March 01, 2024
The technology of manufacturing metal structures is a rather complex process containing several stages. At each of them, all work must be completed perfectly - and the point here is not only, or even so much, in the possible claims of the customer.
Metal structures are now used everywhere: in industry, the energy sector, and construction. On their basis, residential buildings and administrative buildings, various kinds of warehouses and sports complexes are erected.
The scope of application of metal structures is varied both in terms of the purpose of the buildings and in the level of complexity of the objects being built. They are widely used in the construction of warehouses, car washes, industrial and agricultural complexes, granaries, etc. Given the wide range of areas of use, a clear classification of metal structures is required in accordance with specific criteria.
One of these criteria is the manufacturing technology of metal structures and the method of their assembly. So, they distinguish:
bolted (screw) ??? assembly is carried out using hardware;
riveted - assembly using rivets;
forged - combining structural elements by forging;
welded - connecting parts by welding;
stamped ??? production of seamless metal structures by stamping rolled metal;
combined - combining several methods of manufacturing and assembling metal structures: for example, welded-bolted, welded-cast, etc.
By type of use of metal structures there are:
Collapsible, when the structure can be assembled directly on site and disassembled if necessary. This technology for manufacturing metal structures allows them to be reused.
Solid cast (stationary), when a stationary structure is created for long-term operation. Such metal structures cannot be dismantled.
Transformable - this option is reminiscent of prefabricated structures, but in this case, metal structures of various configurations and sizes can be created from the same set of elements.
According to their purpose, metal structures can be divided into two types:
load-bearing and enclosing.
The first includes the frames of parts that provide the rigidity and stability of the entire structure and its technical configuration. The second type includes a complex of parts (sandwich panels and facade panels, fences, gate systems, etc.) that perform a protective function.
Technologies for the manufacture of metal structures are also classified according to the material from which they are made. For these purposes, metal alloys are used: aluminum, steel, titanium, cast iron, etc. or their compounds.
The technology for manufacturing metal structures at a plant from sheet, profile, long or shaped steel includes:
Element design. The future product must be made taking into account the type of its mechanical loads, the scope and features of operation, and the specifics of connecting parts in the finished structure. At the same stage, the material for manufacturing the element is determined.
Preparation. At this stage, the weight of the future part is determined and quality is checked. If necessary, it is given the desired configuration using chopping, cutting (mechanical or thermal) or other methods and tools.
Processing of future parts. The technology for manufacturing metal structures from profiled metal products involves giving the workpiece a designed shape by bending, grinding, drilling, joining sheets into cards and processing joint seams, etc.
Assembly of the structure. The elements are fastened in accordance with the drawings by welding or by mechanized assembly. We will look at this stage in more detail later in this article.
Coating of metal structures with anti-corrosion agents.
Finished structures are labeled, packaged and quality checked.
Products that have passed the previous stages are delivered to the site. They are installed here.
In order for the designed structure to be reliable and perform its functions for as long as possible, metal structures should be ordered from professional manufacturers who have extensive experience in performing this type of work, high qualifications and first-class quality standards.