Metal Fabrication And The Construction Processes

By Gregory Johnson


There are many different processes that are involved in a construction of structures and some of these are assembling, cutting, and bending the metals. And one very common process used is metal fabrication. Fabricating the metals would involve processes that make use of different raw materials for constructing a machine or a structure.

Fab shops are often those who are carrying out the processes. And those people to perform all the necessary works are called fabricators. The fab shops will first make a bid for a project and after being awarded, fabricators will then start the project. One important thing to consider is ensuring that the best Richmond metal fabrication provider will be hired for this service and ensuring a successful one.

Just like any related projects, prior to starting the production, having the layout is the very first step. Layouts will be studied carefully by the workers for ensuring that they have understood well the steps to be done. It would be very important for them to take all the needed measurements in the layout and calculate the sizes of an actual object before they will proceed to the fabricating procedures. And lastly is the process of installation.

Contractors, VARs, and OEMs are three very common businesses that often employ fab shops. Usually, these are businesses that are engaged in the production of loose parts, hand railings for buildings, staircases, and structural frames for heavy tools and for buildings as well. Shops can be able to undertake small or big projects. However, some of the shops may only specialize certain projects.

Assembling, cutting, and bending are three very common processes involved. And the sub processes of cutting would include sawing, shearing, and chiseling. These three cutting methods may be done either manually or mechanically. Two common devices used in cutting are torches and control cutters. Torches also are classified into two types such as the plasma and oxy fuel types.

Hammering is done in a bending process. Similar to cutting, methods are also done through manual or mechanical ways. Using the press brakes for bending, forming the metal sheets is being done through using the methods of air bending and of coining. For positioning the parts that are cut, the CNC controlled backgauges will be used together with hard stops in order to position bed lines perfectly.

Assembling process involves the final steps in a project and this can be accomplished through riveting, threaded fasteners, welding, using adhesives, and other methods. Structural steel and sheet metal are two common materials that the fabricators would work on during the start of projects. Fasteners, welding wire, and flux may also be needed. Automation or human labor is being used in the production.

Metal surfaces are often consist of undesirable materials and removing these would be necessary with machining or refinement method. A desired shape must be attained. However, there may be some limitations or specializations of this method. Some shops would incorporate some of their services to machining, such as mills, magnet based mills, or metal lathes.

Stores have been specializing multiple areas as well in the profession. But this will be highly dependent on the needs of the customers and expertise level in a particular specialty. Some common areas are powder coating, powder metallurgy, chipping, welding, and casting.




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