The Difference Between Metal Fabrication And Welding

While they both take the same raw metal and convert it into a finished product, there are subtle differences between welding and metal fabricating. Depending on the application, one may be more suited than the other. 

If you need high-quality, dependable equipment for your manufacturing or construction company, consider working with a metal fabricator or Australia’s top welding company called Topweld General Engineering Pty Ltd. Metal fabricators and welding companies have years of experience giving you exactly what you need to get your job done. From small plastic mold-making businesses to large engineering and construction firms, every company needs reliable fabrication services to support its rapid growth. Working with a single source that offers quality equipment and experienced manpower makes it easier to stay focused on your project instead of wondering if you’ve found the right person or company to work with.

Metal Fabrication vs. Welding

Welding and metal fabricating are general terms that refer to the same process. Other metal working processes such as machining, sawing, and stamping are also commonly used in industrial and commercial settings. 

Metal fabrication is a process that involves cutting, bending, and assembling metal parts to create structures or machines. The process can be done manually or with the help of machines. Metal fabrication is often used in the construction industry to create beams, columns, trusses, and other building components.

Welding is a process that joins two pieces of metal together by melting them and adding filler material. Welding is often used in the automotive, aerospace, and marine industries to create strong joins between metal parts.

Both welding and metal fabrication are important processes in the manufacturing and construction industries. Each process has its own unique advantages and disadvantages.

Welding and metal fabricating are general terms that refer to the same process. However, subtle differences between the two can make the process more or less suitable for a given application. To begin with, when fabricating metals, welder’s materials are typically more expensive than those used in metal fabrication. This is because the pipe, tube, and other everyday items are made from plastic and steel. Since these materials are more expensive, the price of labor and the cost of the product is higher in metal fabricating than in welding.

Additionally, welding is more suited to smaller projects such as household repairs and decorative projects as it can handle small details such as joining small pieces of metal without snagging. On the other hand, metal fabricating is better for larger projects as it can handle joining larger pieces of metal and accept a wider range of Joinery techniques. On the other hand, welding is easier to learn as it relies on visual cues and consistent pressure from the welder to complete the job. On the other hand, metal fabricating requires the use of special tools and an understanding of the material properties.

Metal Fabrication Equipment

While most fabricators and welders use similar equipment, there are distinct advantages and disadvantages to working with each type of fabricator. A few examples include: 

WELDING EQUIPMENT – Welder’s equipment is designed to produce a uniform thickness of welds across the width and length of the welded item. While similar in design to metal fabricating equipment, this equipment is used for fabricating pipes, tubes, and other non-metallic objects. Either electricity or gas can power welding machines. Electric welder machines tend to be more expensive than their gas counterparts, but they produce a higher weld quality. 

FABRICATION EQUIPMENT – Fabrication equipment is used to blend the raw materials until a product is created. It could be a CNC mill or an experienced welder’s shoulder piece. Most fabricators use different types of equipment depending on the product they’re fabricating.

Different Types of Metal Fabrication

There are many types of metal fabrication, and each has distinct advantages and disadvantages. Each type is best suited for a certain type of project. 

WELDER MACHINERY – Welder machines use patterns to create the weld. This fabricating process is used when creating decorative ornaments, toys, and other smaller items. 

PIPE FABRICATION – Pipe fabricators use machines to create the inside of pipes and the outside finish. This type of fabricating process is popular for making water and gas pipes. 

TUBING FABRICATION – Tubing fabricators use machines to create the inner and outer surface of the tubing. This fabricating process is used for creating water and gas pipes and water heaters, air conditioners, and refrigerators.

Pipe and tube welding services are used extensively in the construction, automotive, aerospace, and marine industries.

Metal Fabrication Processes

Depending on the project, you may choose between various metal fabricating processes. Selecting the simplest process for small projects such as toys, furniture, or decorations is usually the best option. On the other hand, if you’re fabricating a large structure or a large machine, you’ll want to consider each process individually to determine which is best for your application. Look for a trustworthy welding company that offers fabrication services in Albury or in any location in Australia. Here are some of the most common metal fabricating processes: 

SIDE-TO-SIDE MACHINING – This process is often used for larger structures as it enables team members to be physically connected in a parallel fashion. 

MAIN-TO-MAIN MACHINING – This process is used for larger projects where the standard process is not suitable. It is often used when joining several materials that cannot be joined otherwise. 

WELDING – Welding is joining two or more items made of different materials by applying a stream of hot metal from one item to another.

Metal Fabrication Tools

Depending on your application, you may also choose between various metal fabricating tools. Some of the more common ones you’ll encounter include:

JAW CLEANERS – jaw cleaners are used to remove the molten metal from the workpieces and ensure nothing gets leftovers in the machine. 

SPRAY METAL FABRICATING – spraying metal fabricating creates a mist by squirting liquid metal into the air in front of a welder. This fabrication is often used for small projects such as house seepage repairs.

PIPE-TO-RAIL FABRICATING – This process creates a continuous product that can be used as a rail without further modification.

Advantages of Working with a Metal fabricator or welding company

Hiring a professional fabricator or working with a single source that offers quality equipment and experienced manpower makes it easier to stay focused on your project instead of wondering if you’ve found the right person or company to work with. 

More equipment options. Since most metal fabricators use the same equipment, you’ll have an easier time choosing the right tool for the job. 

Easier to find customers. Since you’ll be working with a single source, it’s easier to find customers, especially if they need parts. 

Better work environment. Metal fabricators are often located in industrial areas, so there’s an opportunity for a healthy work-life balance. 

More opportunities for training. Because you’ll be working with professionals, you’ll get hands-on training, from start to finish, on how to use the equipment.

Conclusion

To conclude, working with a metal fabricator or welding company has many advantages, including access to quality equipment, experience, and training. It’s important to choose the right process and tool for your project to ensure a successful outcome.