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ENGINEERS INDIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE
4/54, Roop Nagar, Delhi-110007 (India)
Phone: 9289151047, 9811437895, 9811151047
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website: www.eiriindia.org
STEEL FABRICATION WORK
[EIRI/EDPR/4679] J.C.: 2896XL
Fabrication is the process of constructing products by combining typically
standardized parts using one or more individual processes. For example, steel
fabrication is the production of metal structures using a range of processes such
as cutting, bending and assembling. Metal fabrication will often form a complete
assembly made from smaller sub-assemblies for use with readily available
standard sections. This is achieved with computer-aided designs (CAD) that are
often programmed using computer numerical control (CNC) technology which
communicates directly with machinery on the factory floor. By using these
technologies, the quality standards of production are increased and higher quality
assemblies are produced. This ensures a more accurate and quicker steel erection
time on site, which is vital in high volume production, reducing cost for the
customer through better material utilisation and faster assembly times.
Fabrication and manufacturing are industrial terms linked to the process of
production or construction. Often, the two processes are confused, yet they are
very different from each other.
The key difference between manufacturing and fabrication is how much of the
process a job involves. Fabrication involves the assembly of standard or
specialized parts to form parts of a product to be used in the manufacture of the
finished piece. Manufacturing, however, is a start to finish movement, from the
creation of parts through to the final assembly to produce a finished product,
often using areas of fabrication within the manufacturing process.
As with other manufacturing processes, both human labor and automation are
commonly used. A fabricated product may be called a fabrication, and shops
specializing in this type of work are called fab shops. The end products of other
common types of metalworking, such as machining, metal stamping, forging, and
casting, may be similar in shape and function, but those processes are not
classified as fabrication.