Frequently Asked Questions

Custom metal fabrication is the process of using various sized sheets of metal, angle iron, tubing and piping to create a finished product. As custom work, it provides for a very specific end function. This type of metal work can create non-standard components and metal products. This allows for the creation of built-to-order parts.

A fabrication shop creates metal components and frames. The fabrication shop takes sheets of metal, lengths of angle iron and tubing, and uses a variety of processing methods to transform it into the pieces and parts necessary for a variety of applications.

We handle most types of steel product fabrication. This includes custom hoppers, structural steel formations, parts manufacturing, ductwork, industrial products, custom machine guarding and much more. We handle customized metal fabrication and fully assembled products.

We offer a range of steel fabrication services including CNC forming, CNC laser cutting, CNC plasma cutting, assembling and finishing work, 3D modeling and design, custom metal fabrication, TIG welding, spot welding, subcontract part fabrication, MIG welding, and much more – let us know what type of steel fabrication you need.

We specialize in steel fabrication. However, we can help with other types of products as well. This includes a variety of materials, from stainless steel and aluminum to industrial strength plastics and polymers.

We encourage you to call our office to discuss your project. When necessary, we will come to your location to provide you with a comprehensive on-site estimate to determine what your project needs.

Our team is happy to help you with your needs. We specialize in advanced capabilities such as plasma and CNC laser cutting systems. We also offer custom metal fabrication for most needs. This includes 3D modeling and design services.

We always follow all customer requirements for steel welding and fabrication at our location. We ensure you always receive the very best finished product possible. To do this, we follow all national standards possible or provide a higher quality of finished product to you. We ensure we meet all standards set forth by the American Welding Society (AWS).

Our customization work allows us to create products designed specifically to meet your needs. In many cases, we will apply the protective coatings your project requires. Every project is unique. From painting to powder coating, we have you covered.

Ensuring your desired results is essential to us. We complete proper testing of all steel fabricated by our team to ensure they conform to your specifications as well as to our strict, in-house standards for quality. When required, all of our models and drawings are stamped by a Professional Engineer before the work even hits our shop floor.

Our team is happy to help wherever we are needed. We work with water treatment, HVAC, agricultural, chemical, wastewater treatment, food manufacturing and service, industrial plants and others.

Yes, our fabricating services are very versatile. We specialize in custom fabrication for all types of needs. We employ a wide range of equipment, from shearing and folding to tube bending and laser cutting, to give your custom project the accuracy it deserves.

Sheet metal fabrication is the process of taking raw metal sheets – usually 5’ x 10’ or 4’ x 8’ – and turning them into parts and components for a variety of applications. We work with a wide array of metals (stainless steel, aluminum, galvanized, etc.) in assorted sizes and thicknesses, depending on what the job calls for. We use sheet metal to build a myriad of custom solutions using refined techniques. The process is complex but offers the ability to make just about anything needed out of metal.

The sheet metal fabrication process is a complex method of transforming raw sheets of metal into various components. To do this, we use a variety of tools to bend, cut, shrink, and otherwise transform the metal into the proper shape – for example, a conical hopper.

To build a conical hopper, or create a cone shape in general, our engineers would create a 3D model of said hopper, the raw shapes would then be laser cut from the required materials. Once the initial shapes have been cut, our skilled union workforce would then use multiple methods to achieve the desired finished shape. These would include, but not be limited to, rolling the material to give it a curved shape, Mig/Tig welders to fuse the pieces, small cranes to manipulate the product in the welding bays – allowing our employees a safe way to work on the product from any angle, and angle grinders to smooth out the welds – giving it a seamless finish. Finally, the product would be transferred to our in-house spray booth to give it a high quality paint finish before the conical hopper is delivered to the client.

We use a variety of methods to transform flat sheets of metal into the ductwork found in industrial and commercial buildings. A blend of cutting edge techniques and old school methodology is used to provide the precise, custom duct solutions our customers require. This process involves the use of high-end technology and tools, such as state of the art laser cutting and bending, as well as some tried and true methods that our company has utilized since day one operations in 1953. We are able to customize options to fit any need desired.

A sheet metal fabricator is a craftsman who uses various types of machinery and tools to transform sheets of metal into a vast array of different shapes to fit any need. These professionals will use a variety of laser cutting, plasma cutting, CNC forming, welding and other methods and procedures to transform these raw materials into applicable products for machines or structures.

There are many reasons to use skilled labor for your desired results. Keep in mind that fabrication of metals is applicable to virtually any industry. With our team, we can customize turn key solutions to fit just about any need allowing you to have very specific fits, cuts, and features to your system. This gives you far more ability to achieve your goals while also working to streamline the process of developing and manufacturing your product.

Duct fabrication is the process of taking light-weight sheet metal and transforming it into ductwork for a building. This ductwork can be used for heating and cooling applications, or custom applications like dust collection/removal from a process on an assembly line. Fabrication processes like this form the sheet metal into any shape or size, allowing for a highly customized solution.

• Estimating – The process begins with determining your needs, and getting an estimate of costs.
• Field measurements – we make sure everything is precise, and this requires getting out and measuring for your duct fabrication project.
• Design/layout – Our experts can design a custom duct system for your facility. We take many variables into consideration for such a project. For example: floor size, ceiling heights and average ambient temperature are important. The amount of heating/cooling you will need is also very important. These things help to determine the size, necessary insulation, and shape of the ducts.
• Fabrication – Cutting, bending, welding, notching, and forming will all be performed during the fabrication process. After determining the correct sizes, we create your ducts and prepare them for installation.
• Installation – Due to our precise measurements, we can determine the layout, hangers, and supports that will be needed ahead of time. We then rig everything into place. We seal seams and connect joints, install gasket, and add any accessories (which may include dampers diffusers and blast gates). After the installation, we perform field testing and balancing. This ensures your duct system not only works correctly, but is efficient and trouble-free.

Factories, tooling shops, and other production facilities house a wide-variety of specialized machinery that, if not properly secured, can be dangerous to the individuals nearby to the equipment. Machine guarding helps to ensure that people are protected from a variety of hazards such as nip points, sparks, flying chips, and rotating parts. Machine guarding protects you and your workers from:

• Moving equipment
• Pinch points
• Hot surfaces – pipes

In short, Machine guarding is necessary to ensure the safety of workers, and other people who are in the proximity of potentially dangerous equipment. Proper machine guarding is a must to protect your employees, and is also an effective way to reduce the liability of your business should any workplace accidents occur. Machine guarding is a small investment to provide a safe and effective work environment for your employees.

• Metal – galvanized, stainless (food industry), painted steel,
• Poly carbonate – viewing windows
• Wire mesh
• Expanded metal

Machine guarding is essential for a number of situations/industries. Here are a few examples:

Food production– In many food-processing plants, you need protection from cutting or grinding equipment. At the same time, you may need stainless steel materials that are easy to keep clean. Machining and working with stainless steel is not easy, but our professionals at Avon Lake Sheet Metal have years of experience that have given them the skills to get the best results.

Anywhere with motorized equipment– Electric motors are used to run all types of equipment, from gears, to rollers, conveyor systems, so on. Each system presents unique safety challenges, and our experts know how to design guards that are most appropriate for a given situation..

Steel mills/foundries– These facilities contain very large and heavy equipment that is often superheated to allow the melting, casting, and working of steel. Hazards include falling materials, crush points, and burns from molten metal. In these situations, serious injuries can happen quickly if the correct precautions are not taken. We make shields and guards specifically for such applications to ensure worker safety.

Plastic production– Many plastic applications call for injection molding. These processes often call for both fixed and movable machine guards. They may also necessitate fixed barriers, and production facilities may need safety bars or guards for entire areas.

Chemical handling– Chemical spills are can be devastating and deadly. We can design special guards that help to avoid spills or leakage, and protect workers from possible exposure to hazardous chemicals.

Production process equipment

Any machine that is:

• Motorized – motorized machines have drive systems (including chains, gears, and transmissions) which require protection.
• Energized – self-moving equipment can create special hazards in the workplace. This is especially true with robotic machinery and braking mechanisms.
• Moving parts – can trap fingers and items of clothing.
• Sharp edges – workers need protection from saws and any machines which can cut or puncture.

Every plant is different, and every piece of equipment is different. What might work great in one situation could present safety concerns in another. That’s why it is best to call in an expert in machine guarding to ensure that your solution adequately protects for a given situation.