Red Seal Metal Fabricator (Fitter) Practice Exam

What process is primarily used to create a bend in steel?

1. Welding

2. Bending or forming using press brakes or rolls

3. Cutting

4. Stretching

The correct answer is: Bending or forming using press brakes or rolls

The process primarily used to create a bend in steel is bending or forming using press brakes or rolls. In metal fabrication, press brakes and rolling machines are specifically designed to apply controlled force to bend metal sheets or strips into desired angles and shapes. Press brakes utilize a die and a punch to exert pressure on the metal; this pressure causes the metal to deform plastically at a specific angle. This method is highly efficient and allows for precise control over the bend's dimensions. Rolling machines, on the other hand, are used to create curves and arcs in metal by passing it through a series of rollers. This technique allows for continuous bending along a length of material, making it suitable for creating rounded shapes and larger bends in metal sheets. The other processes mentioned do not serve the primary function of creating bends in steel. Welding involves joining pieces of metal together, cutting is about removing material to achieve a desired shape or size, and stretching is typically used to elongate or thin a material rather than create a bend.