When designing metal products, you might not consider the fabricators who will be hands-on with the raw materials that will come together and create your pieces. This would be a mistake. Your metal fabrication designs will be handled directly by experts in their field who can easily and quickly help you determine aspects of the fabrication process that will affect and be affected by your design.
Our team is experienced in providing keen insights into how fabrication and design interact, building a conversation that creates a truly impressive piece of metal equipment. So, if you are a business that is interested in custom-built metal fabricated products, call us today! We are located in the heart of Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania, and are proud to be one of the leading metal fabrication businesses in the state.
Write a Comprehensive Request For Quote
When you seek a custom metal fabrication job, businesses start with a ‘Request For Quote’ or RFQ. This is a formal request for a quote on the fabrication work to be done. One of the most common issues that fabricators and clients face is unexpected details coming up mid-fabrication that cause the cost of materials or labor to go up. To avoid unfortunate surprises, it’s critical to be as detailed and thorough as possible on your RFQ.
Pick the Right Materials Alongside Your Fabricator
Metal fabricators can provide keen insights into the long-term success of your products when made with various materials. For instance, will aluminum or stainless steel be a more effective material for your chemical tanks? For your vehicle frames? The metals we work with have very different uses and qualities, and you may not consider all of the potential benefits of one material or another.
Metal design best practices demand that you consider every aspect of your product. Having this sense of perspective is difficult at times, even for professionals. This is why every job we take on is a collaborative effort – talk to us to learn more!
Involve Your Fabricator Early and Often
A metal fabricator is more than just a manufacturing process expert. They are your partners in metal fabrication design. Without hands-on experience and expertise, you could miss details, increasing the potential for error or difficulty during the metal fabrication process. Working with your fabricator closely will ensure that you have access to real-world factors in design and production, which can reduce the potential for error and improve production efficiency.
Details in Design – Less is More
While you should always ensure that your design is as specific as possible to ensure that your product suits your needs exactly, over-stuffed or chaotic-looking designs can cause interruptions and slowdowns if a fabricator struggles to read the critical information of your design. This is another reason you should involve your fabricator to communicate your needs and clear any confusion effectively.
Not all metal fabrication techniques are simple processes, and without the proper consideration, you might see a slower turnaround due to difficult fabrication. Fabrication design optimization isn’t just about producing a clean copy – it’s about providing the best processes as well.
What Should Be Considered When Designing Features Like Holes and Slots?
Hole and slot diameters should be at least as large around as the material thickness to prevent the metal from deforming. Likewise, a minimum distance from edges and curves should be carefully considered when placing holes and penetrations near bends or curves in the material. This minimum distance will change based on material thickness and bend radius.
Choose the Right Fabrication Partner
Custom metal fabrication is a combination of expert craftsmen and robust direction from fabrication designers. With the right combination of strategy and knowledge, metal fabrication design can create items that are not only robust and effective but also more efficient and quicker to produce. If you are ready to experience an enhanced experience of fabrication and craft, then speak to our team at Brandywine Valley Fabricators!
When you choose Brandywine Valley Fabricators, you get to work with a leading team of experts capable of producing unmatched metal-fabricated pieces without error. We are experienced in all kinds of metal fabrication, from industrial beams and supports to high-performance custom automotive parts. If you are excited to see the difference our services can make, call now!