Metal fabrication is the processing of raw material, usually sheets of metal, through a series of processes to create a finished end product.
Almost every industry relies on metal fabrication to operate efficiently, create the necessary tools, design products, and more. Need hinges for a door? Railings for an outdoor staircase? A refrigerator for your restaurant? An airplane? Metal fabrication professionals do all of that and more! As you can see, it’s a vast industry that helps the entire world function.
Since metal fabrication is used in almost every industry, there are many different processes and methods that are used to create an endless variety of products. The floor of a metal fabrication shop is a place filled with machines laser cutting, stamping, bending, punching, melting, coating, and more.
Before you can begin work, you need to create a design. While some manufacturers still rely on hand-drawn drawings, which may be sufficient for basic projects, modern engineers typically use CAD (computer-aided design) software such as AutoCAD or Solidworks. CAD allows for greater complexity and complete accuracy when creating and testing models to precise specifications. Digital CAD files are also commonly needed for laser cutting of metal.
For projects with many repeatable parts, such as brackets, panels, fittings or enclosures, a working prototype is usually created before the project goes into full production. This preliminary testing ensures the quality of the finished product and allows the customer to experience the product in real-world conditions.
