Metal fabrication is a multi-faceted process that involves transforming raw metal into finished products or structures through a range of processes including cutting, bending and assembling. This allows metal fabrication processes to be specific with unique structures being formed that is perfectly suited to its purpose.
Metal fabrication services are widely used in the Automotive, earth moving, construction and materials handling industries, as well as others. It is a process that can save your business both time and money. This is because the amount of unnecessary waste is greatly reduced through the process.
Here is our ultimate guide on metal fabrication; covering the basics of common metal fabrication processes, the materials, processes and techniques.
What does metal fabrication do?
Metal fabrication production process involves the following:
- Cutting – the first step in the fabrication process involves removing any excess material from the metal using a saw, plasma cutter or laser cutter
- Bending – shaping the metal into a specific angle or shape using a press brake or other bending tools
- Welding – fusing two or more pieces of metal together using heat, pressure or a combination of both
- Machining – a process that creates the desired shape by removing unwanted material
- Assembly – the final step is joining the various parts of a product or structure together to create the final product
Metal fabrication techniques
There are a number of techniques used to achieve the above metal fabrication processes. Here are a few:
Sheet metal fabrication
The manipulation and forming of thin flat sheets of metal that can be shaped to form pretty much any kind of part or component.
CNC machining
CNC machining uses computer software to control machines that remove the excess material from the metal when creating precise shapes and sizes.
Metal punching
Metal punching is what it sounds like: punching holes or louvres out of sheet metals using a turret punch machine.
Fabrication vs. Welding
There can often be some confusion between metal fabrication and welding. To clarify, fabrication encompasses a wide range of processes involved in transforming raw materials and other materials into finished products. Fabrication is a broader term and welding is one of the processes that sit under that term (as mentioned above).
In some cases, welding may be the primary process used in fabrication of metal structures, whereas in others, it may only be used to join two pieces together with other processes like bending and cutting metal into different shapes to be used to create the parts.
What are the benefits of custom metal fabrication?
Metal fabrication allows for full customisation when manufacturing. Not only this, but metal is a versatile and sustainable material choice, making it an environmentally friendly option for your project.
With bespoke metal fabrication, you can ensure that you are getting exactly what you want by having customisable parts. You are also only paying for the material needed, eliminating any waste and extra cost.
Bespoke Fabrication services
Our in-house fabrication department offers bespoke fabrication services. For more information or to discuss your project requirements, please contact our fabrication department on 0191 410 7535, or send us an email to fabrication@roofcladsystems.co.uk