Manufacturers working across industries rely on various metal forming processes for cost-effective parts and components made from metal sheets and plates. From vehicles to pressure vessels to custom equipment panels, metal forming operations are a reliable option for durable, precision parts.

At Fabrication Services, Inc. (FSI), we provide custom metal forming and fabrication services, including heavy metal fabrication, in our Louisiana facility. Learn more about our capabilities, the advantages of using fabrication techniques for many types of parts, and common applications we work with.

Metal Forming Operations

Our metal forming services include several different operations that transform raw metal sheets, plates, or strips into parts and components that are ready for finishing or end use in an assembly. At FSI, we work with steel, stainless steel, carbon steel, and other alloys and specialize in these processes:

Plate rolling (up to 2 in. thick)
Sheet metal rolling
Bending/press braking
Punching
Pressing
CNC Laser Cutting
CNC Shearing
CNC Tube Laser Cutting

We also provide expert heavy metal fabrication services with our 1,000-ton Pacific Brake Press and 100-ton overhead lifting equipment. Our fabrication and material handling equipment and our facility space allows us to fabricate components as large as 15 ft. in diameter from steel plate up to 4 in. thick.

The Benefits of Metal Forming for Parts and Components

In many situations, there are multiple ways to manufacture an item, and more than one possible method of fabrication. OEMs and other manufacturers often choose metal forming and fabrication techniques because they are well-suited to many types and gauges of material.

Some of the biggest benefits of metal forming include:

Accuracy and efficiency. Sheet metal forming operations involve specialized, custom tooling and fixturing that improve accuracy and precision throughout production. Computerized equipment run with CNC technology further ensures that parts are made within specified dimensions and tolerances, with minimal variation between units.
Cost-effective. Metal forming operations are efficient and highly repeatable processes, which reduces rates of scrap, errors, and rework.
Durability. Because components are formed from a single piece of material, they retain strength and durability. Stress and pressure applied to workpieces in some instances can also impart added strength and hardness.
Versatility. The range of shapes, sizes, and profiles that different metal forming operations can achieve makes metal forming a versatile option for many applications.

Common Applications for Metal Formed Parts

Processes like bending, rolling, pressing, and other metal forming operations are used throughout different industries in the manufacturing of vehicles, equipment, enclosures, brackets, and more. Some common applications our team works with include, but are not limited to:

Aerospace: Fuselage components, panels, rails and tracks.
Agriculture: Storage tanks and vessels, equipment panels.
Appliances: Panels and enclosures, drums, tanks.
Automotive: Fenders, frames, body panels, mounting components.
Construction: Elevator car panels, structural components, window and door components.
Defense: Tank and armored vehicle panels, storage and equipment enclosures.
Electronics: Racking, brackets, enclosures, housings.
HVAC: Cabinets and enclosures, railings, tubing.
Oil and Gas: Storage tanks and vessels, pipes and tubes, cabinets, platform structural components.
Solar: Panels, frames, structural components.