A person who works with aluminum in various forms to create useful items is known as an aluminum fabricator. The aluminum fabricator can create detailed projects that are both strong and functional by using skills such as cutting, bending, and welding. An aluminum fabricator must have a wide range of skills, including metallurgy knowledge, polishing, and buffing. If special precautions are not taken, some operations, such as welding, can be dangerous to the fabricator.
An aluminum fabricator can use a variety of aluminum, from flat sheet aluminum to billet aluminum in round, square, and other shapes. An aluminum fabricator’s cutting and bending abilities are extremely valuable. Because aluminum cannot withstand a flame-type cutting tool without melting unevenly, shears are used for a lot of the cutting. Because large metal shear machines are difficult to transport, much of the cutting and fabrication of aluminum must be done in a shop, as opposed to steel fabrication, which is frequently done on site. Flat aluminum work, such as eaves-troughs, is an exception, as it is frequently manufactured and assembled on site.
Welding is a process that uses electricity and high temperatures to join metals together. A filler metal is introduced to the molten weld puddle via a welding rod or welding wire after the metal has been heated to melting. When melted, aluminum, while weldable, poses a threat to the aluminum fabricator in the form of toxic fumes. When welding, the aluminum fabricator must wear a special breathing apparatus to avoid being exposed to the fumes and being injured or killed. Other safeguards, such as protective clothing, protect workers from exposure to fumes and subsequent toxicity absorption through the skin.
While a brushed aluminum finish does not necessitate any additional steps after the project is completed, a polished finish often necessitates the use of skilled workers to achieve the bright finish. A skilled worker can buff the surface of aluminum to a bright and shiny finish using a buffing wheel and certain compounds. The worker uses progressively finer compounds to remove scratches and create the bright sheen desired by some buyers of aluminum products, which is usually done in stages. In some manufacturing facilities, an aluminum component is made by a single fabricator who is responsible for the entire assembly process, from material cutting to welding and polishing.