A Metal Fabricator is a professional who specializes in shaping, cutting, and assembling metal components to create various structures, equipment, and products. They work with a range of metals, including steel, aluminum, and copper, using various tools and techniques to transform raw materials into finished metal products. In this blog post, we describe the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Metal Fabricators.

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Main Responsibilities of a Metal Fabricator

The following list describes the typical responsibilities of a Metal Fabricator:

Analyze

Analyze blueprint and specifications for each parent job and its sub-job components.

Answer

Answer questions from customers or find them the answer if you don't know.

Assemble

• Assemble and fit plates and sections to form structures.

• Assemble metal components using fasteners, rivets, or adhesives.

Assist in

• Assist in the design and development of new metal products or prototypes.

• Assist in the packaging and shipping of fabricated products.

• Assist in the production of metal goods.

• Assist other teams if needed.

Bend

Bend straight duct and fittings according to job order.

Clean

• Clean and maintain a safe, organized workspace.

• Clean and maintain company equipment.

• Clean machines and immediate work areas.

Collaborate with

• Collaborate with clients or customers to understand project requirements and provide technical advice.

• Collaborate with design engineers and project managers to provide input and feedback on fabrication feasibility.

• Collaborate with team members to optimize fabrication processes and improve efficiency.

Comprehend

Comprehend and follow written and spoken directions and work in a safe & efficient manner.

Conduct

• Conduct routine maintenance and repair on fabrication equipment and tools.

• Conduct tests, such as pressure tests or leak tests, to ensure product integrity.

Construct

Construct patterns and templates.

Cut

• Cut and bend sheet metal into shapes, cut and weld steel and form.

• Cut, shape, and form metal using tools such as shears, saws, presses, and bending machines.

• Cut sheet metal into shapes to be used in heating and air conditioning ducts.

Develop

Develop and fabricate jigs / fixtures to aid other personnel and enhance work performance.

Document

• Document and maintain accurate records of fabrication activities, including work orders and material usage.

• Document mechanical design and modifications and has responsibility for documentation maintenance.

Drive

Drive the delivery truck for pick-ups and deliveries.

Ensure

• Ensure compliance with relevant codes, standards, and regulations.

• Ensure that efficiency is maximized while fabricating and installing HVAC systems.

Estimate

Estimate project costs, including materials and labor.

Fabricate

• Fabricate and assemble components.

• Fabricate and assemble sheet metal products according to job order specifications.

• Fabricate products using shear, saw, notching, bending, drilling, punching, automated cutting.

Follow

• Follow all fabrication procedures.

• Follow established safety rules and regulations and maintain a safe and clean environment.

Form

Form specialty pieces when job requires.

Identify

Identify and set-up correct tooling for jobs.

Implement

Implement and promote sustainable practices in metal fabrication, such as recycling or waste reduction.

Inspect

• Inspect finished products for quality and accuracy, ensuring they meet specifications.

• Inspect own work for conformance to specifications and installation requirements.

• Inspect product quality and installation to ensure conformance to specifications.

Install

• Install and use rigging and hoisting equipment.

• Install assemblies, including pipes and HVAC ducts.

Instruct

Instruct and mentor apprentices.

Interpret

• Interpret and analyze blueprints, drawings, and specifications for metal fabrication projects.

• Interpret blueprints to decide where ducts will go.

Keep

• Keep a cleanly work space.

• Keep area clean and hazard free.

• Keep up-to-date with industry trends and advancements in metal fabrication techniques and technologies.

Maintain

• Maintain a clean and orderly working area.

• Maintain a clean and organized work area, adhering to safety protocols and guidelines.

• Maintain a high attention to detail.

• Maintain and clean equipment as trained.

• Maintain and operate the S and Drive machine.

• Maintain a safe work environment and identifies / reports potential hazards to management.

• Maintain equipment and report any malfunctions or defects.

• Maintain equipment, making repairs and modifications when necessary.

• Maintain good housekeeping practices within the work area and return all unused parts to inventory.

• Maintain inspection log books on assigned area equipment, report deficiencies to maintenance.

• Maintain order and cleanliness in department.

• Maintain service area and restrooms.

• Maintain shop safety and cleanliness.

• Maintain the cleanliness of the vehicle both inside and out.

• Maintain the order of supplies and inventory.

Manage

Manage inventory and materials for the Sheet Metal Department.

Measure

• Measure and mark metal for precise cutting and shaping.

• Measure, cut, grind, fit, align, and tack weld parts.

Metal

Metal work, manufacture and assemble metal products.

Modify

Modify and repair containers based on customer's specifications.

Monitor

Monitor and control inventory of raw materials and supplies.

Operate

• Operate and adjust machinery safely and efficiently.

• Operate and maintain fabrication machinery and equipment.

• Operate fabricating machines such as foot shear, hand brakes, lock formers, and air tools.

• Operate fabrication equipment and tool.

• Operate forklifts as required.

• Operate on the Production floor where it can be noisy and dusty.

Participate in

Participate in equipment preventative maintenance at the operator level.

Perform

• Perform as member of design team including leadership role utilizing effective communication skills.

• Perform assigned work to time standards and quality expectations.

• Perform calculations to determine dimensions, angles, and tolerances.

• Perform machine upgrades as needed.

• Perform on-site installations or repairs for fabricated metal products, if required.

• Perform quality assurance measures pre and post production.

Plan

• Plan and prepare jobs, create layouts.

• Plan and schedule fabrication tasks to meet project deadlines.

Polish

Polish metal products to mirror finish.

Practice

Practice safe work behaviors in accordance with company policies and OSHA regulations.

Preheat

Preheat workpieces to render them malleable, using hand torch or furnace.

Present

Present yourself in a professional manner.

Process

• Process orders for metals and label these appropriately for pickup by crews.

• Process orders from other companies to sell them stock flashings.

Provide

Provide guidance and training to junior fabricators or apprentices.

Read

• Read, analyze and interpret shop drawings.

• Read and follow technical drawings.

• Read and interpret blueprints.

• Read and interpret fabrication drawings.

• Read and understand assembly instructions.

• Read and understand blueprints and shop drawings.

• Read, interpret, plan and execute from drawings, blueprints, and procedures.

Recommend

Recommend and select appropriate metals and materials for specific applications.

Report

Report basic material, production, and quality control issues.

Select

• Select appropriate type of sheet metal and measure the appropriate size.

• Select correct tooling for the job task using product documents or supervisor / lead assistance.

Serve

Serve the Installation crews for specialty requirements.

Set-up

• Set-up and operate machine for established work using supplied drawings.

• Set-up and operates machine to ensure blueprint and work instructions conformance.

Stay updated on

Stay updated on safety protocols and procedures for handling and working with metal.

Stop

Stop others performing "at risk” behaviors.

Support

Support Journeymen with large scale orders with assembly of parts.

Treat

Treat other staff members courteously.

Troubleshoot

Troubleshoot and resolve issues or problems that arise during the fabrication process.

Understand

• Understand and abide by all safety regulations.

• Understand and follow safety and quality control procedures.

• Understand how your job impacts quality.

• Understand the company Quality Policy.

Use

• Use customer retention processes to maximize quality and length of relationship with customers.

• Use hand and power tools to grind, sand, and smooth metal surfaces.

• Use hand tools such as drills, grinders, plasma cutter.

• Use machine shop tools such as brake presses, drill presses and shears.

• Use manual mill and lathe machines to fabricate parts **asset**.

• Use of chop saws, metal shears, sheet metal breaks / folds to form signs.

• Use of protective eyewear, respirator, dust mask etc required.

• Use tape measure and scale to the nearest 1 / 32 inch.

Utilize

Utilize Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP's) , Perform all tasks assigned by management.

Verify

• Verify conformance of raw material to job material specifications.

• Verify conformance of work piece to specifications.

• Verify conformance of workpiece to specifications, using square, ruler, and measuring tape.

View

View, read, and interpret drawing for the manufacturing of process system equipment parts.

Weld

Weld or join metal components using various techniques such as MIG, TIG, or arc welding.

Work with

• Work as a team to accomplish each project in a timely fashion with excellent quality metals.

• Work as member of team in fabrication process.

• Work effectively and efficiently to complete your work within the job standard.

• Work in a supportive and collaborative environment.

• Work manner which meets production schedules and budgets.

• Work under supervision and direction of the Operations Supervisor.

• Work well as part of a team however can work well with minimal supervision.

• Work with a tenured team to learn from the best of the best.

• Work with hand tools such as drills, pop rivet guns, jig saws, power tools.

Most In-demand Hard Skills

The following list describes the most required technical skills of a Metal Fabricator:

1. Proficiency in blueprint reading and interpretation.

2. Knowledge of various metal fabrication techniques, such as cutting, shaping, and welding.

3. Experience with different types of welding processes, including MIG, TIG, and arc welding.

4. Familiarity with fabrication tools and equipment, such as shears, presses, and bending machines.

5. Ability to operate and maintain fabrication machinery and tools.

6. Proficiency in metal measurement and marking techniques.

7. Strong welding skills and knowledge of welding codes and standards.

8. Understanding of metal properties and their behavior during fabrication.

9. Knowledge of metal finishing techniques, such as grinding and polishing.

10. Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, blueprints, and specifications.

11. Strong mathematical and calculation skills for dimensions and tolerances.

12. Experience with fastening methods and assembly techniques for metal components.

13. Knowledge of safety protocols and guidelines for working with metal.

14. Familiarity with fabrication materials and their specific applications.

15. Proficiency in using hand and power tools for metal fabrication.

16. Understanding of quality control principles and inspection techniques.

17. Experience with routine maintenance and repair of fabrication equipment.

18. Knowledge of relevant codes, regulations, and industry standards.

19. Ability to estimate project costs and manage materials and inventory.

20. Proficiency in computer-aided design (CAD) software for fabrication planning and design.

Most In-demand Soft Skills

The following list describes the most required soft skills of a Metal Fabricator:

1. Attention to detail and strong precision in metal fabrication tasks.

2. Excellent hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity.

3. Ability to work effectively in a team environment.

4. Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.

5. Effective communication and collaboration with team members and clients.

6. Time management and organizational skills to meet project deadlines.

7. Flexibility and adaptability in handling diverse fabrication projects.

8. Strong work ethic and commitment to quality craftsmanship.

9. Ability to work efficiently and effectively under pressure.

10. Continuous learning mindset and willingness to stay updated with industry trends and advancements.

Conclusion

Metal Fabricators play a crucial role in shaping and assembling metal components to create various structures, equipment, and products. By fulfilling their main responsibilities and possessing the most in-demand hard and soft skills, these professionals contribute to the manufacturing industry by producing high-quality metal products that meet specifications and client requirements.