What Does Metal Fabrication Mean?
It is important to understand the basic processes that are involved in creating operable home systems. Metal fabrication is defined as the creation of metal structures by cutting, bending and assembling procedures. Metal fabrication usually begins with designs that require exact dimensions and specifications. The typical project that a metal fabrication shop will take on includes loose parts, structural frames for buildings, stair railings, and stairs. Cajun Comfort specializes in high-quality sheet metal fabrication.
What is Involved in Metal Fabrication?
Custom metal fabrication services are important for many reasons. But what is involved in metal fabrication? As previously stipulated, metal fabrication is the process of building structures and machines from basic materials made of metal. Metal fabricators will cut, burn, weld, machine, form, and assemble the pieces together in order to construct the final product. What customers receive from metal fabrication shops is the centralization of many different processes. A metal fabrication shop will employ welders, ironworkers, blacksmiths, boilermakers, and various professionals that work with metal and are able to convert raw metal materials into polished final products.
What is a Fabrication Company?
Fabrication shops and machine shops tend to overlap in a variety of ways. It is important to understand that fabrication shops focus specifically on metal preparation and assembly. In contrast, machine shops cut metal but they focus more specifically on machine tools and parts. As a matter of fact, there are some machine firms that do both fabrication work and machine work. Examples of fabrication include blacksmithing, although that term is not considered synonymous. Welder-produced products are referred to as weldments and are examples of fabrication.
What Tools Does a Metal Fabricator Use?
Metal fabricators use a variety of tools to create a substantive metal working outcome. Please review the following list to learn more about the tools that a metal fabricator requires.
- Oxy-gas torches. Oxy-fuel torches are used either to weld or to cut components of structural steel. Acetylene, gasoline, propylene, and hydrogen are all gases that can be used for torches.
- Magnetic drill. Magnetic drills are portable machines that are used to drill holes in structural steel objects. A magnetic drill machine has a permanent magnetic base. It is also known as a mag base, a magnetic drill, a magnetic broach cutter and more.
- Cold saw. A cold saw is a movable saw machine with a motor and a circular, toothy blade.
- Hem band saw. This type of saw machine can cut steel objects at 90, 60, and 45 degrees. This particular saw combines the control and flexibility of the metal fabricator as pressure is applied.
- Shot blaster. For cleaning, polishing, and hardening steel, the shot blaster is used. Specifically, the shot blaster uses spherical shots or balls.
- Plate processor. Plate processors are used for the automatic production of plate steel components. Any shaped holes, shape cutting and contour thermal cutting can be processed through this machine.
These tools and many more are used for metal fabrication purposes.
What are the Stages in Metal Work Fabrication?
There are four principal steps that are utilized in metalwork fabrication. The first step involves cutting. For cutting a large sheet into smaller pieces, shears are typically used. The shearing machine acts as a large pair of scissors. It has a long blade that will make a straight cut through the sheet. The second stage is bending. For this process, a press brake is usually used. Apparently one of the largest obstacles in bending is managing the spring back. Once this action is completed, the next step is assembly. The pieces will fit together and held with clamps or fixturing as appropriate. The tack welds hold everything together. The final step in metalwork fabrication is finishing. Finishing usually entails cleaning up welds or polishing to a mirror finish.
What is Light Metal Fabrication
There is a difference between light metal and heavy metal fabrication. Light metal fabrication generally involves both large and small components. Angles, brackets, cans, panels, shells, and plates can all be included in the category of light metal fabrication. Light metal fabrication processes include welding, forming, rolling, cutting and sawing.
What is Heavy Metal Fabrication
Heavy metal fabrication is known as the process of transforming metal, such as steel, into finished products for clients. Machining, molding, and casting are all parts of heavy metal fabrication. There are three categories of heavy metal fabrication: industrial, structural and commercial.
What is Precision Metal Fabrication
One of the most common manufacturing processes in practice, precision metal fabrication is here to stay. This form of metalworking is used to describe any process wherein sheet metal is transformed into it’s finished form.
Metal Fabrication Without Welding
There are a surprising number of ways that a person can join metal without welding. It can be done through hardware assembly, through spot welding, riveting, brazing, soldering, and glue. One of the things that can really impair the comfort of your home is animal odors. If you need odor removal, please be sure to find an accountable, reputable company.
You need an HVAC company that knows how to perform quality metal fabrication in Norco and New Orleans, LA, that consistently delivers proven results. Call Cajun Comfort at 985-764-8191 to speak with our staff about making an appointment today!
