The Most Common Types of Steel for Metal Fabrication

The Most Common Types of Steel for Metal Fabrication

The Most Common Types of Steel for Metal Fabrication

Steel has become ubiquitous in American life. Most people recognize structural steel when they see skyscrapers under construction. We can find stainless steel in our dining utensils and appliances. And carbon steel is often used to create lightweight yet strong bicycle frames. Steel is made of iron and carbon. Different types of steel have different percentages of iron and carbon and other additives that form alloys. Here are three of the most common types of steel for metal fabrication. Learn [...]

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5 Custom Sheet Metal Fabrication Techniques

5 Custom Sheet Metal Fabrication Techniques

Metal fabrication shops manipulate sheet metal in many different ways to create the sizes, shapes, and appearances their customers desire. Anytime these operations cut metal to specific measurements, they are preparing a customized product. They commonly use these five custom sheet metal fabrication techniques to produce the required metal forms. Rolling In its most fundamental form, the metals that fabricators work with begin as ingots—large rectangular chunks of metal. To create sheet metal, metalworkers use machinery that feeds these ingots through [...]

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Tips for Reducing Energy Waste in Manufacturing

Tips for Reducing Energy Waste in Manufacturing

All businesses benefit from energy efficiency. Sustainable practices reduce costs and boost brand value among consumers and clients. Energy conservation and reducing carbon emissions are global imperatives. Sustainability is not only best for business, but it’s also necessary for our survival on a warming planet. According to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), industry accounts for 36 percent of US energy use, and manufacturing concerns accounted for 81 percent of industrial energy consumption in 2021. Reducing energy waste in manufacturing [...]

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The Differences Between Welding and Metal Fabrication

The Differences Between Welding and Metal Fabrication

While welding and metal fabrication are related, they’re not the same. Welding is a form of metal fabrication, but not all metal fabrication involves welding. Here are the differences between welding and metal fabrication. What Defines Welding? Welding is a process that joins separate parts to make a single whole. Welding typically uses heat to melt metals or consumable rods that fill in the space between two pieces of metal to fuse them together. Other forms of welding use electricity and [...]

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Ways To Market Your Metal Fabrication Business

Ways To Market Your Metal Fabrication Business

Many businesses thrive on referrals and a reputation for excellent service. But if clients don’t know you’d appreciate a referral, and no one knows about your shop’s stellar reputation, these things won’t translate into growth. Learn ways to market your metal fabrication business here. Optimize Your Online Presence Prospective purchasers of goods and services start by looking for what they need online. Businesses that need metal fabrication work know what kind of business they need. What they want to know is [...]

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Fiber Laser Cutters vs. Plasma Cutters: 6 Key Differences

Fiber Laser Cutters vs. Plasma Cutters: 6 Key Differences

Versatility enables metal fabrication operations to take on a greater variety of work without sacrificing productivity, quality, or time. New computer-controlled metalworking equipment provides precision, speed, and flexibility, so shops can accept a wider range of work. Along with selecting press brakes and beam coping machines, most shops face a choice of fiber laser cutters vs. plasma cutters. Six key differences can help you determine if you should invest in one or the other, or both, types of machines. Evolution of [...]

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What You Should Know About Welding in Space

What You Should Know About Welding in Space

Since the beginning of the space age, engineers have devised ways to complete spacecraft construction and repairs that would work in the vacuum of space. The International Space Station was assembled from parts sent into orbit separately. Astronauts repaired the flawed Hubble telescope. NASA has even developed a special handheld laser to perform welds in tight spaces in zero gravity. What you should know about welding in space includes how to cope with zero gravity, how to select techniques that [...]

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4 Ways You Can Reduce Laser Cutting Costs

4 Ways You Can Reduce Laser Cutting Costs

Laser cutting machines offer precision and speed for metal fabrication shops that cut or engrave thin metals, wood, plastic, or leather. The machines represent a major investment, plus ongoing costs of maintenance, training, and personal protective equipment for team members. These four ways you can reduce laser cutting costs should keep your operation running cost-effectively. Adhere to Scheduled Maintenance Well-maintained machines work faster and break down less. In order to keep your laser cutters in top shape, don’t skimp on scheduled [...]

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How To Reduce Metal Waste During Fabrication

How To Reduce Metal Waste During Fabrication

The advent of computer numerical controls (CNC) and robotics in metal fabrication has helped metalworking shops produce parts and products that are more precise. But waste is still an issue; even the best metal product designs and specifications can’t use every ounce of raw material. The unused portions turn into potentially toxic waste that shops must manage according to environmental regulations. Businesses must shoulder additional costs and paperwork to comply with reporting requirements that may apply to the disposal of [...]

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The 7 Different Types of Sheet Metal Bending

The 7 Different Types of Sheet Metal Bending

People have been bending and shaping metal since the Bronze Age. With the dawn of the Iron Age and the discovery of steel, metalworking focused on producing weapons inexpensively to equip armies. But in the Industrial Age, steel became indispensable in construction and manufacturing. It became possible to build taller buildings and bigger machines. Instead of forging and hammering metal into desired shapes, metalworkers began to use machines called press brakes to apply the force necessary to bend, roll, and [...]

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