Fabrication remains a vital phase of manufacturing, and utmost attention is usually paid to details in this phase of production. Fabrication involves the processes that are taken on the way to creating the finished product from raw material. There are so many ways to go about the fabrication process, and your preferred method should be based on each unique needs of the project.
Often, manufacturers are faced with the headache of choosing between the plastic and metal method of fabrication. Although both approaches have distinct qualities, there’s still a need to pay close attention to specific details. This article highlights some of those things to look out for a while choosing your preferred fabrication method.
Plastic fabrication benefits
Plastic forms with ease: Plastic has a good level of malleability, and this makes it extremely easy to shape this material into any preferred form or shape. Also, plastics have a low melting point, and this aids the forming of plastics in no small way. This could prove extremely advantageous to companies that manufacture products with complex shapes.
There isn’t much need for finishing: Plastic fabrication is unique as it allows the possibility if adding desired colors to the material before setting it in the mold. Adding color to the material beforehand means the material comes out precisely the way you want it; this directly eliminates the need for the application of finishing on the material.
Resistance to chemical reactions: Unlike the metals, plastics are less susceptible to reactions by chemicals. Most metals undergo reactions like corrosion and oxidation, and this reduces the durability of the product eventually.
Plastics are lightweight: The lightweight nature of plastics could prove advantageous in manufacturing as the products can easily be moved from point to point.
Real-time production time: Plastic fabrication requires lesser time when compared to metal fabrication. Production becomes enhanced and more products are produced due to this unique quality of plastic fabrication.
Metal Fabrication
Durability: It’s no gainsaying that metal products have optimal strength and can stand the test of time. This quality ensures products fabricated from metal can last for an extended period.
Heat resistance: Metals can withstand intense heat to an extent, and this property makes it a desirable fabrication tool. Plastics deform when subjected to such level of heat due to their low melting point.
Metals are quite versatile: In the production setting, metals can be fabricated via a wide range of methods. The possibility of using several methods in its fabrication makes the fabrication process quite seamless. Some of the methods that can be adopted in its fabrication include; welding, forging, deep drawing, and soldering.
Final thoughts
The process of fabrication carries a lot of importance in the manufacturing industry. The level of importance attached to this phase can be attributed to the fact that it could determine the success rate of the entire production. Rapiddone.com provides a wide range of prototype services that are manufactured with both methods.
