Metal has shaped human development for thousands of years. The ability to bend and shape metal completely changed the course of our history. Metal is still a vital part of our lives and can be found nearly everywhere. Before the metal can be used, however, it needs to go through fabrication.
Metal fabrication is a process where raw metal materials are manipulated and assembled to create a new final product. Modern metal fabrication has come a long way from the days of our ancient ancestors and is now created through 3 types of metal fabrication techniques.
Plasma Cutting
Plasma cutting is a technique that can cut through conductive metals like aluminium, titanium, steel, and copper. Also known as plasma arc cutting, it uses an extremely hot jet of ionised gas to cut through metal of all sizes. This process neatly slices through metal through a chemical process of melting and recombination.
It can be done by hand with small scale devices like plasma torches and guns, but larger and more advanced machines like CNC Cutting Machines are used for industrial projects. In this application, a design is uploaded into a plasma cutting machine that creates the rendered design.
Waterjet Cutting
In this technique, machines spray super-pressurised water through a small nozzle that is strong enough to slice through metal. It might seem strange that water can be this strong, but in waterjet cutting the water has been pressurised so high it comes out at three times the speed of sound.
Aircraft fuselages, roof materials, and even car parts can be made with precision through this process.
Oxy-Fuel Cutting
Oxy-fuel cutting is a thermal cutting process that uses a chemical reaction between fuel gas and pure oxygen to cut through metals like plate steel. Heat from an oxy-fuel cutting torch elevates the surface of the metal to nearly 1000°C before oxygen is applied in an ultra-fine pressurised stream.
This metal fabrication process can be used on other electrically conductive ferrous metal like titanium, iron, and carbon steel.
If your unique project requires metal fabrication, Direct Shop Fronts has the experience to ensure you receive exactly what you envisioned. We team up with the services of bespoke metal fabricators to make your commercial and residential design dreams a reality.