There are various processes involved in metal fabrication. The specific combination of metal or stainless steel fabrication processes will vary with the geometry of the part, the type of usage it will get and what it is made of. Here are examples of some choices for different types of fabrication processes:

Cutting: Cutting is the most fundamental process in metal fabrication, and it can be accomplished through laser cutting, waterjet cutting, shearing, sawing or flame cutting. This is what turns the sheet metal into a piece of the required size and shape. Today, waterjet and laser cutting comprise the foremost technologies available.

Casting: A die forms a mold, and the fabricator pours molten metal into it. This metal cools down and turns solid, and the part remains after removing the die.

Forging: High-pressure machinery compresses raw metal, allowing a fabricator to bend and shape it.

Punching: Turrets punch pre-designed patterns into the metal, either for decorative purposes or utility.

Drawing: This process uses tensile force to pull liquid metal into a tapered die.

Milling: A milling mechanism bores perforations into the metal, which, due to the nature of the machine, can be non-circular.

Drilling: A drill cuts holes into the metal using a circular bit.

Turning: The piece of metal goes onto a spinning platform, allowing a technician to cut it radially with a tool as it spins.

Extrusion: A ram forces billets through a die. This extrusion process forms cylindrical parts, such as pipes or electrical wires.

You will often hear these metal fabrication terms used during the planning stages of the metal fabrication process, so it is essential to familiarize yourself with these common processes and some of the machinery involved.