Because a project can include many components, this phase helps ensure the product will function as required. From the prototype or rending, we’ll determine the size and shape of each part required and clarify the types of metal and finishing techniques needed. The second step to fabricating structural steel is to bend the alloy. The decision on whether to do one or the other usually depends on how much repetitive bending the project requires.
Usually drawing is performed at room temperature, and is called cold drawing, but the metal workpiece can be heated in order to reduce the required force. It’s common to get several bids when shopping for a metal fabricator, but not all bids provide the same information. When comparing bids from fabricators, make sure you understand exactly what’s included in the proposal. During the fabrication process, metal is usually cut first, then shaped. We often use CNC tools, orComputerized Numerical Controls, to ensure each piece is cut exactly to the specifications of the design. These tools extract a computer program of the exact commands and specifications used to create a piece.
Secondary processes such as machining, finishing, and heat treatment are used to produce a final product. In machining, technicians use drills, lathes, and mills to remove unwanted materials and model the metal into the required shape and size. In trimming, processes like flame, water jet, or plasma cutting are used to slice steel into dimensions that are easy to work with. Some basic ones are machining, Welding Colorado cutting, drilling, coating, and bending to turn the material into predefined customer shapes and sizes. There’s strict quality control in place throughout the entire fabrication process, which makes the possibility of a mistake as small as possible.
The turret doesn’t completely force the metal through the die, but only raises it. Stamping is used to form shapes, letters, or images in a metal panel or sheet. Sheets of up to 1/4 inch thickness are molded into specified shapes and sizes.
Although most metal fabrication focuses on the shaping and cutting of metal, there are multiple steps involved in a successful fabricated project. The process starts with a design or rendering and ends with a finished, functional part. Step inside the Alpha Manufacturing facility and take a look at our range of state of the sheet metal fabrication machinery.
To achieve this a ‘Press Breaking’ process is used to press the steel along its entire length. Punching can be used where the thickness of the metal is less than the diameter of the hole or in the case of a non-circular hole its minimum dimension . In the punching process a cutting punch is forced under pressure through the steel into a die below, so producing a clean, accurately sized, hole. Where fatigue is an issue the holes are punched 2mm undersized and reamed to the correct diameter. To allow sections to be rapidly bolted together on site, all holes are pre drilled or punched in the fabrication factory.
A fine bore, copper nozzle constricts the arc between the electrode and the work piece. This increases the temperature and velocity of the plasma emanating from the nozzle. The temperature of the plasma is in excess of 20,000°C and the velocity can approach the speed of sound. When used for cutting, the plasma gas flow is increased so that the deeply penetrating plasma jet cuts through material whilst molten material is removed in the efflux plasma. Sections are delivered from the stockyard to the machine bed of the saw. Manufacturers are conscious of their position in the supply chain and the demands by industry for best service.
This means the end product can withstand harsh conditions such as precipitation and fires. Therefore, a building constructed with fabricated steel is likely to last longer than that made of other materials. In addition, tools and machines made from steel that has undergone this process can also last longer in the hands of their owners. As a steel fabrication company, Levstal offers a wide variety of steel fabrication services, with the ability to customize the details of each steel piece in accordance with the client’s wishes.