Reference
Metal Fabrication Glossary
Clear, expert definitions of the terminology used in sheet metal fabrication, welding, CNC machining, and industrial finishing — from the team at ATS Metal Fabrication.
15 Terms
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Aluminum Fabrication
The cutting, forming, welding, and finishing of aluminum alloys to produce lightweight, corrosion-resistant components and assemblies.
CNC Laser Cutting
A computer-controlled manufacturing process that uses a focused laser beam to cut sheet metal with high precision.
CWB Certification
Canadian Welding Bureau certification — the Canadian standard verifying welder qualification and weld procedure compliance for structural welding.
Design for Manufacturing (DFM)
The practice of designing parts and assemblies to be manufactured as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible.
Fiber Laser Cutting
A sheet metal cutting process using a solid-state fiber laser for high-speed, high-precision cutting of steel, stainless, and aluminum.
Heat-Affected Zone (HAZ)
The region of base metal adjacent to a weld that is altered in microstructure and properties by the heat of welding without melting.
Metal Fabrication
The process of cutting, shaping, joining, and finishing metal to create parts, assemblies, and structures.
MIG Welding (GMAW)
Metal Inert Gas welding — a semi-automatic arc process using a continuously fed wire electrode and shielding gas.
Powder Coating
An electrostatic finishing process where dry powder paint is applied and cured under heat to create a durable, corrosion-resistant metal finish.
Press Brake Bending
A metal forming process that uses a CNC press brake machine to bend sheet metal along a straight axis.
Sheet Metal Fabrication
The manufacturing process of cutting, forming, and joining flat metal sheet to produce parts and assemblies.
Stainless Steel Fabrication
The cutting, forming, and welding of stainless steel alloys for food-grade, hygienic, and corrosion-resistant applications.
Structural Steel Fabrication
The manufacture of steel components — columns, beams, frames, and connections — designed to carry load in buildings, bridges, and industrial structures.
TIG Welding (GTAW)
Tungsten Inert Gas welding — a precision arc welding process using a non-consumable tungsten electrode and inert shielding gas.
Tube Laser Cutting
A 3D CNC laser process that cuts round, square, and rectangular tube profiles to produce complex copes, notches, holes, and end geometries.