Under the metal fabrication process, many methods can be done to fabricate metal. One of those methods is shearing, a process that’s commonly used to remove any unwanted material from sheet metal. In other words, it is used as a trimming method.
That being said, while there are many other trimming methods in metal fabrication, shearing does so differently and offers its own sets of pros and cons. Let’s talk about that:
What Exactly Is Shearing In Metal Fabrication?
Shearing or shearing process is a metal fabrication process that involves the use of a machine called shear. The shear machine is the one that makes the cuts on the metal.
Typically, a shear machine is used to cut a piece of metal wider or narrower. In the case of wider cutting, the metal is cut at a slanted angle, while in the other case, the cut is straight.
How Is It Different From Other Methods?
As mentioned above, the shearing process involves the use of a shear machine or a shear blade. Unlike other metal fabrication methods, shearing doesn’t need to use a hammer, a heating element, and the like, which makes it different and easier to use.
The shear machine is just an example of the tool used for shearing, but other tools can be used to do the same thing. Of course, it will also depend on the metal fabrication firm that’s handling your project.
What Are The Advantages?
The biggest advantage to using shearing is that it’s a fast method of removing unwanted material. Compared to other metal fabrication methods requiring a lot of energy and force, shearing is easier to do.
Another advantage of using the shearing method is that it’s not messy. Unlike other metal fabrication methods, the shearing method doesn’t produce too much of a mess. For example, while using a chisel and hammer, you might need to shovel up all the unwanted pieces of metal, but the shearing method doesn’t do that.
The shearing method is also a lot cheaper when it comes to raw materials. Compared to other metal fabrication methods, shearing only needs a small number of materials to do its job.
Shearing is also easier to learn compared to other metal fabrication processes. For example, it doesn’t require a lot of training or knowledge just to do the shearing process. When it comes to the shearing process, it’s a lot easier to learn compared to other metal fabrication processes.
What Are The Disadvantages?
The main disadvantage of using the shearing method is that it requires higher maintenance. When using a shear machine, you need to be extra careful when using it. If you’re using a worn-out machine, you might get a bad end product.
Another disadvantage of using shearing is that it doesn’t cut deep. If you’re looking for a metal fabrication process that cuts deep, shearing isn’t for you.
The shearing process also requires a lot of training. Compared to other metal fabrication methods, shearing requires a lot of training. It requires more knowledge and expertise in metal fabrication, so if you can’t handle it, then you might need to hire a metal fabrication expert to do it for you.
For metal fabricators and metal fabricating firms looking to hire metal fabrication experts to help with the shearing process or any other process, visit this website to find the right metal fabrication expert.
Conclusion
Shearing is a metal fabrication process that is widely used for many types of metal. Compared to other metal fabrication methods, shearing is a lot less messy, much faster, and a lot easier to learn. However, you should be careful about using shearing because it requires more maintenance than other techniques. So, before you undergo shearing, always weigh its pros and cons, and consider what it can do for you!
KGS Steel Birmingham is a full-line structural steel and carbon steel service center serving the southeastern US. If you are looking for a steel service center in Birmingham to provide you with your steel-related needs, reach out to us today!
