Your fabrication shop bids on a job. The customer looks for several key factors to decide which bid to go with. You are more likely to win the bid if you have what it takes to get the job done on time and on budget. When they award the contract to your shop, the value provided will be a major part of that decision.
A metal fabricating machine is a machine that is used to create or modify metal parts and structures. The heart of any winning bid is the equipment in your shop. There are six primary types of machines needed in any full-service fabrication facility.
1. Plate Cutting Machine –
A plate cutting machine is used to cut steel plates into smaller pieces for use in construction projects. This type of machine is typically used to cut large sheets of steel plate into smaller, more manageable pieces.
2. CNC Machine –
A computer numerical control (CNC) machine is a type of machining center that uses computerized controls to operate and guide the machine. CNC machines are used to create precision parts and components from a variety of materials.
3. Press Brake –
A press brake is a machine that bends and forms sheet metal into various shapes. Press brakes are commonly used to create brackets, supports, and other parts for use in construction projects. The fundamental principle of brake forming is based on force, also known as tonnage. This determines the total amount of pressure that the punch can apply during a bend. The thicker the materials that can be bent, the higher the tonnage, and vice versa.
Bending length, or the greatest length of sheet metal that can be bent, is calculated in conjunction with tonnage. For example, if you have a 14′ bending length machine, any sheet metal longer than 14′ will be too lengthy for that machine to process.
4. Shear –
A shear is a cutting tool that is used to cut sheet metal or plate. Shears are available in a variety of sizes and can be either hand-operated or powered. Shearing is a metal-cutting method used for sheets that require lengthy cuts. In certain circumstances, the metal-cutting machine feeds the sheet horizontally. In other cases, a cutting tool is used to cut a flat metal sheet vertically. A third approach is laying the metal over the edge of an open cutter and lowering the blade, similar to how paper cutters are used in copy shops. Shearing is commonly used to trim the edge of a metal sheet, although it can be performed anywhere along the metal.
5. Drill Press –
A drill press is a machine that drills holes in materials such as wood, metal, or plastic. Drill presses are available in a variety of sizes and can be either hand-operated or powered. Drilling machines, often known as drill presses, are equipment that are used to drill or expand a cylindrical hole in a workpiece or part. Drilling is the most common operation done on a drill press, but reaming, countersinking, counterboring, and tapping are all available.
6. Lathe –
A lathe is a machine that rotates a workpiece while cutting tools shape it. A lathe machine is a machine tool that is used to extract metal from a workpiece to give it the correct form and size. Lathe machines are used in metalworking, woodturning, metal spinning, thermal spraying, glass working, and parts reclamation.
Having the right mix of machines is critical to being able to win bids and keep your shop running smoothly. Make sure you have all six types of machines before you start bidding on jobs.
