In engineering, fabrication is the process of cutting, shaping, and welding metal structures. It involves making machines, components, and structures out of a variety of basic materials. A fabrication shop uses both human labor and automated machinery to build products based on engineering drawings.
Here are some of the processes involved in engineering fabrication:
Cutting and Burning
Fabrication engineers use a variety of tools to cut raw material, with shearing being the most common method employed. Band saws have feed mechanisms and hardened blades, while chop saws have abrasive disks to cut steel.
Other commonly used tools include cutting torches, burn tables, water jet cutters, and plasma and laser cutting tables.
Bending and Forming
Bending can be accomplished with manual or automated hammers, press brakes, tube benders, and other similar instruments.
In the forming process, flat sheets of metal are shaped and transformed to create products for numerous industries, such as construction, architecture, aerospace, jewelry, automotive, etc.
Machining
Machining is the method of extracting material from a block of metal in order to form it into a required shape. Metal lathes, drills, mills, and other portable machining tools are commonly found in fabrication shops. Gears, screws, bolts, and nuts are the most widely machined components.
Assembling or Welding
As the main focus of engineering fabrication is assembly, welding is one of the most important processes which require skill and specialization. Other methods of assembling include riveting, binding with adhesives, bending into crimped seams, or threaded fasteners.
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