The 4 Stages Of Steel Fabrication Processing: What To Expect

Fabrication is the intricate process through which metal pieces are crafted and manipulated to create finished construction pieces. Steel is the most commonly-used metal in construction due to its strength and durability. If you're constructing property, machine parts, road signage, vehicle parts or other steel products, you will have to seek fabrication processing.

Here's a quick run-down of what you can expect from this process:

Planning and design

First, the fabrication team will carry out a design planning process. Here, the product construction will be detailed and assessed for structural strength, safety and aesthetics. This can be done through architectural drawings or computer-aided design software. The latter provides a more vivid imagery, allowing you to visualize your finished product even before it's created. Overall, the design process helps with planning; ensuring quality is maintained all the way to the end.

Materials selection and budgeting

Once planning is complete, the fabrication team is able to detail all the materials needed for the process. This may include metal sheets, steel beams, steel pipes, rods, fittings and others attachments. Once listed, the fabrication team will produce a budget which you'll go through together and amend where necessary. After you have signed off on the work, construction can begin.

Fabrication construction

Once all the steel products are procured, the real fabrication process begins.

First, the steel pieces are cut to fit the required dimensions. Sheets are sheered while pipes are cut through use of laser cutters or gas torches. The cutting process may also be used to bevel pipes and beams for easier joining later on. Steel pieces may also be bent into shape where needed. This entails use of rollers and dies or induction-bending for larger steel pieces.

After that, the pieces are joined together through MIG(metal inert gas) welding. Here, quality weld sticks are used to ensure the structural harmony of the finished product is maintained.

Finishing

Once welding is complete, the final touches are carried out to prepare your fabrication for final application. This entails smoothing weld joints and blunting sharp edges. The steel pieces may also be blasted to remove rust or deep-seated dirt. If you choose, your product may also be galvanized to prevent rusting in future. Finally, the steel products may be painted to further protect them from rust and improve their aesthetic appearance.

Your steel fabrication process will then be complete and your products ready for use. Some fabrication companies can also undertake installation for you. This entails transportation, crane lifting services and professional installation by experienced builders.