9 Types Of Metal Fabrication and Applications

 

Metal fabrication can be defined as a term that involves any method of cutting, molding or shaping raw metal and transforming it into a finished product. Instead of assembling one product using ready-made parts, metal fabrication is the process of creating end products using semi-finished or raw materials. There are several fabrication processes to manufacture metal products. These are used to create both custom as well as stock products.

Custom fabricated products are generally made using common ferrous and non-ferrous metals as well as alloys of these metals. Metal fabricators generally use sheet metal, metal coils, billets, rods or bars to create new products. Some methods also require specialised tools such as a custom metal die or other tools.

 

There are various methods used for metal fabrication.

Metal Fabrication Methods and Applications:

1. Casting:

Casting is the process of pouring molten metal into a pre-shaped mold till the shape solidifies. The result obtained can be a wide range of different shapes to be mass-produced. It is a highly flexible method of shaping gold, steel, iron magnesium and other metals. You can choose from multiple types of casting, such as semi-permanent and die-casting.

 

2. Cutting:

This is among the most common methods used to fabricate metal, generally becoming the manufacturing process’s first step. Raw forms of metal are cut into smaller parts using techniques like sawing, plasma torching, laser cutting, waterjet cutting etc.

 

3. Die casting:

Die casting is a similar process to casting, except that it uses a custom metal die instead of a mold. In this method, high pressure pushes liquid metal into the die till the metal solidifies.

 

4. Drawing:

This process requires a die to stretch the raw material into any thinner shape. The tensile force pushes the metal towards a tapered die. Drawing can be carried out either under heat or at room temperature.

 

5. Extrusion:

This process involves pulling a raw piece of metal around or through an open or closed die. If the material goes around the die, the diameter of the material is the same as a cross-section of the die. On the other hand, a cavity forms if the material goes around the die.

 

6. Folding:

 

This is a slightly more complicated fabrication process. The manufacturer manipulates a metal surface at a chosen angle to create a particular shape. Folding generally uses a brake press or other high-tech equipment for bending the raw metal.

7. Forging:

This is among the oldest types of fabrication. Forging uses the force of compression to form the desired product. A hammer or die strikes the raw metal to forge a new shape or product. This can be done as hot, warm or cold forging.

 

8. Punching:

This is a method used to form holes in the raw metal. This is done by placing the metal between a die and a punch. Generally, this method helps fasten latches.