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What is Metal Fabrication?

Metal fabrication is a critical part of the manufacturing process. From paperclips to plane parts, it’s used to create a wide variety of products. Metal fabrication is an essential step in creating everything from hardware and tools to car parts and pipes.

Although fabricated metal products are common, few people understand how the metal fabrication process works. Most people think of welding when they hear metal fabrication. But welding is just one process that metal fabricators use.

So, what exactly is metal fabrication?

Metal fabrication is a manufacturing process used to shape metal into parts or end products. We use a number of techniques to shape sheet metal into a part or component.

Most metal fabrication uses sheet metal, which can vary from 0.2mm to 6mm (anything over this thickness is generally referred to as plate). Fabricators convert this sheet metal into products or tools. We cut, stamp, fold, or shape metal to create the finished part.

Metal fabrication can create large runs of customised fabricated metal products. 

Industries that use metal fabrication

Some of the industries that use metal fabrication include:

  • Aerospace
  • Agricultural industries
  • Alternative energy
  • Automotive
  • Construction
  • Consumer products
  • Military and defence
  • Original equipment manufacturers
  • Recreational vehicles

Finishing and assembling the part

The last step in metal fabrication is finishing and assembling the pieces into the final product. These processes strengthen the product and ensure that it’s ready for use.

Some examples of finishing techniques:

Shotblasting  /  Zinc plating  /  Heat treatment  /  Painting  /  Powder coating  /  Galvanising

Some examples of Assembling Techniques:

Riveting Bolting  /  Hank inserting  /  Stud welding  /  Spot welding  /  Welding  /  Bonding

While there are major differences between the above fabrication processes, it’s clear that fabrication is a very popular and, in some cases, necessary method for joining steel together. That’s why fabrication is a staple of the manufacturing industry today. So, are you fully convinced that fabrication is for you? Get in touch today to speak to our friendly staff to find out why QuTec should be your go-to for all your fabrication requirements. Call us on +44(0) 1386 555 088 or alternatively email us at production@qutecpershoreltd.com

Welcome to the QuTec Knowledge Centre

This is the UK’s Go-To resource for Metal Pressings and Fabrication and is updated regularly. If we haven’t already written about a particular aspect that you’re interested in, then please submit your enquiry here and one of our Fabrication Specialist will take a look.

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Anti-Vibrational (UK Purchasing Director)

Our company and QuTec have a long-standing relationship over four decades which continues in strength, year in, year out. What we look for in any supplier is one that truly understands what we need and what we expect. These suppliers are hard to find in the marketplace today, so when they do come along it is important to utilise them. Our Quality requirements have only ever increased throughout the years, and QuTec have taken these on board and continue to work with us to ensure a reliable quality product is delivered into our business on time, every time.

Qutec continue to be competitive, quality driven, reliable and are a pleasure to deal with.

Agriculture (UK Supply Chain Manager)

As an ethical business, we choose and monitor our suppliers extremely carefully. Appropriate supply partners are key to maintaining and developing our business and our strategy of supporting local businesses is an extension of our desire to deal fairly with our key suppliers. QuTec Pershore Ltd have been one of our most important partners for over 25 years.  In this time, they have consistently been a pleasure to work with, being willing to accommodate the ever-changing requirements of a growing SME.  Their ability to offer many different fabrication and pressing methods have been extremely helpful at all stages of product design, development, and production, to ensure cost effective and timely solutions are found and maintained throughout the life of a product. 

I know I speak for my colleagues when I say we enjoy the ability to be able to call up and discuss requests or issues in the knowledge that we will obtain a positive outcome. Overall, we value our supplier relationship with QuTec and look forward to how we can further improve processes and grow our businesses together.

Domestic Heating (UK Purchasing Manager)

QuTec Pershore Ltd have been the major supplier of metal pressings to our company for over 15 years and continue to be rated as a key supplier through our Supplier Assessment Records. Their experience, knowledge and tool maintenance are highly regarded. Over the last seven years QuTec’s willingness to invest in the latest technology has enabled us to source large quantities of fabrication work, using their CNC Laser, Press Brakes, welding services, and Vertical Machining centre facilities. This has proved a great success and provides our company with a ‘one stop shop’ facility for all our subcontract requirements. QuTec continue to be competitive, quality driven, reliable and are a pleasure to deal with.

Flood Defence (Research & Development/Project Manager)

QuTec Pershore Ltd have been a key metal fabricating supplier to our company for the last 3 years. Their previous knowledge and experience in the UK and overseas Flood defence arena has proven invaluable and their ability to offer many different fabrication methods have been extremely helpful at all stages of product design, development, and production. We have come to trust and rely upon QuTec and their willingness to supply everything from prototype parts, one off orders, large, fabricated project pieces as well as continuous batch production of components. Their attention to detail through their entire service process offered is imperative to the quality delivery of many large flood defence fabrication projects they have successfully delivered. 

Domestic Heating (UK Purchasing Manager)

QuTec Pershore Ltd have been the major supplier of metal pressings to our company for over 15 years and continue to be rated as a key supplier through our Supplier Assessment Records. Their experience, knowledge and tool maintenance are highly regarded. Over the last seven years QuTec’s willingness to invest in the latest technology has enabled us to source large quantities of fabrication work, using their CNC Laser, Press Brakes, welding services, and Vertical Machining centre facilities. This has proved a great success and provides our company with a ‘one stop shop’ facility for all our subcontract requirements. QuTec continue to be competitive, quality driven, reliable and are a pleasure to deal with.

Flood Defence (Research & Development/Project Manager)

QuTec Pershore Ltd have been a key metal fabricating supplier to our company for the last 3 years. Their previous knowledge and experience in the UK and overseas Flood defence arena has proven invaluable and their ability to offer many different fabrication methods have been extremely helpful at all stages of product design, development, and production. We have come to trust and rely upon QuTec and their willingness to supply everything from prototype parts, one off orders, large, fabricated project pieces as well as continuous batch production of components. Their attention to detail through their entire service process offered is imperative to the quality delivery of many large flood defence fabrication projects they have successfully delivered. 

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