Types Of Metal Fabrication -- Bar Milling, Press Brake Forming, And Sheet Metal Fabrication

Experts in metal production use a number of varying techniques to manufacture custom fittings, parts, and other commercial and industrial solutions. Every technique can produce a totally different product with unique characteristics. Regardless of whether it's press brake forming, bar milling, or sheet metal fabrication, each of these techniques has its own advantages. This article looks at these three main types of metal production. Bar Milling By reforming an existing metal bar into a certain length, shape, or form, bar milling can help fit metal to specific jobs just like when you use a router on wood in furniture making. It can take traditional square or round bars and turn them into angled or hexagonal bars. Bar milling also allows for adding grooves and other features. This process can be used with several materials, including stainless steel and brass. To make each shape, an expert designs a series of cutters that might include slots, roundovers, bevels, or other shapes. Then, the piece is milled down until achieving the proper dimensions and a smooth feel. Press Brake Forming With a computer operated machine that is capable of high pressures of up to 350 tons, press brake forming squeezes metal into the shape you want. Some machines can even work with material up to 3/8" thick and approximately 12' in length. The press brake forming process works with a number of materials that include carbon steel, stainless steel, brass, and aluminum. Press brake forming has many uses. It can make metal framing, brackets for equipment and machines, metal housing for a specific part, or even decorative metal touches for sprucing up anything. It is a great solution for people who need prototypes for equipment and machinery, large numbers of brackets, fastening solutions, or replacement parts. Sheet Metal Fabrication Perfect for precision cutting and detailing, sheet metal fabrication allows experts to use welding, press brake forming, laser cutting, shearing, and punching to create just about anything from this thin and versatile metal. It is used for products from hopper bottoms and cultivator shovels in the agricultural industry to decorative pieces, guards, frames, conveyor parts, and more for a number of other industries. Sheet metal fabrication is used to form many types of frames and covers. It can also work as a cover for a column or in ventilation. Fasteners and other types of components are often made with sheet metal fabrication, including parts in the conveying, transportation, and refrigeration industries. Even recreational activities like amusement park rides are enhanced through sheet metal fabrication. Depending on the type of project, any one or all three of these types of metal fabrication techniques can be used. Once the metal is fabricated, welding connects everything to provide a finished project. Upon completion, a quality provider usually checks the project for accuracy, quality, and durability before giving the okay. Whether press brake forming, bar milling, or sheet metal fabrication, there is a metal production technology out there that can produce exactly what you need.

About the Author

Christine O'Kelly is the author for the sheet metal fabrication experts at National Metal Fabricators. They provide press brake forming, bar milling, angle rings, and custom metal fabrication to meet all of your business' needs.