Are you interested in finding out more about the steel fabrication industry in Dubai? Here is a comprehensive post to get you started.
Metal fabrication basically entails building products through assembling, bending, and or cutting the metal. The procedure is value-added and aims to put a structure together from the base raw material. That said, steel fabrication involves transforming raw steel into an item or product used in assembly or construction.
Steel is considered an alloy of iron and other metals with a wide variety that is used in structural and fabrication procedures. It is used to manufacture diverse products ranging from hospital equipment to furniture, automobiles, and plumbing.
Basic fabrication methods
Table of Contents
There are basic methods applied in steel fabrication, namely;
- Cutting or burning
- Forming
- Machining or welding
Below is an overview of how each method works during the fabrication process.
1. Machining
The machining process involves using specialized equipment like lathes, drills, and mills to shave away some metal parts and make them into the required shape.
2. Cutting
The cutting process involves slicing the metal to achieve a proper shape. Different companies apply different techniques to cut their steel, including shears, water jet cutting, or laser cutting.
3. Welding
Welding is a basic form of steel fabrication used to combine or bend the cut pieces and make them one piece. Different types of welding, namely M.I.G. and T.I.G., can be applied depending on the company and structure being assembled.
The machinists tasked with steel fabrication will first gauge the original shape of the raw material, which would occur in the form of pipes, a flat plate, reshaped channels, or any other starting form. After processing the steel, the fabricator then has to determine its shape.
The shape of steel after processing is determined by two factors; the software package and equipment available in the company. The best welding companies in Dubai prefer using state-of-art technology to maintain proficiency in the process and keep track of the process.
The basic raw materials involved with steel fabrication
A few raw materials are necessary for metal fabrication to be a success. Knowing the items required helps speed up the process and ensures that the workers have access at all times to a full supply of the items needed to get the job done.
Below are some basic materials necessary for steel fabrication processes.
- A Plate metal
Fabricators need a Plate metal to shape the pieces they are working with. It helps them have a better range of what they can do with the piece.
- Fittings
They are necessary for the fabricators to create and complete the pieces they are working on.
- Casting raw materials
Casting is a process best for applications requiring complex fabrication, and it involves forcing liquid metal into a mold and having it cool down and harden into the desired shape.
Steel is commonly used in this process, and some of the raw materials you need to have are molten metal, clay, epoxies, and concrete.
- Formed and Expanded steel
Expanded steel raw materials come in a variety of grating sizes and standard thicknesses. They are ideal for outdoor furniture, furniture, fencing, screen doors, and other architectural details to allow moisture to flow off.
- Sectional metal
The commonly used sectional metal in steel fabrication is the “L” beams. Z shapes, metal bars, and rod metal can also be used.
- Flat metal
Like the sheet and plate metal, the flat metal is great for fabrication and can be added to pieces to create texture and visual interest. They are also great for making shapes.
- Welding Wire
Like earlier mentioned, steel fabrication requires that different pieces are welded together. It is essential, therefore, that different thicknesses and types of welding wires are available.
Uses of steel fabrication
You could be curious as to why we have numerous steel fabrication industries in Dubai. How is it useful? Well, here’s how steel fabrication contributes to different industries that affect our day-to-day lives.
- Infrastructure
Steel is a huge component in the construction industry. From building buildings, bridges to staircases, steel fabrication has to occur. The frames of most buildings, including the skyscrapers, are made up of steel, and putting the pieces together, fabricators have to be involved.
- Kitchen appliances
You are probably surprised to learn that most kitchen appliances are made of steel. Well, Fabricated steel is resistant to rust and corrosion, making it ideal for various appliances. It is not affected by water spillage, daily washing, or temperature hence lasting longer
- Decorative items
Steel is also used to make decorative items thanks to its glossy and clean finish. Additionally, it is flexible enough to mold into different shapes, making it ideal for the construction of steel furniture.
Steel fabrication is not limited to these uses, and it also applies in the construction of balconies, windows, railings, and staircases. Some homeowners also prefer to use steel in cupboard and castings construction.
What should you consider when choosing a steel fabrication company?
The steel fabrication industry in Dubai is flooded with numerous services providers, some good, others not. Getting your steel from a reliable source is crucial in an efficient and smooth building process.
Below are some key factors to consider when selecting a steel fabrication company.
Location
Location is very important when selecting your steel fabricator. If you reside in Dubai, it would be wise to select one there rather than anywhere else across the United Arab Emirates region. It gives you peace of mind knowing your fabricator is at hand to address any concerns you have.
Sourcing the services from another city can be frustrating. You may find their services cheaper, but remember, transportation from another part of the country could exponentially escalate the cost.
Be sure to contact us for all your steel supplies in Dubai and enjoy affordability and convenience.
The purpose
It is important to understand the purpose of your product when going out to source for a steel fabricator. For example, look for a fabrication company specializing in stainless steel if you are in the food business.
This helps you to work with specialists in different areas, assuring you of quality. For example, you can be sure that the steel you get for your food business is not contaminated with other metals.
You need to select a company that best suits your needs as different companies offer different types of fabrications.
The Company’s production capability
It is important to be aware of the production capability of a steel fabrication company before settling. Your product of choice, for example, might require a lot of processes like welding, cutting, installation, and finishing. If a company is not fit to provide all these services, it would be best to select one that will match your needs.
Select a steel fabricator that runs a wide variety of skills and services. It eases the process and avoids having to contract another company for services your fabricator cannot offer.
The fabricator’s Experience
When selecting a service provider in any industry, considering their Experience is key in making the right decision. Establishing this will call for some research on your part. Do not shy away from asking the fabricator as many questions as you need to.
Here are some relevant topics to focus on when considering the level of Experience;
- How knowledgeable are they of the industry’s codes and regulations
- How do they run their operations?
- Their past projects, especially those similar to yours
- Their reputation. Any good fabricator will gladly hand you over their testimonials or have them visible on their official website.
- Observe how they communicate. Any good fabricator will respond to your questions satisfactorily and will be ready to discuss your job openly with you.
The company’s past work
Looking closely at a fabricator’s past projects is crucial in identifying your best option. Quality of work is a good indication of the fabricator’s proficiency, hence the need to go through different portfolios.
Pay attention to key factors like their past clients, the difficulty of certain jobs, and the finished product quality. Selecting a steel fabricator in Dubai will present you with a huge range of options, your intuition to judge their positive attributes will go a long way in making your choice.
Cost
Cost is a huge factor to consider when settling for a steel fabricator in Dubai; however, basing your decision on just that may be precarious. It would help to get quotes from multiple companies to give you an overview of the different price bases offered by the companies.
It is important to note that companies differ, and that is reflected in the pricing as well. Large companies may have high production costs but may be cheaper in the end due to reduced costs on delivery and installation.
Smaller companies may seem pricey, but you also get to enjoy a hands-on service. It is also essential to cross-check the quality of service with the price. You may settle for a cheap company and get a substandard product.
In the long run, remember the cost also highly depends on the type of job you want to be done. However, here are a few things to take note of;
- Establish whether a fabricator is ready and willing to negotiate and provide solutions to make your project run efficiently.
- Is the fabricator actively looking for ways to help reduce costs?
- Can the fabricator have sway over delivery and installation costs?
Communication Skills
Experience manifests so much in articulation, and any good fabricator will be excellent in communication. Again, ensure to ask lots of questions when discussing your job with a potential fabricator.
Take note of fabricators who listen carefully to your vision and offer suggestions on the best way to go about it. You cannot afford to compromise on transparency and honesty in the steel fabrication industry.
A good fabricator is one who is willing to talk you through the whole process from the probable mistakes to success. By using your best judgment and looking in the right places, it will become apparent if a fabricator is the right one for you or not.
Above everything else, quality is paramount. Look for a fabricator who is willing to work closely with you, updating you on the progress and any changes that need to be made to achieve the best results. We are proudly a full-service company offering a wide variety of services which means that we have solutions for all your steel needs.
Conclusion
The steel fabrication industry in Dubai is thriving. It has contributed largely to the growth and success of different industries and the city’s overall economy.
Technological advancement has improved the services you get from fabricators and has equally made it a competitive business in Dubai. You should therefore be in a position to access premium service and quality products from your fabricator.
Looking for the best steel fabrication company in Dubai? Be sure to try out Eminence Metal and live to enjoy the satisfaction you get from world-class services.
