Sheet Metal Fabrication

When it comes to metal fabrication processes, whether carbon steel, stainless steel or aluminum, GREEN HOUSE METAL is the industry sheet metal fabrication leader. Our customers depend on us to produce quality products involving both metal bending, as well as custom metal fabrication. GREEN HOUSE METAL is well positioned to provide exceptional service and tight tolerances so that all sheet metal products meet or exceed our customers’ expectations. Our highly-skilled craftsmen, best-in-industry tolerances, wide variety of available sheet metals, and great value give our customers the edge to beat their competition.

We have many case studies showing that we are the Midwest sheet metal fabrication leader in cutting and bending ASTM High Strength Low-Alloy Grade Carbon Steel sheet metal such as A36 which we bend every day!  We have been making many types of profile & brackets with A36 Grade Sheet metal and plate for a customer in Kentucky.  A36 is a structural quality grade material that has a minimum yield stress level of 36ksi and tensile strength of 58 to 80 ksi.   A36 is strong and also a relatively inexpensive material that has good weld ability.  We also produce welded brackets in A36 material.

GREEN HOUSE METAL has become the company people turn to for bending A36 material.  We bend it every day and have even made hemmed parts in A36 sheet metal material.  We service customers in Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Michigan and several other states with sheet metal cutting and bending of ASTM High Strength Low Alloy Grade Carbon Steel sheet metal.

GREEN HOUSE METAL has all types of sheet metal equipment for efficient handling of your sheet metal parts.   Our engineers will analyze your drawings & decide where the process starts: shear, punch or laser cut.

Stainless Steel Sheet Metal Fabricating Applications

GREEN HOUSE METAL customers typically choose stainless steel grades 304, 316L. Stainless steel grade 304 makes cost-effective sense for most sheet metal work, offering reasonable corrosion resistance. If you need us to manufacture a wide variety of different shapes and forms, stainless steel grade 304 is the most popular choice. Our expertise in 304 industrial sheet metal fabrications in combination with high formability and weld ability characteristics means this is a cost-effective material for most consumer and light industrial products.

Sometimes our customers need their sheet metal fabrication products to stand up to elevated temperatures. Stainless steel grade 316 is both more corrosion resistant and heat resistant than grade 304, and we think it’s a great choice. Common Noble customer applications include chemical equipment, valves, and pumps. Fewer of our customers choose stainless grade 410. It has great heat treatability, but it is poor in corrosion resistance. 410 are great for cutlery.

Metal dominates over other materials for many applications because of its strength and versatility. This hard material can be pressed, fused, or made into a thin wire (ductile) and be bent out of shape without cracking or fracturing which makes it highly favorable when building a huge range of structures.

Metal Fabrication is implemented into structures such as buildings and bridges. The process starts with a detailed shop drawing and precise measuring before the actual fabrication process begins. The installation of the project completes the process. Structural frames, buildings, railings, individual parts, and heavy equipment are some of the projects which are most common for metal fabrication shops. To give you a better feel for metal fabrication here is a short breakdown of the field:

Custom Metal Fabrication is very popular, especially for smaller projects. Metals such as aluminum, steel, stainless steel, copper, magnesium, and inconel are highly favorable and very versatile. Metal can handle a forming process that other materials cannot. This deformation process begins with using constant force and heat against the metal which makes it bend.

• Cutting and Burning is done with a wide variety of tools/equipment. Band saws are mostly used because of their strength and the blades are hardened which makes them perfect for this. Abrasive cut-off saws can be used as well using their abrasive steel cutting discs.
• Forming is a process of applying force against raw materials to bend it into shape. It takes a great amount of force for the process to be successful. Punches and dies are used for this but specialized machinery is used as it can regulate force magnitude. Linear Grafting is an example of (machine based forming) to produce lengths of sheets by combining formation and welding.
• Machining is a great way to get a certain desired shape. It removes unneeded or unwanted materials from a block of metal.
• Welding is very important for steel fabrication and is probably the main focus of the entire process. Sometimes extreme heat can cause warping and special procedures may be necessary during this phase.
• Assemblyis the final operation. After inspection, the finished product is ready to be shipped.

Metal fabrication is very technical and skilled. Certain processes must be realized and certain responsibilities must be met by fabricators on a regular basis.

1. Fabricating shells or frameworks for machinery, buildings or bridges
2. Determining and factoring that all parts are present
3. Grinding, hammering and chipping all workpieces
4. Interpreting sketches and blueprints
5. Assembling and studying instructions or directions
6. Verify any specifications
7. Assembling any necessary components
8. Determining product errors
9. Resolving assembly and product issues
10. Performing repairs and troubleshooting capabilities

These are just some of the primary responsibilities of fabricators. These tasks are diverse and specialized enough that only an expert will be able to complete all of them with accuracy. For this reason, a fabricator must have extensive training and a great deal of experience in their field to do their job properly. Here at Swanton Welding, we hire only the most experienced and dedicated welders and fabricators to join our team. This helps us ensure the quality of every single metal fabrication project we undertake.

Whether it is heavy fabrication, custom welding, steel processing, CNC machining, or rolling & forming, metal fabricators can give you endless options to work with while building you a custom product that will stand the test of time. Metal fabrication is a demanding process, one which relies upon a great deal of expertise, and as such you will need to find a fabricator with a committed staff and the knowledge to follow through on their promises. Contact Swanton Welding today for all of your metal fabrication needs

Whether you need a single specialty item, a piece of equipment made right away or a large-scale production run done in a matter of weeks, you will need efficient and affordable sheet metal fabrication. This will require finding a company that has access to the latest equipment and technology, enabling them to take your plans and produce exactly the product you need in a timely manner, on a budget, and with no waste. Ideally, the company will have a great deal of experience in projects like yours and references to back up their claims. Finding the perfect fabricator is more than worth the time. Here are a few things to consider while you are looking for an ideal service provider.

Short Lead Times and Emergency Services

You cannot wait several months for your order to be completed. In most cases you should be able to have your order fulfilled with a lead time of no more than two to four weeks. If production times take longer you run the risk of not having your product completed and delivered to your worksite when you need it. This, in turn, can lead to costly overruns as can shipping issues. Shipping and handling of a fabricated sheet metal product can be a difficult and delicate procedure. Even with the expertise and knowledge of a reputable fabricator, unexpected accidents can occur. Ensure your fabrication company of choice has the experience and bandwidth to repair, replace, or remedy any damage to your product and still meet your project deadlines.

High Production Volume

There are times when you will require a very large production volume to fulfill your work order and maximize your profitability. Quality fabrication services should be capable of producing thousands of units with a reasonably short lead time and using the latest technology. An efficient fabricator will take your plans, help you to choose the correct metal types, and determine the best method by which they can get your job done right, on time and on a budget.

Multiple Welding Formats

Different types of metal require different types of welds. Whether you are working with basic sheet metal, more delicate aluminum or other metals and alloys, sheet metal fabrication requires using the correct type of welding to ensure structural integrity. MIG, TIG, Oxy-Acetylene, light-gauge arc welding, and many other welding formats are available to compliment the specific types of metals and thicknesses that you will require to produce the equipment you need.

Laser, Plasma, and Water Jet Cutting

The delicate nature of sheet metal makes it highly susceptible to warping and other damage during production runs. To reduce loss and maximize efficiency, precision laser, plasma, and water jet cutting tools are used to cut directly where needed without overheating or damaging the metal being used. That means you will get the greatest potential production from your stock sheet metal while enduring the least amount of waste. You will also benefit from having cuts made precisely where you need them, which virtually eliminates any variation in cuts and ensures that pieces will fit as designed.

Rolling, Forming, and Bending

Your fabrication likely involves surfaces that need to be more than just flat or angular. That is where rolling, forming and creating bends come into play. When you have curves, bends, and other shapes to be made, sheet metal fabrication requires the right equipment, tools, and experienced operators to ensure the job is done right. One wrong bend or improperly-shaped curve could result in an incorrect fit. The best fabricators will ensure your items are built properly and fit correctly.

CNC Machining and Punching

To ensure your highly specialized parts are made properly, sheet metal fabrication requires CNC machining and punching for precise fitment. The computer-aided production method forms your metal exactly as you need it, no matter how thick the metal or intricate the pattern. You also will have your screw, rivet, and other holes made exactly where you need them and in the proper quantities so that neither you or any of your clients have any trouble when installing your new pieces.

Multiple File Formats

Sheet metal fabrication relies somewhat on computer assistance, which helps to ensure that every step is done exactly as needed. Fabrication is often done in conjunction with AutoCAD, 2D Mechanical, 3D Inventor, Radan, and other common file formats. Quality sheet metal fabrication providers should be able to use these basic formats, but you still should check ahead to ensure compatibility before placing your order. Only when the right file formats are used will you have the highest quality production possible.

Choose Wisely

No matter what your sheet metal needs might be, from a small emergency run to full-scale production of thousands of units, the best fabricators will have the equipment, skills, experience, and ability to get the job done right, on-time, and on budget. As long as you abide the lead times and provide the proper file formats, you sheet metal fabrication needs can be handled quickly, efficiently, affordably, and without cutting corners or sacrificing quality.