Custom metal fabrication is an intricate process that requires a lot of work and planning. It is best to work together with an experienced metal fabrication company that can be completely trusted with all of your metal fabrication projects for whatever purposes they serve. Custom metal fabrication is basically shaping metal into a finished fabricated project. Here’s a brief summary of what happens during the process:
DESIGNING
One of the advantages of choosing an excellent metal fabrication company is having the freedom to come up with practically any design, and your chosen partner will do whatever they can to produce results as close to your design as possible. A good fabrication company will guide you even during the designing process. You will be introduced to the type of metal to be used, the techniques, the possibilities for design, and the quality products most advisable to use based on your type of project. Your chosen metal fabrication company should also be able to utilize technology for producing your design.
FABRICATING
The actual fabrication process only starts after you have come up with a final design. Once fabrication starts, the process will be a complicated one. All sorts of machinery and methods will be used to produce your project, so there’s no turning back at this point. Some of the common processes used in fabrication are cutting, folding, welding, punching, and many more. With advanced machinery and technology, this stage is where you will have an idea of how your finished project will look like.
ASSEMBLING
All the fabricated metal parts are ready to be assembled at this stage. If you only have one piece fabricated, it will still have to undergo finishing touches for a high-quality, professional look.
Tips on How to Get the Most Out of the Design of Your Custom Metal Fabrication
1. Consolidate and Make Changes
Once you have clearly indicated all of the main aspects of your designs, the next best strategy to optimise the design of your custom metal fabrication is to simplify it. Perhaps you have already simplified your design to its most essential components. Before sending your ideas to your fabricator, though, you should give them a closer look if you haven't yet tried an editing phase.
Keep an eye out for components that don't contribute anything to the design's functionality. Are these aspects of a design absolutely necessary? You might also look for components that serve the same purpose more than once. If, for instance, your metal produced component can be fastened with just one screw without compromising its ability to fit securely or perform its purpose, then using two screws can be an unnecessary additional price. You could also check for exterior components that are too elaborate or overworked in their design. The operation of cutting or stamping, for instance, can be made easier by the presence of a straight angle, whereas the addition of a curved corner brings additional complication but no further value.
2. Make Sure Your Design is Clear
Your fabricator will have a better understanding of what you are seeking for if your design is more clear in describing what you want. When moving from the design phase to the custom metal fabrication phase of your project, this helps to limit the number of errors that can arise. Your specifications and dimensions are going to be the first item that must be specified. Check and recheck these to ensure that they are correct.
You will want to make certain that your designs include the essential information:
o Tolerances
o The positions and measurements of any holes.
o The levelness of the surface
o The radii of the corners
o The thickness of the material
o Dimensions total: height, breadth, and length
Perks of Custom Metal Fabrication in Comparison to Stock Fabrication
Custom metal fabrication is advantageous to stock fabrication for a number of reasons, not the least of which is increased flexibility. The following guidelines can assist in gaining a better comprehension of the advantages bestowed by the process:
Enhanced Productivity
In some cases, the production of a component can be performed in a variety of approaches by incorporating two or more procedures. Fabrication to order enables the identification of the most efficient method of fabrication from among all of the different possibilities. For instance, a gear can be made by either forging, powder metallurgy, lathe machining, or CNC machining. Another option is powder metallurgy. During the process of custom metal fabrication, a metal fabricator will choose the procedure that most closely matches the demand and helps to shorten the amount of time needed for manufacturing. Custom metal fabrication is superior to stock fabrication in terms of the administrative efficiency it provides. Because custom fabrication makes it possible to manufacture components that are compatible with one another, it is possible to avoid losses that are caused by elements such as resistance, wear and tear, and component overlapping. The enhanced productivity that results from streamlining these procedures is possible thanks to the metal fabrication industry.
High Component Compatibility
Component compatibility can be achieved by the customisation of metal and sheet metal production processes. Because each component is uniquely created and crafted to fulfil particular requirements, it is likely that it will be compatible with the other components. In the process of custom metal fabrication, it is essential to pay attention to aspects such as the amount of friction that exists between two components, the dimensional fit, and the surface chemical reactions. For instance, the construction of a boiler cylinder and a thermal ring are identical in their steps and materials. It is essential that the outer diameter of the insulation ring, the outer diameter of the cylinder, and the inner diameter of the lid of the cylinder all coincide with one another. Custom metal fabrication makes it possible to produce rings with precise measurements, whereas stock manufacturing can only provide the choice to choose the ring size that fits the finger the most closely.
Lifecycle of a Durable Product Custom Fabrication
This plays an important role in the production of durable products. A fabricator can identify the material that complements the required application after having a conversation with the client about the application. The fabricator may take into account the potential stresses, tensions, and external forces that are involved in the process in addition to the chemical reactions that are occurring. Because of this, the design of the product is application-centered. Plain steel might not be the best choice, for instance, if the application requires the use of water with a high mineral content. In a relatively short amount of time, salt can degrade the product. In the course of the custom metal fabrication process, the metal fabricator has the freedom to make use of stainless steel in order to lengthen the product's shelf life.
For metal fabrication works in Australia, choose a company with decades of experience fabricating almost every piece of metal you can think of. Ferrum has been working in the industry for almost 70 years and are ready to be the answer to your custom metal fabrication projects.