Steel is the most common metal used in manufacturing because of its durability (a very high strength-to-weight ratio), its versatility, and its low cost. It’s used in everything from architectural supports to railroad ties to factory production machinery to surgical tools. Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon, primarily, along with other elements that can change some of the characteristics of the steel – making it stronger, more malleable, or more resistant to corrosion, for example. A Steel Fabricator knows how to cut, shape, and finish steel for a wide variety of applications.
The first step in the metal fabrication process is cutting a steel plate or sheet into a desired shape. There are many different types of cutting tools, including a plasma torch or plasma table, a laser cutter, a water jet cutter, and a band saw. Some jobs can be done with hand tools, but larger or more complicated work can be carried out better with a computerized, automated tool. These cutting machines come with software that let you input a design, thus guaranteeing a high degree of precision and avoiding human error in the cutting process.
Once the flat shapes have been cut, they are bent or rolled into a three-dimensional shape. This is usually done with punches or dyes, which form metal through the application of a high degree of force.
A lathe or mill can be used to remove any unwanted metal and further refine the shape. A lathe works well with cylindrical objects, like pipes or tubes. They are clamped onto a chuck in the center of the lathe. The chuck rotates, spinning the object as a cutting tool cuts away any excess metal. A mill is more often used with flat pieces, and it works by holding the metal piece fixed with a vise while a cylindrical cutting tool is used to cut into the surface, making straight or angled cuts or slots. Drill presses are also used in metal fabrication to bore holes.
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