What is metal fabrication?
Metal fabrication meaning
Metal fabrication is the process of creating metal parts or structures from raw metal materials. A number of fabrication techniques such as cutting, punching, bending and welding are used in the overall manufacturing process of metal products.
Sheet metal fabrication involves a broad range of processes that can often be confused. As a result, we’ve created a beginner’s guide to sheet metal fabrication, sometimes referred to as metalworking, and the techniques that are involved.
In the broadest sense, sheet metal fabrication is the creation of metal structures by using a variety of processes. Most often sheets of steel or other metal materials are processed and assembled to create a larger final product. In order to bind these smaller components, processes such as welding are used to provide a high-quality finish that create a range of products of varying shapes and sizes.
What does a sheet metal fabricator do?
Metal fabricators specialise in one or more of the techniques involved in the metal fabrication process, from the initial design stage through to the assembly and preparation of the final product. Review the techniques below for more information on the work of a metal fabricator.
Sheet metal fabrication techniques – the stages
Each project is different but is primarily constructed using the following key phases.
Designing
Although different companies approach the design process in a variety of ways, here at Alpha Manufacturing, clients are offered the opportunity to provide design specifications at the beginning and work alongside our design and NPI (New Product Introduction) teams to tweak designs for manufacture. This is an integral part of the process and can determine the economic efficiency and best manufacturing approach of a project. Ensuring that a dedicated and experienced Designer, trained in CAD (computer aided design), is present at this phase is vital to creating a high specification final product.
Programming
Once the design has been formalised, these designs are translated into a language that is understood by the machinery that create the products – this is known as the programming process. Parts are drawn and then “nested” in 2D form onto a metal sheet, making sure that material utilisation is maximised.
Cutting
Once the machine programs have been set to work, the laser cutting process takes place. As one of the most accurate ways of cutting sheet metal material, lasers follow the programmed design and cut through the material with ease and precision.
Punching
Many components require certain perforations or forms such as ribs, louvres or countersinks. For this, a CNC punching machine uses specific tools to “hit” the metal sheet and either perforate or shape it in specific ways.
Bending
The bending process, known in the industry as CNC folding, is a practice that can be completed by a range of machines such as a manual press brake, an automated panel bending machine or robotic bend cell depending on the size and complexity of the part. Each machine forms the part by clamping the sheet metal between a top tool and die, applying pressure to obtain the intended curvature.
Welding
There are a range of welding techniques that can be done when working with sheet metal, this includes; MIG welding, TIG welding, spot welding, projection welding and robotic welding.
Assembly
The assembly stage can vary depending on the complexity of the final product and can range from simple weld assemblies to complex electrical integrations including wiring looms, PAT testing and hardware installation. Some assemblies require insertion which is the process of pressing a stud, nuts or other components to fasten the product together.
Powder Coating
The powder coating process is a process of applying and electrostatic powder to a charged metal component before curing at heat to produce a durable coating. At Alpha, we use an automated powder coating plant which uses a process of Oxsilan pre-treatment, drying, powder application and stoving.
Sheet metal fabrication tools
Many tools are involved in the fabrication of metal products. They include:
- CAD design software
- Prototyping technology
- Laser cutters
- Laser / punch combination machinery
- CNC punch machinery
- Folding machinery, such as manual press brakes, automated panel benders and automated robotic folders
- Precision turned parts machinery
- CNC machine tools
- Robotic welders
- Powder coating plant
- CMM technology
Want to find out more about sheet metal fabrication? Take a look at our FAQs section for more details.
