Custom Engineering & Fabrication
Custom fabrication is the best solution when you need a metal part not available off the shelf. This process involves taking a design and turning it into a finished product, and it requires the skills of both engineers and fabricators. You can get custom fabrications done for any project-from furniture to automotive parts and landscaping supplies. In this blog post, we'll take an inside look at what custom fabrication is all about and how it's used across many industries!
Sheet Metal Fabrication
This type of metal fabrication uses machines such as press brakes and punches to cut and form sheets of metal into different shapes.
Machining Fabrication
This type of fabrication uses machines to cut and shape metals into specific sizes and shapes
Plastic Fabrication
The process used to design, manufacture, or assemble objects composed of plastic or composites, including plastic.
Welding Fabrication
This type of fabrication uses welding to join different parts of metal together
Stamping
The process in which metal is forced into a die to create a specific shape.
And Many More!
These services are just a few examples, but they give a good idea of the variety of metal fabrication processes. Each process has its specific uses and results.
Why Custom Fabrication?
Unlimited Options
Custom-engineering Metal Fabrication Allows Unlimited Design Options
Since there are so many different types of metal fabrication, this allows for unlimited design options for building things out of metal. Spending extra money to get what you want is much more economical than settling for something not exactly what you want.
Durability
Metal Fabrication is Durable
One of the most significant benefits of metal fabrication is that it results in a much more durable end product than other construction methods since metal can withstand more wear and tear than other materials before it shows signs of wear and tear.
Safety
Metal Fabrication is Safe
When it comes to metal fabrication, safety is always a top priority. Unlike other construction methods, metal fabrication does not involve fire or hazardous materials, making it a much safer option for both businesses and consumers alike.
Customizable
Metal Fabrication is Customizable
Metal fabrication is customizable because of the many different ways to work with metal. Many processes allow for cutaways, bends, and more, added on as needed. It allows limitless possibilities when making things out of metal to get what you want.
Quick
Metal Fabrication is Quick
Metal fabrication is quick because of the speed at which it can be performed. Unlike other forms of construction, such as brick and concrete, which involve cumbersome procedures like mixing materials and baking, metal fabrication is relatively simple to perform quickly.
Efficient
Metal Fabrication is Cost-Effective and Efficient
Metal fabrication is efficient because it uses less material than other forms of construction like brick or wood, making it more cost-effective. Since metal can be easily cut into desired shapes and sizes, there's no need for extra materials, which helps save on costs.
Steps
In the Custom Metal Fabrication Process
Design
Design is the first step in metal fabrication; a fabricator can prove a sketch or idea. Once a design is finalized, the fabricator will create a blueprint or technical drawing of the piece. This diagram will include all the dimensions and specifications necessary for production
Marking Out
Marking out is the process of transferring the blueprint to the metal so that cutting and welding can be done accordingly. This may involve making a few extra copies of a drawing onto tracing paper or vellum, making markers for measurements with pencils or pens, and measuring with calipers.
Cutting
The metal is then cut to size with a saw. There are many different types of saws, each suited for a specific kind of metal or thickness. After the metal is cut, it is then often ground down to make it smooth and ready for welding.
Welding
Welding is the process of joining two pieces of metal together by melting them and fusing them together. There are many different types of welding, each with its own set of tools and techniques. The filler material may also help join the metals together in some cases.
Forming
The metal will often need to be bent after welding, which is done by heating (annealing) and shaping (forming) with a hammer. The metal is first heated until red hot and then formed around an object that determines the shape of the bend. Annealing helps make the metal soft and pliable while forming helps to set the new shape.
Finishing
The final step in the fabrication process often involves polishing, buffing, or coating the metal with a protective finish. It may also include adding decorative details such as engraving, etching, or inlays.
Common Metals Used in Metal Fabrication
The most common metals used in custom-engineering fabrication are steel, aluminum, brass, and copper. Each has unique properties that make it well-suited for different applications.
Steel is a prevalent metal to use in fabrication, as it is solid and durable yet affordable.
Aluminum is lightweight but durable. It is often used in the construction and aerospace industry because it is light and robust. It can be cut and formed using the same tools as steel, but it requires a different wheel to grind.
Brass is corrosion-resistant, and copper is conductive.
Your fabricator will help you select the suitable metal for your project based on its function and appearance requirements.
Stainless Steel Fabricators - High Dimensional Accuracy
Stainless steel fabricators need to produce parts with tight tolerances so that the finished product meets the specific industry standards.
When it comes to stainless steel fabrication engineering, ensuring high dimensional accuracy is the key, and that's what we do at JWBell. It is because stainless steel is often used in applications where precision and reliability are critical.
The tolerances required will vary depending on the stainless steel product being made.
Managing Tolerances
To meet the required tolerances, we achieve optimal results by using a few different stainless steel fabrication techniques that include:
· Precision machining - This method provides high dimensional accuracy as it is used for machine features. In addition, the process is repeatable with a high degree of accuracy, which is essential for parts that require tight tolerances.
· Precision grinding - Precision grinding offers advantages over machining because it can produce a surface finish in seconds, which means no secondary finishing is required. The downside to grinding is that it can be more expensive than machining, and it is not as versatile as a machining process.
· Laser cutting - Laser cutting is a quick and accurate way to cut stainless steel parts with tight tolerances. It offers a high degree of accuracy and can produce complex shapes and designs.
Using the proper fabrication techniques, stainless steel fabricators can produce parts with the required dimensional accuracy and meet the stringent standards of various industries.
Your One-stop Fabrication Engineering Company
Suppose you're looking for a stainless steel fabrication near me who can provide quality service on time and within budget; count on us at JWBell!
We've got all it takes to fabricate stainless steel with over 90 years of aggregate business experience under our belt.
We are committed to providing the most affordable, high-quality custom engineering and fabrication services in the industry.
We offer warranties on all our products and can help with repairs too! Whether you want to replace a worn-out part or need help with a custom fabrication project, we can get the job done right.
Give us a call today!