The Advantages and Disadvantages of Metal Fabrication

The decision of whether thermoplastic or metal materials are the right choice for your parts is based on many elements, which include but not only: the purpose of the components; the method by which they are made as well as your budget and whether the appearance of the material is an important factor. Our technicians are skilled in plastics and metals, however to assist you in your decision-making process in this post we’ll examine custom metal fabrication benefits and disadvantages.

Why should you work with metals?

There are a variety of pros and cons to take into consideration while working with metallics. The primary thing to consider is that the production results are contingent on what kind of metals are used in the parts.

Each type of manufacturing metal is available in various grades. Our clients typically request the following types of metals for their specific fabrication requirements:

Stainless Steel: This is an extremely popular option across an array of industries due to stainless steel’s superior corrosion-resistant properties as well as the ability to stand up to prolonged exposure to a range of conditions. Custom-designed steel fabrication is utilized for medical device manufacturing as well as various other industries in which caustic chemicals are used.
Copper: It is among the softest metals that are more malleable which is why it responds well to stretching and soldering. Copper is also famous for its electrical conductivity and can be utilized to conduct electricity or heat.
Titanium: This metal is extremely durable and is extensively utilized by the aerospace sector for creation of components for aircrafts, and to design structural components.
Aluminum is also light and therefore ideal for aerospace component manufacturing and industries like aerospace. Aluminum is cheaper than titanium and is easier to weld, and is renowned for its corrosion-resistant qualities in addition.
Inconel It is an ideal metal for extreme environments where temperatures and pressure are in the air due to its corrosion and oxidation-resistant properties. It is typically used in aerospace but it is also beneficial in other industries, too, that require extreme temperatures for example, chemical manufacturing.

Benefits of custom metal fabrication

For long-term projects or tasks which require lots manufacturing, metallics are likely to be the most economical option for constructing thermoplastics.
Metals are generally resistant to heat and have greater melting points than plastics, and they can keep their structural integrity even at higher temperatures for longer than plastics.
Metals can also be said to be tougher, more durable and longer-lasting than plastics which is why they are better at keeping the quality of the production line’s structure.
Metals’ fundamental properties permit more design options than plastics. This means that there is more scope to alter the structure and shape of the materials to accommodate an array of options. The fabrication of the bending of stainless steel tubes is a great way to gain multiple advantages, as explained below.

Tube bending fabrication

We manufacture precision tubes by using Horn Metric CNC Tube Bender which can produce bends from 1/4 ” up to 2” in diameter. The utilization with this CNC precision tool bender machine can significantly reduce time, materials , and costs for our clients, as well as additional benefits, such as:

With a CNC Precision Tool Bending Machine joints, welds and costly fixtures are eliminated from the complex assembly system.
By removing joints and welds in the system, you will reduce the possibility of leaks that can occur in jointed or welded complicated assembly system. The semiconductor industry particularly, will benefit from the construction of systems that do not suffer any wall thinning that could be seen in the welded system. By bending tubes with precision to ensure the integrity of materials is ensured.
Precision tube bending allows for a more smooth appearance. The way the system is used the engineer might prefer the system that appears better visually.
A system with fewer bends will reduce the flow restrictions of liquids and chemicals
which could otherwise be trapped that could otherwise get caught in sharp corners or joints.

Metal fabrication has its advantages and disadvantages.

Although buying metal materials might be less costly over the long term than purchasing and fabricating thermoplastics the expense of creating custom metal tools is costly that adds up to startup expenses. The creation of custom tooling increases the time needed to complete the task.
Certain metallic materials are likely require additional finishing steps after fabrication, like deburring and painting, which could prolong the production process and increase overall cost.
Metals can also be a challenge to design when designing complicated systems that require special shapes, precise radii or dimensions of components.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of custom-made metal fabrication?

The benefits of custom-made metal fabrication is that it has a high resistance to heat and its ability to maintain the integrity of its structure even in extreme temperatures. Metals are also known to be more durable, stronger and longer-lasting than other plastics which makes them ideal to use for structural reasons. Due to their characteristics they are able to be manufactured in more methods than plastics. This gives more possibilities to change the design and structure that the material. They also provide a efficient solution to long-term projects or those with a significant quantity of components to be fabricated. The disadvantages of custom metal fabrication is the expense of tooling made from metal, which can will result in higher costs for starting.

What is the term “metal fabrication?

Metal fabrication is the process of processing or manufacture of metal, such as stainless steel, starting from its basic form into things like circular tubing.