Important factors to consider in custom metal fabrication
Material selection – can affect costs as well as design integrity. There are many different kinds of metal that can be used for custom metal fabrication and making a choice can be daunting. However, it is important to remember that there are fabrication processes that work best with certain types of metal. For example, steel is a popular material for custom metal fabrication because it is strong and durable and can be treated for corrosion resistance but for some metal fabrication processes, parts can be produced more economically from aluminum, bronze, brass, mild steel and stainless steel.
Design – provides a way to evaluate part geometry and identify methods that will simplify the profile and reduce the number of fabrication operations while meeting product specifications. When a client requires a non-standard metal part, design will provide a general idea on how the product will look like and which features are critical. Potential structural weaknesses will also be identified prior to actual production. CAD programs help designers and fabricators with a 3D representation of the unique metal part as well as the tooling required to produce the product.
Costs – is always a very important factor in custom metal fabrication. There are a variety of costs involved in custom metal fabrication and it is always the objective to keep costs down. Paying attention to product design means being able to explore other alternatives that can result in a reduction in material costs, manufacturing costs and assembly costs. Exact dimensions of the metal part will keep costs down by not having to pay for extra material and by saving on labor by not having to make extra cuts. However, the cost of metal fabrication has dropped in recent years due to technology and innovations that increase productivity while reducing overhead expenses.
Choosing a custom fabrication shop
A very important decision is involved in choosing the fabrication shop. The right choice of fabrication shop can affect manufacturing rate, product quality and the cost effectiveness of the project. There are fabrications shops that have established a reputation for quality and good service and it is pretty obvious that they should be on top of the list. It can be helpful in the decision process to determine whether the fabrication shop has the right machine and equipment with the capability for high volume production runs. The type of machinery influences its capability and the quality of metal parts produced. Finally, it is important for the fabrication shop to have stock materials and can easily provide the specific type of metal for the custom project.