top of page

What is Metal Fabrication?

Every time a person gets in a car, picks up the phone or handles a tool, they will look at the result of custom metal fabrication. The economy relies on its processes. Without it, they wouldn't run our electrical systems or create the parts that keep our houses, vehicles, computers, kitchens, and businesses operating.


Moreover, all the work, like cutting metal, is completed by metal fabricators. They are highly skilled professionals trained to manipulate and cut metal to its desired shape with a surgeon's precision. These fabricators work out of large-scale manufacturing operations shops. The shops vary widely and offer general fabrication services for the IT and medical industries.


Metal Fabrication

Types of Metal Fabrication Processes

Metal fabrication has various processes that are involved. Its specific combination of metal or stainless steel fabrication processes will vary with the type of usage and what it is made of. Here are some types of fabrication processes:

  • Cutting

This process is accomplished through flame cutting, shearing, laser cutting, waterjet cutting, or sawing. As a result, it turns the sheet metal into a piece of the required shape and size. But today, laser and waterjet cutting can comprise the foremost technologies available.

  • Casting

A die forms a mold where the fabricator pours molten metal into it. Afterward, the metal cools down and turns solid, and the part remains after removing the die.

  • Punching

It is the process where the turret's punch is pre-designed patterns into the metal, either for utility or decorative purposes.

  • Forging

High-pressure machinery compresses raw metal that allows the fabricator to shape and bend it.

  • Milling

A milling mechanism cuts perforations into the metal due to the nature of the machine that can be non-circular.

  • Drawing

The drawing uses elastic force to pull liquid metal into a tapered die.

  • Turning

The metal goes onto a spinning platform that allows a technician to cut it radially with a tool as it spins.

  • Extrusion

An extrusion process is where ram forces are put up through a die. As a result, this process forms cylindrical parts like electrical wires or pipes.

  • Drilling

A drilling process cuts holes into the metal using a circular fabrication.

Technology Used for Fabrication

While metal fabrication existed for different fields and industries, technology and practices have evolved. These basic processes have been around for centuries, but significant innovations have revolutionized. The fabrication process includes:

  • Machinery

Machinery solutions are also improving over time. The laser technology is being used in cutting processes, allowing fast cutting through thicker materials. Other technologies, including plasma cutting, are also available. These are valuable methods for a range of different material types.

  • CAD software

Computer-aided design is software that plays a significant role in metal fabrication projects. That means engineers use CAD software to develop designs, which a fabrication company can use in the fabrication process. Moreover, this software system allows the production of 3D models with quick changes and updates to the design. It also facilitates easy translations to programming language for programming fabrication machinery.

  • Automation

Automation has revolutionized the fabrication process in the past years. Its fabrication machinery has increasingly been produced with programming capabilities that automatically complete projects to specifications with minimal human bond.


When choosing or deciding on a metal fabrication service, look for an experienced company with good resources working with your fields or related industry. If you're looking for metal fabrication to outsource your project, JW Bell Machine Shop is here to help.


Our metal fabrication prioritizes three factors: quality, delivery, and price. While many companies excel in one of these qualities, we understand that the true value is treating all three equally.


For more information, visit our website https://www.jwbellcustomfabrication.com/ or contact us at 319-774-7142.

6 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Commentaires


bottom of page