What is Metal Fabrication?

Metal fabrication is the process of manufacturing sheet metal and other flat metals to make them conform to specific shapes. The process starts with sheet metal around a quarter of an inch thick or less. At this thickness, the metal is pliable enough to assume different shapes. Using this metal, fabricators alter the sheet to create a specific shape. This takes place through cutting, stamping, shaping, folding and welding. Another related practice is custom fabrication, meaning the creation of new custom parts using novel combinations of these processes.

All this work is completed by metal fabricators — highly skilled specialists who are trained to cut and manipulate metal with a surgeon’s precision to the desired shape. These fabricators often work out of large-scale manufacturing operations or specialized fabrication shops. The shops themselves vary widely, offering general fabrication services or specialized fabrication for medical and IT industries.

Metal fabrication may require additional parts to be added during the process, including but not limited to:

• Plate metal
• Expanded metal
• Formed metal
• Wire for welding
• Hardware
• Fittings
• Castings

Types of Metal Fabrication Processes

• Cutting: Cutting is the most fundamental process in metal fabrication, and it can be accomplished through laser cutting, waterjet cutting, shearing, sawing or flame cutting. This is what turns the sheet metal into a piece of the required size and shape. Today, waterjet and laser cutting comprise the foremost technologies available.
• Casting: A die forms a mold, and the fabricator pours molten metal into it. This metal cools down and turns solid, and the part remains after removing the die.
• Forging: High-pressure machinery compresses raw metal, allowing a fabricator to bend and shape it.
• Punching: Turrets punch pre-designed patterns into the metal, either for decorative purposes or utility.
• Drawing: This process uses tensile force to pull liquid metal into a tapered die.
• Milling: A milling mechanism bores perforations into the metal, which, due to the nature of the machine, can be non-circular.
• Drilling: A drill cuts holes into the metal using a circular bit.
• Turning: The piece of metal goes onto a spinning platform, allowing a technician to cut it radially with a tool as it spins.
• Extrusion: A ram forces billets through a die. This extrusion process forms cylindrical parts, such as pipes or electrical wires.

The full process for custom metal fabrication

• Design
• Prototyping
• Programming
• Fabrication
• Finishing
• Assembly

Learn More About Our Metal Fabrication Services

Our metal fabrication services prioritize three factors: price, quality and delivery. While many companies excel in one or two of these qualities, we understands true value is about treating all three equally.

It all starts with filling out our Request for Quote form. We take every step possible to ensure the lowest price with the highest quality. You’ll receive your quote quickly, allowing you to make the most of your time.

Our production involves state-of-the-art equipment in a high-grade, professional facility that employs some of the industry’s best engineers and technicians. As soon as we finish your product, we will deliver it to your doorstep when you need it.