Fabrication of metal refers to any procedure that involves cutting, shaping, or moulding metal into a finished item. Instead of assembling an object from ready-made elements, fabrication generates an outcome from unfinished or unprocessed materials. There are numerous distinct processes in metal fabrication. A majority of custom-fabricated metal products are made from a variety of widely utilised alloys and metals. To create a new product, metal fabricators begin with stock metal elements like metal rods, sheet metal, metal bars and billets.
This article provides an overview of the most common techniques used in metal fabrication Singapore. Alongside these procedures, there are product finishing solutions such as deburring, refining, coating, and painting. It is important to note that finishing is a distinct phase from metal fabrication, as it focuses on treating the outer surface of the product rather than its creation or shaping.
Fabricating metal requires a variety of processes, including cutting, folding, casting, welding, punching, machining, shearing, and, last but not least, stamping. Let us discuss these metal fabrication processes in detail here.
Cutting
It is the most prevalent metal fabrication method. During the process of cutting, metals are separated into halves or smaller pieces. They are cut using high-tech apparatus. Metal fabrication relies heavily on cutting to create metal rods and measurement panels. They are freshly trimmed and fashioned into a specific design.
Casting
Casting is one of the oldest and simplest methods of metal fabrication. In this method, the metal is melted and poured into a mould. The molten metal is retained to coagulate and transform into a particular shape. It is utilised in a variety of complex metalworking processes. Casting metals include iron, steel, gold, copper, silver and magnesium.
Folding
In the process of folding, the metal's surface is altered to create a specific angle. In certain applications, the metal surface is intended to be folded at a 90-degree angle. Due to the intricacy of the procedure, metal fabrication requires specialised, high-tech tools. Consequently, folding is recognised as one of the most complex metal fabrication procedures.
Welding
Welding is a procedure where two distinct metal components are united together. Components such as panels, sheets, shapes and rods are utilised in a welding application. Welding also requires heat at specific joining sites. It is primarily the last stage of metal fabrication.
Machining
The process of removing parts from metal using a machine is known as machining. The complete machining process is carried out on a lathe. The metal will be rotated against the instruments by the machine. The device functions by cutting sections of metal into the desired shape based on measurements.
Punching
The procedure is called punching when it is necessary to create holes in metals. The metal is set beneath a die, after which it is punched with a drill during this procedure. This is the procedure of forcing tools into metal using a punch press. It is an inexpensive method for creating metal holes. The process of punching can create multiple openings in the metal.
Shearing
The process of shearing is used to remove undesirable materials from the metal. The procedure requires the use of various tools or machinery, such as bench shear. It facilitates the most accurate cutting of metal sheets. Shearing is accomplished by pushing an upper and lower blade past one another.
Stamping
Stamping is the technique of pressing metals during fabrication. The method is also known as pressing. Flat sheets of metals, in plain or coil form, are loaded into a stamping press using this method. Generally, stamping is used to give metal sheets their intended shapes. In addition to bending, coining, blanking, flanging and embossing, stamping entails a variety of techniques for various shapes.
Fabricated metal is used for constructing buildings. Using raw metal consumption can reduce the efficiency of metal structures. Metal fabrication enables metal sheets to be shaped in various ways, depending on the requirements. Fabricated metals exhibit increased and enhanced strength, resulting in increased longevity.
The increased thermal resistance of fabricated metal reduces heat expansion. Metal fabrication also has the advantage of being versatile. Metals undergo a variety of processes during fabrication, including flaking, soldering, casting, deep drawing and forging.
Metal fabrication has numerous applications in various industries.
The takeaway
Metal fabrication provides limitless options from cutting to casting, bending to welding. Enhanced durability, thermal resistance, and tensile strength of fabricated metals are reshaping several industries. Every project is executed with precision and ingenuity under the guidance of skilled artisans and modern equipment. Metal fabrication lends a touch of excellence to buildings, door handles, and steel roofs alike. Contact Brooklynz stainless steel Pte Ltd if you are looking for the best steel fabrication Singapore and witness how unrefined metal is transformed into remarkable works of art.
Brooklynz Stainless Steel Pte Ltd is a specialized tier 1 stainless steel fabricators involved in the design, fabrication & installation of customized stainless steel products for construction projects.
Brooklynz provides an end to end solution for all types of stainless steel works across all sectors that employ heavy steel structures.