When researching sheet metal companies, you want to ensure that the one you choose can accommodate your project with ease and professionalism. If you’re not sure what kind of products and service to expect from your average fab shop, read on to discover the basics and a few Kaempf & Harris specifics:

Topics: Sheet Metal Fabrication

Do you need a trade show accessory? What about physical therapy equipment or a horse trailer? Maybe a commercial dishwasher panel?

Topics: Sheet Metal Fabrication

What happens when a trio of technological, political, and social problems hit the sheet metal industry harder than ever before? We’re faced with making tough decisions and finding innovative solutions:

Topics: Sheet Metal Fabrication, Industry

Kaempf & Harris highlights important statistics and predictions from the Textura Global Construction Forecast, which was “specially written by Global Construction Perspectives and Oxford Economics for the ENR Global Construction Summit” in New York on September 10, 2015.

Topics: Sheet Metal Fabrication, Industry

Laser technology, flame cutting, and waterjets have worked wonders for the sheet metal industry. Learn more about each technique from Kaempf & Harris:

Topics: Tools & Techniques, Sheet Metal Fabrication, Industry

When it comes to welding, it’s not always about helmets and sparks. Kaempf and Harris gives you a glossary for the different types of welding in fabrication shops:

Topics: Welding, Tools & Techniques, Sheet Metal Fabrication

We’ve explained the difference between metal fabrication and welding, but do you really know about the latter technique? Kaempf and Harris looks into its history, industry projects, where it’s most popular in the United States, and more:

Topics: Welding, Tools & Techniques, Sheet Metal Fabrication

Do you know how many welders are female? Or which states offer experienced metal fabricators the highest salary? How about the number of steel grades that exist?

Topics: Education, Welding, Tools & Techniques, Metals, Industry, Safety

With the help of Metal Supermarkets, Aerospace Engineering, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Kaempf & Harris details the history of sheet metal fabrication in the aerospace industry:

Topics: Metals, Sheet Metal Fabrication, Industry

Aluminum and stainless steel have a variety of individual applications in sheet metal projects. However, the latter is an alloy while aluminum is a natural element.

Topics: Metals

From assembling to tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding, sheet metal fabrication techniques can be hard to keep track of. To help you understand the ins and outs of these methods, Kaempf & Harris is breaking down the basics of a newer skill, perforating:

Topics: Tools & Techniques, Metals, Sheet Metal Fabrication

With 2016 coming to a close, the experts at Kaempf & Harris take a look at some of the most anticipated trends and tools that will make their debut in the New Year:

Topics: Tools & Techniques, Sheet Metal Fabrication, Industry

Upon graduating from Walkersville High School, Keith Abrecht considered pursuing a career in farming, a family pastime. That was until one of his four brothers offered a different trade path.

Topics: Education, Sheet Metal Fabrication, Industry

Did you know that galvanization is the process of applying a protective zinc coating to steel or iron to prevent rusting? The most common method in sheet metal fabrication shops is hot-dip galvanizing. This is the process of submerging metal parts in a bath of molten zinc to protect the metal. 

Topics: Tools & Techniques, Metals, Sheet Metal Fabrication

Bill Esarey grew up in the Cleveland area with sheet metal in his blood. His father spent more than 50 years in the industry as a sheet metal worker and small-scale contractor.

Topics: Sheet Metal Fabrication, Apprenticeships, Industry

Maintaining a safe sheet metal shop work environment is critical to worker productivity and the profitability of any metal fabrication organization.

Topics: Tools & Techniques, Sheet Metal Fabrication, Industry, Safety

No matter where you are looking to find an apprenticeship, whether it is at the Frederick County Public Schools Career and Technology Center (CTE) or with the Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Program, skilled trade experts are going to ask you a few basic (and some tricky) interview questions. From your experience in sheet metal fabrication to how you handle stress and authority, make sure you have well-thought-out answers ready using Kaempf & Harris’ list of top inquiries for a sheet metal apprenticeship:

Topics: Education, Sheet Metal Fabrication, Apprenticeships

In 2004, China was the top producer of steel, an alloy that makes sheet metal fabrication possible. The country boasted 272.5 million metric tons (MMT), followed by Japan at 112.7 and the United States at 98.9. 

Topics: Metals, Sheet Metal Fabrication

 

Bob Masser began working at Kaempf & Harris when times were simpler. 

Topics: Education, Events, Sheet Metal Fabrication

Many people use fabricating and welding as interchangeable verbs, but that’s not quite the case. In its most basic sense, fabrication is the process of creating a project out of metal, and welding can be a singular operation during that process. 

Topics: Welding, Tools & Techniques, Metals, Sheet Metal Fabrication, Apprenticeships

Did you know that fabricated metals are the third largest U.S. manufacturing industry when measured by employment? Our industry is also growing when it comes to production rate, revenue, projects, and shipments. Take a look at our complete list of recent sheet metal fabrication stats:

Topics: Metals, Sheet Metal Fabrication, Apprenticeships, Industry

Steel is a low-carbon alloy that’s typically made of iron, tin, and carbon. With its ability to withstand corrosion (thanks to the inorganic compound chromium oxide), heat, and pressure, it’s one of the most popular metals in fabrication shops.

Topics: Metals, Sheet Metal Fabrication

The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects skilled trade careers to increase faster than the national average this year. If that’s the case, why do most parents, educators, and guidance counselors avoid talking about trade careers as a viable option for students after high school?

Topics: Education, Sheet Metal Fabrication, Apprenticeships

Sheet metal fabrication can be a hard concept to grasp because there are many different processes and tools necessary to complete a project. To help you better understand what sheet metal fabrication is, which processes are used and which tools are necessary to get the job done, here is Kaempf & Harris’ quick glossary to basic sheet metal fabrication terms:

Topics: Welding, Sheet Metal Fabrication

Local apprenticeships are a great way to begin your resume as a skilled trade worker. They come with weekly classes to cover the basics of your preferred trade and on-the-job training for hands-on experience. Skilled trade apprenticeships are a chance for students to earn while they learn, gaining education and experience. If you’re interested in local apprenticeships, here’s a helpful guide to opportunities near you: 

Topics: Education, Sheet Metal Fabrication, Apprenticeships