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What is Steel Fabrication?
Steel is an alloy of iron and other metals that is used for structural and fabrication purposes. Steel fabrication specifically is the process of transforming raw steel into a tool, part, or other asset used in assembly or construction.
This is a simple and straightforward definition, but steel fabrication today is an advanced and even sophisticated process. In this blog, we provide a brief overview of the fabrication process and discuss the key methods, many of which are in use at VeriForm.
Which Steel is Used for Fabrication?
Carbon steel is one of the most commonly-used materials due to its versatility, strength, and sturdiness. It is available in a variety of thicknesses and stock sizes and can withstand harsh conditions in industrial environments.
Steel fabricators commonly use stainless steel because it is relatively easy to work with. Due to its ability to bend readily, this material is ideal for welding. Applications requiring corrosion-resistant properties typically require stainless steel.
Aluminum is popular as a metal fabrication material because it’s lightweight, which is ideal for industries that need metal but can’t handle the weight. The automobile and aerospace industries are among those that often use this lightweight material.
What is the Fabrication Process?
Steel fabrication can be performed in a variety of ways. Some of the methods employed by steel fabricators like VeriForm are highlighted below.
Bending
Bending involves applying a massive force to a steel piece, usually using hammering or press machines, in order to change the shape. During the bending process, the steel piece is bent using press brakes or tube benders.
Rolling
Rolling is a metal fabrication process where metal stock is passed through one or more pairs of rolls in order to reduce the thickness, to make the thickness uniform, or to deliver a mechanical property.
Welding
In welding, pieces of steel or other materials are welded together or bent using the fusion process, which involves heating steel parts to a high temperature, joining or bending them while they’re pliable, and letting them cool. VeriForm uses advanced welding methods such as:
- Pulsed gas metal arc welding
- Shielded metal arc welding
- Gas metal arc welding
- Gas tungsten arc welding
Machining
This method uses tools such as drills, lathes, mills, and others to shave away metal to form a specific shape. Veriform uses the following machining methods to fabricate steel components:
- CNC Countersinking: By countersinking, you create a conical hole in your part that matches the angle and head size of a screw.
- CNC Drilling: Using a rotating cutting tool, CNC drilling produces round holes in stationary workpieces
- CNC Laser Cutting: A CNC laser cutter uses a laser beam to vaporize, melt, or otherwise gradually remove materials. We offer laser cutting services up to 3/4” x 80” x 160” with an accuracy of +/- 0.005”.
- CNC Tapping: With tapping, a thread is cut inside a hole, which must be drilled with tap drills and chamfered at the end.
What Industries Require Steel Fabrication Services?
Steel fabrication services are needed across a wide range of industries, illustrating how versatile and reliable steel has become. These industries include commercial and residential construction, aerospace, the military, mining, automotive, and shipbuilding.
VeriForm Inc.: Steel Fabricators You Can Trust
As experienced steel fabricators, VeriForm offers a wide range of steel fabrication services that can be customized according to client requirements. We maintain strict quality control throughout the whole fabrication process to meet and even exceed customer expectations, which is why so many of them have been trusting us with their steel fabrication needs for over 20 years. To learn more, please visit our website, call 519-653-6000 or contact us online.
