Welding
When we talk about cutting and welding processes this usually refers to as work that is done with very hot flames. It is usually done by machine shops, construction and small laboratory type situations like torch soldering or blowing glass.
This is a dangerous area of welding because it creates fumes, sparks and gases and you have to be careful of hot metal. Cutting is done with special cutting equipment that can be lasers, plasma cutters or some welding torches; acetylene torches work well for cutting depending on the material that needs to be cut.
There are several different types of cutting metals:
Carbon Arc cutting — metals that are cut in this way use the heat of the carbon arc to melt them. The metal that is molten is then hit with a blast of air to remove it. The gas jet will be independent and outside the electric arc. Usually a welding machine is used to do this and it has to have current that is constant. There is an electrode holder that is specifically designed for this type of cutting and it has all the necessary pieces that are needed to do this cutting including a circular grip head, air jets and the compressed air.
Oxyfuel Cutting — this is a type of cutting that uses an acetylene torch that brings together acetylene and oxygen to form the cuts. The difference between this torch and a regular acetylene one is that the cutting torch has another tube for a higher pressured oxygen in addition to the oxygen and acetylene that is already there. It also has a tip with a center hole that allows a jet of the pure oxygen to pass through the torch, which preheats flames.
Plasma cutting — this method actually uses a plasma arc to melt the metal. This method also uses a high flow of hot ionized gas. There are actually three ways for cutting with plasma that include a low current, high current or a current with water added to it. Plasma cutting allows a more precise cut than some of the other cutting methods. Modifications in plasma cutters have been created to allow oxygen to also be used in cutting steel.
When metal has to be cut it will consisted of using a machine of some type to remove metal. Machines like drill presses, lathes or milling machines will also do some of the cutting. In order to successfully cut metal it is necessary to know how the materials the welder is cutting works.
It is important to note that you must take more safety precautions when using cutting machines because they are so quick to cut. They perform a high heat operation and sometimes there can be more sparks generated and the metal is always hot.
Any machine or welding torch that sends out hot metal and sparks can cause fires and can create problems if the hot metal lands on the skin. It can also cause problems of an arc flash if proper safety equipment isn’t used.
Metal Fabrication: A Piece of History That Never Stops
Fabrication is when one thing is manipulated to become something else. Unfortunately, the most common usage of the word might have something to do with the how the truth is so often “fabricated” into something else. However, the most useful type of fabrication has been and most likely always will be metal fabrication.
It is thought that metal was discovered before people even been to write, and that it was first used to make rudimentary tools and weapons – such as arrowheads and spears. Since then, metal fabrication has come a long way to include metal bending, metal forming, welding, laser cutting, and much more – expanding its utility far beyond the realm of weapons and basic tools.
Metal Fabrication through History
As most high school students know – metal was first used for basic tools. You may picture a primitive arrowhead or a spear, fastened with rawhide with feathers attached– and as far as history can tell us, you wouldn’t be too wrong. These ancient examples of metal fabrication were found in caves, and for the most part every metal fabrication found was created to be used. There was no primitive plasma cutting and metal fabrication done for decorative purposes – only for survival. As far as we can tell, these were the earliest cousins of the modern, technologically savvy, metal fabrications we see today.
The Importance of Metal Fabrication Services
Hundreds of thousands of years ago fabricated metal parts helped ancient humans survive. Today, things aren’t much different. Stainless steel, iron, aluminum, copper, and more are all used to provide us with the products we need every day, from automobile parts to metal fabrications for use by the military, and everything in between. Metal fabrication can include:
Types of Metal Fabrication
Metal fabrication is done for a wide range of industries and applications. Metal fabricated parts include everything from car parts, aircraft components, boat propellers, holding tanks, shark cages, weapons, and much much more.
Contract assembly: while not specifically “metal fabrication” contract assembly often involves fabrication of some sort. Contract assembly pertains to one customer contracting fabrication, machining, or assembly work to an experience provider who has all the necessary machinery. The contract assembly company usually organizes delivery as well.
Metal bending and forming: hydraulic press brakes are the most common type of machine used to performing metal forming – a long shot from what primitive man would have used. Metal bending is done with shaped dies and mandrels to bend tubular sections without kinking them while rolling machines are used to form plate steel into a round section.
Plasma Cutting: Plasma cutting is one metal fabricating process that ancient homo sapiens surely would have loved. Plasma cutting uses a plasma torch to cut varying thicknesses of metal – usually steel – with extreme accuracy. Through a combination of pressurized inert gas and electricity, metal fabricators create a high powered stream of pressure capable of melting metal and simultaneously blowing it away before it can dry into the cut
Welding is a time honored technique of joining two metals. Slightly different than plasma cutting, welding can use a variety of energy sources – including heat, electricity, friction, and even ultrasound.
Metal art has been a very important part of many cultures; it dates back 3000 B.C. when Indians discovered it. Bronze sculptures have been found in Delhi and a variety of metals were used including bronze, bell metal, copper, iron and silver.
Metal sculpture is usually done differently in each region and as an individual travels the world they will find a variety of unique art. From sculptures of deities to intricate etchings, metal has been used to create fancy pieces.
In Africa the Yoruba tribe is famous for its hand hammered, pounded and welded metal sculptures of everyday tools that were needed for farming. Today, metal is used to enhance many home decorations, tables and chairs. They can even be used to take a step back in time to the 1950s look of décor.
Metal is also used as enhancements both inside and outside houses. You will see them as garden sculptures, on the sides of buildings and as decorative wall hangings. Metal can be welded to take a variety of different shapes and can enhance the look of just about anything.
A nice effect for metal work is when more than one type of metal is welded or woven together in able to create a two tone affect. Often stainless steel and copper are brought together to create an effect like basket weaving. Metal can also be bent and shaped in a variety of ways to give an effect as though it had several colors instead of two. This type of effect is created by power coating to prevent the metal from losing its color so it makes it a more vibrant color.
Another way that metal is being used for metal art is through plasma cutting. By using a plasma cutter artists are able to make more intricate patterns that is similar to the old fashioned block metal stamping that was done in many people’s homes. These give the effect of silhouettes.
A popular item for metal art is farming art. Items like animals and intricate weathervanes are created through the use of metal art. Intricate wind chimes make a different kind of sound when it is metal instead of glass or other types of materials.
There are a variety of websites that offer many different kinds of metal art. Some of them produce art through the use of foundry processes and others make more intricate details with a acetylene torch or other process. Some sites offer everything from Christmas ornaments to fine sculptured clocks, etchings and full scenes in nature.
The machinations of metal art show the versatility of metals, welding processes and the creative spirit of the artists. Some people even create very interesting and sometimes strange sculptures using scrap metal. They use welding torches to weld together pieces and parts of this and that in whatever the creative spirit asks them to do.
Jewelry makers also use metal art to create broaches, beautiful earrings and a variety of smaller metal objects that are appealing to those who are looking for something new and unique. Metal art has enough variety to meet anyone’s taste.
Tags: farming art, garden sculptures, Metal Art, metal sculpture, sculpture, Welding.
