{"id":3321,"date":"2021-10-25T15:13:40","date_gmt":"2021-10-25T22:13:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.metafab.com\/?p=3321"},"modified":"2021-11-08T18:03:39","modified_gmt":"2021-11-09T01:03:39","slug":"types-of-metal-fabrication","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.metafab.com\/types-of-metal-fabrication\/","title":{"rendered":"Types of Metal Fabrication"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Types of Metal Fabrication\" width=\"900\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/4cJTnHa8Bd0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Metal fabrication is often misunderstood as a straightforward process. The truth is that fabrication can refer to a wide range of different finishing processes, each designed to create a different kind of finished material.<\/p>\n<p>Fabrication also starts with a wide range of starting materials. That gives even more variability to the different kinds of metal fabrication.<\/p>\n<p>This wide range of metal fabrication processes and materials options means that metal fabrication can be used to create stock items, customized items, and everything in between. Here are some of the basics of the different kinds of metal fabrication and why each one is used.<\/p>\n<h2>Metal Fabrication Processes<\/h2>\n<h3>Casting<\/h3>\n<p>Casting is one of the more common kinds of metal fabrication since it\u2019s ideal if you want a lot of identical pieces made very quickly.<\/p>\n<p>Casting involves pouring molten metal into a pre-made mold. Certain kinds of molds can be used multiple times, and the cast metal needs relatively little finishing and cleanup work to be useable. Other molds are single-use, which increases the cost but still gives precise results.<\/p>\n<p>Lastly, casting can be done with sand-casting, where a shape is pressed into a carefully formulated sand mixture and then the molten metal is pooled in and cooled.<br \/>\nThis fabrication method is also helpful because it can be done with a wide range of different metals and metal alloys.<\/p>\n<h3>Cutting<\/h3>\n<p>Modern methods of cutting metal are varied and work with a wide range of metals. Traditional sawing methods are still used, but more modern methods like water jet cutting, laser cutting, and plasma arc cutting are also used.<\/p>\n<p>More powerful modern methods are suited to harder and more durable metals than older options.<\/p>\n<p>Die-cutting is another common option. Rotary die cutting uses a specific die spinning at high speed while the metal being cut is pushed through a press. Die-cutting is incredibly precise and suitable for pieces that can\u2019t be cast effectively, but that need precision measurements.<\/p>\n<h3>Folding<\/h3>\n<p>Folding is exactly what it sounds like. Metal is manipulated either in a press, a machine called a folder, or by hand until it bends.<\/p>\n<p>A different kind of folding can also be used as part of the forging process to create more durable metal. But when it comes to fabrication, folding is usually considered a fold to create a specific shape, or to increase the worked hardness of the metal to make a part stronger.<\/p>\n<p>Machine folding can also be done by placing the metal between a crease and a punch. The crease is the shape fabricators want the fold to match, while the punch provides force to shape the metal. Usually, this method is a lot faster than folding metal with a hammer, and it provides more versatility than using most folders.<\/p>\n<h3>Forging<\/h3>\n<p>Forging is probably one of the most recognizable ways to fabricate metal and shows up in media basically any time a blacksmith is mentioned. Contrary to popular belief though, forging doesn&#8217;t have to involve a lot of heat.<\/p>\n<p>There are two basic kinds of forging. Both use percussive force to shape metal into the desired part. Certain forging techniques can also change the characteristics of the metal, making it stronger, more flexible, and more durable when done well.<\/p>\n<p>Cold forging is the first basic kind of forging. Cold forging uses percussive force, but no heat to soften the metal.<\/p>\n<p>Hot forging is the kind that most people are familiar with. Hot forging involves heating metal to make it easier to manipulate and shape. Hot forging may also use heating and cooling strategically to help create certain traits in the metal or to help overcome the weaknesses of the metal.<\/p>\n<h3>Machining<\/h3>\n<p>Machining is another highly recognizable form of metal fabrication since it\u2019s one of the more common fabrication methods used in a wide variety of factories. There aren\u2019t as many machining jobs now, but it was a fairly common profession not that long ago.<\/p>\n<p>Machining is basically the process of fabricating a metal part by removing metal until you\u2019ve reached the desired shape.<\/p>\n<p>Using a metal lathe or mill, a piece of metal is machined and shaped while rotating at high speed.<\/p>\n<p>There are a lot of different kinds of metal mills, and each is suitable for slightly different kinds of parts and shapes.<\/p>\n<h3>Punching<\/h3>\n<p>Metal punching is a relatively simple form of fabrication. In most cases punches are used to create holes in a piece of metal, preparing it for other kinds of finishing or to fit together with another section of metal.<\/p>\n<p>In some cases, punching can also be used to shape the metal or to create a specific texture, depending on the design of the punch and how much force is used.<\/p>\n<h3>Shearing<\/h3>\n<p>Shearing is one of the best methods for cutting metal as part of the fabrication process. The metal is placed between two tools, one of which stabilizes the metal and the other provides pressure. The pressure eventually shears through the metal, creating a straight even cut.<\/p>\n<p>However, shearing does usually leave burring on the metal that usually needs to be cleaned up before the metal is finished and may need to be cleaned before going through other kinds of<br \/>\nfabrication.<\/p>\n<h3>Welding<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.metafab.com\/the-difference-between-welding-metal-fabrication\/\">Welding<\/a> is another important form of metal fabrication. Most people tend to think of welding as being all about connecting two pieces of metal, rather than achieving a specific shape or the characteristics the fabricators want. However, welding can be an important tool for fabrication. It can be used to create shapes that aren&#8217;t otherwise possible or to strengthen joints that might be vulnerable to damage.<\/p>\n<p>There are many different kinds of welding but welding always requires heat and pressure to bond two pieces of metal together.<\/p>\n<p>Different kinds of welding produce different levels of heat over a different area. No matter what kind of welding, a high-quality weld requires a skilled welder.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><strong><span style=\"color: #740e51;\">If you&#8217;d like Meta Fab to quote your next metal project, please submit your RFQ <span style=\"color: #76a9cd;\"><a style=\"color: #76a9cd;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.metafab.com\/get-a-quote\/\">here<\/a><\/span>!<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>Final Thoughts On Metal Fabrication<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.metafab.com\/\">Metal fabrication<\/a> is one of those trades that\u2019s easy to understand on a basic level, but incredibly detailed and difficult in practice. It\u2019s not always clear what the best fabrication method is for each project.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re looking for a fabricator for an upcoming project, or just want to consult on fabrication methods and options, we can help here at Meta Fab in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtoncountychamberor.com\/\">Hillsboro<\/a>, Oregon.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Metal fabrication is often misunderstood as a straightforward process. The truth is that fabrication can refer to a wide range of different finishing processes, each designed to create a different kind of finished material. Fabrication also starts with a wide range of starting materials. That gives even more variability to the different kinds of metal&#8230; <span class=\"view-article\">Read more &rsaquo;<\/span>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3323,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0},"categories":[36],"tags":[236,106,235,234,56,198,233,237,226,215],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.metafab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3321"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.metafab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.metafab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.metafab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.metafab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3321"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.metafab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3321\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3382,"href":"https:\/\/www.metafab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3321\/revisions\/3382"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.metafab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3323"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.metafab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3321"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.metafab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3321"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.metafab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3321"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}