919-231-8648 sales@pmfweb.com Capabilities Manufacturing Resources Work About Contact What is Fabrication? So what is metal fabrication? Fabrication involves creating objects and parts from raw materials such as sheet metal. More specifically, machine fabrication involves techniques such as bending, punching, cutting, and welding. Here at Precision Machine Fabrication we also perform assembly and powder coating as well. Meanwhile, machining entails a broader variety of strategies that utilize alternative technologies. What is Machining? Machining and fabrication are different because machining entails a broader variety of strategies that utilize alternative technologies. In general, machining is the removal of excess metal to make a finished product. Common machining practices include milling, drilling, and turning (lathe work). What is Manufacturing? When comparing manufacturing vs fabrication, the difference is clear. Manufacturing refers to the assembly of metal parts to create a final product, while fabrication refers to the actual creation of those metal parts. At Precision Machine Fabrication, we do both for our clients. Learn more about our manufacturing services. Custom Sheet Metal Fabrication At Precision Machine Fabrication, we specialize in custom sheet metal fabrication for a variety of industries. We fabricate parts, assemblies, and chassis for the commercial, electronics, computer, communications, medical, home appliance, retail, industrial, and power-management industries. At first glance, however, people can assume that we are a machine shop. We are more accurately considered a metal fabrication shop. Many people don’t know the difference between the two facilities and often get the two confused. What is A Fabrication Shop? A metal fabrication shop is a facility that generally starts with flat sheets of metal and goes on to laser cut, punch out, bend, weld, powder coat, and assemble finished parts. What Does A Machine Shop Do? Most machine shops, on the other hand, start with blocks of metal (round, square, or rectangular solid rods or tubing) and create finished parts through sawing, milling, drilling, and turning processes. Sheet Metal Fabrication Shop If you think about it in regards to the art world, machine shops “sculpt” metal into a finished form by removing the excess material while fabrication can be more closely related to making origami through cutting, bending, and forming a flat sheet into a finished form. While we are not a machining company, PMF does offer an in-house machine shop. But, it is primarily focused on small-run jobs that supplement our primary production portfolio. We also utilize this equipment to modify tooling and develop fixtures in-house. Metal Fabrication Projects We Don’t Do While Precision Machine Fabrication does perform metal fabrication projects in a wide variety of industries, there are certain areas we cannot focus our efforts in. For example, PMF does not offer HVAC or ductwork services. Despite the equipment and processes are similar in this type of fabrication, the business models are very different and there is little overlap. As a result, we focus on high-precision, close-tolerance fabrication of custom parts for OEM’s instead. Precision Machine Fabrication does not offer residential fabrication services. Our internal process as a fabrication shop is better suited for medium to high volume production. Furthermore, we do not have to resources to provide cost estimates and design services necessary for most residential projects. We are generally unable to perform “one-off” jobs or backyard projects. In order to be competitive in the medium- to high-volume market, our production schedule must remain firm. We find that it’s both disruptive and not profitable for us to focus on these individual one-time jobs for individuals. If you’re looking for help with this type of project, however, give us a call and we will try to suggest local fabrication shops better suited to help you. Finally, please keep in mind that our team is happy to work on designs supplied by our customers but we do not develop original designs ourselves. What Our Customers Say Most Valued Partner PMF continues to be one of our most valued partners. They consistently exceed our expectations. Buyer, Parata Systems, LLC 919-231-8648 Give us a call to discuss your custom sheet metal fabrication needs today! We pride ourselves in being able to handle any job, deliver on time, and guarantee the highest level of quality. From prototype to production, Precision Machine Fabrication are your go-to custom metal fabrication experts. Contact us today to get started on your next project! Contact Us! Explore Our Capabilities Machining and Fabrication Sheet Metal Engineering Contract Manufacturing Visit PMF Powered by Google Maps Widget Learn More Machining vs Fabrication Our Fabrication Process Contract Manufacturing About Us 1100 N. New Hope Rd. Raleigh, NC 27610 Ph: 919-231-8648 Fax: 919.231.1183 Follow Us Terms of Use DMCA Policy Privacy Policy Employees ISO 9001:2015 Certification