You’ve got a brilliant idea for a new product that will take your business to the next level. The only problem is that you don’t have the skills or equipment to make it happen. On top of that, you can’t find anyone locally who can do what you need done. So, what do you do? There are plenty of companies out there who offer custom metal fabrication services, but unless you have a lot of money sitting around, that probably isn’t an option for you right now. That doesn’t mean all hope is lost, though! With a little ingenuity and determination, almost any project can be accomplished with the right planning and preparation. This blog will outline some things to consider if you need to source custom metal fabrication services outside your organization:
Find a local metal shop
The first step in the custom metal fabrication process is finding a local shop that can do the work you need done. Unfortunately, it may not be as easy as typing “custom metal fabrication near me” into Google and finding the first result. You can start by asking around your local business and manufacturing communities to see if anyone can point you in the right direction. You may even want to consider visiting the manufacturers directly — they may be able to recommend local fabricators they’ve worked with in the past. If all else fails, you can always try reaching out to local engineering and welding supply stores. They may not be able to do the actual fabrication for you, but they certainly should be able to point you in the right direction.
Determine your budget
Your budget will likely determine what shops you’re able to work with, but it’s still something that you should determine before you start searching for shops. While you can always look for shops that offer the lowest costs, keep in mind that sometimes those shops may provide lower-quality work. Be sure to balance cost with quality to make sure you choose a fabricator that can do the best job possible while staying within your budget. If you have a more generous budget, you may be able to find a shop that can do the work in-house. This could be more expensive, but it may also be more efficient.
Decide on a product and find specifications
This is where you’ll really start to narrow down the type of product you need fabricated. This is also the point at which you should get in touch with the person who will be using the product. Ask them what their needs are, what their desired specifications are, and what their end use will be. Not only will this help you narrow down your search for a fabricator, but it will also prevent you from wasting time and money on a product that may not be functional for your client. If you’re fabricating a product for a specific client, try to find out what type of fabrication methods they prefer. You don’t want to send your client a product that will take longer or be more expensive than necessary simply because you failed to ask the right questions up front.
Select the materials for your product
There are a few different things you should keep in mind when selecting materials for your product. First, you want to make sure the materials you choose are compliant with any industry standards or government regulations that apply to your product. Next, you want to make sure you select materials that are in line with your client’s end use for the product. Of course, you also want to make sure the materials you choose are within your budget. Some examples of materials you may want to use for your product include: metals like steel, titanium, and aluminum; various alloys; thermoplastics; plastics; fiberglass; composites; and more. As you select your materials, be sure to take into account any additional fabrication processes or equipment that may be necessary to get the job done.
Plan for any byproducts of your fabrication process
Custom metal fabrication is a process that produces byproducts — there’s no way around it. That being said, you’ll want to research the waste and emissions that your fabrication process may produce and see what you can do to mitigate them. If your product will be fabricated with an electric arc, you may want to look into ways to reduce the amount of CO that is emitted during the process. If you’ll be welding two different metals, you may want to find out if there are ways to prevent the formation of slag. If your product will be fabricated with a coal-based power source, you may want to look into ways to reduce the amount of particulate matter (soot) that is emitted during the process.
Bottom line
The custom metal fabrication process is a great way to create exactly what you need for a fraction of the cost of producing it in-house. Unfortunately, it’s often difficult to find a shop that can take on short-term projects. If you’re unable to find a shop that can help you with custom fabrication, you may want to consider investing in the equipment necessary to produce your product in-house.
