Fabricated metal is used in most of the things everyone uses in daily life. Even though it is employed in buildings and most everyday objects, people do not have proper knowledge of it. Check out the interesting points about metal fabrication.
1) The process
Fabricated metals go through different processes before they turn into strips or wedding rings. The process varies from cutting to welding. It is an important procedure because this will determine the quality and quantity of the metal produced. Have a quick look at the types of fabrication methods:
- Casting – Molten metal is permitted to cool down in a mould to attain the desired shape. This process is called casting. Different types of casting include permanent mould casting, die casting and sand casting. Vacuum, die, a mixture of sand are used in these techniques accordingly.
- Cutting – To break it into smaller pieces, cutting is employed. Sawing, laser cutting, plasma arc cutting and power scissors are different processes used for cutting metals.
- Forging – To shape the metal produced, impressive force is used in the forging process by wielding a hammer. There is warm forging and hot forging.
Metal goes through drawing, welding, marching etc to bring out the finest fabricated metal.
2) Equipment
Different equipment is used for the fabrication process. Hammer, table saw grinder or press brake are used. Since the job is tough and varies with each metal, it needs different equipment and high efficiency.
3) Secondary process
As mentioned above, metal fabrication uses processes like cutting, wedging and assembling. These are primary methods. There are more secondary techniques to complete the job which include plating, galvanizing, sandblasting, anodizing etc.
4) Energy required for the process
It might seem easy while reading about the processes involved but it is not easy to customize the metal. It requires a lot of energy, enthusiasm and time. Choosing a reputed seller is the easiest way to cope with the hefty process. They won’t have limitations to bring out the metal with special finishes. They would have the requested material along with fully equipped production facilities.
5) Right material
Some metal works with every fabrication process while the others won’t. Fabricators should know the metal they are going to work with so that careful planning would happen. Understanding the metal makes the process half done. All metals seem similar to a normal fabricator but an expert will know its unique property with a blink of an eye. They will think about the strength and reliability of the metal and decide accordingly.
Now, have a quick peek into the interesting historical facts on the use of metal fabrication in different buildings and equipment people adore for ages:
- The world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa, used steel for half of its metal used.
- The Eiffel tower used wrought iron in 1889 which is still held with its majestic look.
- Metal fabrication is not a new story as it was used from 4000 BC onwards in ancient Egypt.
- Metal fabrication was used in 1961 for the first industrial robot.
- In 1969, experiments of welding were utilized in space. Metal fabrication was used here by Russian Cosmonauts.
- Half per cent of the essential products used daily contain fabricated metals or welded one. Laptops, mobile phones, boats, cutlery and aircraft are some of them.
- Interestingly, if two metals come into contact in space, they will fuse automatically.
