The ABCs of Metal Fabrication

Metal fabrication for an ordinary person is hard to understand. They may say, “Ok I got it “or “Yes I understand”. But the truth is they don’t really understand what metal fabrication is all about. The question is; “Is it essential for an ordinary people to know about this thing?” For me, it is a BIG YES. Why? Simply because we live in the age that we utilize the use of metals, where-in we use this hard thing as a solid foundation for modern day building and structures.

This is the very goal of this writing, for us ordinary peeps understand the process. So what really is metal fabrication? Here is its ABC’s – literally A-B-C but let’s get it this way, C – B – A

Metal fabrication is building of metal structure through CUTTING, BENDING and ASSEMBLING Process.

source: http://image.stockcarracing.com/

Cutting – this is done by sawing, shearing/chiseling, torching with the use of hand-held torches, and via numerical control cutters – using a laser, torch or water jet. This is the very first step. Through cutting you are preparing your materials.

source: http://www.barnshaws.com/

Bending – or can I say forming?? This is done by hammering either by manual or powered by press breaks and similar tools. Fabricators nowadays utilize the use of press brakes to either coin or air-bend metal sheet into form.    

source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/

Assembling – simply joining the pieces. This is the final part of the process. This is basically done by welding, binding with adhesives, riveting, threaded fasteners, and more bending in the form of a crimped seam. Structural steel and sheet metal along with the welding wire flux and fasteners that will join the pieces are the usual starting materials for fabrication.  

With this ABCs (or CBAs) we clearly sees what is metal fabrication and how is it done. Metal fabricators cut the metal, bend it to form the structural shape and lastly assemble them into the metal structure we desired. It’s very simple right? Where’s the hard stuff now? Metal fabrication is as easy as ABC!

For more cool stuff about metal fabrication you may click here.