Concrete, timber and steel are three of the most common building materials used today. The material you should choose for your structure depends on many factors, such as the type of building, your budget, and the capabilities of your worksite. Concrete, timber and steel each comes with their own advantages and challenges, so which one should you choose?

Concrete

Concrete has been used since ancient times, and today it’s often chosen for its durability, versatility, thermal mass, and low maintenance. For high-rise buildings or long-span bridges, structural concrete provides maximum strength, durability, and the ability to withstand a high level of tensile stress. Concrete is environmentally friendly because it is made from readily available materials – sand and limestone – and it’s also fire and weather resistant. Choosing a concrete structure also provides a wealth of aesthetic possibilities. Concrete can be easily incorporated with other materials to create colours or patterns, and it can be moulded into any number of shapes, because it starts in liquid form. Compared to steel, concrete requires less skill to erect. However, because of the many steps involved in erecting reinforced concrete, the final strength can sometimes be affected if there has been poor workmanship. Another risk with concrete is that shrinkage can cause cracks or loss of strength.

Timber

Timber is cost effective, naturally durable and has a high structural efficiency as carried load per unit. If it’s sourced from sustainably managed forests, it can be a more environmentally friendly choice than steel or other building materials. Timber is ideal for use internally as it maintains a pleasant level of humidity inside a dwelling, and it absorbs sound – preventing echo and noise inside. The natural beauty and warmth of wood creates an aesthetically pleasing atmosphere, as each tree has its own colours, smells and patterns, depending on how it was sliced. Timber is lightweight, easy to work with, and adaptable to offsite manufacturing, so it is often used in low-rise residential structures. However, timber can deteriorate over time due to decay, mould, bacteria, insects, weather or fire. This means a timber structure may require more maintenance than concrete or steel.

Steel

Steel has a high strength to weight ratio, making it a better structural material for high-rise buildings, long-span bridges, or buildings on soft ground. Steel is often used in major construction to speed up development, reduce onsite risks, and minimise waste. Computer modeling can be used to ensure components are manufactured correctly the first time, minimising rework. Buildings with steel structures are often lighter and have smaller foundations because steel is structurally efficient. Steel structures can be erected quickly and with fewer workers needed onsite, reducing labour costs. Compared to concrete, erecting a steel structure creates less noise and dust on a worksite and surrounding areas. Steel is fire resistant, termite free, and a large portion of steel can be recycled. However, there can be disadvantages to choosing steel: it can be more expensive, could be susceptible to corrosion and may need to be repainted regularly. Steel also conducts and transmits heat, so steel structures needs to be fireproofed correctly.

WA Steel is a locally owned and operated specialist fabricator offering steel fabrication, metal fabrication, and sheet metal fabrication services in Perth. With almost 30 years of industry experience, highly specialised solutions, and the latest technology, WA Steel is the ideal choice for your steel structure project. To find out more, call WA Steel on 08 9377 3778 or visit www.wasteel.com.au

What is turret punching?

Turret punching is a method of adding a decorative element to sheet metal. The press punches uniform holes through a sheet of metal, creating patterns and textures. Turret punching is fast and versatile, and the hole designs can be round, diamond shaped, triangle, square and more. From standard perforated sheets to detailed decorative metal, turret punching can truly turn your building into a work of art.

Where you can use turret punching

Depending on the purpose and structure of a building, turret punching can be used in a variety of ways. You could create decorative grilles, metal screens or architectural feature panels, so that practical metal structures are given an attractive look and feel. Ceiling panels, stair treads and sun screens can also be turned into artistic features using turret punching. If you’re looking to turn your building’s exterior into a work of art, you can use turret punching on building facades, gates, fire escapes or open steel flooring.

How turret punching can turn your building into a work of art

Decorative metalwork can transform any space. It adds an artistic element, and it can bring an entirely new look and feel to an old warehouse or industrial building. Incorporating perforated metal sheets into an exterior wall can diffuse natural light, provide shade, and make a building unique by turning an otherwise boring wall into a work of art. Turret punching metal sheets limits the amount of light let in, but maintains visibility. It can create a look that is modern, industrial, and ambient. So whether you need to cover a whole façade or provide decorative accents, why not consider turret punching for your next architectural project?

WA Steel is Western Australia’s leading sheet metal fabrication provider in Perth, and they specialise in turret punching, sheet metal punching and steel fabrication. Their CNC Turret Punch tool is highly accurate and cost effective, and thanks to an extensive tooling library, you can take advantage of a huge range of designs. To find out more about how turret punching can turn your building into a work of art, call WA Steel on 08 9377 3778 or visit www.wasteel.com.au

How a core tray racking system works

The system works by housing your core trays in racks, with end or side loading available. To access your samples, you simply slide out the tray for easy core sample viewing. The size of the racks is highly customisable, so whether you have a small shed or a large mining operation, a core tray racking system may work for your business. Core tray racking systems can be delivered either in pre-fabricated or knock down form. Pre-fabricated systems are pre-assembled for quick and easy setup on your site, while knock down systems are unassembled for easier transportation. Speak to a manufacturer to find out which system is best for your business.

Customising your core tray racking system

Thanks to their versatility and convenience, you can customise a core tray racking system in many ways. You can choose double or single racks depending on your needs, and you can add optional doors, roofing and side covers for protection and security. A security door may be a good option if you have fragile or expensive core samples that need locking to protect from theft. Customised solutions are crucial in the mining industry because the industry is so diverse and involves a variety of tools and processes to drill and collect samples.

Benefits of a core tray racking system

Core tray racking systems are made from heavy-duty galvanised steel, so you can store maximum samples in each tray. This means you can maximise your floor space, and your staff can store and access more samples in a single location so they won’t waste time running around a warehouse. Galvanised steel is resistant to rust and will withstand harsh environments, so not only will your racking system last longer, but it will also protect your core samples more efficiently. Storing your core samples in a sturdy, weatherproof system means you’ll minimise sample loss. A racking system also means your core samples can be moved around easily and transported securely, making it an ideal solution for the mining industry.

As an added bonus, using a core tray racking system will minimise risk of injury in your workplace. When a staff member wants to view a core sample, they can simply slide the tray out from the rack. They won’t need to manually handle samples or do any lifting, so they’re less likely to have an accident.

West Australian Steel specialises in a range of metal fabrication, including core trays and racking systems. Based in Perth with almost 30 years of industry experience, WA Steel offers a complete manufacturing solution from initial concept right through to a finished product. Give their friendly team a call today on 08 9377 3778 to discuss your core tray racking system requirements, or visit www.wasteel.com.au to find out more about WA Steel.

Steelwork can be brushed, patterned, electroplated, coloured, painted, buffed, powder coated, dipped, polished and patterned (amongst other finishing processes) – all of which are undertaken to make the steelwork look good and/or enhance its functionality, performance and texture.

For example, finishing can enhance the durability and corrosion-resistance of a steel product, improve its electrical conductivity, improve the decorative appeal by making the surface look brighter or more colourful, improve torque tolerance, make it easier to solder, increase its tarnish and chemical resistance, harden it and enable it to bond to rubber (vulcanisation).

These are just some of the reasons for metal finishing – and choosing the best finish for a specific structure or product requires an-depth knowledge of the various processes and their respective advantages and disadvantages, what specific conditions they suit best and the costs involved – and it’s always best to seek an expert opinion to determine which finish is best suited for your particular application.

Here are a few considerations that will facilitate your decision-making in choosing a metal finishing technique for your particular project.  But while it is vital to specify a finish for an application where the finish is important from an aesthetic or functional perspective, it is equally vital to specify the finish even when you don’t think it is important – and that is in order to avoid a situation where you receive a finish or a finished product where the ‘unspecified’ finish is not actually suitable for the application. Always seek advice from an experienced steel fabrication company who will guide you on choosing the most suitable finish for your particular product or application.

Finishes fall into two categories, mill finishes and special finishes.  A number of finishes for flat steel products (sheet and plate) take place at the mill itself whilst others are applied later during processing.  Hot rolled, heat treated and pickled mill finishes result in a non-reflective rough surface which isn’t generally used for decorative steelwork.  Cold rolled finishes (of which there are several different types) result in a dull grey, slightly reflective finish which is either used as is or as a starting point for a range of polished finishes.

Following are some of more common special finishes that a steel fabrication company would perform:

Hot dip galvanizing.  This is a cost-effective process widely used in industrial applications whereby iron and steel products are immersed in a bath of liquid zinc and coated in order to protect the base metal from corroding.

Powder coating.  This is a decorative finish that is similar to paint, but with enhanced durability.  Dry plastic powder or paint granules are melted onto the metal to give a textured, matte or glossy finish.  This process can also be very effective removing surface defects.

Spray painting.  Protection against corrosion can be gained by spray painting steelwork with one or multiple layers of liquid paint.  Spray painting is also a popular design finish.

Blast cleaning.  Surface preparation is the essential first stage treatment of the steel or metal before any coating can be applied, and blast cleaning is a vital first step to remove contaminants and create a suitable base for the application of high-performance protective coatings.

At WA Steel, we provide steel, stainless steel and aluminium fabrication amongst other metal fabrication services plus we provide metal finishing services for the products we manufacture.  Should you need any advice on how to choose the right finish for your steelwork, simply contact us on 08 9377 3778 and take advantage of our 30 years of industry experience.  Alternatively, please visit our website, www.wasteel.com.au to learn more about our total manufacturing solution which takes customers from the initial concept through to the finished product.

Waste represents a tangible loss of resources which translates into increased costs and lost revenue, so whether it’s minimising wasted materials or keeping a lid on unnecessary consumption of energy or water, every step of the manufacturing process needs to be carefully investigated for opportunities to reduce waste.

Reducing waste is as imperative for the fabricators themselves as it is for their customers, because the end result will be a more productive, profitable organisation which is able to reduce the final cost of their products – and therefore deliver better value to their clients.

This article investigates ways that sheet metal fabricators can minimise the amount of material wasted – and by doing so, how they can reduce their operating costs, improve their margins, reduce the costs of disposing of their waste material and ultimately deliver cost-benefits to customers and improve the long-term sustainability of their business.

Professional sheet metal fabricators understand that if they are to achieve material savings, they need to know what their material use rate is and where their best opportunities to save costs are.  It’s important for them to examine their inventory and to question whether savings may be possible through holding a smaller inventory or by buying sheet metal in smaller sizes or in larger quantities which may reduce transport and storage costs.

With sheet metal fabrication, one of the keys to reducing waste is improving the usage of the material.  This could be anything from using the trimmed sections to produce additional parts, batching parts together that have similar straight edges or radii and using the ‘hole’ of a part to create additional items.

Another good strategy to reduce waste in sheet metal fabrication is to use higher grade material that would otherwise have been scrapped to create filler parts that would normally be made from a new piece of lower grade material.  This can result in less wastage of higher grade material – with the added benefit of reduced costs.

For many steel fabrication companies, a certain amount of scrap is unavoidable – but the trick is to continually investigate ways of minimising wastage and improve efficiencies.  Automation and technology both go a long way in minimising waste during the fabrication process – and a professional sheet metal fabricator will continually invest in manufacturing processes and equipment  to ensure their ongoing competitiveness.   For example, a fabricator using sophisticated CNC equipment or laser cutters can maximise the number of items or forms made from a single metal sheet due to the precision accuracy of the equipment – and are therefore able to minimise the amount of waste material.  Advanced software can also help to maximise the usage of materials.  As far as possible, leftover remnants should be retained and used wherever possible.

If you’re looking for a specialist in sheet metal fabrication in Perth that doesn’t waste raw materials unnecessarily and pass on those extra costs to customers, WA Steel in Bassendean is the name to remember.  They use a variety of processes and strategies to ensure that they minimise waste and deliver superior quality and cost-effective products to their customers.  One of their focus areas is ongoing investment in the latest manufacturing equipment and technology – and this has put them at the forefront of steel and sheet metal fabrication technology in Perth.

WA Steel specialise in a range of metal fabrication including steel, stainless steel and aluminium fabrication and to find out more about their total manufacturing solutions, you can either call them on 08 9377 3778 or visit their website, www. wasteel.com.au.

Maintaining a safe working environment is obviously important from a health and welfare perspective and it’s imperative to take all practical steps to minimise the risk of injury to personnel on site, but there are many other issues that are affected by workplace safety (or lack thereof).

Safety issues can negatively impact on productivity and can lead to increased costs, loss of goodwill, financial penalties and possible legal action in the event of a workplace injury, unhappy staff and the potential loss of customers – so it’s imperative that steel fabricators put workplace safety on the top of their daily agendas.

The legislative framework provided by the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 plus additional resources from by government and industry bodies (e.g. WorkSafe Australia) provide clear guidance on controlling risk in the workplace, but if you’re wanting a quick snapshot of safety tips for a steel fabrication business, here are five key things you need to consider.

1. Wear protective clothing

Steel fabrication is a potentially hazardous industry and workers should always wear approved protective gear such as overalls, heavy duty gloves, safety glasses or goggles, steel capped boots and hard hats.  Workers should also be mindful of wearing baggy clothing or jewellery that may get entangled in the equipment and should take care to tie long hair back.

2. Prevent inhalation of dust

Sheet metal fabrication may result in the release of tiny particles of dust into the air which could be harmful if inhaled, so workers on the factory floor should wear masks or other suitable protection over their mouths and noses.

3. Avoid skin burns

Sheet metal has high thermal conductivity and consequently can become very hot when exposed to any heat source – and very cold when temperatures drop.   Workers need to be very aware of the potential for burns – both from hot metal and freezer burns from cold metal – and wear protective gloves when handling the material.

4. Prevent injuries caused by heavy lifting

Using machinery rather than manual labour for moving heavy pieces of sheet metal is a key step in avoiding injuries (such as back and neck strains or shoulder injuries) which can be sustained from heavy lifting.

5. Safe handling and storage of equipment

Proper training on the use of tools and equipment involved in sheet metal fabrication is critically important – as is ensuring that all machinery and tools are maintained optimally.  Whether the equipment being used is state-of-the-art cutting machinery or conventional shears and grinders, it’s imperative that they’re in good working order so that the risk of injury is minimised.

A professional steel fabrication company won’t take any shortcuts when it comes to ensuring the safety of both their employees and anyone else visiting their workplace and they’ll take all steps that are practically possible to reduce or eliminate any risk.  This will include identifying hazards, providing appropriate training, ensuring compliance with legislative processes and implementing appropriate health and safety procedures that are adhered to and properly supervised.

A steel fabricator that places a high value on workplace safety is one that delivers the best results for its customers.   W A Steel is one such company – and their belief that a safer working environment supports enhanced business results has yielded decades of success in steel fabrication in Perth.  They produce high quality fabricated steel products for the mining, transport, construction, aviation and materials handling industries using their advanced production facilities in Bassendean, and have a variety of in-house processes giving them the capacity and precision to undertake a wide range of fabricated components and projects to meet customer specifications.  If you’d like to learn more about one of the leading steel fabrication companies in Perth and their strong focus on safety, please call them on 08 9377 3778 or visit their website, www.wasteel.com.au.

The first rule when it comes to avoiding steel fabrication problems is that planning and precision workmanship are non-negotiable.  Getting it right the first time should be the aim of any steel fabrication job – small or large – and with proper planning and design and high quality workmanship, the likelihood of problems occurring is vastly reduced.

Let’s start by looking at some of the common problems that occur in steel fabrication.

External damage, such as scratches and gouges on the surface of the steel, is cause for concern because it can lead to corrosion.  Scratches can also be problematic when they compromise the aesthetics of the product.

There are many other surface contaminants which can lead to rusting and corrosion such as embedded iron and loose iron particles, residual adhesives from protective plastics, oil, grease, paint, grinding dust, weld spatter and so on – and these should all be avoided if problems down the line are to be prevented.

The best way to avoid problems or failures is to start with good design – and that includes the design of the fabricated object or component itself as well as the design of the welded joints.  The high temperatures involved in welding can lead to surface defects as well as other issues and once again,  quality of workmanship and attention to detail are two ‘must-haves’ if trouble in this area is to be averted.

All welding and cutting causes a certain amount of shrinkage and movement in the steel or the metal and everyone involved in the process including the designer, the materials engineer, the fabrication supervisor and the welder needs to be aware of distortion and work together to minimise its effects.

That raises another important point in how to avoid common problems in steel fabrication – and that is the importance of communication.   It’s a team effort.  Every person in every discipline in the production process should be communicating and interacting with one another to ensure all controls are in place, all inspections have taken place, all instructions are followed to the letter and so on.

We’ve talked about quality of workmanship, but equally important is the quality of the equipment.  Problems will occur if the machines aren’t firmly in place and vibrations occur, if the blades aren’t sharp enough or big enough to handle the cutting or if quality lubricants aren’t used.  Advances in technology have brought sophisticated computer controlled machinery to the fore and it’s essential to find a steel fabrication company that uses state-of-the-art equipment which has advanced features and controls which minimise the opportunity for errors.

In a nutshell, the following are the most important building blocks when it comes to avoiding problems in steel fabrication:

• Good design
• Appropriate materials selection
• Strict adherence to industry codes and requirements
• Steel fabrication experience
• Teamwork amongst all disciplines involved in the fabrication process
• Attention to detail
• Quality workmanship
• Quality of equipment

Problems in steel fabrication can cost both time and money, so you should always work with a company that has extensive industry experience and an established reputation for quality and precision workmanship.  West Australian Steel Sales is a leader in steel fabrication in Perth and with almost 30 years’ of experience under their belt and advanced steel fabrication production facilities at their new Bassendean premises, they offer customers a total manufacturing solution from initial concept through to finished product.    For more information on how WA Steel can meet your industry needs, contact them on 08 9377 3778 or visit their website, www.wasteel.com.au.

Working at height means any situation where someone has to be above ground level to perform a function.   In such situations, platforms are always preferable to ladders from both a safety perspective and from a liability perspective – but it is vital to ensure that any access platform is manufactured to stringent safety and quality standards in order to protect both the employee and the employer.

Many industries have their own challenges when it comes to working at height, and a reputable steel fabrication company will be able to manufacture access platforms and other access equipment which meets those specific requirements.    For example, an aircraft access platform will be different from a mobile work platform for the mining industry – and it is important to choose a metal fabrication company that can cater for your individual needs.

However, not all access equipment has to be made to order and there are many products on the market that can be ordered as standard.  However, because employee safety is the priority – it’s important to select products that meet current Australian Safety Standards and which ensure compliance with legislative and workplace requirements.

It’s also worthwhile noting that not all access equipment is the same.  Safety features such as self-closing swing gates, adjustable castors, anti-slip treads, removable guardrails which reduce the threat of weld stress and fall restraint systems can all make a big difference when it comes to ensuring employee safety, minimising the chance of injury and protecting employers from litigation.

When purchasing access equipment, it’s also important to work with a metal fabrication company that understands the various industry challenges and which has the experience and expertise to deliver solutions that meet specifications as well as meet quality and safety standards.

One such company is W A Steel, whose advanced steel fabrication production facilities ensure that they have the capacity as well as the precision to undertake a wide range of fabricated components and projects.  They are suppliers to the mining, transport, construction, aviation and materials handling industries and have all the experience and expertise necessary to meet any access and working at height requirements.

Many steel fabricators are now finding that their workshops and machining equipment aren’t only taken up with jobs for heavy industry, they’re also increasingly being asked to produce stylish and detailed items for interior design projects and architectural applications.

For example, more and more architects and designers are using punched or perforated sheet metal as decorative features (for example wall art, building facades and screens) as well as using metal and steel for functional purposes such as balustrade panels and ceilings.

Also, technological advances in computer controlled machining equipment have made it possible for steel fabricators to produce highly accurate and complicated products in a variety of different materials, thicknesses and finishes. Importantly, these machines have enabled even short production runs or one-off designs to be done very cost-effectively which is an important plus for the architectural and design industry.

Here are just some of the different ways that sheet metal is being used as a high-end, high quality feature in interior design and architectural applications:

• Screens
• Fencing and infill panels
• Cladding
• Shop fitting and signage
• Stainless steel bench tops and splashbacks for kitchens and bathrooms
• Room dividers
• Sunscreens and privacy screens
• Wall art
• Landscaping features
• Designer staircases
• Columns
• Feature panels

A further reason for the growing popularity of steel and metal in architecture and interior design is that they combine functionality with beauty. The materials are hard-wearing, long-lasting and virtually maintenance-free which make them ideal for both interior and exterior environments.

Items that have been punched (such as a metal screen) can also be further processed by some steel fabricators using specialised tooling equipment which opens up a whole new world of design and practical possibilities. For example, sheet metal that has been perforated can be powder-coated in various colours, plated or anodised plus the edges or borders can be ‘folded’ into the panel.

Better still, if you are looking to create a unique design, you should contact a steel fabricator who has the appropriate equipment to produce an item that can meet your individual specifications – either from drawings or from your own digital file.

Anyone looking for an experienced and capable steel fabricator in Perth to handle their architectural or interior design metalwork requirements should look no further than WA Steel, a locally owned and operated business with almost 30 years’ of industry experience. Visit their website to see their full range of services including laser cutting, CNC punching, bending and welding or call them on 08 9377 3778 for professional, expert advice on anything to do with architectural metalwork including materials, thicknesses and finishes for both residential and commercial applications.

But sheet metal isn’t only used in industrial situations – we find it in many domestic applications too, such as a metal surround on a kitchen bench top, in a home appliance or as a unique punched metal screen used as an interior design feature.

As a product however, sheet metals (including stainless steel, steel, mild steel and aluminium) do provide a host of advantages whether it’s for engineers, contractors or even the man-in-the-street. Let’s take a look at some of these advantages:

• Sheet metal has a low weight to thickness ratio, which means it’s easy to transport and easy to work with.
• Sheet metal is extremely strong and durable, making it the ideal high-strength material in a diversity of applications from harsh agricultural environments (e.g. sheep feeders and wheat bins) and high traffic environments (e.g. stair treads or metal scaffold planking) to extreme temperatures (e.g. industrial washing machines and ovens).
• Sheet metal is malleable, which means it can be formed, cut, bent or stretched into just about any shape, allowing sheet metal fabricators to offer their customers highly specialised solutions and custom-designs to meet just about any specification.
• Sheet metal can also be repaired relatively easily, which makes it a practical choice in many different applications.
• Its relatively low cost is also an advantage in both one-off design situations and in situations involving large quantities for mass production.

Technological advancements in the equipment used for cutting and forming sheet metal have also led to greater use of the material in a vast number of different applications. For example, Computer Numerical Control or CNC machining which involves using computers to control machine tools has enabled far greater precision than was ever possible through manual machining and sheet metal fabricators can now produce complex shapes – even repeatedly – accurately, quickly and cost-effectively.

One sheet metal fabricator in Perth that has seen significant growth in the use of the material is WA Steel, a company with over 30 years’ industry experience specialising in a range of metal fabrication. They recently moved to modern new premises in Bassendean where their state-of-the-art workshop with 2500m² of floor space including a 10 tonne overhead crane (with 8.5 metre hook height) and the complementary nature of their metal fabrication capabilities means they can offer clients highly specialised sheet metal solutions for both light and heavy fabrication projects. Visit their website or call them on 08 9377 3778 for expert help on any steel fabrication challenge.