Fabrication and manufacturing are industrial terms linked to the process of production or construction. Often, the two processes are confused, yet they are very different from each other. This article explores the meaning of both fabrication and manufacturing in industrial processes.
What does fabrication mean?
Fabrication is the process of constructing products by combining typically standardised parts using one or more individual processes. For example, steel fabrication is the production of metal structures using a range of processes such as cutting, bending and assembling. Metal fabrication will often form a complete assembly made from smaller sub assemblies for use with readily available standard sections. This is achieved with computer-aided designs (CAD) that are often programmed using computer numerical control (CNC) technology which communicates directly with machinery on the factory floor. By using these technologies, the quality standards of production are increased and higher quality assemblies are produced. This ensures a more accurate and quicker steel erection time on site, which is vital in high volume production, reducing cost for the customer through better material utilisation and faster assembly times.
Alpha Manufacturing has a team of design experts, experienced in creating fully assembled prototypes for prior sign off. This, alongside access to the best in machine and tooling technology, gives our customers peace of mind and expertly crafted end products. Some areas of expertise include:
- Various pre-assembled balcony units for new build apartments
- Modular utility rooms
- Powered wheelbarrow chassis
- Mini dumper components
- Commercial computer server cabinets
- Integrated touch screen terminals
You can read more about sheet metal fabrication here.
What does manufacturing mean?
Manufacturing is the process of converting raw material into a finished product. Essentially, it is producing something from start to finish. The manufacturing sector involves large scale production with the use of machines, tools and chemical/biological processing. It is the course that raw materials have to undergo before being considered a final product. There are many different sectors that fall into this category, including:
- Apparel
- Chemicals
- Electronics and electrical equipment
- Fabricated metal
- Food and kindred
- Leather
- Lumber and wood
- Petroleum refining
- Printing and publishing
Alpha Manufacturing is able to offer a start to finish process to suit virtually any sheet metal requirement. From design to CNC machining, assembly to delivery, a full service is available.
How the manufacturing and fabrication processes differ
The key difference between manufacturing and fabrication is how much of the process a job involves. Fabrication involves the assembly of standard or specialised parts to form parts of a product to be used in the manufacture of the finished piece. Manufacturing, however, is a start to finish movement, from the creation of parts through to the final assembly to produce a finished product, often using areas of fabrication within the manufacturing process.
FAQs
The key difference between manufacturing and fabrication is how much of the process a job involves. Fabrication involves the assembly of standard or specialised parts to form parts of a product to be used in the manufacture of the finished piece.
What is the difference between fabrication and manufacturing? ›
Fabrication involves combining different parts to form a finished product. Whereas manufacturing is taking raw materials and putting them through a process to create a finished product. The difference between them does seem nuanced, and certain areas of fabrication do fall under the manufacturing umbrella.
What is the difference between machine and fabricate? ›
Machining and fabrication are both industrial terms that refer to the process of producing or constructing a product. Machining converts raw materials into a finished products via large-scale industrial operations, while fabrication assembles various standardized parts to make a finished product.
What is an example of fabrication? ›
Examples of fabrication or falsification include the following: Artificially creating data when it should be collected from an actual experiment. Unauthorized altering or falsification of data, documents, images, music, art or other work.
What is the meaning of fabrication? ›
1. the act or process of fabricating; manufacture. 2. something fabricated, esp. an untruthful statement.
What's the difference between a fabricator and a manufacturer? ›
People often compare manufacturing vs fabrication as if they must choose between the two, but very often, they work together. Fabrication is about the creation of parts from raw materials. Manufacturing is the process of assembling those parts.
Does fabrication mean manufacturing? ›
Fabrication entails creating specialized parts from raw materials. Manufacturing, on the other hand, means repeatedly creating the same parts and assembling those parts. Oftentimes, these two processes work hand in hand to create the final production.
What is the difference between a steel fabricator and a manufacturer? ›
The manufacturing goal is to create steel parts that could be easily assembled and then fabricated together. While the goal of fabrication process is to create robust and long-lasting structural steel components and structures.
What is the process of fabrication in manufacturing? ›
Fabrication is using processes to create component parts that can be used to make a product or structure, as well as the process of constructing an item from standardised parts. Manufacturing, meanwhile, is the processing of raw materials into a finished product that can be sold to a consumer.
What are the two most common types of fabrication? ›
Along with cutting, welding is one of the most popular metal fabrication processes among crafts enthusiasts. The process of welding involves the joining of two separate metal parts.
If we take the example of structural steel, the manufacture involves creating the final structural steel from raw materials. These steel parts, once manufactured, are assembled to create a final structure, which is the fabrication part.
What does fabrication include? ›
In the simplest terms, fabricating a part or product when it comes to construction and fabrication means making it from scratch using raw or semi-finished materials. The process can include designing, stamping, welding, cutting, bending, and assembling.
What are the three main fabrication techniques? ›
In the realm of fabrication, there are three primary techniques that stand out due to their widespread application and effectiveness: cutting, folding, and welding. Each of these techniques has its unique set of applications, benefits, and challenges.
What is a synonym for fabrication? ›
Synonyms of 'fabrication' in American English
1 (noun) in the sense of forgery. Synonyms. forgery. concoction. fake.
What is fabrication also known as? ›
Explanation: Fabrication process is also known as secondary manufacturing process. Fabrication process doesn't produce raw material. It produce products from raw materials. That's why it is known as secondary process.
What is the closest meaning of fabricate? ›
to invent or produce something false in order to deceive someone: He was late, so he fabricated an excuse to avoid trouble. He claims that the police fabricated evidence against him.
Is welding fabrication or manufacturing? ›
Welding is a fabrication process, so it can technically be referred to as metal fabrication. However, there are many types of metal fabrication that don't require welding. Therefore, a welder who only uses tools and processes used in welding cannot complete the entire metal fabrication process.
What is the difference between fabrication and manufacturing of sheet metal? ›
Manufacturing is the process of assembling those metal parts to form a finished product, whereas fabrication is the process of creating those metal parts. AMS also offers powder coating services to add a final touch to your product.
What is included in fabrication? ›
Fabrication is the process of transforming raw metal materials into finished or semi-finished products. Cutting, shaping, or molding metal are just some of the fabrication processes used in the industry. It can be carried out either on-site or in specialized workshops equipped with advanced machines and tools.
