Glossary
Metal Fabrication
The process of cutting, shaping, joining, and finishing metal to create parts, assemblies, and structures.
Definition
What is Metal Fabrication?
Metal fabrication is the industrial process of transforming raw metal stock — sheet metal, structural sections, tube, and plate — into finished parts or assemblies using cutting, forming, joining, and finishing operations. A full-service metal fabricator like ATS Metal Fabrication combines multiple processes under one roof: laser cutting, CNC punching, press brake bending, tube laser cutting, welding, and powder coating. This integration reduces lead times, simplifies supply chains, and gives engineers a single accountable source for complex fabricated assemblies.
Types & Variants
- • Sheet metal fabrication
- • Structural steel fabrication
- • Aluminum fabrication
- • Stainless steel fabrication
- • Tube and pipe fabrication
Common Applications
- • Industrial machinery
- • Commercial kitchen equipment
- • Construction components
- • Architectural metalwork
- • Electronic enclosures
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between metal fabrication and machining?
Metal fabrication primarily works with sheet metal and structural sections using processes like cutting, bending, and welding. Machining removes material from solid billets using CNC mills and lathes. Fabrication is generally better suited to large-format flat or formed parts, while machining produces precise 3D geometries from solid stock.
What metals are commonly fabricated?
The most common materials in metal fabrication are mild (carbon) steel, stainless steel, and aluminum. Specialty applications may use galvanized steel, copper, titanium, or high-strength alloys depending on the performance requirements.
What is a metal fabrication drawing?
A fabrication drawing (also called a shop drawing) is a detailed technical document showing all dimensions, material callouts, weld symbols, bend lines, hole positions, and surface finish specifications required to manufacture a part. Typically produced in DXF (2D) or STP/STEP (3D) formats for CNC programming.
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