15 Metalworking Techniques Every Fabricator Should Know
In the world of metal fabrication, having the right tools is only half the battle—knowing the right fabrication techniques is what truly defines quality and precision. At Precision Bending, we use a wide array of forming, shaping, and joining methods to meet the exacting standards of industries like aerospace, automotive, energy, and custom manufacturing.
We created an overview of 15 key metalworking processes used to shape tubing, sheet metal, and structural components. Whether you’re sourcing a custom tube bending solution or trying to improve your manufacturing workflow, this guide provides insight into how each method contributes to performance and quality.
- Swaging: Swaging reshapes or reduces the diameter of a tube using high-pressure force and dies. It’s ideal for joining cables, tubes, or rods with fittings and is commonly used in hydraulic systems and mechanical assemblies.
- Flaring: Flaring involves expanding the end of a tube into a cone shape to fit with flared fittings. This ensures a leak-proof seal, especially important in fluid and gas transfer applications like HVAC or fuel systems.
- Coping: Coping is the process of contour-cutting the end of a tube to fit precisely against another tube or surface. It improves weld joint strength and is essential in structural and ornamental metalwork.
- Beading: Beading forms a raised ring or bead near the end of a tube. This improves structural rigidity and prevents hoses or clamps from slipping—crucial in automotive, plumbing, and industrial fluid systems.
- Drilling: Drilling creates precise, clean holes in metal for fasteners, vents, or fluid passage. Precision Bending uses CNC drilling systems to ensure consistent hole depth, diameter, and location across production runs.
- Flattening: Flattening compresses the end of a round or oval tube, creating a flat surface for welding, bolting, or mounting. It’s a practical technique for both structural components and custom brackets.
- Machining: Machining removes material to achieve specific geometries and tight tolerances. Our machining services include turning, boring, and facing, ideal for components that require exact fits or functional finishes.
- Milling: Milling uses rotating cutters to create slots, grooves, or complex surface patterns. With our multi-axis CNC milling, we can fabricate custom profiles for components in aerospace, robotics, and automation.
- Notching: Notching removes sections of material to allow for tight-fit joints or corner welds. It’s essential in frame construction, allowing for strong and visually clean assemblies.
- Piercing: Piercing pushes a punch through the metal without removing a slug, creating clean indentations or shapes. It’s fast and ideal for high-volume sheet metal fabrication where consistency is key.
- Punching: Punching removes a piece of material to create holes or cutouts. Using die-and-press systems, we offer custom punching services for brackets, panels, and enclosures.
- Slotting: Slotting creates long, narrow openings in metal for adjustability or mounting hardware. We handle slotting for both round and rectangular tubing, supporting everything from shelving systems to enclosures.
- Threading: Threading cuts or rolls helical grooves into a component, allowing bolts, nuts, or fasteners to securely attach. We provide internal and external precision threading for a variety of industries.
- Welding: Welding permanently fuses metal parts together. At Precision Bending, we offer TIG, MIG, and resistance welding, ensuring strength, durability, and visual appeal across different materials and thicknesses.
Why These Metalworking Techniques Matter
Each process in this list serves a specific role in ensuring that fabricated parts meet structural, functional, and aesthetic requirements. Choosing the right combination of techniques can enhance product reliability, reduce assembly time, and even lower production costs.
At Precision Bending, we specialize in custom metal fabrication services that integrate many of these techniques under one roof—saving you time, improving accuracy, and streamlining your supply chain.
Ready to Bring Your Next Project a Reality?
Whether you’re developing a prototype or scaling up to production, Precision Bending can support your project with expert tube bending, swaging, welding, and more. Contact us speak with one of our fabrication specialists or request a quote.