Metal fabrication is a process through which products are created by cutting, bending, fitting and assembling metal material together. It’s a complex process, but at the end, metal fabricators have turned raw materials into finished products. Metal fabricators are responsible for creating a lot of the products you use on a daily basis. Below, we take a closer look at some of the more common metal fabrication products based on the type of fabrication performed.
Industrial Metal Fabrication
As the name implies, industrial metal fabrication is the process of turning sheets, plates or other metal materials into industrial products. Metal fabricators create such a wide variety of materials for so many different industries, but their work is especially vital in the automotive, engineering, material handling, energy and aerospace industries. Aside from heavy machine parts, industrial metal fabrication also creates things like tanks or silos.
Structural Metal Fabrication
Structural metal fabrication is the process of creating high strength metals that are often used in the commercial, industrial or residential construction process. For example, structural metal fabrication involves the creation of strong I-beams or rebar to strengthen and reinforce structures.
The most popular metal used for structural metal fabrication is steel, due in large part to its ideal strength to weight ratio. Steel is used in almost every construction project, which is why it is so common among sheet metal fabricators.
Other products made through or used in combination with structural metal fabrication include platforms for loading bays, ramps, decks, storage bays, walkways, stairs, trusses, girders and beams.
Commercial Metal Fabrication
Commercial metal fabrication involves the creation of products that are typically installed inside of commercial buildings like stores, buildings and restaurants. Some of the products that might be created through commercial metal fabrication include sinks, appliances, shelving units, awnings and guardrails.
Commercial metal fabrication can also create a subset of products that are considered decorative or ornamental metals. They are typically display items that help to attract business, like signs or light fixtures. Products created through commercial metal fabrication tend to be more precise in nature than other types of fabricated products.