Bending
A press brake is a tool used in order to bend sheet metal and uses a punch and die to do this. Although press braking may seem straight forward, it can be quite difficult to remain accurate throughout the process. There are several types of press brakes which deliver different levels of force applied, such as mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic and CNC to name a few examples.
Sheet metal bending techniques are similar in that their purpose to transform sheet metal structures to the desired forms. However, their operation would be different. Factors such as material thickness, bending size, and bending radius are the main parameters to determine the optimum bending method.
Plate rolling or curving, designates the manufacture of sheet-metal parts that are rolled or curved into shapes that have a smooth radius associated with them. Although sheets of various sizes and thicknesses may be used, curving is the primary manufacturing process for metal bending large pieces of plate.
Roll bending uses either three or four rolls to feed and bend the plate to the desired shape. The positioning of the rolls determines the exact bend of the work. Different curves are obtained by controlling the distance and angle between the rolls. Moveable rolls provide the ability to control the degree of the curve.
Welding
Welding is a fabrication process whereby two or more metal parts are fused together by means of heat forming a join as the parts cool. The most common welding method is MIG welding which uses a thin wire as an electrode. The wire heats up as it is fed through the welding instrument and towards the welding site. Shielding gas must be used to protect the weld from contaminants in the air.
Typically, this comes in the form of carbon dioxide, oxygen, argon or helium. MIG/MAG welding processes are very versatile and can be used in a range of sectors, including the metalworking industry, shipbuilding, steel and container construction, and the automotive industry. . MIG welding is particularly suited to the non-ferrous metals; aluminium, magnesium, copper, and titanium. MAG welding is usually used to weld unalloyed, low-alloy, and high-alloy steels.
Machining
Machining is a process in which a metal is cut to a desired final shape and size by a controlled material-removal process. Three principal machining processes are categorized as turning, drilling and milling. Other operations classified under miscellaneous categories are shaping, planing, boring, broaching and sawing.
Novelty Structures supplies machining services under several categories.
Painting
Painting plays an important role in finishing metal parts, products, and components. Painting custom metal fabrication is done for many reasons, such as providing colour or identifying a brand. However, painting also supplies a protective finish to fabricated metal surfaces.
Metal surface painting forms a solid barrier to remove contact between chemical compounds or corrosive materials. Metal paints may come in a liquid, paste, or powder and are applied through various methods. Wet paint is applied through spray or pump, whereas powder is applied through an electrostatic plating process. In every type of application, once the paint hardens, it creates a protective skin on the custom metal fabrication that adheres to the metal and protects it against corrosion.
