The demand for sheet metal fabrication shops in the Houston, Texas and surrounding areas is huge. The sheet metal industry is a very competitive field that requires precision and attention to detail with every part produced.

At Enclosure Fabrication we create sheet metal structures by cutting, bending and assembling processes. It is a process utilizing machines, parts and structures from various raw materials. Our process is based in precise engineered CAD drawings that takes an idea into a final product through our fabrication process.

The Fabrication Process

The sheet fabrication process takes practice and skill to master. The tools and machines required to produce a product from sheet metal to a finished product takes time from design to completion. We specialize in designing and fabricating NEMA Enclosures that help our clients generate more sales and help their clients solve problems.

Concept & Design

It all starts with an idea, a concept and a drawing. We take the time to talk to our clients to learn about their business, what they offer and their needs. We then talk about the design of the product, whether it is a custom metal frame, a metal part, or a NEMA Enclosure. We then start the design process based on the specs given. A CAD drawing is submitted to all of our clients when designing a custom product to be revised and approved.

Production

After drawings approval the design get sent to our production team. They are a group of production specialists that have been working on our production shot for years. They take the design and start cutting and punching sheets of sheet metal. Whether it is mild steel, stainless steel, or aluminum, they make sure the panels or frames are cut exactly to the measurements given by our engineers.

Cutting and Punching

Sheet Metal Punching and Cutting

Some of the most commonly used metal fabrication processes involve cutting. We cut and punch sheet metal in order produce our panels. It requires us to look at the drawings to make sure all measurements are cut perfectly to size. This is one of the most important steps because if the measurements are not accurate the entire product will not be produced correctly.

Bending

Bending comes after the cutting and punching of the panels we have measured. The enclosures we produce start taking shape after we bend all of the panels of sheet metal. This is also a critical step to make sure every fold is bent precisely. A metal panel is manipulated to shape at a certain angle. With certain folding applications, the idea is to make the panel fold at a 90-degree angle, or a different angle depending on the drawing and product being produced.

Welding

Welding Sheet Metal

One of the most popular sheet metal fabrication process is welding. The process of welding involves the joining of two separate metal parts. The parts used in a welding application could be sheets, panels, bars or shapes — as long as the parts are made of metal. Welding is achieved through numerous methods and tool types. This is a step that requires skill, precision and patience.

Grinding

Grinding is the process where the grain hits the metal. Most precision sheet metal fabricators employ at least some level of automation. Grinding down a weld on a metal piece is and probably will remain an intensely manual operation.

Our operators apply enough pressure at the correct angle to let the grains—the “cutting tool” of a grinding disc—remove the most metal in the shortest time, while not prematurely wearing the disc or burning out the grinding tool. The variables abound, and managing them effectively can be vital for efficient part flow. After all, it doesn’t matter how mind-bogglingly fast upstream processes are if it takes forever and a day for parts to make it through the grinding department.

Sanding

After all the parts or enclosures have been grinded, we start sanding all of the surfaces to ensure a clean and smooth surface before painting. This process also takes some time and is crucial to our production process.

Painting & Powder Coating

Painting and Powder Coating

The last step before we set our parts and pieces out to dry and cure is the painting and powder coating process. This is of course the finishing touch to any product that goes through our shop. Unless, we are producing parts that don’t require us to apply a coat of paint.

The Finished Product

At last we get our final products ready for shipment and/or installation. We ship all across the USA and offer a quick-ship option to make sure your finished product gets to the final destination on time.

This is the sheet metal fabrication process that we go through on a daily basis and we take great pride in producing the highest quality product you. We focus on the grand scheme of things, growing your business.

Stainless Steel NEMA 3R Enclosure

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Need a fabrication shop to help you with a new product or production of NEMA Enclosures or custom metal frames? Give us a call or requesta FREE quote.