Fabrication & Assembly

Metal fabrication can take on many forms, some of which include the following examples. All these methods take a raw block of metal and prepare them for manufacturing.

Forging is the process of shaping metal by hammering it into a desired shape through bending heated metal. This can be done with a hammer or a die.

Casting is the operation of pouring molten metal into a mold or die. The metal is then allowed to cool and solidify. Casting is often used to create parts that have a complex shape.

Drawing is the process of pulling a metal bar through a die in order to reduce its thickness through tensile force. This can be performed at room temperature, though heated metal can be used.

Extrusion is the process of forcing a metal bar through a shaped die in order for it to take on the shape of the die. Extrusion can be both a continuous and broken process.

Metal assembly is the process of assembling objects out of metal pieces. This can involve the use of screws, bolts, rivets, welding or soldering processes to permanently join two or more metals together.

Mechanical assembly is the process of joining parts together using fasteners such as screws and bolts. First, the parts are aligned and clamped together. Then, the fasteners are inserted into the aligned holes. The fasteners are then tightened until they are in place.

Rivet assembly involves the use of rivets (like a bolt) to join two or more metal plates together; this process is similar to mechanical assembly. Two sides of the rivet will hold two pieces of metal together.

Welding is a process that joins materials by heating them to the point where they flow together. The two pieces of material are then held together while the melted surfaces cool, forming a bond that is often stronger than the original materials.

Soldering is a process that joins materials through the use of an alloy called solder and a soldering iron; the two surfaces to be joined are heated until the solder alloy melts and flows between them, forming a bond.

Fabrication is usually one of the first stages in the manufacturing process, second only after designing. Assembly will occur at the end of the manufacturing process, once the individual pieces have been created.