Introduction
For many OEM products, individual metal parts are only part of the story. The real value comes from delivering a complete, ready-to-use assembly — welded, fastened, and finished to specification. Welding and assembly services allow manufacturers to consolidate their supply chain, reduce handling costs, and receive parts that are ready for immediate integration into their products.
This guide covers the main welding processes used in metal fabrication, what to look for in a welding and assembly supplier, and how to ensure quality in welded components.
Common Welding Processes in Metal Fabrication
MIG Welding (GMAW)
MIG (Metal Inert Gas) welding is the most widely used process in industrial metal fabrication. It uses a continuous wire electrode and shielding gas to produce strong, clean welds at high speed.
- Best for: Carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum
- Advantages: Fast, versatile, suitable for thin to medium thickness materials
- Typical applications: Structural frames, enclosures, brackets, general assemblies
TIG Welding (GTAW)
TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding produces the highest quality, most precise welds. It requires more skill and time than MIG welding but delivers superior aesthetics and strength.
- Best for: Stainless steel, aluminum, thin materials requiring clean appearance
- Advantages: Excellent weld quality, minimal spatter, precise heat control
- Typical applications: Food equipment, medical devices, visible welds, pressure vessels
Spot Welding (Resistance Welding)
Spot welding uses electrical resistance to join overlapping sheet metal at discrete points. It is extremely fast and cost-effective for high-volume sheet metal assemblies.
- Best for: Thin sheet metal (0.5mm – 3mm), carbon steel, stainless steel
- Advantages: Very fast cycle time, no filler material needed, consistent results
- Typical applications: Automotive panels, enclosures, appliance housings, sheet metal boxes
Laser Welding
Laser welding uses a focused laser beam to produce extremely precise, narrow welds with minimal heat distortion. It is ideal for precision components and thin materials.
- Best for: Thin stainless steel, precision assemblies, visible cosmetic welds
- Advantages: Minimal distortion, high precision, excellent appearance
- Typical applications: Electronics enclosures, medical devices, precision instruments
Assembly Services: Beyond Welding
A full-service metal fabrication supplier can provide complete sub-assembly and final assembly services, including:
- Hardware insertion — Press-in nuts, studs, standoffs, and fasteners installed during fabrication
- Mechanical assembly — Bolting, riveting, and fastening multiple components together
- Surface finishing — Powder coating, painting, plating, or anodizing applied after welding
- Labeling and packaging — Custom labels, part numbers, and packaging per your requirements
Consolidating these steps with a single supplier reduces lead time, simplifies logistics, and lowers total cost.
Weld Quality Standards
For structural and safety-critical applications, weld quality must meet defined standards. Common references include:
- AWS D1.1 — American Welding Society structural welding code for steel
- ISO 3834 — International standard for quality requirements in fusion welding
- EN 1090 — European standard for structural steel and aluminum execution
When sourcing welded assemblies, ask your supplier about their welder certifications and quality inspection procedures for welds.
How to Specify Welding Requirements
To get accurate quotes and consistent results, your drawings should clearly specify:
- Weld type and symbol (per AWS or ISO standards)
- Weld size and length
- Joint type (butt, fillet, lap, corner)
- Surface finish requirements for welds (ground flush, as-welded, etc.)
- Any post-weld treatment (stress relief, passivation for stainless steel)
Welding and Assembly at Xinhe Metal
Xinhe Metal provides comprehensive welding and assembly services as part of our full-service metal fabrication offering. Our capabilities include:
- MIG, TIG, and spot welding for carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum
- Hardware insertion and mechanical assembly
- Post-weld surface finishing including powder coating and plating
- In-process weld inspection and dimensional verification
- Custom packaging and labeling
We work with OEM customers to deliver complete, ready-to-install assemblies — reducing your supply chain complexity and total cost.
Contact us today to discuss your welding and assembly requirements and request a free quote.