Steel plate fabrication is crucial for many different industrial applications due to its wide uses in construction. In general, the steel is usually rolled, formed, and welded to create structures, equipment and special machinery. Having a proper fit between the steel plates, or transitions, is a fundamental part of the fabrication process that ensures a quality product. To fully understand the importance of this fabrication process and how it is performed, let’s take a closer look at a few of the main aspects involved.
Careful Oversight Every Step of the Way
A complete steel fabrication process is comprised of several welded assemblies of shapes, formed or flat steel. To complete this process, the products must fall under the supervision of different parties along the way, as well as go through sections of development. With each piece being different, careful consideration must be made to ensure that the finished products meet industry standards and client specs as it moves through the design and concept phase into fabrication and manufacturing, and eventually setup and installation at the end site.
A Great Fit is Key
Steel is used in so many different structures and for numerous purposes. As such, there are a number of characteristics that must be accounted for at any given time, including:
- Size
- Shape
- Thickness
Not only must each piece fit these requirements, but they must also still fit each other. This makes each steel plate important in its own right. It also makes acquiring a great fit key.
Problems Associated with a Bad Fit
Being that most steel structures are composed of several different steel parts, a bad fit can affect a number of aspects of the steel structure. It can impede upon the proper connection of nuts and bolts, bearing and girders or machined abutting faces. Any of these things can create gaps in the machinery or equipment, which over time can lead to leaks, rust, improper functioning and a number of other serious problems.
Another concern is deviations between flatness and straightness of adjoining parts. These factors can impede upon the strength and stiffness of the steel. Particularly in infrastructure this can be quite dangerous, as a poor fit can result in vulnerability to buckling and decrease the lifespan and safety of the structure.
How to Ensure a Good Fit
There are a few essential elements to ensuring a good fit. Three of the main ones include:
- Professional Knowledge – Expertise, knowledge and experience are always beneficial in the proper completion of any industrial project, but especially for steel work. A depth of professional knowledge on the part of the company fabricating the steel plates ensures that they can anticipate and avoid problems while maintaining quality and keeping the project on time and on budget.
- Communication – The various parts of the fabrication and installation process typically require the participation of different craftsmen. As such, to ensure the efficiency of the process, everyone must communicate effectively and be on the same page about key points.
- Quality Steel Plates – The finished product is only as good as the sum of its parts separately. Thus it is crucial that the best possible steel selection be used for each project and that it possess the qualities called for in the particular application such as hardness, strength, resistance to corrosion and temperature, etc.
STI Group takes pride in the quality of our steel plate fabrication. We go the extra mile to ensure a great fit between transitions and carefully test the quality of welds. Clients can rest easy knowing that their steel plate fabrication project has been completed by STI Group.
