As your one-stop-shop service provider, Infra-Metals Co. offers a diverse range of value-added processing capabilities:
With these capabilities, we can provide the quality products and services you need to complete your project on time. Here, you’ll learn more about each value-added service.
Plate Burning
Computer numerical control (CNC) hi-def plasma cutting, otherwise known as Plate Burning, is a process that utilizes a plasma torch to cut aluminum and steel to a desired shape. An electrical arc turns compressed air or an inert gas into plasma that measures almost 40,000 ºF. The plasma heats the metal until it reaches its melting point and then blows it away.
The CNC capabilities of our plasma burning equipment allow precision plate cutting. The CNC-controlled machine operates on programs developed on-site from customer-supplied hard copy blueprints or drawings in .DWG, .NC1, or .DXF files.
With a tighter nozzle, the hi-def plasma cutter can concentrate the plasma arc better than standard plasma cutters. Hi-def plasma plate cutting creates tight-tolerance finished products that require minimal edge grinding and have the following features:
Oxy Fuel Plate Burning
Oxy-fuel plate burning utilizes propylene and oxygen to cut through plates with thicknesses up to 6″. Driven by CNC part programs, the process can create shapes to a specific dimension and accommodate plates up to 10′ x 80′. Unlike hi-def plasma cutting, oxy-fuel burned material typically requires edge grinding as a secondary process.
Drilling
Our metal drilling services use the following types of drill bits to form holes in steel and various other substrates:
The steel drilling process involves using a coolant from the drilling machine’s reservoir to cool the material. The coolant also helps remove metal chips as they appear from the hole to ensure a smooth finish.
Saw Cutting
Infra-Metals offers many value-added processes, with saw cutting services being one of the most requested methods. Our nesting programs and CNC saws can create cut-to-length pieces with minimal scrap, saving our customers significant time and money.
By sending our nesting programs directly to the CNC saws in our warehouse, we give customers the following advantages:
Blast and Prime
Metal blasting and priming processes are commonly used to remove rust and mill scale from steel products by blasting a steel shot mixture against the material’s surface. At Infra-Metals, we utilize a shot mixture of S230, S280, and grit. This mixture of elements prepares the surface material for priming, effectively cleaning and penetrating the steel down to a white metal.
Painting the material with a primer gives it exceptional corrosion protection. Primer also helps preserve the metal and prevent oxidation. Infra-Metals utilizes International 937 primer, which is suitable for welding and cutting.
Cambering
Camber is defined as the amount of deflection that is induced in the opposite direction of the component’s load. When a linear product like a steel beam experiences a vertical downward load, the beam tends to deflect downward. Beam cambering creates an upward curve in the beam relative to its center to compensate for the deflection.
Beam cambering is beneficial in a wide range of applications. Cambered beams are often utilized in the manufacturing of truck chassis. In building construction, adding camber to flooring can help prevent sagging or bowing over time, significantly relieving the stress on supporting frames.
At Infra-Metals, our cambering processes can handle a minimum beam length of 20′ up to WF 40 x 397”.
T-Splitting
Our T-splitting services play an integral role in our ability to meet our customers’ exact specifications. T-splits are available in Grade 50 and Grade A992 steel and are created by splitting a wide flange beam down the web. T-splitting most often processes wide flange beams, but channel products can also be run through the same machine to create offset angles. Thus, the T-splitting process allows us to offer an additional product line that does not require mill production, saving our customers considerable time.
Our automated T-splitting equipment comprises roller conveyors, screw-type lifting rollers, and transfer tables to accelerate production. Our machines are also fully programmable from heating to splitting to cooling, minimizing the total time required to produce T-splits.
Steel Processing Services from Infra-Metals
As one of the largest structural steel providers in the United States, Infra-Metals Co. offers a comprehensive selection of products and services. We tailor our strategically located distribution facilities to meet regional demands. Backed by decades of industry-leading experience, we remain firmly committed to providing on-time, competitively priced, and high-quality services and materials.
Request a quote today to get started on your steel processing solution from Infra-Metals.