How does metal fabrication impact the agricultural industry?
Metal fabrication is the process of creating new metal structures from raw metal materials. This is done through the cutting, bending, and assembly of various metal parts. Agriculture is the economic sector that produces crops, animals, poultry, and fish.
So, what does the metal bending service have to do with farming?
At first glance, it would seem difficult to draw a connection between both industries. Let’s get to some history lessons here. Agriculture is one of the earliest signs marking the beginning of mankind’s civilisation.
Since the discovery of metal during the Bronze Age, agriculture and human civilisation have never looked back. Until today, most modern farm structures, machinery, agricultural tools, and equipment are products of the metal fabrication business. Alongside agriculture, the metal fabrication sector has advanced significantly. New technologies such as lasers and automation provide greater innovation and functionality than ever before.
By 2025, the UN predicts that there will be 8.1 billion people living on the planet. Food demand will rise as the world’s population continues to grow. As a result, there are tremendous prospects for the agricultural business to grow in the future. Because agriculture is so reliant on the metalworking sector, finding a reliable metal fabrication specialist is critical.
Common metal fabrication processes applied to produce agricultural equipment:
Depending on the niche, we can use various metal fabrication techniques to meet a variety of agricultural demands.
Reduction means “downsizing” materials to their intended shapes and sizes. Metal bending specialists frequently perform this process. Because most metals are malleable, they can be hammered or pressed into any shape without breaking or cracking.
Welding fabrication is one of the most popular methods of joining two pieces of metal. This can be accomplished through the use of either gas or electric arc heating. It is particularly useful to extend pieces of equipment to fit into specific machinery sizes.
Stamping is another common metal fabrication shaping procedure that is extensively used in agriculture. Through precision metal stamping, we can create elevated metal surfaces. Additionally, these metal stampers can precisely cut out designs from metal sheets.
Punching, as the name suggests, punches holes through metal sheets. This method involves pushing steel instruments against the metal at high speeds. Metal components for grinders, sprayers, tractors, and harvesters can be shaped using this technique.
Why is steel the best metal for the agricultural industry?
Most industries rely heavily on the use of steel. Likewise, it is not surprising that steel is the ideal metal for agriculture. On a day-to-day basis, the agricultural operation deals with the following:
- Heat, dirt, animal, and plant wastes.
- Exposure to harsh elements, such as detergents, pesticides, or herbicides.
- Wear-and-tear from repeated use and mechanical friction.
- Changes in the weather, including year-long sun exposure, rain, strong winds, or floods.
These conditions all increase the risk of corrosion and damage to farming equipment. Therefore, sturdy and resilient equipment is required to maintain efficient agricultural operations. In this article, we will look at the two main types of steel used in agriculture: structural steel for agricultural construction; and stainless steel for farming.
Structural steel for agricultural buildings
Similar to our houses, the primary role of agricultural structures is to provide shelter and protection. In comparison to wood, steel is a relative newcomer. Over the past six decades, its usage has progressively increased.
Structural steel is steel that has been optimised for use in building construction. This type of steel is distinct from steel grades used in engineering tools or stainless steel. It is also known as “carbon steel”, consisting of iron with carbon content, up to 2.1% of its total weight. What effect does carbon have on steel? The carbon content of the steel influences its “yield strength”, which translates to its capacity to withstand deformation under pressure. To manufacture different grades of structural steel, other elements such as tungsten, cobalt, nickel, or zirconium can be added.
The function of structural steel is comparable to that of real-life LEGO® bricks. These pre-engineered beams come in various shapes, including L-beams, Z-beams, HSS-beams, and T-beams (see figure below). Depending on what the design calls for, builders can mix and match structural steel of different shapes to achieve frameworks for various structures.
The benefits of structural steel in agricultural construction
Strength and durability
Structural steel is the material of choice if you want to build something that will last. Unlike concrete, a relatively brittle material, steel structures do not break when subjected to huge forces. Another added advantage of steel is ductility. This is a favourable ability because steel deforms without suddenly collapsing, allowing for corrective actions or safe evacuation. In contrast to wood, structural steel is more resistant to moisture damage, such as rot and mildew. It is also safe against insect infestation, fire, and harsh weather conditions. Furthermore, the use of structural steel in buildings allows for larger clear spans or open spaces with fewer support pillars.
Quick assembly and easy transport
This may come as a surprise, but pre-fabricated structural designs result in a lesser weight than solid wood or concrete beam. This not only makes transportation easier but also more cost-effective and saves construction time.
Versatile and highly adaptable
Steel can be moulded into almost any shape, and it can also be modified and adjusted to meet your demands. It is thus possible to construct a variety of structures with specific uses, such as equestrian, barns, or storage. There is also a wide range of colour and design options, allowing you to enhance the appearance of the structure.
Environmentally sustainable
Do you know that steel is widely referred to as a “green” construction material? This is because steel is fully recyclable and reclaimable, resulting in a lesser environmental impact. Using structural steel instead of logs helps to minimise deforestation. Most importantly, steel does not emit hazardous chemicals that may harm people or the environment.
Low upkeep and cost-effective
Steel buildings are generally fuss-free and remarkably low-maintenance. This saves money since agribusiness owners can focus on running their farms daily. In the long run, owners can allocate resources to further expand their farming business.
Stainless steel for other agricultural applications
Stainless steel is an iron-chromium alloy that comes in various grades, depending on the ratio of both metals. Although stainless steel is well-loved for domestic use, you might be surprised to learn that it is also widely used in agriculture. Apart from its aesthetically pleasing appearance, stainless steel offers several other noteworthy advantages, including:
Corrosion resistance
The surface characteristics of stainless steel are exceptional. It is resistant to acidic and alkaline solutions under pressure and at high temperatures. This is increasingly relevant as crop protection chemicals are increasingly used, which accelerates corrosion. Another classic example based on this property is stainless steel ventilation ducts that transport fumes.
High strength and temperature stability
If you are sourcing for a material that can endure frequent usage and mechanical contact, stainless steel is the way to go. It can resist shock and abrasion better than other materials, such as plastics.
As previously stated, stainless steel has great strength and durability at high temperatures. Often, metal fabrication specialists use heat treatment to produce high-strength components. On the other hand, the cold-work hardening technique aims to fabricate thinner and lighter materials at a cheaper cost.
Hygienic
Stainless steel is easy to clean and maintain. This makes it an excellent choice, especially in facilities that produce food. Another popular application is the use of stainless-steel watering devices for livestock. This is especially crucial in providing a consistent, oxygenated, and clean water supply. Furthermore, producers can create watering basins with rounded sides that are safe for livestock.
Easy to fabricate
Stainless steel is simple to weld, pre-fabricate, and build with. This makes it an ideal material for fences, gates, and other types of agricultural obstacles.
Eco-friendly
Similar to structural steel, stainless steel is also entirely recyclable. Up to 60% of stainless steel available today is made from recycled materials.
Cost-effective
You may assume that stainless steel would be expensive, given all of its advantages. Instead, why not try a cheap and replaceable material like plastic? Spending extra money to acquire a superior material at a higher cost may seem counterintuitive. Stainless steel is the cheapest option in reality due to its extended life cycle.
Conclusion
Metal fabrication is a key driver in the agricultural industry. We understand that farming, cultivation, and harvesting are all time-sensitive operations. Therefore, having the right setup is crucial.
Metal ticks all the right boxes to fulfil your farming needs, from construction to equipment and machines. It will thus be a pivotal step if you engage a reputable metal fabricator to help you grow your agricultural business.
Do you want to save more time, minimise costs, and achieve better efficiency for your agricultural business? NS Metal Fabrication Specialist takes pride in offering our customers trustworthy metalworking services. Get in touch with us to assist you in developing comprehensive solutions to enhance your agriculture business.
References:
