Metal fabrication is a general term that encompasses all the processes aiming at cutting, shaping, or molding metal into the final product. The manufacturing process here implies the creation of a finished product from raw or partially finished materials.
The fabrication manufacturing process can be done in many different ways based on different industries. Now, we’re going to shed light on the most effective metal fabrication processes utilised in different industries to meet their diverse production needs.
1. Metal Drawing
Drawing involves pulling metal into and through a tapered die using tensile force. The die stretches the metal, making it thinner. Drawing is typically done at room temperature and is known as cold drawing; however, the metal workpiece can be heated to lessen the amount of force needed.
Deep drawing is defined as a procedure in which the end product has a depth equal to or greater than its radius. It is commonly used in sheet metal fabrication to form sheets into hollow cylindrical or box-shaped vessels.
2. Metal Cutting
One of the most popular methods of metal fabrication is the cutting of a workpiece to split it into multiple pieces. There are also many modern methods for cutting which include laser cutting, waterjet cutting, power scissors, and plasma arc cutting.
There are various ways of cutting, such as manual, power-driven tools and computer numerical control (CNC) cutters. Cutting may be a starting point in a longer fabrication process or the only process used. Die cutting is another cutting process that uses a die to cut the metal into different shapes and sizes.
The rotary die cutting is also done by using a circular spinning die, which also goes through a press. Flatbed die cutting is placed on thicker metal materials and utilises a die press, which the die press stamps down onto the metal while the die is cut.
3. Metal Folding
When it comes to how metal fabrication works, it can be done by manipulating metal to bend at an angle. The easiest way to do this is to pinch and create creases in the metal with a brake press. The workpiece is encased between a punch and a die, with the punch exerting pressure, which causes it to crease.
The shape of the sheet metal is normally achieved through this process. The folding process may also be carried out by hammering the piece until it bends or using a folding machine known as folders.
The machine comes up with a flat surface on which flat sheet metal is placed, a clamping bar securing the workpiece in place, and an upward-lifting front panel bending the metal that is extended over it.
4. Metal Welding
By putting pressure and heat at the same time, welding enables more than one piece of metal to be joined together. The metal pieces are flexible and of any size or shape, which makes this a popular approach. MIG, TIG, stick or arc welding, and flux-cored arc welding are the 4 most prevalent sorts of welding processes.
Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), also known as Metal Inert Gas Welding (MIG), protects the metal from reacting to external factors by using an uninterrupted solid-wire electrode and an external gas supply for welding.
