Knowing everything there is to know about various types of metal can drastically affect your metal fabrication project. Different aspects must be taken into consideration first. Some metal corrodes quicker, different metals have different melting points, and some metals have a magnetic component.
All these factors will affect the outcome of your final product. Knowing the appropriate material to use will save you the trouble, the time and the money later on. With that being said, today’s topic will be ferrous metal versus non-ferrous metals. For those who don’t already know, you’re probably wondering what it is to begin with, and what is the difference? Keep reading to find out more!
What Is A Ferrous Metal?
Let’s get straight to the point! Simply speaking, ferrous metals are metals that contain iron while non-ferrous metals don’t contain any amount of iron. Ferrous metals are considerably stronger and more durable making them perfect for architectural and industrial fabrication purposes. Due to the iron component, ferrous metals also tend to be magnetic. Some examples of ferrous metals include:
Examples of Ferrous Metals
Steel – An alloy made by combining carbon with iron — this type of metal is commonly used in construction, manufacturing industries and creating common household items. It’s typically low-cost in terms of making, processing and forming steel.
Alloy Steel– This type of steel is created by combining certain elements of chromium, nickel or titanium. This strengthens the metal and makes it more durable without adding on the extra weight. It’s commonly used in construction, machine tools and other electrical components.
Cast Iron– This ferrous metal contains about 2-4% carbon along with different amounts of silicon, manganese and bits of impurities such as sulfur and phosphorus. It’s considered to be strong but at the same time delicate.
Stainless Steel – Stainless steel has been known to be one of the most durable types of steel. Stainless steel is also heat and corrosion-resistant. It’s frequently used to manufacture tools and appliances like surgical equipment, household items or appliances and even jewellery.
For more information on other ferrous metals, click here.
What Is A Non-Ferrous Metal?
As we previously mentioned, non-ferrous metals contain no traces of iron. It’s also typically not as strong due to the lack of iron but that comes with its own advantages. This makes them more malleable along with having a higher resistance to corrosion and rust. Compared to ferrous metals, non-ferrous metals are ultimately more expensive. A few examples of non-ferrous metals are:
Examples of Non-Ferrous Metals
Aluminum – It’s a low-density metal that’s lightweight. The strength of aluminum isn’t the best. However, it’s the most abundant metallic element found in the earth’s crust. It’s also the most commonly used non-ferrous metal.
Copper – Copper is most notable by its reddish colour and is one of the most ductile metals. It makes a great conductor for electricity and heat. Hence why it’s most commonly used in electrical industries to manufacture wires or other conductors.
Brass – This type of alloy is created with a combination of copper and zinc. It’s a hard metal but malleable depending on the zinc content. It’s most widely used to create bolts, screws, and even ammunition cartridge cases.
Lead – Lead is very workable, dense, durable and ductile however poor in conductivity. It is highly resistant to corrosion but oxidizes quickly. It’s often used in electrical power cables, batteries and ammunition.
For more examples of non-ferrous metals click here.
Metal Fabrication Canada — VeriForm Inc.
Whether you choose ferrous metals or non-ferrous metals for your custom metal fabrication project, VeriForm knows exactly how to turn your optimized designs into your desired end product. VeriForm is North America’s greenest fabricating company!
With over 25 years of experience, they specialize in multiple machining capabilities including welding, countersinking, and milling to name a few. If you’re looking for a well-trusted metal fabrication company, contact VeriForm today!
Metal fabrication is a skilled process in which a craftsman uses raw metal to create a part or product. Metal fabrication is a hazardous job that should only be performed by professional fabrication experts. It requires a wide set of skills and techniques that are learned throughout years of experience. It involves several processes to successfully machine and manipulate the raw material. These processes can include welding, bending, cutting, and more.
It is important to choose the right metal fabrication companies to handle your unique project and to meet your organization’s metal fabrication needs. A good metal fabrication company uses quality metal materials, specialized machinery, advanced technology, and employs only the most experienced metal fabricators. However, just like in any other industry, there are common misconceptions that may deter you from hiring a certain metal fabrication company. Keep reading if you want to find out what these misconceptions are!
Common Misconceptions Within Metal Fabrication Companies
The following list will reveal 5 common misconceptions about metal fabrication companies. 1_
1) Steel Is Non-Recyclable
This misconception could not be any further from the truth. In fact, it is estimated that nearly 630 million tonnes of scrap steel are recycled every year worldwide. Steel is a wise choice for many metal projects because it recycles and maintains its residual value. Steel is resistant to corrosion, durable, strong, and can be used for a variety of purposes because it is safe for a majority of goods, including food.
2) Metal Fabrication Is Bad For The Environment
It is true that some metal fabrication process does generate various hazardous wastes, including oil, solutions, paint, etc. However, there are metal fabrication companies that care about the environment and work hard to minimize waste and conserve energy. For example, VeriForm Inc. has obtained the net-zero status by reducing 75% of its greenhouse gas emissions!
3) It Requires Several Companies To Execute Metal Project Creations
Many people are unaware that you do not need to hire several experts to successfully complete a custom metal fabrication project. There are full-service companies that specialize in engineering, design, and fabrication. So, with that in mind, there’s no need for anyone to have to go through tedious research to find multiple companies to complete one project or task.
4) It’s Best To Choose A Metal Fabrication Company With The Lowest Bid
Many companies make the mistake of choosing metal fabrication companies based solely on the price of their services. This is a hasty decision based on the belief that spending less money on metal fabrication would result in a higher ROI (return on investment). This is a grave and costly mistake.
Oftentimes, when a company chooses the lowest bidding company, you don’t actually save as much money. What you’re left with is usually excessive and costly issues that end up costing you more in the long run. These additional expenses may take the form of hidden costs, lack of communication from customer specialists, and/or poor quality that results in lost time and materials.
5) All Metal Fabrication Companies Produce The Same Products
There are numerous metal fabrication companies to choose from but not all of these companies are created equal. Every fabrication project is unique and requires a team of experienced fabricators, advanced machinery, and a quality control team to ensure that every job is done well. Some fabrication companies have different equipment, different standards, and different skillsets. It’s best to do thorough research to find out which companies provide what services.
Contact VeriForm Inc. Today!
VeriForm is an industry-leading metal fabrication company that utilizes advanced technology, innovative fabrication equipment, and the most experienced metal fabrication experts. VeriForm provides its clients with a full range of fabrication needs.
Metal Fabrication Services Include:
Engineering Assistance
Plasma and Laser Cutting
Shearing
Punching
Bending
Welding
Assembly
Painting
VeriForm also employs a team of dedicated quality control experts to ensure that every metal project is completed successfully. Contact VeriForm today for more information about your metal fabrication needs at 519-653-6000 or request a free quote online!
Some of you might be wondering what metallurgy is and how it relates to metal fabrication. Well, metallurgy is a complex field of science and technology that involves the art of metal extraction and/or modification for practical use. There are several different types of processes involved before the metal can be developed into a material that can be used to construct end products.
The type of metal used for metal fabrication is a crucial and often overlooked, element when it comes to developing and manufacturing quality metal goods. In order to obtain the metals used for metal fabrication it first has to go through the processes of metallurgy. The following informative article discusses the science of metallurgy and the importance of the metal used in metal fabrication projects. To learn more, continue reading!
The Art & Science Behind Metallurgy
Metallurgy is an expansive field of study that involves knowledge of the chemical, physical, and atomic properties of each type of metal and alloy. Each type of metal possesses its own unique properties and principles. It also demonstrates the art, science and technology behind turning metals and alloys into malleable forms.
Types of Metallurgy Processes
Metal extraction and modification involves several types of processes. Extractive metallurgy is the process of extracting metal from ores and refining these materials into a pure state. There are many methods that can be used to extract a pure metal from natural ore. The first step in metal extraction is to use methods to concentrate and separate the metal from the ore. Hydrometallurgy and pyrometallurgy are subprocesses in extractive metallurgy.
Pyrometallurgy
Pyrometallurgy is a process that uses high temperatures for metal extraction purposes. This involves roasting, smelting, calcining, and refining the metal compounds. The heat used during this process is generally obtained through combustion or electrical heat. High-grade metals like steel, iron and copper require pyrometallurgy for extraction.
Hydrometallurgy
On the other hand, hydrometallurgy is a process that uses aqueous solutions, either acidic or basic, to extract metal from ores. This process involves leaching, concentration, purification, and metal recovery. Low-grade ores like uranium, silver, copper and gold require hydrometallurgy for extraction. Which method is used is determined by the properties of the natural compound.
Metallurgy & Metal Fabrication
Metal fabrication is the process of using raw material that is extracted during the metallurgy processes to create metal goods. This is an extensive process that requires fabrication experts to have a thorough knowledge of the compounds of metals during the machining and manufacturing processes. This knowledge of metallurgy is important because the process of fabrication requires professionals to bend, cut, weld, and use other methods to manipulate these precious materials into strong and high-quality parts.
Contact VeriForm Today
VeriForm is leading the metal fabrication industry through advanced technology, innovative fabrication equipment, and the most experienced metal fabrication experts. VeriForm provides its clients with a full range of fabrication services to meet their unique needs.
Metal Fabrication Services Include:
Engineering Assistance
Plasma and Laser Cutting
Shearing
Punching
Bending
Welding
Assembly
Painting
VeriForm also employs a team of dedicated quality control experts to ensure that every metal project is completed successfully. Not only is VeriForm a proud member of the Canadian Tools & Machining Association but they also provide their clients with honest, quality-assured products, for organizations, members of the community, and beyond. Contact Veriform today for more information about your metal fabrication needs.
When it comes to metal fabrication, design optimization is paramount. It plays a huge part in how easy it will be for the fabricator to translate the design into a product. Not only that, but it’ll also help the fabricator understand the full capacity of what your project requires. Design optimization will help you meet your metal fabrication expectations while considering other factors that influence the quality, cost, and time during production. In this post, you will learn various ways of optimizing your design for metal fabrication along with the importance of optimizing your designs.
The Importance of Design Optimization
In metal fabrication, design optimization helps with:
Streamlining production
Maximizing process efficiency
Decreasing waste during production
Guaranteeing product quality
Reducing the time and cost associated with product assembly
Ways to Optimize Your Design
Involve The Fabricator Early
By involving the fabricator early in the design process, you will take a lot of load off of your shoulders. The fabricator will let you know if the design is practical, recommend the appropriate materials, and even the best way of producing your product. It’ll also give them a chance to inform you of what can be done and what can’t. Your fabricator is the expert, so you should listen to them for design optimization.
Avoid Unnecessary Information
As you create your design, avoid unnecessary details that could potentially cloud the design. If deciphering your fabrication design has become somewhat of a puzzle for your fabricator, it may delay and even increase the cost of production. More mistakes could be made because of unwanted details. So, consult with your fabricator to distinguish between the important and unnecessary details.
Wisely Consider The Metal Options
When designing a product, you have many metal alloys to choose from. Choosing the right metal in metal fabrication contributes to design optimization. Different alloys meet different needs and can withstand different types of force, heat, or corrosion. By selecting the right metal, you will help drastically decrease costs and make the fabrication process simpler.
In some applications, you may require resilient metals capable of withstanding extreme temperatures, corrosive substances, or force. However, such metals are expensive and difficult to use. In the case that the product is not meant to be exposed to extreme conditions, you can rely on common metal alloys. Besides, to choose the right metal, you need to understand the function of the product and the forces it will need to withstand.
Choose the right company
Finding the right fabricator for your project is invaluable. You should go for a company that can deliver quality machined parts on time. Also, consider other qualities such as the scale and type of fabrication the company offers. This will tell you how suitable the company is for your project. In some cases, a company may not offer some services because they lack the machinery or the necessary experience.Simply speaking, do research on the metal fabrication company before you consult with them on future projects.
Conclusion – Design Optimization With VeriForm
Design optimization is an intricate process in metal fabrication. So, the best way you can optimize your metal fabrication design is by working with a team of experts. At VeriForm, you will get over two decades of experience and skills fabricating parts in stainless steel, aluminum, carbon steel and more. They also have in-house engineers that can cooperate with you to create the desired designs without having you optimize them yourselves. So, if you need help optimizing your design for a metal fabrication project, contact VeriForm today for more information.
Within the metal fabrication industry, the terms manufacturing and fabrication are used interchangeably. Although they are synonyms of each other, these two terms actually mean different things. Fabrication entails creating specialized parts from raw materials.
Manufacturing, on the other hand, means repeatedly creating the same parts and assembling those parts. Oftentimes, these two processes work hand in hand to create the final production. Let’s learn more about the differences between manufacturing and fabrication.
The Difference Between Manufacturing and Fabrication
Manufacturing
As we’ve discussed, manufacturing is all about creating the end product for sale. Usually, it requires prefabricated parts or components of raw material. It’s a large-scale process that results in a more efficient and effective way to produce a completed product for the consumers.
Simply speaking, the manufactured product is completed through conventional manufacturing processes. It ties hand in hand with demand and supply or ultimately, the supply chain. The higher the demand, the more products a business will need to manufacture.
Fabrication
On the contrary, fabrication involves forming structures or parts through different methods and capabilities including but not limited to:
Punching
Welding
Machining
Cutting
The tools and machines used vary from manufacturing. They have more capabilities and are more advanced for delicate operations. The fabrication process starts off with selectively removing, adding or warping sheets of metal into their desired shape and form. Once that step has been completed, it’s ready to be processed and assembled either by a manufacturer or the fabrication company depending on the product.
Manufacturing and Fabrication – Which To Choose?
Now that we’ve established the difference between manufacturing and fabrication, how do you choose which kind of service you’ll require? To start, determine what kind of products you want to create. If you want to create a specialized or unique product that requires more details, fabrication will do a better job. However, if you’re looking to create products with generic parts and assembly, manufacturing is the best choice. It’s quick and efficient for mass production.
The cost and your budget are other aspects to consider. Most businesses looking to manufacture products, usually opt for a contract manufacturing scenario because hiring a manufacturing company or a fabrication company is extremely expensive. Keep in mind, contract manufacturers can be both fabricators and manufacturers despite the name. Even though contract manufacturers can fabricate your products, there are limitations.
Fulfill Your Metal Fabrication Needs With VeriForm
Regardless, the choice between manufacturing and fabricating isn’t just about your product or price. It’s about understanding the differences and the application of production processes. Having the company meet your requirements to the fullest extent instead of wasting time on mundane tasks such as sourcing the right material and so forth.
Now that you have a better understanding of both, you won’t have to worry about finding a subpar solution that doesn’t meet your needs. From the designing stage to the end product — everything should be taken care of with the right company. A company such as VeriForm.
The team at VeriForm has had at least 20 years of experience when it comes to metal fabrication. With state of the art technology and equipment, the job get’s done right the first time. When you work with VeriForm, expect nothing but the best. Contact VeriForm today for more information.
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