Introduction
The number of appliances we use in our daily lives that come from metal fabrication is huge, including electronic devices, tools, smartphones, cars, etc. Metal fabrication is a complex procedure that includes different variations, each suitable for a specific purpose. In this article, we at Dynotech will explore the basics of metal fabrication and its methods as a whole.
What Is Metal Fabrication?
Metal fabrication is basically about building different metal structures by using multiple processes, both manually as well as in automation. Equipment that specialises in one particular field of metal fabrication is usually known as a fabrication shop. The most popular types of raw materials used in metal fabrication are sectional metal, plate metal, flat metal, castings, welding wire, and fittings, to name a few. In the meantime, it is quite common for fabrication shops to deploy different experts in multiple fields, such as welders, ironworkers, blacksmiths, and boilermakers.
When it comes to the types of products that are created by metal fabrication, it is likely to separate them all into three segregated categories. Every category has its own range of processes that are used in metal fabrication.
Popular Methods Of Metal Fabrication
Metal fabrication methods can be divided into subcategories, such as shearing and laser cutting, forming methods like stretching and bending, and welding techniques, including TIG and MIG welding.
- Cutting
One of the easiest techniques of metal fabrication is cutting. The two primary types of cutting are thermal and metal cutting. Laser cutting is a highly effective technique of thermal cutting. In this procedure, the technicians use a concentrated beam of light to melt through the metal quickly and cut it into whichever shape is required. The meaning of small point of a laser beam means that it can execute small and delicate cuts, even a tenth or hundredth millimetre, based on the machine.
Techniques of thermal cutting, such as laser cutting, are often performed by a CNC machine. These machines direct the beam depending on a predetermined plan transmitted to the machine. Hence, deploying a human operator to make physical cuts is not required.
- Forming
Forming is a wide category of metal fabrication that comprises various processes for reshaping and bending metal into new dimensions. Stretching, bending, stamping, and spinning of metal are only subdivisions of forming.
In bending, hydraulic presses are used for applying pressure to a flat metal sheet and pushing it into different angles without damaging the material. A wide range of shapes and angles can be produced by bending, including curves and grooves. This process can also bend the metal multiple times and form a complicated finished part.
- Welding
Welding is a method of metal fabrication that includes joining metal elements together by using electrical energy. In arc welding, an arc of electrical current is used for melting a filler material along the seam between two metal pieces, thereby developing a solid bond. Instead of subtractive techniques of fabrication such as cutting, welding is typically an assembly technique that combines pieces of metal.
Summing Up!
Every process of metal fabrication comes with its fair share of pros and cons. Laser cutting, yet precise, is expensive. Bending and pressing are easy on the pocket, but they struggle with granular detail. If you are looking for laser cutting services, then Dynotech is definitely the place to be, as we offer flawless full-service metal fabrication facilities. Get in touch with us today for more details.