Skills Week: Metal Fabrication Workshop

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In week 5, we had our skills week where we will have an induction at different workshops. The first workshop I attended was metal fabrication. Although I do not intend to use metal for my 3D outcome the workshop was still worth attending for any possible use in the future when I begin studying architecture.

The first thing our instructor did was take us through the different health and safety guidelines. For example what kind of accessibility the colours on each machine represents, what to do in case of  a fire, where the safety equipment are placed, the kind of safety equipment that should be worn while working and also the times in which the workshop is accessible. We also got to look at the different types and sizes of metals that they had such as aluminium, steel and brass.

After the introduction we began with some practical work. We were given a sheet of metal and measured 4cm twice so we could cut two pieces of metal from the sheet


We then used the shearing machine to cut the metal sheet. I did this by aligning the sheet of metal to where the blade was and then pulling the lever down. This gave me two pieces of metal to work with. 


After that we tried using the smaller hand shear to cut one piece of the metal in half. We also played around with bending the metal, because it was a small and thin piece of sheet metal it was very flexible and therefore easy to bend

                                                                                            

With our second piece of metal we attempted to make a curved shape which we will then join at the end to form a circle. I used the rolling machine to do this by placing my metal and securing it by fastening the knob tighter, I used the lever on the side to roll it to my desired shape and loosened the knob to get it out. We then fused the metals together by welding and then dipping it in cold water for it to form. He also showed us how to join two pieces of metal mechanically using a rivet and also practiced another way to bend metal using a press brake.

The instructor also showed us other machines such as the CNC millling machine, water jet machine and lathe machine. The next thing we did was practice smoothing down metal. We were given cylinder pieces of metal and used a hand file to that and also sand paper. The instructor welded the two pieces together to form a pen holder for us.

After that we had come to the end of the workshop. I think it was beneficial to learn how to cut, bend and join pieces of metals together and also to get familiar with the equipment. It also gives me basic knowledge in how to manipulate metal which will be beneficial in my future endeavors







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