Plasma cutting through a metal
By Dan Markham General Information • • 0 Comments

How To Determine Which Metalworking Process To Use


When it comes to getting your metal ready for use within an industry, there are plenty of different paths to take to achieve the desired outcome. However, this doesn’t mean that every fabrication process is going to be best for your specific application. In order for you to get the most out of your metalworking, you should have an idea of what fabrication process would be best before you ever start. Choosing the most optimal metal fabrication process requires knowing exactly what you want. So, what should you be looking for when deciding which process to use? We give you a guide below!

Consider Your Budget

The first – and arguably most important – thing to consider before selecting a metal fabrication process has nothing to do with your metal. Instead, it has to do with how much you’re willing to spend on it! Having a budgetary range in mind before you ever call a metal fabrication company will help you to narrow down your options quickly. Some of these processes require more advanced machinery and time commitment than others, which raises the price of the service. If you can afford it and it achieves the desired result, it’s a good sign that you’ve found the right selection!

Consider Your Metal

After you’ve determined the budget you’ll be working with, the next step is to examine the materials you want to use. What type of metal do you need worked on for your industry’s needs? Believe it or not, the metal you use will affect which processes will be available to you. Every metal has a unique set of properties that make some metalworking techniques more beneficial than others. For example, flame cutting as a process is limited to alloy steels due to the fact that it only generates so much energy to cut through metal. Knowing the limitations of your metal will make it easier to find the right process.

Consider What You’ll Use It For

Metalworking is made up of a variety of different processes of varying levels of complexity. This means that the results you’ll get from each job vary in complexity as well! In order to further narrow down your metalworking selections, you should consider what you’ll be using the final product for. Are you creating a part with a complicated and specific design, or are you just looking to get it to a generic shape? What application will it eventually go to? Generally, the more intricate of a design that you’re looking for, the more intricate your metalworking process should be.

Metalworking at Markham Metals

If you have a metal that you need fitted for use in your industry, Markham Metals offers a variety of different processes to help you get there! No matter how complex or simple your job is, we’ll help you determine the best fit for your needs and deliver a result that is perfect for your application. To get these results for yourself, click here to contact us directly!

Workers wearing industrial uniforms and Welded Iron Mask at Steel welding plants, industrial safety first concept.
By Dan Markham General Information • • 0 Comments

The Differences Between Metal Welding and Metal Fabrication

Metal is one of the most important parts of our everyday lives. If you need proof, just take a look at the objects around you in your current room. Many of them use metals that were specifically manipulated to serve a purpose! Even the computer or tablet you’re reading utilizes Earth’s most precious metals to function properly. Several processes can help a new metal become usable in the field, and two of the most popular ones are metal welding and metal fabrication. You may confuse them for being the same process, but they couldn’t be more different from each other. We explain exactly why that is below!

Metal Welding

Metal welding is known as the process by which two pieces of metal are joined together. Usually, this involves two pieces of the same material, but other metals can be used in this process if they have enough similarities. This process isn’t done by hand; rather, it uses various specialized tools and procedures to achieve the desired result. At the end of the process, the goal is to have two pieces of metal become permanently fused together. Most of the time, the main fuel source for metal welding is extreme levels of heat. However, electricity is also a usable fuel source for this process.

Metal Fabrication

As you can see from our definition of metal welding, it’s a very specific process. Metal fabrication doesn’t fall into this category. In fact, metal welding is considered to be a part of the metal fabrication process! However, it’s not the whole story. Metal fabrication itself involves a variety of steps to achieve the desired result:

  • Bidding: Before metal fabrication can officially begin, the price point for the work completed has to be determined. The bidding process encompasses this and gives a client an idea of how much they’ll be paying.
  • Planning: You can’t go into a metalworking job without preparing first! The planning portion can make or break the metal fabrication process. In this stage, the groundwork for how the metal gets shaped, cut, or warped is assembled and all members of the production team sync up on expectations and specifications about the project.
  • The Production: This is the step where the aforementioned plans get put into action. Using a variety of advanced tools, processes and techniques, metal is shaped into its desired application and becomes ready for use in the field.

Metal Fabrication with Markham Metals

If you’re looking to shape your metal for practical use, Markham Metals can employ many different techniques to help it get there! We specialize in metal welding, plasma cutting and a variety of other metalworking techniques that are cost-effective, safe, and efficient. If you’re looking to use your metal for a specific purpose, only the best metalworkers can suffice. Markham Metals will provide you with just that – contact us today to get your metal ready!