Have you ever wondered how metal items are made? How are they able to bend into different shapes and move in different directions when the material is completely solid?
You see it in functional items all around you, from appliances and decor in your own home to tall, skyscraper buildings. As a material, its flexibility and versatility are truly amazing. But have you ever stopped to think about who or what makes these things possible?
What Is Metal Fabrication?
Before we take a look at who is responsible for these things, let’s first talk about what is metal fabrication?
Metal fabrication is the process of manufacturing metals and manipulating them to take on various shapes. The process requires a lot more than simply taking out the welding machine and having a go at the material.
It also involves the process of casting, cutting, forging, punching, drilling, turning, and extrusion to achieve the desired results. It also requires ample knowledge about metals, their strength and properties, as well as how they react to certain environmental stresses like pressure and heat.
With so many different types of metal, it takes both hands-on skills and knowledge in order to be able to create a final product that will pass quality standards.
Among the most common metals used include:
- Aluminum
- Copper
- Gold
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Nickel
- Silver
- Steel
Metal Fabricators
What do metal fabricators do that make them so important not only to the construction industry but to all of us in our daily lives?
Metal fabricators are the ones who assemble structural products, from simple frames to enormous bridges. Simply put, anything metal that you see, touch, and use around you would have been created or at least touched by a metal fabricator.
If you think it’s a highly technical job, you guessed it right. They have to follow blueprints and patterns to make sure that each and every part will be able to fit well together as intended. The entire structural integrity of the material rests on their accuracy and attention to detail, after all.
You’ll most likely see them in a metal fabrication shop, wearing PPE (personal protective equipment), such as gloves and goggles. These are necessary to protect them from any flying debris or sparks resulting from their welding activities, among others.
Metal fabricators make sure that all necessary metal parts for a product or design are going to be ready for use. Their skills and techniques are crucial to creating a metal product that works as intended, whether for functional use or for aesthetics.
That’s why metal fabrication shops, with their professional metal fabricators, are a crucial part of the entire ecosystem, not only in the construction and engineering industries but also in general design.