Metal fabrication is the process of building machines or structures. To do this, the material is cut, built and assembled. Cutting can involve sawing, shearing or chiseling. Human and machine labor is required to assemble these structures. The end product may be called a fabrication. In some cases it is referred to as casting, machining, forging or stamping.

In every country, the steel industry serves as an economic development indicator. This is because steel is such a commonly used material in building foundations, especially in developed countries. Think about it, steel is used to produce items that we use every day such as power line towers, pipelines, cars, kitchen items and electric tools.

Fab shops are where fabrication occurs. These specialized shops have overlapping abilities, but often focus on prep and assembly of the alloy materials. Shop workers will look over engineering drawings and decide if and how much they want to bid on a project. If given the project contract, they will begin building the product. Contractors, value-added resellers and original manufacturers utilize fab shops for projects that include, but are not limited to railings, structural frames for building and stairs.

This work overlaps with other forms of work, for instance blacksmithing and welding. Even boilermakers and millwrights, who traditionally specialized in other areas, have taken up these types of projects. Steel erectors not only prepare and assemble these products, they also do installation once all is completed.

There are a variety of tools used in this line of work. For cutting, a laser, torch, water jet and band saw may be used in addition to manual or power tools. Bending will require hammering, brake pressing and rolling or tube-bending machines. Assembling requires welding, adhesives, riveting or fasteners.

The starting materials for most of these projects are structural steel or sheet metal. Castings, welding wire and flux are also starting materials. The raw materials needed for most productions include hardware, fittings, and plate or formed and expanded metal.