A Comprehensive Guide to Steel Fabrication

Ever wondered how the steel utilities are made? We use steel in our daily lives, ranging from tongue cleaners, clothing hooks, makeup containers, to high-grade medical devices. All are made up of high-quality steel. In this blog, we will elaborate and discuss in detail the comprehensive guide to steel fabrication. 

What is Steel Fabrication? 

Steel fabrication refers to the sequential processes involved in manufacturing steel frames, assembling them, and refining them to make perfect steel structures. This process includes many sub-processes like cutting, rolling, bending, cleaning, and many more. Steel fabrication can be done in-house or on-site, depending on the size of the structure required. The complete fabrication can be done smoothly if it is performed at an expert facility that provides the best cutting and bending services. Turn to Mahavir Enterprises, the best custom sheet metal fabrication in Vadodara. We specialize in CNC cutting, laser cutting, plasma cutting, and many more. Call us for more information. 

Steps Involved in Steel Fabrication 

1. Surface Cleaning

Before fabrication, it is crucial to clean the steel surface thoroughly. This step includes brushing and rubbing the steel surface to remove rust and mill scales using wire brushes and emery paper. 

2. Cutting and Machining

This step is performed to obtain the desired shape and design from the raw steel. It involves thermal cutting, abrasive cutting, mechanical cutting, CNC cutting, and many more steps performed under expert guidance. However, there are a few considerations to be made, such as reducing vibration and maintaining heat to get the best result. 

3. Punching and Drilling

In this stage, the holes are drilled into the workpiece to attach bolts, screws, flanges, and joints. Holes are drilled using automated fabricators wherein the precise data is fed, and holes are punched accordingly. 

4. Straightening, Bending, and Rolling

The previous steps can lead to unintended bending after rolling of the steel; hence, straightening is essential. Straightening is conducted by a roller that applies force onto the steel to give it a desired curvature. It is a cold-bending process used to create cylinders, tanks, curved components in machines, etc. 

5. Fitting

After rolling and straightening, the pieces are fitted properly to ensure correct angles. Later, these pieces are welded together to construct a proper structure. 

6. Fastening

This step nearly concludes the steel fabrication process. This is a crucial part of fabrication as the complete strength of the structure depends on the accuracy of fastening.  In this step, the parts are permanently joined together by three methods: bolting, riveting, and welding. 

7. Refining

During the fabrication process, the steel gets oil and grease marks and welding imprints. Surface refining is done to enhance the steel's appearance and quality. The final touch gives the steel its particular shine and smoothness. This is done mainly by grinding and rubbing to smooth the outer surface. 

8. Special Treatments

These are a few optional surface treatments usually applied to steel for different applications. It includes blasting, painting, and galvanizing. 

• Blasting: In this technique, the steel is blasted with abrasive material at a high speed to create a perfect surface for painting. These are a few ways of blasting-  sandblasting, shot blasting, and grit blasting. 

• Painting: To form a prime coat on the steel, a primary layer of red oxide or zinc oxide is applied, followed by a layer of oil or epoxy, for aesthetic purposes. 

Steel fabrication is the core part of the steel industry. Ensure perfect steel fabrication by turning to your most trusted partner, Mahavir Enterprise, the best CNC cutting provider in Vadodara. We offer the best services for CNC cutting, CNC plasma cutting, CNC laser cutting, CNC bending, and many more. Contact us for more information and discuss business opportunities.