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Stainless steel finishes play a vital role in any design specifications. Not only is it for practicality but it’s used for enhancing the appearance of the final product as well. There are a variety of options when it comes to steel finishes. With some exceptions, most finishes are usually classified by number. Every finish is used to achieve different visual effects that are specific to the industry and the final product. For example, a mirror finish is more commonly used for ornamental trim or columns seen in luxury hotels whereas a brushed finish is used commonly in automotive design. The textures, grain orientation, patterns, and other features should be discussed thoroughly with your fabricator. This guide will help you distinguish between some of the most commonly used stainless steel finishes.

No. 2B – Matte Finish

Judging from the name, you can assume the results. A matte finish will appear dull and non-reflective similar to a cloudy mirror, which makes it a good choice when aesthetics isn’t a priority. No. 2B is usually the least expensive compared to the other options and it also happens to be one of the most popular finishes. It’s most commonly used for equipment in a variety of industries including pharmaceutical, chemical, laundry, and even household appliances like parts for refrigerators and kitchen tools.

No. 3 – Brush Finish

Produced through extended brushing, this process creates a moderately reflective finish with one-directional and somewhat coarse polishing lines that extends along the length of the product. It can be achieved using either mechanical or gradual finer polishing techniques. Depending on the product and the application requirements, the grit can determine how reflective the finish is. The higher the grit number the finer the polishing lines are. This type of finish is usually reserved for manufacturing, and food processing equipment such as brewing equipment, and kitchen equipment.

No. 7 – Polished Finish

This type of finish is known for its reflective, very bright, mirror-like appearance. It’s achieved through polishing a No. 4 finish with a 320 grit and up to 10 minutes of extended buffing which produces a higher degree of reflectivity. It has minimal grit lines that can still be seen when you’re standing a few feet away. A common finish that prepares your stainless steel for chrome plating, powder coating, and more. The polished finish is used for architectural designs such as column covers, ornament trim, and wall panels.

No. 8 – Mirror Finish

Similar to No. 7, the mirror finish appearance is highly reflective. No. 8 is actually the most reflective compared to all the other options. The mirror finish can be accomplished through extended buffing (5-10 more minutes than No.7). The extensive buffing essentially gets rid of the grit lines but they’re still visible up close, hence why it’s not the perfect mirror. This stainless-steel finish is typically used for interior architectural designs such as panels, columns, and ornamental applications seen in museums, luxurious office buildings, and more.

Custom Metal Fabrication with VeriForm

You’re not only limited to four stainless steel finishes but there are also many more options available on the market. When it comes to stainless steel finishes, VeriForm has a team of experts that will discuss all the different options with you in-depth. Whether you’re looking for architectural fabrication or custom metal fabrication, VeriForm is your best bet. They have over two decades worth of experience along with the top-notch equipment that can tackle any metal fabrication project. To learn more or receive a quote, contact VeriForm today!

It has been around for more than 150 years and is used for a wide range of applications. This includes construction, residential use, rail, road, agriculture, etc. Galvanized steel is steel that has been coated in a protective layer of zinc. There are many benefits to using this material that we will discuss further. The fact is that it’s a tough and versatile metal. Most importantly, it’s corrosion-resistant. To learn more about galvanized steel, keep reading.

Galvanized Steel – What Is It?

We know that steel itself is a strong durable metal, but galvanized steel can be even better. The zinc galvanized steel is coated in prevents corrosion. Normal steel, despite being strong and tough is susceptible to rust and corrosion. This can be caused by rain or constant contact with other liquids as well as humidity in the air. Corrosion is the main enemy of steel, and the process of galvanizing prevents the onset of this issue.

Why Is Zinc Used?

While other metals can also help in this regard, zinc is affordable, easy to apply, and extremely effective. The addition of zinc, in the process of galvanization, improves the steel and minimizes the risk of corrosion. The process was established in England and France as far back as 1837. At that time, the steel was dipped into molten zinc and the process was known as hot-dip galvanization, a process still used to this day.

The Process of Galvanizing Steel

There are various ways to galvanize steel. When molten zinc is added to steel, a chemical reaction causes it to adhere to the steel providing the protective coat. Hot dipping is the most common way to do this but there are other methods. These include zinc, electroplating, mechanical plating, and sherardizing. Zinc metal spray and continuous strip galvanizing are additional methods. The ideal method will depend on the application and the applicator, hence why it’s important to work with companies you can rely on.

The Benefits of Galvanized Steel

The main benefits of galvanized steel are that it is tough, durable, and corrosion-resistant. This makes it a relatively sustainable material to use in structures. Despite the higher initial costs, the strength and durability make it an economical choice over time. Little to no maintenance will be needed for many decades. The galvanizing process is effective and delivers complete coverage. The bond that is formed when zinc is added is extremely strong and reliable. It has proved itself over time, making it predictable. You can measure the lifespan according to the coating thickness with a high rate of accuracy. It also helps during transport, handling, and storage. It makes the project easier to complete and ensures the integrity of the result with minimal hassle and fuss.

What Industries Use Galvanized Steel?  

It is used extensively in various industries wherever strong corrosion-resistant metal is needed. This includes:

• Construction
• Automotive
• Telecommunication
• Agriculture
• Solar

Conclusion — A Metal Fabrication Company You Can Trust

For all your metal fabrication needs, speak to the trusted team at VeriForm. They have more than 24 years of experience in the business and have developed a solid reputation. CNC machining and CNC bending are just some of the services they have to offer. Many capabilities are available including metal bending parts up to 21ft wide, precision plasma cutting, and wide format metal rolling. So, when you’re looking for metal fabrication that needs to be done right, give VeriForm a call or fill out their online contact form to get your free quote.

When it comes to metal fabrication, there are definitely certain dangers associated with this kind of job. Especially if you’re not careful and utilize metal fabrication safety practices on a regular basis. Safety should always be the number one priority. Not only do these safety practices prevent accidental injury, but it also maintains the machinery and encourages your team to stay organized and productive.

Not following these safety procedures can ultimately land you in a number of lawsuits, fines, injured employees and so forth. Essentially, it’s not good for business and it will break the bank. No one would want to work with a company that dismisses their employees’ safety anyways. With that being said, here are some common safety processes your metal fabrication team should be following if they aren’t already.

Metal Fabrication Safety Practices

Following these metal fabrication safety practices will ensure a safe work environment, and happy employees and prevent accidents or injuries while saving your business a lot of trouble and money down the line.

Ensure Proper Training & Reminders

When any company hires new employees, some form of training is usually involved. It’s crucial that safety is a part of this training right from the start. Employers should create a list of safety guidelines or procedures to ensure that nothing has been left out or forgotten. After new employees have gone over these safety guidelines, encourage questions or comments so you know they fully comprehend every aspect before they start to work. Make sure your new employee knows how to work and use all the equipment and tools too, as that can impact your team’s safety as well. It’s also important to go over these metal fabrication safety procedures once in a while for new updates and as a refresher. 

Maintain Equipment & Workplace Environment

One of the most common causes of workplace injury is due to slips and falls from an unsafe work environment. With that being said, it cannot be stressed how important it is to keep the work area as clean as possible. Mop up any spills immediately, clear the area and keep your tools, equipment, scrap metal and other things organized. On the other hand, it’s also crucial to inspect, maintain and repair all your equipment. A schedule should be put into place so there’s consistent maintenance. This will prevent any dangerous malfunctions and increase productivity since your machines will function in pique conditions.

Appropriate Clothing & Safety Gears

Safety gears were created to provide extra protection. Safety gloves, steeled-toe shoes, goggles and even hard hats should always be accessible for those in the metal fabrication industry. No matter how hard you try to prevent it, accidents are bound to happen. However, safety gear can determine whether you’re facing fatal injuries or minor injuries. With that being said, your employees should also know better in terms of their attire. Stay away from loose clothing that can get caught in the machines. Stay away from inappropriate clothing like shorts and flip-flops that clearly do nothing in terms of protection. Hair should be away from the face, and any jewellery should be taken off.

Safe & Reliable Metal Fabrication — VeriForm Inc.

At VeriForm, safety is one of our top priorities! Our workers aren’t just employees to us, they’re family and we protect our team as we would our family. Our team is highly trained and experienced to tackle any custom metal fabrication tasks without a hitch. We’ve got the latest state-of-the-art equipment to support our employees and we will get the job done right the first time. If you’re looking for a socially responsible and reliable metal fabrication company, contact VeriForm today!

Back then, metal fabrication was only done by hand which as you can imagine, in this line of work comes with many risks. Not to mention, the production rate was obviously much slower. Even to this day, there are still some minor risks associated with this job.

However, as technology continues to advance, tools and equipment were created to minimize these risks and improve the efficiency of their work. Now, there are a variety of high-end metal fabrication tools available that can assist in delivering quality products at a faster rate.

Many of these tools and equipment serves multiple purposes as well. With that being said, let’s discuss some of the common metal fabrication tools used in this industry..

Metal Fabrication Tools That Are Commonly Used

As mentioned, there are many tools that fabricators rely on to complete their projects. Some tools have one function whereas others can have multiple. Let’s see what some of these tools are and how they are used.

Metal Lathe Machine

A widely used tool in both mechanical engineering and metal fabrication. Its main job consists of processing various rotary surfaces. Essentially, the machine rotates certain workpieces around a stationary cutting tool which then removes any unwanted metal.

This shapes the metal into the desired form. Besides its main function, a lathe machine can also be used to drill, sand, cut and more. Due to its versatility, many metal fabricators rely on lathes for their fundamental work.  

Drilling Machine

As you can assume based on the name — A drilling machine is a high-speed, power-operated machine tool that holds and rotates different kinds of drill bits to create holes.

It can be used to cut holes into various surfaces including metal, wood, cement and so on. A drilling machine is another multipurpose tool as it can be used to perform countersinking, boring, reaming, tapping and other capabilities.  

Press Brake Machine

A press brake machine only has one job and that is to bend sheet metal. The sheet metal is positioned at a predetermined angle on top of a die then, a punch is lowered to bend the metal.

The metal can be bent multiple times until the desired form is achieved. There are 4 different methods of force application such as hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical or mechanical.

Metal Fabrication Ontario — VeriForm Inc.

VeriForm has all the latest high-tech equipment, machine and tools needed to create your metal fabrication projects. They have a new horizontal hydraulic press brake with 25 foot long capabilities along with a new 25 feet vertical machining centre!

Not to mention a professional team of expert fabricators that’ll provide you with quality work. Whether you’re looking for CNC laser cutting, shearing, punching or other metal fabrication capabilities, VeriForm has the experience and the skills to get your project done right. Contact VeriForm today to get your project quoted for free! We can’t wait to hear from you.