Precision Fabrication for Stainless Steel Tubular Frames (Updated for 2025)

Last updated on March 13th, 2025 at 10:54 am

Our medical and pharmaceutical customers frequently compliment us on the stainless steel tubular frames we fabricate for them.

They especially appreciate that we get their frames right the first time, which we attribute to a unique and proven approach that differentiates us from other custom metal fabrication shops.

Today, we’ll pull back the curtain and spill (just a few) of our secrets to fabricating beautifully welded stainless steel tubular frames.

Essential Characteristics of Stainless Steel Tubular Frames for the Medical and Pharmaceutical Industries

Stainless steel tubular frames are a critical element of the equipment infrastructure for the medical and pharmaceutical industries. The frames are often used in sterile environments and therefore must be incredibly smooth-free of any ridges or grooves that could collect bacteria. They also need to be sturdy enough to hold up to repeated use and frequent cleaning.

The smooth, polished appearance of the frames makes them aesthetically pleasing, reinforcing the sense of cleanliness that people expect in hospital and lab settings.

But in addition to appearing smooth, clean, and beautiful, stainless steel tubular frames must function as intended. Ideally, customers send their frames directly from their sheet metal fabricator to the assembly floor-a process that Approved Sheet Metal makes entirely seamless.

Why Work with Approved Sheet Metal for Your Stainless Steel Tubular Frames?

Here are a few of our differentiators when it comes to fabricating stainless steel tubular frames that are assembly-ready:

Use of jigs. Fabricators use jigs during manual work to hold the position of a tool in place, improving accuracy and repeatability. In the context of stainless steel tubular frames, we leverage jigs to ensure that the pattern of holes matches up as we move along the length of each frame. The frames are often so large that there’s very little room for error. They also typically have tight tolerance requirements to ensure sturdiness and cleanliness, increasing the need for precision and accuracy.

Welding expertise. Weld distortion-which occurs when heat warps the metal-is often inevitable during welding. We do everything in our power to prevent this outcome, but one thing that sets us apart from the competition is our ability to anticipate and compensate for distortion in situations where it may be unavoidable. Here are standard workarounds we employ to get stainless steel tubular frames right the first time:

• Taking a subassembly approach to building a frame. We build the frames in several subassemblies to minimize distortion. This approach also allows us to move through grinding and polishing more quickly because it’s easier to work with the smaller fabrications.
• Welding in phases. In some cases, we’ll weld part of the frame and then allow it to cool before returning to it for any minor adjustments. Thanks to our decades of experience welding custom sheet metal fabrications, we know exactly how long to heat components without causing distortion.

Quality assurance. We have a rigorous quality inspection process for stainless steel tubular frames, verifying hole patterns and other critical requirements to ensure frames are ready to move directly to a customer’s assembly floor. We also take extreme care to maintain the integrity of frames during packing and shipping. Our team members are trained on properly loading the frames onto the truck so that each one reaches its destination in pristine condition.

Precision Fabrication Techniques

When it comes to fabricating stainless steel tubular frames, precision is paramount to ensure both functionality and structural integrity, particularly in industries like medical and pharmaceutical manufacturing. Several advanced fabrication techniques are employed to achieve the high levels of accuracy required for these complex and critical components.

Laser Tube Cutting

Laser tube cutting is one of the most precise methods for cutting stainless steel tubing. This technique uses a high-powered laser beam to make clean, accurate cuts with minimal material distortion. Laser tube cutting offers several advantages for tubular frame fabrication:

• Precision: Laser cutting allows for tight tolerances, with cuts accurate to within fractions of a millimeter.
• Minimal Burrs: The process generates very little burr or sharp edges, reducing the need for secondary finishing processes such as grinding.
• Complex Geometry: It is ideal for cutting complex shapes, holes, or slots, enabling intricate designs without compromising structural integrity.

Bending and Forming

Stainless steel tubular frames often require bending to achieve the necessary shape and structure. Precision bending and forming ensure that each tube maintains the correct angle and radius while minimizing distortion. There are a few key techniques involved:

• Tube Bending Machines: CNC-controlled tube benders are used to create precise angles and radii without compromising the material’s integrity. This automated process reduces human error and ensures consistent results.
• Roll Bending: For larger frames or curves, roll bending can be employed, where stainless steel tubes are passed through rollers to achieve the desired curvature. This method is suitable for creating smooth, consistent bends in longer tube sections.

MIG and TIG Welding

Once the tubes are cut and bent, the fabrication process continues with welding. Stainless steel welding requires careful control of heat to avoid warping or distortion, particularly for medical-grade applications where precision is critical.

• TIG Welding (Tungsten Inert Gas): TIG welding is particularly favored for stainless steel tubular frames due to its high precision and clean welds. It uses a tungsten electrode to produce a precise arc and a filler material to join components. This technique allows for better control of heat and is ideal for intricate work where aesthetics and structural strength are both critical.
• MIG Welding (Metal Inert Gas): MIG welding is often used for faster welds, particularly in larger structures. While it is generally less precise than TIG, it still offers good strength and can be used for larger, less complex tubular frame designs.

Precision Drilling and Hole Cutting

In many stainless steel tubular frame designs, precise holes are required for mounting or assembly purposes. CNC drilling and punching machines ensure that hole diameters and placements are exact, with minimal variation. These techniques are especially important when tight tolerances are required, as is often the case in medical equipment.

• CNC Drilling: Computer-controlled drills ensure that holes are placed with pinpoint accuracy, reducing human error and the need for rework.
• Punching: For some applications, punching may be employed to quickly create holes or cutouts in the tubular frame. This method is fast, efficient, and ideal for larger production runs.

Deburring and Finishing

After fabrication, the stainless steel tubular frames require thorough finishing to remove any sharp edges, burrs, or imperfections that could compromise functionality or appearance. Deburring is an essential step for achieving smooth, clean surfaces that are safe for handling and meet hygienic standards for medical and pharmaceutical environments.

• Grinding: Automated and manual grinding techniques are used to smooth out rough areas, especially on weld joints and tube intersections. This step ensures that the frames are free from imperfections that could harbor bacteria.
• Polishing: For applications where aesthetics are just as important as function, polishing is performed to give the frame a high-gloss, reflective finish. This not only enhances the frame’s appearance but also contributes to its resistance to corrosion.

Fitment and Assembly

Once the individual components are fabricated, it’s essential to ensure they fit together perfectly to create a rigid, stable frame. This process involves careful checking of dimensions, alignment, and welding. Precision-fit welding ensures that all joints are strong and stable, capable of withstanding repeated use and frequent cleaning, as is required in medical and pharmaceutical environments.

Tolerances and Tight Fitment

The importance of maintaining tight tolerances in tubular frame fabrication cannot be overstated, especially when working with stainless steel. Achieving precise measurements and fitment is critical for ensuring that the frame assembles correctly without gaps, misalignments, or unnecessary stress points. This is particularly relevant in applications where frames will hold sensitive equipment, such as laboratory or medical devices. By employing advanced measuring tools like laser measurement systems and coordinate measuring machines (CMM), manufacturers can ensure the tightest tolerances are maintained throughout the process.

By leveraging these precision fabrication techniques, fabricators can produce stainless steel tubular frames that meet exacting standards for performance, durability, and appearance, ensuring the highest level of quality in every project.

At Approved Sheet Metal, we’re proud to contribute to the medical and pharmaceutical industries and are passionate about the stainless steel tubular frames we fabricate. We approach each frame as if we’re making a piece of jewelry or a fine work of art-that’s how serious we are about these parts! Request a quote from our custom metal fabrication shop today.

Sheet Metal Design for Manufacturing

FREE eBOOK DOWNLOAD

Design parts with the sheet metal fabrication process in mind. Reduce cost and get parts on your desk faster! Learn about the following best practices when designing sheet metal parts:

• Hems & Offsets
• Notches & Tabs
• Corners & Welding
• Uniform Thickness and more!

Get it now

Stainless Steel Tubular Frames FAQ

What distinguishes stainless steel tubular frames from Approved Sheet Metal?

Our stainless steel tubular frames stand out due to our precision-based fabrication approach. We use jigs meticulously to ensure accurate hole patterns along the frames, manage weld distortion effectively by employing subassembly construction and phased welding techniques, and conduct rigorous quality checks to ensure seamless assembly at our clients’ floors.

How do you ensure the accuracy of hole patterns in large stainless steel frames?

We leverage jigs extensively during fabrication to maintain precise hole alignment throughout the frame’s length. With tight tolerance requirements and minimal room for error, our meticulous use of jigs guarantees consistent accuracy, critical for sturdy and sterile frames.

How does Approved Sheet Metal manage weld distortion in stainless steel tubular frames?

Weld distortion is a common challenge during fabrication. To combat this, we adopt a subassembly approach, breaking down the frame construction to minimize distortion. Additionally, our phased welding technique and decades of expertise allow us to anticipate and compensate for distortion, ensuring the frames are right the first time.

What quality checks are in place for the stainless steel tubular frames?

Our quality assurance process involves thorough inspections, verifying critical requirements like hole patterns. We also prioritize the frames’ integrity during packing and shipping, training our team to handle and load them onto trucks carefully, guaranteeing their pristine condition upon arrival.

Why should medical and pharmaceutical industries choose Approved Sheet Metal for stainless steel tubular frames?

Our approach guarantees frames that meet stringent industry standards for cleanliness, sturdiness, and aesthetics. With precise fabrication techniques, distortion management, and rigorous quality checks, we ensure frames are assembly-ready, facilitating a seamless transition from our shop to the clients’ assembly floor.