Custom Fabrication Benefits

Fabrication is a broad process used to make metal structures, components and products. It involves a number of different methods, including cutting, bending, welding, and assembling. The process can be used to create custom products, or it can be applied to existing stock items in order to modify them for specific applications or requirements. Custom Material, Inc is often employed in the construction industry to create items such as structural beams, brackets, and handrails, but it is also a vital tool for many other industries. For example, the automotive industry relies on fabricated parts from the exterior of a car to its tightly-machined engine. Custom fabrication is also frequently used in electronics, robotics, aerospace, consumer product creation, foodservice and transportation applications.

The primary function of any metal fabrication company is to cut and form metal stock into a final, functional product or piece. This is done by a variety of processes, and the exact methodology used depends on the project at hand. For instance, sheet metal is typically formed into its final shape using a process called bending, which can be achieved by clamping the metal between a die and a punch or by using a panel bender machine. The forming process is usually followed by a welding step to create a secure bond between the shaped metal and the rest of the finished product.

Another important function of any custom fabrication company is to create holes and openings in the metal, which can be achieved by cutting, shearing, punching, drilling or laser-cutting. The openings can then be tapped or threaded, and the resulting holes can be used to hold screws, bolts, nuts and other fasteners. Another common step in metal fabrication is sanding and grinding to remove any rough edges or burrs.

During the design phase, a custom fabrication company takes all of the specific dimensions and requirements of the project into consideration and determines how they can be best met. They can also advise on materials that will be most appropriate for the environment in which the product will be used, and this is often a key consideration for durable, long-lasting products. For example, if a product will be exposed to salt water, then stainless steel may be preferred over ordinary steel in order to prevent corrosion.

Once the CAD design for the project has been completed, a prototype can be produced to see how well it will work before moving on to the actual manufacturing process. This can be a great way to identify any potential issues that could occur during production, and it can also be a good time to make any adjustments to the design in preparation for the next phase. Once the CAD design has been finalized, it will be translated into programming for any computer-controlled machines that will be involved in the manufacture of the part or product. This step can be done either by the customer or the fabrication company, depending on the nature of the project.