The Metal Fabrication Process: Overview
Metal fabrication services create machines and structures from various raw materials. Metal fabrication is utilized by OEMs, contractors, and other manufacturers. The metal fabrication process creates any number of components, including OEM parts, structural frames, components, and much more.
Metal Fabrication Shops
Shops specializing in metal fabrication are often called “fab shops.” Fab shops and machine shops frequently have overlapping capabilities, but the terms are not interchangeable. Fabrication shops concentrate on metal preparation and assembly, whereas machine shops, while they may also cut metal, concentrate more on machining metal parts with machine tools. Many shops provide both fabrication and machining services.
Metal Fabrication Suppliers & Raw Materials
Various raw materials can be used in metal fabrication, depending on the desired end product. Standard raw materials used within metal fabrication include:
- Plate or sheet metal
- Formed metal
- Welding wire
- Hardware
- Castings
- Fittings
- And more
Metal Fabrication Services (Design Steps)
Design & Engineering
The first step in metal fabrication is design engineering. If their customers do not provide design drawings, metal fabrication shops may employ or contract out steel detailers to prepare designs before fabrication.
Cutting
The raw materials are then cut to size, both to accommodate the needs of the design and to make the material easier to handle during fabrication. Materials for metal fabrication are usually cut via die cutting, though specialized band saws and chop saws are also frequently used.
Cutting torches, plasma, laser, and water jet cutters are also common. Most of these cutting methods use CNC automation to cut out parts from the raw material. More complex CNC cutters may also include other capabilities to improve the metal fabrication process.
Forming
The forming process utilizes several techniques to achieve the desired result. Standard forming methods include folding, bending, stamping, punching holes, machining, and more to achieve the right shape. A drill or a hole punch is used if the product requires holes. A lathe will trim down the edges and sides of the metal until the right size and shape are achieved.
Secondary Services & Assembling
Once the formation process of the metal fabrication services is complete, the assembly can begin to procure the proper configuration of the final product. Parts are commonly joined via bonding, screwing, riveting, or, most widely, welding.
Finishing
Protective coatings are added to the finished products to protect against rust and corrosion; these include rust-resistant paint, color, plating and anodizing, or glazes applied through painting or powder coating. Depending on the final product, the parts may also be brushed, polished, and shined.
Quality Control & Standards
Once all the above processes have been completed, quality control progressions verify and ensure all design specifications are met. Quality control also tests the final product, guaranteeing optimal quality to standards such as ISO, ASI, NACAP, and MIL-SPEC.
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