You might not know this, but steel is everywhere. You encounter it outside and inside of your home. When it comes to reliability and durability, steel will never let you down. Fabricating steel is beneficial for any industry.
Aside from construction, here are a few instances where steel is used:
- Vehicles: Trains, buses, cars
- Utensils: Spoons, forks, cutleries
- Appliances: Dishwashers, refrigerators, ovens
- Infrastructure: Sewers, roads, bridges
- Military Defense: Ships, military vehicles
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again; steel is reliable. It is a versatile material to work with, and you won’t have to worry about your money going down the drain. Now, “What is steel fabrication,” you might be wondering. Continue reading!
What is Steel Fabrication?
It is a process that involves cutting, bending, and the assembly of steel to form a variety of products. What happens here is that structural steel fabricators will cut, bend, and weld them together. Most of the time, there is already a predefined size, shape, and form. These processes make construction even faster without sacrificing its overall quality.
Over the years, steel fabrication has become easier for fabricators. Now professionals utilize cutting-edge technology and software to predict the outcome. Aside from that, it is now easier to monitor and control the various equipment used in cutting and forming steel. Some of the equipment used are plasma cutters, welders, and laser cutters.
What Are the Common Raw Materials Used in Steel Fabrication?
These raw materials ensure that the structural steel fabrication process is done correctly and quickly. Here are a few of them:
- Castings
- Fittings
- Plate Metal
- Flat Metal
- Sectional Metal
- Formed and Expanded Metal
- Welding Wire
These are necessary to guarantee that the fabricated steel is high-quality and fit for construction.
What Are the Basic Fabrication Processes?
Cutting
Cutting steel makes the following fabrication process easier. Experts use different techniques to ensure a smooth cut, including the following: plasma cutters, circular saws, and flame cutting. A professional can cut steel in multiple ways, either manually or by a profile cutting table.
Machining
Shaving away some parts of steel might be necessary to form the shape you desire. For this process, different equipment is used, such as drills, lathes, and mills.
Welding
After cutting, the following process is welding. This step is where the fixtures and steel fittings are fused, and professionals will also prepare connections or places where the prefabricated steel will be attached and prepared. There are different types of welding, but what happens is usually the same. Under extremely high temperatures, both materials that need to be fused will melt and attach.
Bending
There are different rolling and bending techniques that experts in the field use to achieve unique curves. These are what you can see on ongoing construction sites. Press braking is a technique used for uncomplicated steel bends. However, some bends are more challenging to achieve. The steel may require several bending rolls to achieve the desired result.
Can Anyone Do Steel Fabrication?
Fabricating steel requires skills and proper knowledge. Not everyone is capable of doing it unless they undergo adequate training and education. Experience is an essential factor in achieving seamless cuts and bends in prefabricated steel.
There is no room for error when it comes to fabrication. When steel is used in construction, contractors are confident that it has undergone a meticulous quality check. Even if the project is not as big as industrial construction, seeking the help of experts is essential to ensure the stability of the project.
If you’re looking into steel fabrication as a career, you can look into vocational courses or community colleges. Some of the jobs or positions you can apply for include brazers, solderers, cutters, and welders. Training plays a significant role. It would be best to know how to read blueprints and operate the equipment.
If you are renovating your home or commercial property, looking for dynamic metal fabrication in Boulder, CO, shouldn’t be difficult. Flawless Steel Welding is here to provide you with top-notch steel fabrication services.
We also offer general welding, crane services, and more. Call us to get a quote. We can’t wait to serve you!
