Types of Metal Fabrication Processes Explained

Over the 50 years we’ve been in business, we’ve found that many of our customers are surprised to find that there are so many types of sheet metal fabrication out there. This is a fact, and it’s also a fact that we perform most of the different types here at Benchmark Fabricated Steel.

Keep reading to learn all about the different fabrication types:

• Casting: Casting is when we pour molten metal into a die and let it cool and harden to the desired shape. Casting has been around for centuries, but nowadays, we have advanced technologies to cast the metal in any shape you can imagine.
• Cutting: One of the most common types of sheet metal fabrication is cutting. This is when we essentially split a piece of metal down into smaller sections. Like casting, advanced technologies like laser, waterjet and plasma-arc cutting make the process more efficient than ever.
• Drawing: Using tensile force to pull a metal through a tapered die is known as drawing. The die stretches the metal into a desired thin shape. Unlike other types of metal fabrication, we usually perform drawing at room temperature.
• Folding: As its name suggests, folding is when we bend metal at an angle. Folding is most often with a press brake that creates a crease in the metal by pinching it together; however, it can also be used by a machine simply named a folder.
• Forging: Forging is another process that’s been around for centuries and is the process of striking the metal until the desired shape is formed. Forging can either be performed when the metal is at room temperature, when the metal is slightly warmer than room temperature or when it’s white-hot.
• Machining: Drilling, turning and milling are all forms of machining. The main goal is to shape metal by removing any unwanted material from it. Each type of machining is performed a bit differently, but nowadays, a computer numerical control (CNC) machine does much of the work.
• Punching: This is another one that has a fairly straightforward name. This type of metal fabrication involves punching holes through a metal sheet. Punching can be performed by hand, but it’s often done with an automatic CNC punch press.
• Stamping: This process is like punching, but the press only creates an indent in the sheet instead of a hole. Stamping can be used to form shapes, letters or even more complex images in the metal sheet.
• Welding: Most folks already know what welding is—the process of joining two metal pieces together with heat and pressure. What you might not know is that there are four different types of welding: stick welding, MIG (metal inert gas) welding, TIG (tungsten inert gas) welding and flux-cored arc welding.

Bring your metal to us

Turn to our pros at Benchmark Fabricated Steel if you have sheet metal that needs fabrication. With so many years of industry experience in all types of metal fabrication, you can trust us to get your project done on time and under budget.

Categorised in: Metal Fabricators

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