Steel is one of the strongest materials used in construction. According to HowStuffWorks, it is initially created by mixing iron and carbon at extremely high temperatures (above 2600°F). After you have steel, there's a further fabrication process that happens to use it for different structures. This fabrication involves bending, cutting, drilling, and welding. As a result, you have steel foundations used on skyscrapers, factories, bridges, and more. If you want to learn more about the in-depth process that goes into steel fabrication services, read on for more information.

Design

When you're taking on a project that involves steel fabrication, the design process must be well-thought-out. At this time, there will be a detailed Bill of Material and Bill of Operations that will provide developers with the information they need to purchase and produce the necessary amount of steel for the project. You don't want to be halfway through a project and realize you've run out of steel, especially if you're working on a humongous skyscraper. Make sure you take this first step seriously to ensure that you have the amount that you need.

Material Acquisition

After the design specifications are ready, project managers can now order the correct amount of steel. The steel will be promptly delivered to the fabrication work site. When it arrives, it'll be a standard length. However, if the work order specifies a cut length, then it will arrive based on that specification.

Drilling and Cutting

If the steel hasn't arrived cut at a specific link, now is the time for this cutting to happen. Fabricators will also drill holes as needed to put steel together during the project construction. There are many ways to cut holes and desired lengths into steel. Developers may use water jets, lasers, circular saws, or plasma cutters.

Bending and Welding

Fabricators may have to bend steel into a desired shape. They may also have to use welding for this process too. You can bend steel by way of tube, roll, plate, or section bending. You have to heat the steel to a certain temperature, just enough to make it malleable enough to bend but not hot enough to melt.

Sometimes fabricators have to join two pieces of steel together. This is commonly called welding. Welding happens when they heat both surfaces to the melting points and join them together. When those two pieces of hot metal cool down, they will be fused. It's a process that's usually needed to build ships, cars, and, of course, buildings. MMA and MAG welding are the two main types used during this process.

Quality Assurance

Regardless of how strong and durable steel is, you must check it before it goes on to the next process. At this point in fabrication, workers will inspect it and test it to ensure it meets the work specifications as well as industry standards. Usually, they'll conduct a visual inspection, destructive testing, and non-destructive testing.

Finishing

Once the fabricated steel has passed all quality assurance testing. It's now time to make it look nicer. At this point, it's time to clean, coat, or paint each steel piece. Workers may also use a galvanization process that will not only improve its aesthetics but will also help prevent corrosion.

Delivery

Now it's time for the steel to leave the fabrication site and go on to the construction site, auto plant, or shipyard. At this point, all fabricated pieces can be assembled and installed. Construction workers and project managers can begin doing any necessary work to construct a building or put more cars into assembly.

Steel fabrication services have many uses and play a pivotal role in any economy. Luckily, steel manufacturers understand the impact such production has on the environment and have acted accordingly. According to the World Steel Association, a metric ton of steel now requires around 60% less energy expenditure than 50 years ago. This labor-intensive and complex job allows one of the hardest materials on the planet to be used to build buildings, ships, cars, art, machines, robots, and more.

With properly designed and manufactured steel, we have many durable structures that can last decades and stand the test of time. If you're a company that needs such strong structures, you'll also need reliable steel fabrication services. Call North-East Deck & Steel for a consultation today. We look forward to helping you with your next project.