Metal fabrication has a significant role to play in manufacturing processes. From paper planes to automobile and plane parts, it holds a great significance in manufacturing processes. Though metal and steel fabrication are common terms, very few people know about the types techniques and applications of metal fabrication. In this article, we will discuss all of you need to know about metal fabrication.

What is Metal Fabrication?

Metal fabrication is a process of construction of structures from raw materials through various techniques. Companies that specialize in metal fabrication works are called as fab shops where fabricators convert sheets of metals into useful metal tools. Metal fabrication plays a significant role in creating parts for mass consumption. Products such as nuts, bolts, screws, cutlery, metal windows, metal doors and car parts that are for mass consumption are made with metal fabrication.

Which industries use metal fabrication?

Metal fabrication finds its application in a wide variety of industries. Many industries such as aerospace, agricultural, automotive, construction, medical, military and defense and alternative energy use metal fabrication extensively. Let’s have a look at applications of metal fabrication in some of these industries.

• The Aerospace industry: The aerospace industry deals with the construction and designing of commercial aircraft, sophisticated defense aircraft as well as spacecraft. Metal fabrication is an essential stage in the construction of these different types of aircraft.


• The Construction industry: Today, most of the engineers, designers, and architects consider structural steel for building a structure. Steel fabrication thus is an integral part of constructing structural steel structures such as steel beam, ladders, trusses, and handrails.


• The Alternative energy industry: Metal fabrication finds its application in various alternative energy companies that generate nuclear energy, oil and gas, wind energy and solar energy. In these industries, metal fabrication is used for the construction of pipelines, turbines, transmission towers, and electromagnetic shields.

Apart from these, there are several other industries that incorporate the application of metal fabrication for various purposes.

What are the different types of metal fabrication?

Metal fabrication is classified as commercial, industrial and structural by the end use of the product or type of process used to fabricate the product.

• Fabrication work that involves the creation of commercial products such as appliances and cars is called as a commercial metal fabrication.


• Industrial metal fabrication involves the creation of pieces that are used in other types of equipment which are used to create commercial products. For instance, the construction of band saws and iron working machines both come under industrial metal fabrication.


• Structural metal fabrication involves metal working that is a part of a building process. This type of metal fabrication is used for the creation of components that are used to construct skyscrapers, shops, and buildings. This types of metal fabrication majorly involve structural steel fabrication as steel is being extensively used as a raw material in the construction industry.

What are the stages of metal fabrication process?

The metal fabrication process is divided into three stages, namely designing, fabricating and finishing.

Designing - It is the first stage of the metal fabrication process. Today, metal fabricators use computer-aided designing and manufacturing software (CAD and CAM). With the help of such computer-aided software, metal fabricators can prepare a 3D prototype of a product that is to be manufactured. This stage helps the metal fabricator to judge how the product will function and determine the shape and size of the product. Also, this stage clarifies what type of metal to be used and which finishing process is needed.

Fabrication - This stage of the metal fabrication process involves the actual building of the product. In this stage, the metal is processed according to the design. Shears, mills, lathes, and nibbles are some of the tools that are used to fabricate the metal.

Finishing and assembling - This stage is the last stage of the metal fabrication process. This involves finishing and assembling the fabricated pieces into a final product. Metal fabrication techniques such as grinding and deburring are used to ensure the product works properly, and there is no excess metal. This stage ensures the products go through thorough inspection and ready for use.

What are the different types of techniques used in metal fabrication?

Metal fabrication involves different techniques to fabricate a customized product. Here are some fabrication processes and metal fabrication techniques that fall under them.

Reduction process

It is the most commonly used metal fabrication process that is used to remove excess metal to create products with perfect shape and size. Metal fabrication technique involved in this process are:

• Shearing - used to reduce the product to correct shape and size.


• Punching - Used to place holes into the sheet of metal


• Blanking - Used to fabricate metal products for medium or high production workload


• Notching - Used to create precise cuts and detailed angle on the metal

Shaping process

Some products not only need to be cut but shaped as well. Shaping is usually followed after cutting the product.  Below are some techniques that are used to shape a product.

• Stamping - Used to create multiple raised sections of metal.


• Folding - Used to create angles on the metal sheet during the fabrication process

Other common techniques

Other common metal fabrication technique includes:

• Welding - Used to join multiple sections of metal to create the desired product.


• Machining - Used to shapes blocks of metal.

At Northern Weldarc, we provide structural steel fabrication services and are CWB certified in welding processes such as stud welding, stick welding and structural steel welding. Contact us to find out how can we help on your next project involving structural steel fabrication. We will be happy to serve you.