Steel Fabrication

Steel fabrication is the process of transforming raw steel materials, or parts, into finished products. This is done through a number of steel fabrication techniques such as laser cutting, steel folding, welding, stamping, drilling and other techniques. Unlike steel manufacturing, which focuses on producing the individual components at scale (see below), steel fabrication involves working with the manufactured steel components to create finished structures, machinery and/or equipment. Steel fabrication plays a crucial role in all of our everyday industries such as construction, tech, machine manufacturing, and much more.

Steel Fabrication Definition

According to the Oxford Dictionary, the term fabrication is defined as “The process of making or producing goods, equipment, etc. from various different materials.”

In basic terms, Steel Fabrication is the creation of a finished product using various steel parts or components.

Steel Fabrication vs Steel Manufacturing

According to the Oxford Dictionary, the term manufacturing is defined as “the business or industry of producing goods in large quantities in factories, etc..” . This definition best reflects what we do here at Propel Manufacturing, but we will be looking at both definitions below.

1. The manufacturing of steel through raw materials such as ore: This definition focuses on the process of creating steel from raw ore. The ore is put through a heating process using a blast furnace or electric arc furnace and is then casted. See more on the steel manufacturing process HERE
2. The manufacturing of steel parts and components on a large scale. Again, this is more relative to what we do here at Propel Manufacturing as we create individual components on a large scale which are then put through the fabrication process, a process we also carry out at our factory here in Ireland.

Steel Fabrication Techniques

• CNC Laser Cutting (Computer Numerical Control): Laser cutting has revolutionized the steel fabrication industry with its precision and efficiency. This process involves using a high-powered laser beam controlled by a computer to cut through steel sheets or plates with exceptional accuracy. CNC laser cutting allows for intricate designs and complex shapes to be achieved with minimal material wastage, making it ideal for custom fabrication projects requiring high precision.At Propel Manufacturing, we use the world’s leading CNC laser cutting machinery. Check out our video HERE.
• Welding: Welding enables the joining of individual steel components to create larger assemblies or structures. Various welding techniques are employed, including arc welding, MIG (Metal Inert Gas) welding, TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding, and spot welding. Spot welding, in particular, involves the application of localized heat and pressure to fuse overlapping steel sheets or components together. Welding requires skilled operators and adherence to strict safety protocols to ensure the integrity of the welded joints. See our welding services HERE.
• Steel Cutting: This can be achieved through various methods such as sawing, shearing, plasma cutting, or CNC machining. Advanced technologies like CNC plasma cutting allow for precise and efficient cutting of steel, reducing material waste and production time. Steel cutting is a crucial initial step in the fabrication process, laying the foundation for subsequent shaping and assembly processes.
• Surface Treatment: Surface treatment is essential for enhancing the durability, corrosion resistance, and aesthetic appearance of fabricated steel products. Here at Propel Manufacturing, we specialize in Powder coating techniques. Check out our Powder coating techniques HERE.

If you are looking for a steel manufacturing or steel fabrication service in Ireland, then get in touch today!