Most Common Metal Fabrication Processes

Metal products that we all have at our home, even cars and airplanes, are made through the use of one or the other metal fabrication process. The choice of these metal fabricating processes depends on various aspects like; if you are starting the process with raw material, the process would be different, and if you would be using finished metals parts to construct something, then the process would be different. The other aspect on which the selection of the metal fabrication process depends is that each process has its benefit. Therefore, if you wish to have certain qualities in your final product, then you need to choose the process that can facilitate achieving those qualities in your product. Another aspect is affordability; some processes are cheaper than others, which also impacts selecting the right fabrication process. Perhaps whatever the benefits and drawbacks are associated with each metal fabrication process, we are going to discuss them in this article, so keep reading!

Casting:

This is a very common metal fabrication process used for the mass production of finished metal products. In this process, raw metal is first melted until it liquefies; this molten metal is then poured into a mold and then set aside to cool down with the mold. Once the metal has solidified itself, it is removed from the mold. This is a very easy process and helps to achieve identical metal products. The mold can be used again and again for as much production you desire. This process also helps to achieve any shape of the metal you desire, as the mold can be designed according to your specifications.

Cutting:

This metal fabrication process can be a one-step process itself or can be used as an initial step for other metal fabrication processes. The solid metal is cut into the shape or design you desire in this process. The cutting methods used for this are various, traditionally sawing has been the widely used metal cutting method. However, today you can cut metal through manual and powered tools, laser cutting, electric scissors, plasma cutting, water jet cutting, and the very famous CNC machine computer-controlled process.

Drawing:

This is a process in which the metal product is formed by applying force on it with tools to stretch and shape it. You apply the force to pull metal into the tapered die and pull it through it. This process is usually carried out at room temperature, but sometimes the metal is heated to reduce the force needed to apply on it.

Welding:

This is the most common metal fabrication process and also the cheapest. In this process to create the final product by welding metal parts together.

Folding:

This is the least used process due to the difficulty that comes with it. In this process, the bending of metals by applying very high pressure is done through the use of cutting-edge equipment. The limitations are that, unlike other processes, this process requires a very controlled environment.

Punching:

This is a process in which a punch press is used to punch metals or punch holes into metals. It is also used to punch into the mold. Most punch tools are mechanical.

Extrusion:

In this process, we force the metal into a die. This way, the metal takes up the shape of the die and comes out as a solid finished metal product.

Stamping:

This process is very much similar to punching; the difference is that in this process, the punch does create holes in the metal, but it instead creates nicks. The tools used for this process can be mechanical or hydraulic.

Final Word:

All of these methods are best-suited to get custom metal fabrication machined parts. These processes give out the best products and have no major limitations except in one or two. The metal industry is progressively increasing day by day, and every manufacturer is going for the safest and cheapest method that can also help achieve a fine quality product. Without a doubt, all these methods are the safest for the mass production of metal products. However, some might take more time than the others, and some might be a bit expensive, but the accuracy will be top-class.