Sheet metal fabrication is a technical art – fabricators learn the skills to be incredibly precise when working with metal – bending, shaping and cutting it into a huge range of dimensions. Whether it’s creating a custom bracket for an architectural project or producing hundreds of industrial components, a super skilled sheet metal fabricator is a valuable resource. Here are some of the top skills a fabricator needs:
Metalworking Techniques
There are so many metalworking techniques that sheet metal fabricators need to get familiar with – think cutting, bending, punching and rolling. These are hands-on, super precise skills, and great fabricators have to work with a huge variety of different tools and metals. Fabricators learn to operate specialist equipment, for example, how to guide and use brake presses and tapping machines, such as those from https://www.cotswold-machinery-sales.co.uk/roscamat-tapping-machines.
Blueprint Reading
Blueprints are technical and detailed drawings, and these outline every single bend, cut and dimension of a project. Skilled sheet metal fabricators must learn how to interpret these efficiently, and learning these skills allows a fabricator to fully understand the designer’s intent and anticipate the challenges of a job.
Precision in Measurement
One of the most important skills for a sheet metal fabricator is to be incredibly precise when measuring up. There’s no room for guesswork with fabrication, so accurate measurements are vitally important to make sure components fit correctly, and tools such as calipers can help fabricators to ensure every cut and hole is exactly where it needs to be.
Material Knowledge
Fabricators also need to know the strengths and limitations of every type of metal, for example aluminium, stainless steel or copper. Knowing which to use will help influence the success of the project, and knowing which material is the best option for corrosion resistance, budget and strength is part of a fabricator’s skillset.
Welding and Soldering
Welding and soldering are processes that help join metal parts together to create a seal or a clean and invisible join. A fabricator will know which of these methods to use and how to perform it effectively.
