The Importance Of Industrial and Manufacturing Industries

3 Types Of Steel Fabrication Processes You Should Know

21 October 2021 by Todd Edwards

Steel is a material that has been used for centuries, and it's not going anywhere any time soon. Steel fabrication is a process that involves the shaping or cutting of steel to make new products. It can be used for construction projects, transportation systems, and other systems where heavy steel components are needed for building structures or vehicles. Here are three types of steel fabrication processes you should know.  

1. Punching

Punching involves the creation of holes in steel. It enables manufacturers to create custom-sized parts without excessively wasting material. The cut-out materials can also be bent into shape by press brakes. This way, individual components don't have to go through expensive secondary processes involving further cutting, but only require minimal finishing operations to make them perfectly uniform and ready to use. This steel fabrication process is largely used in the automotive industry and other places where similar metal components are needed for conveyor belts or assembly lines. 

2. Welding

Welding is the process of joining materials together by heating them to a temperature that melts the fusing material. There are different welding techniques and equipment depending on how thick or thin you want your finished product to be and the type of metal you're working with. Oxyacetylene welders use pure acetylene and oxygen at high heat, while arc welders use electricity from an electrode wire connected to a power source to create intense heat. Gas tungsten-arc welders introduce argon into the mix for more control over certain types of metals that require higher temperatures. The most common method used today is shielded metal arc welding, which involves fusing metals with a melted electrode wire. 

3. Shearing

Shearing involves cutting the steel sheets with blades. It can be done manually or automatically via a machine called shear press. Shears are made up of high-quality hardened and ground materials that provide long-life capabilities. The edges obtained from shearing processes have an added advantage because they don't need any additional treatment after completion, making it one of the most preferred methods.

The shearing machine can be adjusted to allow for different cutting types and thicknesses of materials. It allows the metal to be cut down in more than one direction, meaning you can use it to create different shapes and sizes of cuts. 

There are many types of steel fabrication processes, and each type has its own benefits. The process you select for your project will depend on the material being used as well as other factors, such as accuracy requirements or design specifications.

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