“What should I make it out of?” That got me thinking about how amazing it is that there are so many materials that can be used to fabricate with. Maybe we want to use KEVLAR cloth, add several more layers and have a “bullet-proof” rowboat! In today's competitive world companies and employers must stand out to succeed, one method is to use a “new name” to draw interest and attention. Raw Materials From digital prototypes, M & S fabricates parts and equipment enclosures for many applications using a variety of metal alloys. So when something is fabricated out of “cast iron”, like an engine block or a “cast iron skillet”, it is made of “iron” and the fabrication process is “casting”. Although it is a completely different world, some skills are still related. Over-lap the bath towels and add more until the entire boat is covered with at least 4 layers thick. Alloy basically refers to the ingredients used to make that variety of material. You also have to think about your budget, timeline, capabilities, and assembly process, among many other factors. I am a MENTOR if you are just starting - and need Step-By-Step instructions to show you HOW. The term “ALLOY” is more commonly used in identifying aluminum than its cousin “steel”. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. Differences in the type of alloy change the characteristics, each with their own preferable applications. A common term used in steel and it’s “cousin” aluminum is “ALLOY”. Flexible, easy to cut, easy to stitch together (bond). Full-service capabilities, including assembly, Custom solutions based on your unique product and goals. We pry the thick “bath-towel skin” free from the outer surface of the rowboat and viola! Considering your material options now can help you refine your product design, identify potential challenges, and streamline the fabrication phase. Choosing a fabrication method suited to a given project depends on part geometry, the product’s intended purpose, and the materials used in crafting it. We put our talent, tools, know-how and experience to work for customers looking to get to market quickly with a new product. Just to add to the “confusion of life”… There are two more terms you need to know about. More along the fabrication process, products like chairs, sofas, car and boat upholstery combine other materials and fabrication methods together to make amazing products. Now we have a strong lightweight carbon fiber rowboat. Let’s look at the types of fabrication processes in greater detail here: Cutting. It is a value-added process involving the creation of machines, parts, and structures from various raw materials. Aluminum – Another commonly used material for fabrication, aluminum bridges between plastic and steel, having a lower melting point, lighter weight, softer, and more corrosion resistant than steel, but more durable, heavier and higher melting point than plastic. Work quick, because once it is mixed the clock is running until it sets-up. There is a whole world of materials that can be used to fabricate with. At this stage, your decision isn’t necessarily final. As an American based contract manufacturer, we specialize in material development, thermoplastic material molds, 3D printing, custom machining/tooling, and design for manufacturing. This saves you from wasting time and money fabricating parts using materials that are less than ideal for your product. It is the most common steel utilized in metal fabrication, and has an almost endless list of uses from construction materials to machinery and weaponry. For the individual, the cheapest and most simple piece of equipment for fabricating with plastic is a 3D PRINTER, but in industry, the most common practice is injection molding. Steel is a universal material for “one-of-a-kind” and mass-produced products alike. Another important tip for finding the best types of fabrication materials is to choose the fabrication company carefully. So, why stop now? For the fabricator, the terminology most used to identify steel is the shape AND the method of forming it. If you take a moment to look at most products being made in the world, they most likely will be made of one or more of the following: Plastic – the most common material for high volume production of toys, storage containers, and so many other products we use in our daily lives. Using rapid prototyping, you can create multiple prototypes from different materials on this list in a very short amount of time. Fabric / Cloth – Another material not thought of very often in “fabrication”. This list is not comprehensive, but it is a solid jumping-off point for product designers who want to take the next step and get their ideas on the market. Common shapes are Bar, Rod, Tube, Pipe, Plate, Sheet and Structural and common forming methods are Hot Rolled, Cold Rolled, Cold Drawn. Depending on the needs of a particular application, some metal facilities even perform specially customized types of fabrication. In steel, it most commonly identifies the amount of carbon in it, but MANY other materials can be added to iron to make many, many types of steel. Being the most common material used means that the most tools and equipment are available to fabricate with it. It’s a bit like having a roadmap planned out before a trip. You can even fabricate multiple parts from different materials and assemble them at a later stage in the manufacturing process. So instead of bath towels, we use a stronger material like FIBERGLASS cloth and the glue is a two-part resin. The old standby is the saw. Common custom metal fabrication processes are as follows: 1. Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon, which typically includes a mix of iron ore, coal, limestone and other elements. There are many ways to cut nowadays. If fiberglass is not strong enough, or we want to make it lighter with fewer layers, we can use CARBON FIBER cloth. The most common metals employed in this application include steel, iron, gold, copper, silver, and magnesium. Plastics can easily be machined like metals, but it does not bend fold or form well with press machines like sheet metal. Gold/Silver – Jewelry is FABRICATED TOO! Stamping 11. A full-service product fabrication company will help you every step of the way by providing you with a full range of tools, top quality materials, and—perhaps most importantly—sound advice. Pacific Research Labs is a small-run design, engineering & manufacturing company. 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