Manufacturing process

Industrial Fabrication

Industrial fabrication builds larger welded structures and equipment — frames, skids, tanks, pressure vessels and pipe spools — by combining cutting, forming, welding, machining and assembly.

Process overview

Industrial fabrication combines multiple manufacturing operations to produce custom equipment, structures and heavy or medium-scale assemblies. Projects can involve plate and profile cutting, forming, machining, welding, fitting and final assembly under a coordinated manufacturing plan. Requirements may include drawings, materials, welding standards, dimensional control, surface protection and inspection documentation.

Fabrication projects typically start from plate, profiles and pipe. Material is cut by plasma, laser, oxy-fuel or saw, formed on press brakes or plate rolls, fitted and welded, and then stress relieved, machined, blasted and coated as the design requires. Heavy fabricators often machine large weldments on boring mills after welding so that mounting faces and bores are accurate relative to each other.

Much fabricated equipment falls under codes and regulations. Structural components for the EU market are commonly produced to EN 1090 execution classes; pressure equipment may fall under the Pressure Equipment Directive and design codes such as EN 13445 or ASME Section VIII; process piping under ASME B31.3 or EN 13480. Whether and which rules apply depends on the product, and they drive welding procedures, inspection, documentation and supplier approvals.

Size and logistics matter as well: crane capacity, hall dimensions, galvanising bath size and transport limits can decide which fabricator is suitable for a large assembly.

Typical capabilities & what manufacturers can produce

What manufacturers can produce

  • Machine frames, bases and skids
  • Steel structures, platforms and walkways
  • Tanks, hoppers and silos
  • Pressure vessels and heat exchangers, where the fabricator holds the relevant approvals
  • Pipe spools and process piping
  • Stainless steel process equipment for food, pharmaceutical and chemical plants

Capabilities under this process

Suitable materials

Materials commonly used with this process — an editorial reference, not a statement about facilities in the Metraxio network. Suitability always depends on the part and its application.

Relevant industries

Industries whose Metraxio industry guides list Industrial Fabrication as a common process, with the typical use in each.

What buyers should specify

The details that make Industrial Fabrication quotes comparable and let facilities be assessed on the right criteria.

Drawings and model
General-arrangement and detail drawings with weld symbols, plus a 3D model if available.
Material grades and certificates
Plate, profile and pipe grades (for example S355J2, P265GH, 1.4404) and the certificate type.
Codes and regulations
EN 1090 execution class, PED category, EN 13445 or ASME VIII, ASME B31.3 — as applicable.
Welding and testing
WPS/PQR, NDT scope and acceptance criteria, pressure or leak testing.
Machining after welding
Faces and bores to machine, and whether stress relieving is required first.
Surface protection
Blasting grade, paint system and corrosivity category (ISO 12944), galvanising or pickling.
Size, weight and transport
Maximum dimensions, lifting points, packaging and shipping constraints.
Documentation package
Dossier contents, material traceability and third-party inspection.

On Metraxio these details become a structured manufacturing requirement. Processes, capabilities, materials, certifications and part size are checked against facility profiles; tolerances, finishes and inspection details travel with your drawings and are reviewed during quoting rather than used as automatic filters.

Frequently asked questions

How is industrial fabrication different from sheet metal work?

Sheet metal work deals with thinner sheet parts. Industrial fabrication typically involves plate, profiles and pipe, larger welded structures and often code-controlled work.

Does my equipment fall under the Pressure Equipment Directive?

It depends on pressure, volume, fluid and resulting category; a pressure-equipment specialist or notified body can confirm. If it applies, the fabricator must work under a suitable conformity assessment procedure.

Can large welded assemblies be machined after welding?

Many heavy fabricators have large boring or milling machines for machining mounting faces after welding. Those features should be part of the requirement.

Industrial Fabrication by country

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