Many people fail to realise that sheet metal fabrication is used in almost every aspect of our lives, from the buildings we live and work in to the many objects that we use in our daily lives. It is for this reason that we thought we'd delve a little deeper into the fabrication industry and outline 10 interesting facts about it that you may not be aware of.
• Before Nascar vehicles hit the road, more than 950 hours of fabrication and welding are spent getting them up to scratch. This includes the addition of roll cages, plus work on the suspension and chassis.
• The first industrial robot in history was installed at a plant by General Motors in 1961. Known as the Unimate, it weighed in at over two tonnes and featured a motorised arm that spot welded.
• During construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, more than 4000 riggers, painters, labourers and blacksmiths were employed – but no welders. This is because industrial welding was still in its infancy.
• The earliest forms of sheet metal fabrication are thought to have stemmed from around 4000 BC, when the ancient Egyptians learned how to bend and shape gold into jewellery.
• More than 50% of all products around us require some form of welding or fabrication. This includes the laptop that you're reading this on, the phone you just made a call on, and the bridge you crossed to get to work.
• The first attempt at welding in space occurred in 1969 by Russian cosmonauts. These early experiments were essential for the advancements in technology that are now used in space construction.
• One of the deepest welds ever made was carried out during the laying of a long distance pipeline, stretching from Oman to India. It required an underwater weld at a depth of 3500 metres.
• When two pieces of metal touch each other in space, they automatically become fused together. This doesn't happen here on earth because the atmosphere creates a layer of oxidised material between the surfaces.
• The Eiffel Tower was built in 1889 and contains 18,038 large pieces of wrought iron, all of which had to be fabricated. Like the Sydney Harbour Bridge, they are held in place by more than 2 million rivets.
• The Burj Khalifa (the tallest building in the world) uses just over half the amount of steel contained by the Empire State Building yet, at 828 metres, it's a massive 365 metres taller.
• The metals most commonly purchased by consumers for use in such projects include: aluminium (in bar, tube, sheet or plate form), hot or cold rolled steel, and stainless steel.
We hope that the above list of facts has taught you a little something about sheet metal fabrication that you didn't know before. Whether it's a titbit about a specific project or just about the industry in general, we feel there is plenty of information for you to go away with. The next time you're staring at a fabrication, you'll be able to appreciate it a little more.
• Before Nascar vehicles hit the road, more than 950 hours of fabrication and welding are spent getting them up to scratch. This includes the addition of roll cages, plus work on the suspension and chassis.
• The first industrial robot in history was installed at a plant by General Motors in 1961. Known as the Unimate, it weighed in at over two tonnes and featured a motorised arm that spot welded.
• During construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, more than 4000 riggers, painters, labourers and blacksmiths were employed – but no welders. This is because industrial welding was still in its infancy.
• The earliest forms of sheet metal fabrication are thought to have stemmed from around 4000 BC, when the ancient Egyptians learned how to bend and shape gold into jewellery.
• More than 50% of all products around us require some form of welding or fabrication. This includes the laptop that you're reading this on, the phone you just made a call on, and the bridge you crossed to get to work.
• The first attempt at welding in space occurred in 1969 by Russian cosmonauts. These early experiments were essential for the advancements in technology that are now used in space construction.
• One of the deepest welds ever made was carried out during the laying of a long distance pipeline, stretching from Oman to India. It required an underwater weld at a depth of 3500 metres.
• When two pieces of metal touch each other in space, they automatically become fused together. This doesn't happen here on earth because the atmosphere creates a layer of oxidised material between the surfaces.
• The Eiffel Tower was built in 1889 and contains 18,038 large pieces of wrought iron, all of which had to be fabricated. Like the Sydney Harbour Bridge, they are held in place by more than 2 million rivets.
• The Burj Khalifa (the tallest building in the world) uses just over half the amount of steel contained by the Empire State Building yet, at 828 metres, it's a massive 365 metres taller.
• The metals most commonly purchased by consumers for use in such projects include: aluminium (in bar, tube, sheet or plate form), hot or cold rolled steel, and stainless steel.
We hope that the above list of facts has taught you a little something about sheet metal fabrication that you didn't know before. Whether it's a titbit about a specific project or just about the industry in general, we feel there is plenty of information for you to go away with. The next time you're staring at a fabrication, you'll be able to appreciate it a little more.
Arrow Laser is a premium provider of laser cutting and related services that was first established in 1995. With an expert team of staff (whose combined experience totals more than 100 years), we use only the most cutting edge technology and state of the art machinery. Our range of services includes: flat laser cutting, rotary laser cutting, decorative screens, garden screens, fabrication, press brake folding, surface finishing and more. We can cut almost any material, from metal and plastic to timber and even cardboard.
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