Steel is one of the most commonly used building materials due to its strength, versatility, quality, and value. This is for good reason; without the process of steel fabrication, it would be impossible to enjoy the many benefits of steel. Here we will look at what steel fabrication is, some of the processes involved, and some of the products that are commonly produced.

Steel fabrication services are required by any industry that works with metal. Fabricators not only play an important role in the residential and commercial construction industries, but they also work closely with shipbuilding, mining, and auto manufacturing.

Masters of steel

Steel fabrication employs a number of techniques to shape basic sections of manufactured steel into predefined shapes. These predefined shapes will be ready for assembly and installation. The fabricator’s job is to bring the highly detailed drawings of steel drafters and detailers to life, which requires extensive knowledge of steel properties and an extremely keen eye for detail. Not only must those materials be manufactured with absolute precision so that they are ready for installation, but they must also arrive on-site in the order in which they are required.

Support Local

Looking to get some steel fabrication completed? Then reach out to your local businesses. You’d be suprised to find how many businesses you might need are right around the corner from you. And it’s always important to support local. For example, for a recent steel fabrication project (which inspired this article) we reached out to some Brisbane local engineers, Galvin Engineering. The team at Galvin were able to help us through the whole process and get exactly what we needed for our project. Not only that, but they also offered CNC machining and other metal fabrication as well meaning we could have everything we needed in one place. And best of all they were right in our area. So support a local business like Galvin Engineering when you’re looking to get metal projects completed.

Basic processes

Steel fabrication services have advanced significantly over the years, thanks in large part to advancements in high-tech computer software. CNC systems, for example, now monitor and control the movement of machines such as routers, welders, and laser cutters, while 3D modelling has made it simple to visualise even the most complex components. The fabrication process itself involves a wide range of manipulation techniques, the most common of which are listed below.

Shot blasting

To prepare steel sections for fabrication, they are shot blasted. Shot blasting is used to provide a clean finish that is easy to weld as well as a rough surface that will accept paint.

Cutting

Steel sections are easier to work with when they are cut to length before fabrication, which can be accomplished in a variety of ways, including the use of circular saws, flame-cutting, or plasma cutting techniques.

Bending

Many modern structures include beautifully curved steel elements that necessitate the use of various rolling and bending techniques by the fabricator. Steel, for example, can be passed through a set of bending rolls multiple times until the correct level of the curve is established, whereas press braking can be used for more straightforward bends involving lengths of steel up to 12 metres long.

Welding

Welding is used extensively in steel fabrication, for example, to attach fixtures and fittings and to prepare connections for on-site installation. Welding uses high heat to melt the parent material as well as whatever is attached to it, fusing the two materials together as the weld pool solidifies.

Coating

Coatings are commonly applied to steel at the end of the fabrication process for both practical and aesthetic reasons. High-tech coatings can protect steel from corrosion and fire, and they can also provide a custom look when requested by the architect.

Who needs steel fabrication services?

Steel fabrication services are required by any industry that works with metal. Fabricators not only play an important role in the residential and commercial construction industries, but they also work closely with shipbuilding, mining, and auto manufacturing. You can find our complete list of key industries right here.

Fabricated items that are commonly used

Many constructions and building necessities, as you’ll see below, necessitate steel fabrication. Steel Fabrication Services is prepared for everything listed below, and more.

  • Universal beams
  • Universal columns
  • Bar joists
  • Platforms
  • Ladders
  • Pipe racks
  • Trusses
  • Grating
  • Skids
  • Steel stairs