What is Industrial Metal Fabrication?
What is Industrial Metal Fabrication?
Industrial metal fabrication involves the integration of various parts or assemblies, usually made from sheets or plates, into industrial products. This process is critical in manufacturing large-scale industrial components and systems.
Key Industries Served
Aerospace
Industrial fabricators create components for aircraft and spacecraft, ensuring high precision and durability.
Alternative Energy
Fabrication in this sector includes parts for wind turbines, solar panel frames, and other renewable energy systems.
Material Handling
Fabricators produce equipment such as conveyors, cranes, and hoists used in material handling.
Pollution Engineering
Components for pollution control devices, such as scrubbers and filters, are fabricated to meet environmental standards.
Types of Products Created
Tanks
Large tanks used for storage of liquids and gases are common products of industrial fabrication.
Silos
Fabricators create silos for storing bulk materials like grains, cement, and chemicals.
Heavy Machine Parts
Industrial fabrication involves producing parts for heavy machinery used in various industries.
Comparison with Structural Metal Fabrication
Complementary Parts
Unlike structural metal fabrication, where individual parts often stand alone, industrial metal parts are typically used as complements to each other in complex assemblies.
Integration Focus
The focus in industrial fabrication is on integrating multiple components into a cohesive system or product.
Common Materials Used
Sheet Metal
Sheet metal is widely used due to its versatility and ease of fabrication.
Plate Metal
Plate metal is preferred for its strength and durability in large-scale applications.
Tubing and Pipes
Tubing and pipes are essential for creating frameworks and channels for various industrial systems.
Bar Stock
Bar stock is used for manufacturing smaller components that require high precision.
Industrial Fabrication Processes
Cutting
Laser Cutting
Laser cutting is used for precise and clean cuts in sheet and plate metal.
Plasma Cutting
Plasma cutting is effective for thicker metals, providing fast and accurate cuts.
Bending
Press Brake Bending
Press brakes are used to bend sheet and plate metal into desired shapes and angles.
Roll Bending
Roll bending is used to create cylindrical shapes and large curves in metal sheets.
Assembling
Welding
Welding is a key process for joining metal parts together in industrial fabrication.
Bolting
Bolting is used for assembling parts that may need to be disassembled later.
Conclusion
Industrial metal fabrication is a complex and essential process for creating large-scale industrial components and systems. Serving a wide range of industries, from aerospace to pollution engineering, this fabrication type involves integrating various parts into cohesive products. The focus on integration and the use of diverse materials and processes distinguish industrial fabrication from other types of metal fabrication.
