Types of Metal Fabrication and Their Applications

We use metals every day. In both private and industrial life, metal fabrication make up a big part of what it means to live in the modern day.  

From electronics to furniture, to the towering structures that stretch above our heads, life would be unrecognizable without metal.  

It is undeniable that metals are one of the most important aspects of human life (and they have been for centuries), but many people do not know how metals are made. 

You probably know that metals are made through the process of fabrication, but you might not know that there are many different kinds of fabrication, and each different process yields a different result.  

 This post will explore the different types of metal fabrication and their processes, applications, and benefits.  

Different Types of Metal Fabrication 

Before we go any further, let’s look at the steps that go into metal fabrication.  

• Designing:  
  Before anything else, the product or piece must be designed. This includes specifying the measurements, dimensions, and shape. This process is typically done in CAD software. 
• Fabrication:  
  The namesake of the process. This step involves cutting, bending, and assembling raw metallic materials into the specific shape and size that was laid out in the design.  
• Installing:  
  Each individual piece is assembled to make a larger whole.  

Now that we understand the basic process of fabrication, let’s take a look at the different types of metal fabrication processes. 

These are sub-steps of the overall fabrication process. 

Cutting.  

Larger pieces of metal are divided into halves, thirds, or smaller fractions using complex machinery. This is common for pipes, bars, and flat pieces of metal. Larger pieces are carefully measured before cutting to ensure that the cut product matches the design. 

Casting.  

Casting is an ancient technique where molten metal is poured into a mold. The liquid metal then solidifies into the desired form. The metals most commonly cast are steel, iron, gold, magnesium, copper, and silver. 

Folding.  

Folding is when a flat piece of metal is bent to achieve a specific angle. 90 degrees is the most common fold shape, but engineers can specify any angle to meet their needs. High-tech equipment is used to make exact angles. 

Welding.  

When two separate pieces of metal are combined into one, that is known as welding. Sheets, panels, bars, and shapes are welded together to form a cohesive part. Welding involves the application of heat at the point the two pieces are joined together.    

Machining.  

Machining is the removal of a specific piece of metal using a lathe. The lathe rotates at high speeds and tools cut measured holes into the metal. The result is a piece of metal cut into the desired shape.  

Punching.  

Pieces of metal often need a precise hole in their surface for assembly. Punching involves placing a piece of metal under a die and creating a hole in its surface with a specific drill. This process can make multiple holes or just one.  

Shearing.  

Shearing is the process where unwanted pieces and jagged edges are removed to make a clean, finished piece. The machine most often used in this process is a bench shear. An upper and lower blade work in conjunction to make cuts with the utmost precision. 

Stamping.  

Also called pressing, stamping is the process whereby flat sheets of metal in blank coil form are placed in a stamping press and forced into the desired shape. Stamping can be used to bend, blank, coin, emboss, or flange a piece of metal.  

Save Time on Fabrication with D5 Engineered Products 

Metal fabrication is a process that consumes a great deal of time and energy but is essential for transforming pieces into desired shapes.  

But what if you could save time on fabrication by ordering your metal pieces pre-specified?  

At D5 Engineered Products, we make that vision a reality. Our products come pre-specified and pre-assembled to save you time, money, and stress.  

Interested in the different D5 Engineered Products that can make on your construction site? Reach out today!