What is the Difference Between Fabrication and Welding

Fabrication v/s Welding

When two different terms are used interchangeably, they tend to become ambiguous in their significance. The same thing happens with “fabrication” and “welding” in the manufacturing and construction industry.

For example, if you require a steel fabrication service, you may reach out to a welder. However, it is important to note that fabrication and welding are two different operations. Meaning that a steel fabricator will help you out with the welding requirement, but a welder may not be able to satisfy your fabrication needs.

This brings us to the question: What is the difference between steel fabrication and welding?

Simply put, steel fabrication is the overall process of manufacturing and shaping metal, while welding is just one method used within that process. While fabrication often includes welding, welding itself is always a part of fabrication. Most steel fabricators are skilled in welding, but not all welders are equipped to handle the broader range of processes involved in steel fabrication.

What Is Fabrication?

Fabrication is a process of creating metal structures, from cutting and bending to assembling techniques. The process begins with planning on the design and layout to fabricate the final product.

Common Processes in Steel Fabrication

Fabrication techniques range from manual craftsmanship to highly automated, software-driven methods, depending on project complexity and material choice. Once the metal type is determined — whether mild steel, stainless steel, or another material — fabrication involves several key processes, including:

1. Plasma cutting

This process uses an accelerated jet of hot plasma to cut through electrically conductive materials like steel, stainless steel, aluminum, brass, and copper. This method provides precise, clean cuts, making it essential for fabrication projects requiring intricate shapes and details.

2. Drilling and tapping

This creates smooth, precise holes in metal while tapping forms threads inside those holes to accommodate screws or bolts. This process is crucial for assembling components securely.

3. Polishing

Polishing enhances the surface finish of metal by using abrasives or buffing compounds to create a smooth, refined appearance. This step is often necessary for stainless steel components used in architectural and decorative applications.

4. Machining

This process involves shaping metal by cutting away excess material to achieve the desired size and dimensions. Common machining methods include milling, turning, and grinding, all of which contribute to precision engineering in fabrication.

5. Bending

This critical step forms metal into specific angles, such as V-shapes, U-shapes, or channels, using press brakes or pan presses.

6. Assembly

In this stage, individual metal parts are joined together using fastening techniques, welding, or adhesives to create a complete structure. Skilled fabricators ensure that all assembled components fit precisely and function as intended.

7. Shearing

Shearing cuts metal sheets without generating chips, melting, or burning. This process is commonly used for cutting straight lines in sheet metal.

8. Cutting

Different cutting techniques, such as sawing, grinding, and milling, are employed depending on material thickness and project specifications. These methods ensure that metal components are accurately shaped before moving to the next stage.

By choosing a skilled fabrication provider, you gain access to a full range of services that ensure durability and efficiency in metalworking projects.

An Elaborate Picture of Steel Fabrication

Steel fabrication begins with planning on the design and layout to fabricate the final product. It aids in determining the specific shape of the product. Hence, it ensures a design that suits the final product before cutting, welding, or bending a piece of metal.

Then follows the process of cutting, bending, or shaping that calls for special skills and advanced equipment. For example, if a pipe requires a specific bend, a bending machine is necessary. The process of welding does not help here.

What Is Welding?

Welding is a process of joining two or more pieces of metal by softening them using heat or pressure. After the metals are attached, the placing of a filler material correctly over the joint enhances strength.

The Significance of Welding in Fabrication

While we understand welding in broader terms, it involves different techniques for different applications.

Which welding technique is suitable for your project? This depends on certain factors: type of metal, its thickness, the volume of the welding project and the look you want for the welds. Besides, your budget and welding environment (indoor or outdoor) also play an important role in the decision.

The Common Welding Processes Involved in Steel Fabrication

1. Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)

This is a manual process that uses stick welding. The stick used electric current to join the metals. This method is popular in structural steel fabrication.

2. Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW)

This method used a shielding gas along the wire electrode to heat two metal pieces for welding. It involves four principal methods including metal transfer, globular, short-circuiting, spray, and pulsed-spray.

3. Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW)

This semi-automatic arc weld method is an alternative to shield welding. It is often the choice in structural steel fabrication due to high welding speed and portability.

4. Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW)

This applies the arc-welding process that uses a tungsten electrode to create the metal joints. It is useful in stainless steel fabrication for thick metal sections.

For the completion of your fabrication and welding works, there is always a need for a professional steel fabricator.

Why Choose AL Kheera Steel Works for Fabrication

As an ISO-certified company, we take pride in delivering high-quality steel fabrication solutions in the UAE. Our expertise includes manufacturing products such as conduit pipes, steel frames, durable workbenches, fabricated racks, and custom shelving units. We also fabricate guard rails, small platforms, and brackets tailored to meet the unique needs of our clients.

From bending services and power press operations to metal cutting and shearing, our expert team is committed to quality, reliability, and ISO standards, ensuring every project meets the highest level of durability and precision. So, if you are looking for steel fabrication and welding experts in the UAE, contact us. We at AL Kheera Steel Works is specialized in all types of fabrication works.