Metal Fabrication is a process of transforming sheet metal into various shapes, sizes, and forms for a variety of different applications. It is a specialized field that relies heavily on technology, and the technologies available to metal fabricators are expected to grow in the coming years. The most fundamental process is cutting, which can be done through laser cutting, waterjet cutting, sawing, or flame cutting. Cutting allows for sheet metal to be made into the exact size and shape it requires. Waterjet cutting is one of the most advanced technologies used in this industry. Other metal fabrication processes include casting, which involves forming metal into a solid form through high-pressure machinery.

Extrusion

Extrusion is a common method of metal fabrication. It produces long, straight parts that can be shaped into a variety of shapes. These parts may have a single cross section or may have several different cross sections. These parts are created using high pressures and temperatures, and they have high deformation rates. Extrusion can also be used to add special shapes or holes to bars.

CNC machining

CNC machining is an advanced machining technique that can produce a variety of products. This process has many benefits. For one, it allows the manufacturer to run comprehensive tests. For another, it ensures high-quality results.

Shearing

Shearing is a versatile process used to create straight cuts in sheet metal. It cuts through many different metals and is very fast. It requires very little material and does not create a large amount of waste. Because of its efficiency, shearing is often used in high-volume fabrication operations.

Punching

Punching is a type of metal fabrication that involves the pressing of a shape into a metal die. This process is usually done on a turret, a computer numerical controlled machine that houses tools and dies. These machines use hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical power to push the material into the die. When the material is pressed against the die, it creates a huge force. The force pushes the material into the die while simultaneously shearing off the waste material.

Drilling

Drilling is an important process in metal fabrication. It is used to create holes in metal parts to fit specific requirements. After drilling, the holes can be edited to make them smaller or larger. Clearing a hole after drilling can help produce a cleaner cut and greater precision. This Metal Fabricators process is often combined with threading, which creates a thread in the work piece. There are two main methods for threading metal parts.

Casting

Whether you’re creating an industrial-strength hose, a complex instrument, or a simple appliance, the process of casting involves melting metal and pouring it into a mold. If the piece is small enough, the metal can be poured directly into the mold, but for large-scale projects, the metal must be transferred to a large ladle first. After solidification, the casting product is removed from the mold and is finished by machining or scrubbing.