For most people, these terms seem interchangeable, but there’s a big difference. In this post, Cyrious Metal Works answers the question, “What is metal fabrication and welding?”

What Is the Difference? 

Metal fabrication and welding are both processes used to join, cut, and shape metal into various products. The:

• Welding Process: These are assembly techniques that join two pieces of metal together using heat, pressure, or a combination of both. 
• Fabrication: Welding technically falls under metal fabrication, but this is the overall process used to create items from raw metal. Metal fabrication is a broader term, while welding is a specific process. 

That said, you do need to make a distinction. A welder can offer custom metalwork using pre-existing pieces of metal, but they may not have all the tools necessary for other metal fabrication processes. 

Therefore, when someone requires structural components that necessitate bending, cutting, and shaping, they must find a workshop equipped with all the necessary tools and machinery. 

The Metal Fabrication Process 

Here, you convert a piece of raw metal into something more useful. This is a multi-step process that may include the following stages. 

Bidding

You’ll start by bidding on a metal fabrication job. This can be a very competitive process. 

Planning

You need to plan carefully before making the first cut. This reduces waste and ensures that the project goes as smoothly as possible. You’ll need to work closely with your client to understand the full product specifications. 

Production

Here is where you’ll shape the raw metal into a more useful form. This might include: 

• Cutting: You typically use a laser or waterjet machine for cutting. The type determines how clean the cut is. 
• Casting: Here, you use machine dies to create molds for each separate shape and pour molten metal into them. 
• Forging: Forging involves using high-pressure machinery to compress raw metal, allowing it to be bent and shaped into the desired form. 
• Punching: You use a punch press to impress a specific pattern for functional or decorative reasons. 
• Drawing: With this technique, you use a machine and tension to pull liquid metal into a tapered die. 
• Milling: Milling uses a specialized machine to shave the metal’s surface and add holes. 
• Turning: Here, you place the metal on a spinning platform so you can make radial cuts. 
• Extrusion: This process involves creating cylindrical structures, such as wires or pipes. The machine forces billets through a die to create an elongated shape. 

The Welding Process

This is where you use specialized tools to join different pieces of metal together. The technique you use determines how clean and strong the joint is. You’re essentially using molten metal to fill the space between both pieces. 

Contact Us for Expert Advice

Now that you can answer, “What is metal fabrication and welding?” is it time for you to upgrade your workshop? Cyrious Metal Works has the tools you need for metal welding and fabrication. Call us at 903-345-1841 to discuss your options today.