CNC (Computer Numerically Controlled) machining is a specialized manufacturing and fabrication process that uses computer software to direct the movement of shop tools and machinery. Like manual methods, it machines a workpiece into a desired shape and size, but CNC sheet metal fabrication is rapidly becoming a preferred solution for the following reasons:
Greater accuracy: The machinery is guided by very precise computer-driven variables, which leads to greater accuracy in the final product. The same CNC programming can be used again and again to produce identical results while eliminating unnecessary waste, which is a bonus for mass-produced tools and components.
Safer operation: CNC machines are generally safer to operate because the employee works behind a guard or safety door. The process is not hands-on, which decreases the possibility of an accident.
Cost-effective to run: With traditional machining, one operator is needed per machine. The CNC method requires fewer operators because one person can operate several machines at the same time.
Improved efficiency and faster output: Unlike manual methods, the CNC process is automated, which increases production speed and manufacturing quality. Being machine-driven, the production cycle can continue for the entire shift without having to stop for a break.
At VeriForm, we specialize in four CNC sheet metal fabrication processes at our 26,000 square-foot facility in Cambridge, Ontario. Below is an overview of each application, what it’s used for, and how it can benefit your next project.
CNC Countersinking
When you’re fabricating parts that will later accommodate a rivet, screw, bolt, or other fastening devices, that device needs to be able to sit flush with the surrounding metal. Our CNC Countersinking machine creates a conical hole that allows screw or bolt heads to sink into the metal, resulting in a smooth and professional finish for all of your parts.
CNC Drilling
CNC drilling uses computer input to efficiently and accurately drill holes into strong materials like metal. Its fast delivery, combined with the precise results that CNC machining is known for, makes it a staple in facilities with high production rates and even higher quality standards. At VeriForm, our state-of-the-art CNC drilling process creates clean holes in metal up to 1 1/2” inches in diameter, making us the machine shop of choice for custom parts fabrication as well as projects that rely on the highest degree of machining accuracy.
CNC Laser Cutting
When used to shape sheet metal, CNC laser cutting machines are highly accurate, yield superior cut quality, and have a small heat-affected zone, making it easy to cut tiny holes and complex shapes. Advantages include:
Greater accuracy compared to plasma or flame cutting
Minimal warping
Speedier processing and production timeframes
More parts per sheet due to small cutting diameter
Cuts non-metallic materials that cannot generally be cut by plasma or flame cutters
The specialists at VeriForm have been using CNC laser cutting machinery for over two decades. We can cut up ¾” x 80” x 160” with an accuracy of +/- 0.005”, so you can rest assured that your next project will yield stellar results.
CNC Tapping
CNC tapping adds internal threading to products like metal frames so that parts can be connected by a fastener more easily. We can create a tap for almost every type of screw, resulting in a perfect thread for the intended fastener. We can combine our CNC tapping and countersinking services to simplify and expedite your production run.
Contact a CNC Sheet Metal Fabrication Specialist
Our CNC sheet metal fabrication services can make a positive difference in the speed and quality of output for your next parts project. Send us your specifications, drawings, or even a sample of the desired part and we can create what you need. Even if you don’t have plans or a prototype, our engineering team will work with you to create the ideal part, so you can use it as a template in future projects.
VeriForm has been providing metal fabrication services for clients across North America for over 20 years. Our CNC machining resources can manufacture the highest quality metal parts and components for your next project at a competitive price. To learn more about how we can accommodate all of your metal fabrication needs, call 519-653-6000 or contact us online today.
At VeriForm, we take pride in our next-generation metal fabrication technology, sustainable operations, dedicated team of specialists, and our 20-plus years of exceptional results and customer service.
However, what makes us especially proud is that we are a North American company serving the machining and metal fabrication needs of clients from coast to coast. We specialize in formed, cut, and welded parts for key national industries like machine building, mining, and forestry. Our 26,000 sq ft. facility in Cambridge, Ontario, is often in operation up to 18 hours a day, producing the parts that help our nation run.
Under the guidance of our President, Paul Rak, we have ongoing dedication and commitment to four key business principles:
Product excellence
Community
Sustainability
Education
Product Excellence
VeriForm has adopted many leading-edge technologies that increase product quality while reducing production times and customer costs. One of our core assets is Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining, which uses pre-programmed software to ensure precision in the following processes:
CNC machining and fabrication technologies provide our customers with several advantages compared to traditional manual methods. By using higher levels of automation, productivity and cost-effectiveness are increased across the board while the likelihood of production errors or workplace accidents goes down. The ability to generate consistently accurate output lets us provide clients across North America with uniform and flawless products.
Community
We believe in giving back to the community that makes our business possible. We have partnered with the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce and key nonprofits like Meals on Wheels and the Food Bank to support the health and independence of local families and work with local businesses to build a stronger sense of community. We are always ready to support new initiatives that make the Waterloo Region a happier, more productive, and safer place to call home.
Sustainability
VeriForm is proud to join global leaders like Nike, Google, and HSBC in managing our environmental footprint. We have committed to making our entire operation carbon neutral, as reflected by the following accomplishments:
Being the first Waterloo-region manufacturer to reduce our annual CO2 emissions while expanding our business space by 145% and realizing a 76% increase in operating profits.
Currently operating on ISO 9000-2015 quality management systems.
Since we achieved the ISO 9000-2015 QMS standard in 2015, our facility has completed over 80 projects aimed at waste reduction and energy use. For one project, we replaced a 20hp screw air compressor with an 8hp Kaeser screw compressor and a 120-gallon storage tank. Verified energy savings are 94%, which represents a yearly reduction of close to 30,000 kilowatt-hours.
Education
At VeriForm, we believe that education is the key to empowering our employees, customers, and the greater community. The opportunity to engage in lifelong learning makes for a stronger society that can make informed choices about its future.
To support this goal, we pay for our employees to take classes that advance their skills. For us, continuous improvement is not a destination, it’s a constant journey, and the investment has paid off. Thanks to the accuracy of the components and parts we produce, our customers have reported significant savings in assembly costs and we are proud to report an on-time delivery rate of over 91%.
In addition to ongoing professional development for our staff, we provide volunteer services and financial support to the non-profit Suzuki String School of Guelph, so that the children of financially challenged families can attend classes there and benefit from high-quality learning experiences.
We Are Your Metal Fabrication Partner in North America
At VeriForm, we will never stop improving. It keeps us relevant and ensures that we’re always in the best position to contribute to the success of our customers and the community at large. Our drive and commitment to product excellence, community, sustainability, and education have kept us going strong during recessions as well as times of prosperity, and we’re confident that the journey ahead will be even brighter. If you’re interested in learning more about VeriForm, please contact us today.
Do you need a metal sculpture that turns heads and emphasizes its surroundings? Or perhaps you need parts or other custom fabrication work specific to your industry? At Veriform, our experience and state-of-the-art equipment enable us to offer the highest quality fabrication services for a wide spectrum of projects, from one-of-a-kind architectural centrepieces to large-scale production runs of routine parts and components.
Instead of using ready-made parts to assemble custom metal structures, we use innovative and efficient cutting, bending, and welding machinery at our 26,000 square-foot facility in Cambridge, Ontario. In this blog, we present a metal fabrication guide that details the main processes we employ for our customers, most of which are CNC-driven.
What is CNC machining?
CNC machining refers to fabrication machines that are directed by computers programmed with G-code, which controls process features like coordination, location, feed rate, and speed. When customers provide us with a 2D or 3D CAD drawing, it is translated into computer code and programmed into the software, which directs the machinery. The output is consistent and produced at a speed that manual fabrication would be hard-pressed to replicate.
CNC Hi-Resolution Plasma Cutting
Plasma cutting uses a combination of gases to carry out the cutting process. High-resolution plasma is the latest in this cutting technology: directed by a program like Fusion 360, the plasma arc is forced through a small nozzle to create cleaner edges. Modern hi-resolution plasma machines can cut carbon steel up to 76mm thick and, thanks to their automation capability, deliver quality results quickly and efficiently.
CNC Laser Cutting
Unlike plasma cutting, which uses gases, CNC laser cutting uses a laser beam to cut and shape workpieces. It has several advantages over flame or waterjet cutting methods, including a reduced heat-affected zone and lower power requirements. CNC lasers can accurately and affordably cut a wide range of materials, even non-metallic ones that cannot usually be cut by plasma or flame processes. At Veriform, our laser cutting service cuts up to ¾in x 80in x 160in with accuracy of +/- 0.005in.
CNC Punch/Laser
Our CNC punch/laser machine delivers the benefits of both punch and laser processing in a compact footprint, dispensing with the need for standalone machines. By combining a high-efficiency laser with a punching press for creating holes or indent forms, this unit makes sheet metal fabrication much easier. It also reduces run time by eliminating additional processes and optimizes material handling.
CNC Bending – Forming
At Veriform, we offer CNC metal bending and forming services that use hydraulic press brakes, detailed tooling, and comprehensive CAD/CAM capabilities. The press brake forces sheet metal between a punch and die and applies a bending force that can shape and form workpieces up to 21 feet. Our detailed selection of bending tools can handle everything from the most basic to the most complex bends for your project.
CNC Shearing
We use CNC shearing to cut sheet metal to size out of roll stock and other types of larger stock. When a force is applied perpendicular to the material, it yields and breaks. This process is typically used as the first step in preparing metal stock for stamping processes or getting smaller blanks ready for presses.
Welding
Not all of the processes in our metal fabrication guide are directed by computer! At Veriform, we only employ welders who are CWB CSA W47.1 and W59 certified and retain an experienced welding engineer to make sure that each project is in precise accord with customer specifications. Available methods include:
Shielded Metal Arc Welding
Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
Gas Metal Arc Welding
Pulsed Gas Metal Arc Welding
All long, large, or complex parts are welded on our leading-edge Demmeler Bluco fabrication tables, which enable greater precision in the final result.
Rolling
With metal rolling, the stock is passed through rolls to uniformly flatten it out. Our Italian metal rolling machines consistently deliver precise results when used for metal rolling, sheet metal rolling, and structural rolling. We can handle workpieces up to 10 feet wide, and have over 20 years of experience in producing:
Cylinders and cylinder segments
Concentric and eccentric cones
Helixes
Curved parts
Have Questions About Our Metal Fabrication Guide?
At VeriForm, our capabilities encompass a range of metal fabrication technologies. We have over 23 years of experience in manufacturing metal components, parts, and fully assembled products, and pledge to give all customers a positive fabrication experience from beginning to end. For more information or to discuss your latest project, call 519-653-6000 or contact us online.
There are some projects that call for a special finishing touch. A newly opened shopping mall, hospital, or other public building gains social, economic, and cultural value when its unveiling is honoured by a custom fabricated metal statue or sculpture. Heritage buildings and those designed to replicate structures from an earlier era deliver a more authentic experience when their railings, light fixtures, and garden gates are indistinguishable from the originals.
At VeriForm, we have years of experience in metal fabrication and design for custom architectural projects. We use components like metal bars, rods, sheet metal, wood, and composites to create a sculpture, shape, canopy, or building accent that leaves an unforgettable impression on viewers. You can rely on expert assistance from our skilled team at all stages of your project.
Benefits of Custom Metal Fabrication and Design
Custom metal projects are built to last. When you work with us at VeriForm, you get a product that is designed and made according to your specifications and will work with a single team that helps you complete the entire process, from manufacturing to installation. We have the ability to produce designs made from multiple materials, including metals, wood, composites, lighting, and glass.
Our custom metal fabrication and design services include:
CAD design: Our experts are proficient in design software like CAD/CAM and Solidworks™ and can work with an existing drawing or create a new one for your approval.
Laser cutting: Our CNC laser cutting service is capable of cutting up to ¾” x 80” x 160” with an accuracy of +/- 0.005in, ensuring high accuracy in the outcome.
Press brake bending: Our brake forming services can bend and shape metal up to 21 feet wide, allowing us to work on projects of higher size and scope.
Fitting, welding, and assembly: We shape your vision and install it according to your specifications, keeping excellence in mind the entire time.
In addition to custom artwork like statues and sculptures, we create sophisticated and unique architectural elements such as canopies, column covers, corner guards, handrails, and other enhancements to the interior and exterior spaces. No matter what type of project, we work closely with you to achieve the desired effect.
Our Metal Fabrication and Design Portfolio
The scope of our work at VeriForm can be seen in our portfolio, which includes public art, steel canopies, facades, columns, and feature walls. It showcases our ability to serve all markets, from residential and retail to hospitals and hospitality. Recent projects include:
A 10,000-lb, stainless steel city centre canopy constructed and welded for Depco in the summer of 2015.
Totem poles laser cut from aluminum and rolled for an awards ceremony in British Columbia. Fabricated in December 2015 for McWood Studios Inc.
Large steel flowers with rotating petals installed outside the Markham Public Library.
A 26-foot long canoe made from Corten steel aluminum to prevent the onset of rusting. Fabricated for Lafontaine Iron Werks to commemorate Champlain’s landing in Ontario.
Organic bullet-shaped parts fabricated from stainless steel and built using rubber and composite material dies to remove any processing marks. These parts were used for a federal government display in Ottawa.
Six 8 and 10-foot aluminum sheet metal cups cut, rolled, and welded for Masaba Canada to create artistic versions of giant cups after being painted.
All of the projects featured in our website portfolio were designed for a specific client or purpose and are merely representative of our architectural fabrication expertise. When you work with us, we help you create forms, shapes, and artistic renderings that are as unique as the purpose they are designed for while complimenting their space and their surroundings. Our areas of specialty include:
Custom contours and shapes
Intricate natural and mathematical forms
Rolling structural steel into convex and concave shapes
Unique metals and finishes such as brass, polished copper, and bare Muntz metal
Working with non-metals like wood, plastics, and composites
Quality industrial coatings like Amercoat
Insulation for silencing
Contact a Metal Fabrication and Design Expert for Your Next Project!
For over 23 years, VeriForm has earned a reputation for excellence in metal fabrication and customer service. We manufacture under the ISO 9000-2015 quality system and work closely with architects, designers, and project owners to deliver a result that meets your needs and specifications. Our expertise includes all aspects of architectural manufacturing and design, including unique and one-of-a-kind projects. We pride ourselves in our craftsmanship and attention to detail, so please call 519-653-6000 or contact us to discuss your needs.
If you regularly cut aluminum, steel, iron, and similar metals, partnering with a metal fabricator that uses a welding plasma cutting table is a smart investment. By combining modern cutting and welding technology with high-quality performance, these tables can produce results that make your business even more productive and profitable.
How Does Plasma Cutting And Welding Work?
Plasma cutting is an effective method of cutting through materials of varying thickness. It was originally developed in the 1950s to process metals that could not be cut with flame. A plasma cutting system consists of a torch through which high-velocity gas and concentrated electrical currents flow. They generate intense heat, which cuts through electrically conductive materials such as aluminum, steel, stainless steel, copper, and brass, while the gas eliminates molten material from the area of the cut.
While hand torches can generally cut steel sheets that are up to 38 mm thick, you’ll want to use computer numerical control (CNC) plasma cutting technology to cut through denser workpieces. Since plasma cutters create a hot and localized ‘cone’ to cut, they are especially effective if you want to cut and weld sheets in angled or curved shapes.
Advantages of plasma cutting include:
Cuts up to 10 times faster than oxyfuel
Fully guarantees automation
Smoothly cuts through all electrically conductive materials
Cuts high-alloy aluminum and steel in both medium and large thicknesses
Cuts through higher-strength structural steel with lower heat input
Plasma welding is an advanced version of the tungsten inert gas welding process. When the gas is superheated, it becomes highly conductive and allows for the transfer of an electric arc. When a gas passes through the arc, it breaks the gas down and forms a plasma stream.
The primary advantage of plasma welding is the degree of control you receive and the higher quality of the finished result. There is better arc control, welds are generally cleaner and smoother and, in smaller heat-affected zones, the welds are stronger and less noticeable.
Benefits of Welding Plasma Cutting Tables
Welding plasma cutting tables are regularly used in manufacturing, construction, automotive restoration and repair, and salvaging applications. Their high-speed performance and precise cutting ability make them compatible with both industrial CNC applications and smaller businesses.
Their operational advantages include but are not limited to:
Versatile performance: With a welding plasma cutting table, you can cut and weld diverse kinds of metal. Because it uses an electric arc, it can be used to process any conductive metal. Unlike oxyfuel, plasma can even cut through different types of material stacked on top of each other.
Superior cut: Plasma cutting delivers clean and quality results compared to other cutting technologies. You can also train new employees how to use it relatively quickly because it uses an automated system to ensure an accurate cut each time. The system control factor makes it easy to use premade templates for simple replication of regular cuts and patterns.
Rapid cutting speed: Plasma cuts thicker metals twice as fast as oxyfuel. With thinner metals, the speed difference can be up to 12 times faster. The difference in piercing speed is even more striking: for oxyfuel to piece a 15 mm sheet of metal, it has to reach a heat of around 1000C, which can take nearly half a minute. Since plasma doesn’t have to preheat in this manner, it can do the same job in under two seconds.
By investing in a welding plasma cutting table, you are adopting a system that’s safer to operate and cuts metal faster with a lot less waste. With no downtime due to worker injury and the ability to accomplish more in a small amount of time, you can realize cost savings that add up to greater business profitability.
We Are The Metal Fabrication Experts
At VeriForm, we exceed customer expectations by using CNC plasma cutting to deliver their orders on time and with the quality that they’ve come to expect from us. We can cut a broad range of metals and thicknesses, perform a smooth and accurate weld, and accommodate large or small runs. Our fabrication work is 100% guaranteed to your satisfaction. For more information, please contact us today!
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