Steel Fabrication

Steel Fabrication

Under construction, steel beams frame a frame of an office building

Steel fabrication is the process involving the transformation of raw steel into a product or item that can be used in construction or assembly. Steel is considered an alloy of iron and other metals.

Steel fabrication involves taking raw materials and shaping them to their desired form. The raw materials are melted down and mixed into steel before being constructed into the desired shape. The process requires a skilled technician who has the experience in taking raw components and transforming them into marketable items, and there is often very little room for error. Industrial facilities use steel fabrication to create everything from vehicular parts to household appliances.

Raw materials that are necessary for metal fabrication

Knowing which items to keep on hand can help speed up the fabrication process, ensuring that workers always have access to a full supply of what they need to get the job done. Here are a few basic materials that are necessary for many metal fabrication projects:

  • Plate Metal: fabricators use this to shape the pieces that are working with so that they can have a better range of what they can do.
  • Fittings: these are often necessary for creating and completing pieces
  • Castings: these are often used to add visual interest to the fabrication. Keeping them on hand may help speed the creation process.
  • Formed and Expanded Metal: Expanded metal is grate-like so it is well suited for things like outdoor furniture that need to be able to let moisture flow off.
  • Sectional metal: “L” beams are an example of a type of commonly used sectional metal. Z shapes (they resemble the letter Z) are also used as well as bar metal and rod metal
  • Flat metal: Flat metal like sheet metal and plate metal are all great for fabrication and can be added to pieces to create visual interest and texture. These are well suited for making shapes as well.
  • Welding Wire: Since fabrication requires that metal pieces be welded together, it’s critical to keep various types and thicknesses of welding wire on hand so that pieces can be joined to one another.