What is Grinding for Metal Fabrication?
Metal fabrication is often a complicated process that involves a lot of different steps before you get to a finished product. Since metal is often a key part of the projects and machines it’s used in, it’s important to be precise, not only when it comes to the shape and size of a piece, but also the metals used and the tolerances each piece is designed to handle.
One of the most important steps for a lot of metal fabrication is grinding, and grinding can be used for a wide range of processes and to produce a wide range of finished products.
So, let’s dive in and talk about what metal grinding is, why it’s important, and what grinding can be used for.
Defining Metal Grinding for Sheet Metal Fabrication
Metal grinding is pretty much what it sounds like. It’s the process of creating a specific shape or finish by rubbing an abrasive disk or belt against the metal. Depending on the grit of the abrasive element, and the type of metal you’re working with, you can produce a wide range of effects.
Grinding is often considered a process related to cutting and can be used to cut metal in certain cases. Typically, an abrasive disk is used for cutting, while belts and circular grinders are used to smooth a nearly finished piece or to create a specific finish on the metal.
Of course, like many parts of metal fabrication, this simple process can get a lot more complicated and is more versatile than you would think.
What Is Metal Grinding Used For?
Almost all metal fabrication includes a grinding step at some point. Basic grinding creates a smooth finish and may be important for achieving specific looks on the finished metal.
Grinding is also the most common way to remove leftover metal, and metal burrs, and blunt unwanted sharp edges.
Conversely, grinding is also a common process for sharpening metal and can create an impressive edge when required.
Choosing the right grit for the job and knowing how to create a polished and professional finish, can be as much an art as it is a science, especially on jobs with tight tolerances and little room for error.
Can Grinding Be Used as A Form of Machining Metal?
Yes!
Metal grinding is the best option for metals that are too hard to mill with normal tools. That includes metals like steel, titanium, and molybdenum that are simply too resistant to typical machining options. In those cases, grinding can be used both to shape and finish the required piece.
Of course, grinding as a machining technique takes just as much skill as using a typical mill when done manually.
Large-scale metal fabrication shops often automate certain parts of the grinding process to be able to handle a higher volume of grinding faster than the work can be done manually, saving their workers’ labor for more difficult jobs or precision work that can’t be effectively automated.
Contact Meta Fab in Hillsboro, Oregon for Your Metal Fabrication Needs
If you’re in the market for a shop that can offer precision sheet metal fabrication, look no further. At Meta Fab we focus on providing the highest quality finished products for all our customers, while also minimizing production time, improving quality, and finding the most efficient production workflow for every project.
That means you get precisely what you need, faster, and with fewer overheads. From engineering to fabrication, finishing, and some assembly, Meta Fab is a one-stop shop for metal fabrication.
Get a quote for your project, today!