Metal Fabrication & Welding Services

What is the metal fabrication process?

A metal fabrication shop takes the raw material – most often hot and cold rolled products – and uses different processes to create parts and structures. Sometimes these will be the finished product, or they may be components of a larger assembly.

If we’ve manufactured individual components, we then assemble them, either by bolting together or by welding. The welding process employs precision techniques and the welder must take care to avoid warping or causing other abnormalities to form in the metal.

How do we avoid these abnormalities? We can achieve this in several different ways. A common technique to reduce the risk of abnormalities forming is to ‘tack weld’ the parts together. This allows the welder to fix the components into position, temporarily. He can then determine if the use of jigs or other techniques is required to avoid / reduce warping when the parts are fully welded. The welding can also be staggered, sometimes opposite from each other to compensate the heat penetrating the material.

Even when we apply these techniques we can’t always prevent warping from occurring.  However, if it does happen, we can use a straightening process. The straightening process is achieved by using an oxy-acetylene torch. Heat is slowly applied to the metal which is then manipulated, applying stress in the opposite direction to return the materials to their correct positions. Once the components are completed, if required they can be treated to avoid corrosion using processes such as sand blasting, prime and paint.  

Evidently, metal fabrication requires a high degree of experience and skill. Although there is an increasing amount of automation in today’s processes, we rely on our expert technicians to produce a perfect finish. We know you’ll expect nothing less.

Alroys’ expertise in metal fabrication

For over half a century, Alroys has been creating and fabricating metal structures for our customers to the highest standards of quality and technical expertise. Through our commitment to developing and perfecting our manufacturing processes, we now have a reputation for excellence.

Our commitment to regulatory compliance

This commitment extends to our compliance with regulatory requirements which apply to all steelwork manufacturers. EN1090 is a British and European standard and as of 1 July 2014, a requirement for all structural steel and aluminium components sold across Europe.

EN1090 falls under EU regulations introduced in 2011 called the Construction Products Regulations (CPR). The CPR was introduced to harmonise the safety performance of construction products across Europe and guarantee traceability. It’s enforced mainly via the mandatory CE marking of products, making it a criminal offence to sell these products on the European market without the appropriate marking.

CE marking on structural steelwork is only permitted if all members of our supply chain –material suppliers, manufacturers and distributors (plus any subcontractors) are also certified as compliant. What this means for you is that everyone involved in your project has European certification and approval, and that all the materials we use have full traceability.