What Is Metal Fabrication and Where Is the Industry Headed?
The metal fabrication industry is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world. It was worth $16bn in 2015, and many expect it to reach a staggering $21 billion by 2024. It’s easy to see why this growing industry is such a riveting career choice among individuals.
But what is metal fabrication? Let’s take a look at the process and where the industry heads in the years to come.
What Is Metal Fabrication?
Metal fabrication is the process of working with metal in shaping, welding, and finishing metallic sections. The most used materials in this industry are steel, aluminum, copper, and titanium. Most fabricators offer complete services under one roof.
They provide metal cutting services using automated saws or plasma cutters. These exist in applications that need accuracy and efficiency. Other processes performed include precision bending and forming, metal brazing, soldering, and welding for joining parts together. Metal fabricators also use waterjet cutting to make holes or intricate designs in metal pieces.
How Does Metal Fabrication Work?
Fabricators offer many ways in which they can use metal. They cut and shape the metal to meet the needs of their clients. For example, they might perform machining on materials such as aluminum and titanium. This process uses computer numerical controlled (CNC) milling machines.
Also, fabricators provide cutting services such as laser cutting for an extra level of precision. Other processes include waterjet cutting, which is a method of making holes in metal pieces. It uses green lasers that are safe for workers and have minimal waste.
Applications for Metal Fabrication
The metal fabrication industry is so wide-reaching that it’s popular in various applications. These include auto manufacturing, aerospace, construction, and fashion.
A huge part of the metal fabrication process is the creation of parts for machinery and tools. If you’ve ever seen a milling machine’s result, you’ve experienced fabrication. They create those intricate designs and shapes for vehicles such as planes and cars.
Deck laying and riveting are two other applications that involve fabricators. They inspect and weld metal plates to create large sections in vehicle construction.
Finally, metal fabricators make metal components for different types of equipment. It can be anything from a large drill bit to a small measurement tool used in the construction industry.
Metal Fabrication Is an Essential Industry
Today’s world is full of exceptional technological advancements. These advances are creating a culture of innovation and creativity.
Those who wish to make a career out of metal fabrication should remember that training is essential. They should also remember that it’s not enough to choose a specific area of metal fabrication. There are many different specialties available. These include welding, brazing, cutting, joining, and so forth.
But when starting, learning a broad range of skills puts you in good stead when the time comes to hone in on your niche.
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