Category: Metal Fabrication

Steel Fabrication and Construction – An Overview

In a nutshell, metal fabrication is a procedure by which the metal or steel is formed or re-shaped in various ways to make useful constructions. Earlier, people used melted metal and other such materials with many impurities to build constructions. However, with the advent of modern technology, steel fabrication has become more popular. This procedure lets people create metal products like pipes, beams, columns, foundations, fences, railings, and towers, all from scratch.

Structural steel fabrication involves a number of steps. The first step is to determine the shape or model of the structure that requires to be created. The model is first prepared on the computer and any necessary modifications can be done. After the desired shape or model is ready, a programmer will do the necessary wiring and cabling. The next phase involves the fixing of the wires and electrical connections in the structure.

Steel fabricators must have a number of industrial supplies. They need ornamental items like gates, roof trusses, doors, and windows. Scaffolding is an essential part of a construction site. Companies usually buy raw materials from suppliers-metal shop operators who have been granted permission by the government to operate metal fabricating units. These suppliers-metal work shops have years of experience in creating products according to client requirements.

To ensure quality and reliability, most of these companies are licensed by the local authority. These firms also belong to associations and take up standards for working as laid down by these associations. The associations have their own set of requirements for suppliers-metal shop owners. This helps avoid substandard products. All such firms also conduct workshops to train workers and keep them updated about current standards. All such businesses are expected to have a scaffolding training and safety committee which perform regular audits to ensure compliance with building regulation-the International Code Council for Scaffolding Safety and Prevention of Accidents.

Some of the steel fabricators also provide services like erection of metal buildings. These include erection of the frames, columns, trusses, beams and balustrades. The firms can also set up the framework for a new building. In the case of the erection of residential buildings, metalwork workers install the roof, erection claddings and balcony coverings. They can also erect the outer walls of the building. They can erect the interior walls and ceilings.

Steel fabrication companies are involved in a wide variety of construction activities including precast concrete structures, prefabricated buildings (structure made using steel) and modular buildings (movable buildings). They are involved in various other fields as well including marine construction, civil engineering, electrical training, automotive welding, and power generation. They can fabricate metal for bridges, ships, tanks, and aircraft. There are many commercial steel producers that produce high quality metal sheets used in a wide range of industries. Some of them are John Deere Co., mills, Underwriter Wpl, Steel America Inc, ABB Inc, Komatsu Ltd, Pinnacle Steel Co., WML Fabrication, Bell Manufacturing Co., O&H Concrete, Everco Inc., Komatsu Ltd, Albco Industries Ltd, and Alcoa Technologies.

In the case of construction of ships, steel erectors play an important role because they are responsible for installing the keel, main bearings, the mast, the sails, and the read shrouds. They are also involved in the erection of the decks, supports, and rudders. This highly specialized trade is gaining popularity and demand across the world. For instance, ship building in India uses Indian steel erectors as against local welders because of the quality and consistency of the steel products.

Most importantly, the ships that are constructed here require fewer repairs and maintenance compared to normal ships. It is due to this reason that construction of commercial vessels is increasing at a rapid pace all over the world. For instance, in India, steel erection and fabrication companies have become quite popular in the last few years. India has the finest ship making and fabrication industry in the world with almost 50% percent share of the global shipbuilding market. Therefore, if you are planning to set up your own shipyard or are looking forward to make your marine construction and designing company popular all around the world, steel erectors can help you in all your plans.

Reasons to Use Metal Scaffolds on Construction Sites

Metal Scaffolding is commonly used to provide safe access to high elevated areas, maintenance areas and repair facilities. Metal Scaffolding is also used in residential and commercial projects. Metal scaffolds allows workers to reach remote and high areas of any structure. Metal scaffold is the practical choice for workers who have to work on tall buildings and other structures that cannot be reached with ladders or wooden supports.

Metal scaffold consists of different elements that provide support, stability and protection to the working crew on a construction site. They also keep workers safe from injuries and accidents. There are many varieties of metal scaffolding available in the market.

These are the most common type of metal scaffolding. These are manufactured by using steel and wood material. The top of the frame is usually made of steel tube frame with cleated edges. The two sides of the box are made up of steel sheet and the base plate is also made of steel. Usually the worker sits at the end of the platform facing the direction of the wind and work instructions are provided by the company.

The third type is Metal Scaffolding with cleated side access. This type of metal scaffolding is popularly used by constructors to work on multi-storey buildings and offices. It provides safe work access for construction materials handling and is also easy to assemble and disassemble. It comes in different sizes, forms and models.

The metal scaffolding with cleated access also known as supported scaffold system is popularly used for construction purposes. Its structure is similar to that of the trellis scaffolds only it does not have the beams. The platforms or the stairs are cleated and so they provide a safe and convenient way to get from one level to another. It can support a weight of more than 400 kilograms.

Large buildings like sky scrapers are highly supported with this system because it is built of heavy duty aluminum tubes that are covered with thick layers of steel. It is widely used for large construction projects such as taller buildings, bridges and monuments. In addition to all these features it has the added feature of having secure lock and secure tie down straps that firmly hold the construction in place.

Overhead scaffolds are very much popular these days. It is made of a combination of steel and aluminum tube scaffolds. It can support loads of more than twenty ton. This type of metal scaffolding comes in several designs like traditional, classic, and modern. They are designed in such a way that it gives more flexibility to the designers and builders. In the construction field, the traditional design is widely used since it is light in weight and very portable.

On the other hand, the modern steel scaffold system is heavy in weight but very strong. At the same time, the aluminum scaffold system is made of light weight but is strong enough to carry heavy loads. Both types of scaffolds are widely used these days, both in construction and in industrial sites. The use of metal scaffolding in construction field is becoming a necessity rather than a choice.

Hong Kong is a perfect place for metal scaffolding. Construction in this area is quite frequent, with high building demands. Many construction companies in Hong Kong use bamboo scaffold systems because of its strength and portability feature. Although bamboo scaffolding is more expensive compared to other materials, its portability and strength make it perfect to be used by many construction companies.

One of the most popular metal scaffolding choice in construction is the aluminum supported scaffolding system. Its price is not as expensive as steel scaffolding and it is very easy to transport. It is used in residential and commercial construction. Since it is made from aluminum all over, it does not give off toxic or harmful gases during installation and operation. Its colorless glass allows easy visibility for the workers while they perform their job and even during periods of repair and maintenance.

There are two types of scaffolding parts made from metal and these are the horizontal tubes and the vertical tubes. The tubes provide protection to the workers from falling objects or heavy equipments and they are made up of various metal alloys like cadmium, chrome, iron and stainless steel. On the other hand, the vertical tubes are made of steel, aluminum or carbon fiber.