Skip to main content

Metal Fabrication

The exact origin and time of when man began working with metal is unknown, but there is no question that this monumental discovery has constantly held an extremely important place in human society. Rudimentary metalworking emerged during the earliest civilizations with the discovery of seven primary metals: gold, silver, mercury, copper, lead, tin and iron. These metals were used for decorative pieces such as jewelry and religious relics, as well as for more functional uses such as tools, currency and weapons. Using heat and tools, early metalworkers began crafting many of the objects that we could not imagine living without today. Over time, metal work became increasingly advanced and gained value in society.

Today metals and metal alloys (the combination of two or more metals) are fabricated for use in virtually every commercial industry. Metal fabrication has played pivotal roles in the advancements of technology, transportation, agriculture and construction. In general terms, metal fabrication refers to any activity involving the construction of machines and equipment from raw materials. Fabrication businesses, or "fab shops," typically perform metal preparation, welding and assembly. The term "machine shop" refers to a business that specializes more specifically in the cutting, shaping and assembly of machine parts. Many businesses today fall under both of these categories and offer fabrication and machining services.

Examples of work done by fab shops and machine shops are the construction of structural frames, miscellaneous metals for building finishes such as stair railings, and ornamental pieces such as iron driveway gates. For large construction projects, metal fabricators generally go through a bidding process and are then awarded the job by contractors. For a metal fabrication project, there are six primary steps: engineering, cutting and burning, forming, machining, welding and assembly.

Metal fabricators will either outsource or have in-house manufacturing engineers and steel detailers for the arrangement of shop drawings and the programming of equipment. Numerical control (NC) and computer numerical control (CNC) machine tools are typically included in a fab shop's equipment for the sizing of the raw materials. Once the metal is cut to size, it is then formed to the desired shape using various methods and equipment such as hydraulic brake presses. The machining process requires strict attention to the engineering drawings and involves the turning, drilling and milling of metal in order to produce the specific parts for the project. NC and CNC machine tools are also employed during this step. After all the pieces are machined, they are then welded together according to instructions. Particularly with sensitive material, the welding process is a highly specialized skill. The final step of metal fabrication, called assembly, includes finishing details such as painting and inspection.

The modern metal fabrication industry, included in the industrial goods sector, also has important economic influences with key players such as the United States Steel Corp. and Reliance Steel & Aluminum. Laws and regulations concerning workplace safety and legal issues have been well established, and educational metal fabrication programs exist in both large universities and small technical schools

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

real estate agent

Houston is the largest city in Texas and also is the county seat of Harris County. The city limits spill over into Ft. Bend and Montgomery counties. It is one of the newest cities in the U.S., and also one of the most-rapidly growing. It is the commercial and artistic center of the urban area. Houston is known the world over for aeronautics, energy, and its shipping channel. Houston is one of the busiest ports in the United States, and it is also home to the Texas Medical Center. There are many cultural, entertainment, and business facilities in the city.Houston is one of only five American cities which offer visual and performing arts year round. Many people relocate to Houston just for that reason. In doing so, they need the help of a real estate agent in Houston to find their perfect new home. An agent will also be able to give them information about the school district, including faculty/student ratios and test scores at all levels. In order to help people who are interested in pur...

14 steps to take before you purchase land 4 developement

DUE DILIGENCE can make the difference between failure and reaching success when it comes to any purchase, but especially when buying property for development. I know you wouldn't do it, but I am often amazed that some people will purchase acreage with the intention of splitting and making some money without at least checking on whether the proposed split is feasible or even legal. Never rely on anyone's say so, even your real estate agent's, that you can easily split land and turn a profit. Even if the proposed split is legal, a developer must still determine whether a state public report will be required prior to lot sales and what getting one issued will involve. Always exercise due diligence before you make your offer; Failing that, certainly before you close your deal. START by asking your agent if a state public disclosure report is available on the property in question. Among others, this is a good reason to use a licensed real estate agent. All licensed real estate ...

Tips For Finding a Good Realtor

If you already know your full situation by heart, if you already know what you wish for your home to have, and already know what it is you need, other people need to know, too. Locating the ideal realtor will aid you in improving your changes in receiving exactly what it is that you want, as well as locating great deals in today's market. If you are unsure of what you should be looking out for, here are some general guidelines in finding the ideal match for every single one of your needs. One very easy way to ensure that you are in touch with the ideal person is by doing some research. It is highly like that every realtor you come across will come with a reputation on their services and the things they can offer others. By going through online sources or asking others, you could begin looking for the ideal person and getting rid of potential realtor problems with those who simply aren't there to look out for what is best for you. It isn't just what other people are saying t...