Types of Machinery Used in Metal Fabrication | Hytek Marketing
Lots of processes are involved in the metal fabrication process from pre-fabrication and all the way to installation. With the advent of technology in Metal Fabrication, lots of machinery is available that helps the fabricators in their tasks as well as enhances their workflow. The benefits of using metal fabrication machinery do not end here.
It also helps in producing quality outputs, reducing production costs, conserving resources and many times helping to fill the gaps in expertise. Before we know the machines used in the metal fabrication process, let’s take a quick run through the major metal fabrication process and the machines used in those processes.
What is Metal Fabrication?
One of the ever-booming industries is undoubtedly Metal Fabrication. It involves processes to manufacture an infinite number of parts required for manufacturing firms all over the world. Irrespective of the product being created, the three basic processes involved in metal fabrication are cutting, bending, and assembling.
Various Machines used in Metal Fabrication
As we understand now that cutting, bending and assembling are the major processes involved, we must understand each of these processes and the machines involved in them. Let’s find out more about these processes and the machines utilized. Cutting
Each project will have its own specific requirements according to which the metallic plates need to be cut accurately. An array of methods and machines are utilized by fabricators to obtain the desired result. The most common machines used for cutting are:
Plasma Cutting Machines
Plasma cutting machines come in two categories – conventional plasma cutting machines and precision plasma cutting machines. Conventional plasma cutting machines make use of shop air as plasma gas. The torch nozzle determines the arc shape. These are handheld machines and are used on workpieces that have less tolerance. Even though these machines are commonly used, they offer less accuracy compared to other plasma-cutting processes. Precision plasma cutting machines, on the other hand, utilize a wide range of gases like nitrogen, oxygen or a mix of argon, nitrogen, or hydrogen to get the desired cuts. This type of cutting is mainly done on conductive materials. These CNC-controlled machines are designed to deliver the most accurate results. They help cut complex shapes with extreme accuracy.
Oxy-fuel Cutting Machines
In oxyfuel cutting process, pure oxygen along with fuel gas is utilized for cutting materials. The heat generated from the oxy-fuel cutting torch raises the edge of the plate steel to almost 1800 def F. Oxyfuel-cutting machines can only be used in ferrous materials for e.g. Low carbon steel. Oxy-fuel cutting machines come in mainly two types – Low pressure cutting torches and High-pressure cutting torches.
Waterjet cutting machines
In this cutting, a jet of water is highly pressurized by forcefully passing it via a miniature nozzle. The highly concentrated water can even slice a metal plate. This type of cutting is mainly used on soft materials like rubber, car interiors, car bodies, cork, plastics, dense foams etc. Water jet cutting machines are classified into two namely pure and abrasive. The astonishing fact is that these two technologies of water jet cutting when combined can cut materials of any shape and thickness.
Bending
Upon cutting a metal plate, it would be required to bend to the desired shape as per the requirements. Like cutting, bending is also done either by hand or with the help of machinery. Different types of bending machines are available depending on your need to bend pipes or plates. Let’s quickly go through some of the machines one by one.
Tube Bending Machines
As the name suggests, tube-bending machines help bend tubes and pipes to create finished pieces. The process of bending involves certain tools that help to change the shape of the tube as desired. Different types of bending machines are available like Right & Left Electric CNC Tube Bending Machines, Electric CNC Tube Bending Machines and CNC Pipe Bending Machines. Bending machines are chosen depending on the bend, precision and finish required.
Roll Forming Machines
Roll-forming machines help in fabricating special configurations in long metal strips, mostly in coiled steel. For most of the applications, the cross-section required for the workpiece is specially designed in order to bend the metal as required. Roll-forming machines are classified into various types depending on their functionalities. Single-duty roll-forming machines, side-by-side roll-forming machines, standardized roll-forming machines, rafted machines, and Double-headed machines are to name a few of them.
Press Brakes
Sheet metal bending is a common process in the manufacturing industry. Press brakes are utilized to facilitate this requirement. These machines are usually designed long and narrow in order to insert the sheet metal to be bent. Press brakes work on the principle of punches being lowered into the sheet metal that has been inserted above a die. Press brakes are available in two types – hydraulic and electric. Hydraulic press brakes are the oldest form of press brakes and are capable of handling heavy loads.
Workshop Press
Workshop presses help to add precision to many applications like fitting, assembly, or disassembly of various parts like bearings. It’s commonly used to create a shape or punch on sheet metals. With workshop presses, you will be able to mould metals into various shapes without having the need to eliminate chips.
Angle Rolling Machines
Angle rolling machines help shape metal into various forms that can be used for various purposes. These machines are used to transform flat sheet metals into solid squares, round tubing, angle irons, pipes or many other shapes.
Plate Rolling Machines
If you are looking to dish a flat sheet metal, this is where the plate rolling machines will help you. Plate rolling machines can bend stainless steel, basic steel, copper, zinc, aluminium, etc. for applications like tank construction, HVAC unit construction, industrial productions, metalworking, roofing etc. Plate rolling machines come in asymmetrical, Double pinch bending roll and Upward-adjusting symmetrical types.
Folding Machines
Sheet metal folding machines allow the bending of metal sheets through tension and compression techniques. In simpler words, folding machines work by the principle of folding the sheet metal by locking the sheet metal and exerting the required pressure to fold it. The bending angle is established by the shape of the tool above or below the workpiece.
Where can I buy machines for Metal Fabrication in India?
Hytek Marketing is your one-stop solution for major metal fabrication machines. Since its inception, Hytek Marketing takes pride in earning a great reputation for supplying reliable and durable machines with excellent customer service.