Must Have Metal Fabrication Machines for Every Workshop

Metal fabrication is an indispensable part of all walks of life. From a small accessory on your bag to important components in aerospace, a series of metal fabrication machines is needed to achieve the final perfect delivery of the product in line with the overall project.

In the year 2023, the metal fabrication market size is $20.5 billion, and it is expected to increase to $21.7 billion in 2024. The tendency is still expected to keep on increasing in the next few years. In this blog, we will talk about the two primary categories of metal fabrication machines: tube processing and sheet processing. Each category has different types of machines to perform different types of machining, which will help you to choose the must-have machines for both tube and sheet processing.

Tube & Pipe Processing Machines

If you are handling the metal pipe processing business, you will receive different order requests from different customers in different industries. These orders will need you to process different machining on pipes and tubes. Below are the commonly used machinery for tube & pipe processing:

Tube Bending Machine

Tube bending machine is a professional machine used to bend metal tubes and pipes into the desired shape. Even among the tube bending machines, you can see too many different types. You can classify tube bending machines according to different drive methods, like manual, hydraulic, and electric. You can classify the tube bending equipment according to different types, like mandrel tube bender, roll bending machine, rotary draw benders, and more. You can classify the pipe bending machines according to different models. The machines can be divided into several models according to their different working capacities. You can classify the tube bending machine according to its control system, like a microcontroller system, PLC control system, industrial computer system, etc.

Learn more about the tube bending machine.

Tube Cutting Machine

Tube cutting machine is used to cut metal tubes into the desired tube length. For cutting metal tubes, there are also various machines for your choice. Cold saws are the most commonly used type, they are used to cut metal tubes in different materials. Laser cutting machines are also used to cut metal tubes. Manufacturing uses this type is generally for complex cuts with very high precision. Band saws are also used to cut metal pipes in a workshop, but the cutting result by band saw is not as accurate as a cold saw, nor as smooth as a cold saw, the blade service life is shorter than that of a cold saw, etc.

Tube Hole Punching Machine

Tube hole punching machine is used to punch different holes in the metal tubes. There are too many ways to punch holes in the tube. If you only need to punch just a few holes (maybe scattered in different places on the tube), you can add a simple punch device on bending machine or cutting machine, you don’t have to buy a new machine. You can also purchase a mechanical press with the punch die to punch the holes on tubes, pipes, or profiles to meet your mass production needs. If you want to densely punch holes in the tube, you need to buy a specialized tube punching machine and customize the punching die. If you only need to punch a few holes but you need these holes with a very precise size and good excellent surface, you can use the machining centers to drill a hole in the tube after programming. So, you need to choose a hole punching machine according to different requests.

Tube End Forming Machine

Tube end forming machine is designed for creating different shapes on the metal tube end, such as tube expansion, tube reduction, tube beading, tube flaring, tube tapering, etc. The design of this machine from different manufacturers may differ, but the basic principle is the same, that is the machine needs to be equipped with the correct forming die to proceed with the shaping process. The machine capacity is chosen according to tube size.

Tube Chamfering Machine

Tube chamfering machine is designed for tubes and pipes. This machine can debur the tube ends and make angles on the tube ends. Interested? Contact our engineer now!

CNC Machining Center

CNC machining center is a versatile machine for working on metal tubes, pipes, and profiles. This machine is controlled by a computer programmed to carry out specific tasks. Whether you want to make a hole, cut an irregular shape, or any other complex shapes, you can processed by this machine. CNC machining center has multiple axes to work on different faces of a part, and the tools can be changed automatically.

CNC Lathe

CNC lathe is designed for shaping and cutting cylindrical parts, such as rods, pipes, and shafts. It focuses on rotating the workpiece around a single axis (usually the Z-axis) to shape it through cutting, drilling, or threading. This feature makes this machine the ideal choice for symmetrical parts with high precision and high processing speed.

Sheet Metal Machines

The sheet metal machines are used to process metal sheets. The same, your customer also has different machining requirements on the metal sheet, so you need to do it on different machines. Below are the commonly used sheet metal machines:

Shearing Machine

The shearing machine is used to cut large metal sheets into small pieces or the size you want. This machine can cut the sheet in straight or curved directions. This is a versatile machine for any manufacturer who wants to do sheet metal business.

Press Brake

The press brake has a different working capacity to bend different sizes of metal sheets. This machine is driven hydraulic system to apply pressure to bend the metal sheet into accurate shapes and angles.

Roll Forming Machine

The roll forming machine is used to make metal profiles by feeding the metal sheet into the rollers, and then forming your desired shape gradually with the forming die. For any manufacturers who want to produce large quantity metal profiles with consistent quality, this is a very useful machine.

Punch Press

The punch press is used to punch holes and other shapes on the metal sheet by using the punching dies. If you are the manufacturer who needs to punch holes or make some customized shapes on the sheet, you will need this machine.

Laser Cutter

The laser cutter is used to cut different sheets of different thickness and produce different designs and shapes on them. For the manufacturer who wants to make complex cuts and designs on the metal sheet with precise tolerance, you will need this machine.

Arbor Press

The arbor press is used for small projects, like riveting, installing, bearing removal, and other press-fit work. This is a manually controlled press. If you want to rivet in bulk quantities automatically, you will need our riveting machine.

TubeBenderN is the manufacturer of various metal fabrication machines in China. If you are looking for specific machines for metal fabrication, do not hesitate to contact us to get the solution that works best for you.