Top 10 things to consider for your metal fabrication project

Do you have a sheet metal fabrication project on the horizon? Whether you’re new to the industry, or it’s time for a complete overhaul of the way you approach your projects, we can guide you through the process from start to finish.

At HSM, we have over 85 years’ experience in the sheet metal fabrication industry. During that time we have grown our expertise and expanded our offering to encompass a range of services that will ensure your project is well taken care of.

We are a one-stop-stop for sheet metal fabrication projects, offering a complete solution for our clients. Our services include Design & Planning, Sheet Metal Fabrication, Sheet Metal Finishing, and Surface Coating. We endeavour to keep as many services as we can in-house, and where other specialisms are required, we’ll bring in one of our trusted Sub Contractors, who we’ve worked with for many years, to keep the project on track. Either way, we’ll manage your project - and the whole process - for you, giving you a smooth, hassle-free experience.

Top 10 project considerations

Starting with a few things you’ll need to consider as the client…

1. Project Requirements

In order to get your project underway, you’ll need clearly defined specifications, including dimensions, tolerances, and material type. You should utilise CAD software to create accurate designs and simulations. If this is something you need help with, our design and planning team will be happy to assist.

We can work on customer drawings and specifications. Once the customer has approved the designs, we will offer Design for Manufacture (DFM) should they require it. Leveraging cutting-edge CAD software, our experts can transform conceptual designs into detailed plans. 

We ensure accuracy and feasibility throughout the production process, optimising every aspect of your project for efficiency and cost-effectiveness. You can rely on us to bring your visions to life with innovation and precision.

2. Material Selection

Choosing the right metal type is imperative to the success of your project. Choose from steel, aluminium, stainless steel, copper, and more, to get the most out of your components. Each metal differs in strength, weight, and corrosion resistance, and it is these factors that will sway your decision.

Utilising knowledge gained over many years, our team can advise on the most suitable metal for your project. In addition to the factors above, cost, availability, and sustainability should also be considered when making the final decision.

3. Budget & Cost Efficiency

Once the project requirements have been finalised, we’ll provide detailed cost estimates for the project, which will include materials, labour, and finishing. For each and every project we undertake, we ensure designs are optimised to ensure minimal waste, resulting in significant cost savings for our clients.

And the rest for our skilled team to consider…

4. Fabrication Techniques

Our experienced operators will select the appropriate processes that will need to be utilised to get your project done. These techniques include cutting, bending, welding, punching and machining. We may also employ advanced methods such as laser cutting or CNC machining for enhanced precision.

5. Tolerance & Precision

Our design and fabrication teams work together to define acceptable tolerances for each project, ensuring components fit together properly, to deliver a high-quality finish and exceptional functionality. At HSM, we work with high-precision industries such as the aerospace and defence sectors, which require tight tolerances; delivering products to these exacting standards is one of the many things we excel in.

6. Welding & Joining Methods

Depending on the drawing / project requirements, our skilled workshop team will select the welding and joining methods that will work best for the project at hand. They’ll choose between MIG, TIG, or other methods based on material and application. It’s important to consider the effects that heat may have on materials - such as warping or stress - something to keep in mind when planning which methods will be used.

7. Surface Finishing & Coating

Determining what finish / coating a product needs is down to the customer. If the customer needs guidance, our Planning Team can make suggestions as to what would work best in terms of functionality, aesthetics, corrosion resistance and cost effectiveness, and from there, the customer will make the final decision on the finish. The most common finishes include painting, powder coating, anodizing, or galvanizing, and some industries require polished or food-grade finishes.

8. Assembly & Installation Considerations

Upon completion of the fabrication and finishing, our dedicated team will assemble the parts into the finished product, or, if being supplied as individual elements, these will be packed in a modular way to ensure cost-effective shipping and easy assembly upon delivery. We will also arrange delivery as per the clients instructions and in line with any deadlines. 

9. Lead Time & Production Schedule

Our Operations Supervisor and Planning Team load the production schedule and lead time prior to the project commencing so that this information can be shared with the client to ensure it meets their requirements and expectations. Time needs to be allotted for design, fabrication, finishing, assembly, testing/quality checks, and delivery. Any potential delays will be considered at this time, such as delays due to material sourcing or labour availability. At HSM, if delays arise along the way, we go above and beyond to find alternatives and keep the project on schedule.

10. Compliance & Safety Standards

At HSM, each and every project is undertaken in line with industry regulations (ISO, ASTM, ASME). We also follow OSHA workplace safety guidelines to prevent accidents, keep our staff safe, and meet project deadlines. 

Discover our on-site capabilities and the services we offer, and check out our blog…

 

Submit