Metal fabrication is a process that is common especially in the construction and manufacturing industry. Raw materials are processed into metal sheets during fabrication that are then used in construction of machines, bridges as well as buildings. Most manufacturers prefer using structural steel during fabrication because it has good qualities such as durability, flexibility as well as being tensile. During steel fabrication, steel sections are made using various fabrication processes. Stamping, folding, cutting, shearing, punching, machining as well as welding are some of the fabrication processes used when handling structural steel. The first stage of the fabrication process is cutting. Lasers, water jet, plasma torch as well as a saw are some of the tools used in cutting of steel. Chiseling, numerical control and shearing are other cutting techniques used during steel fabrication.
When fabricating structural steel, press brake is utilized during folding. Folding or bending of steel is important in order to make certain steel sections. In order to bend the piece of metal into a shape or form that you desire, you have to air-bend it. In order to form a crease on the metal sheet, the press brake used has a set of dies within it that pinch the steel metal forming the crease. In order for the designer to acquire the desired metal shape they are in need of, unwanted materials are removed from the structural steel through machining. During machining, the metal designer has an option to either use a rotating cutting tool on a stationary metal piece or rotate the metal piece against a tool for cutting.
In order to create a hole in a metal sheet, it is punched using a punch press. In order for one to get the perfect hole shape, the die and punch need to be of the same shape. Cutting of straight lines onto a flat metal stock is done through the process of shearing also referred to as die cutting. During stamping, a portion of the metal sheet is raised when using a die. Welding involves two pieces of metal becoming attached in order to form a large structure or separate steel section. The various welding techniques used by metal designers usually depend on the metal and its structure.
Steel fabrication is very effective as it helps to strengthen the metal in terms of its quality. Better quality steel is more suitable for commercially designed buildings. Energy sector projects also make use of fabricated steel. Clients usually offer their specifications to metal designers in order to get their desired metal. Since it is more affordable, most clients prefer working with fabricated steel. Structural steel fabrication is a very cost effective process which is why it is preferred by most clients.
Besides manufacturing and construction, structural steel is also used in sectors such as oil and gas, infrastructure and transport.