Fundamentals of Metal Fabrication Certificate Exam

Fundamentals of Metal Fabrication Certificate Exam

In response to increasing requests from industry leaders and the educational community, FMA and metal fabrication instructors have developed the Fundamentals of Metal Fabrication Certificate Exam.

Created for schools, students, and industry professionals, the exam enables participants to obtain an industry-recognized certificate after completing instructional coursework and passing the independent assessment.

Class Content

Core Topics and Learning Objectives

These Core Topics will assess a student’s ability to:

Metal Fabrication Safety

  • Maintain and wear personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety shoes/boots, glasses, gloves, sleeves, and hearing protection
  • Be aware of the surroundings and accept responsibility for maintaining a safe environment
  • Understand accountability for their own safety and the safety of others in the shop
  • Identify the safety features on metal fabrication equipment (machines used for bending, cutting, shearing, punching, blanking, and welding metal)
  • Recognize what areas on a machine are dangerous (i.e. pinch points) and respond to safety signals such as warning lights
  • Know how to safely stop a machine when appropriate
  • Read and understand Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and identify hazardous materials

Applied Shop Math

  • Add, subtract, multiply, divide:
    • Whole numbers
    • Fractions
    • Decimals
  • Use a scientific calculator to add, subtract, multiply and divide:
    • Whole numbers
    • Fractions
    • Decimals
    • Complete basic trig functions
    • Polar to rectangular conversion
  • Convert:
    • Fractions to decimal
    • Decimals to fractions
    • Inch to metric
    • Metric to inch
  • Use external resources to assist in calculating properties of geometric shapes, such as:
    • Area
    • Circumference/perimeter
    • Volume
    • Segments
  • Understand how to gauge metal thickness

Inspection / Quality Control / Measurements

  • Correctly identify different types of material
  • Recognize non-conforming materials
  • Understand work flow, job jackets, work orders and prints
  • Perform floor inspections
  • Understand SPC and data collection
  • Name and select hand tools for specific metal fabrication tasks
  • Know and maintain required tools, the different types, and scales including:
    • Squares and blades
    • Calipers and height gauges
    • Protractors and micrometers
    • Jigs and fixtures
  • Understand reading rules, dial and digital measuring devices
  • Know and maintain proper use and application of each tool including its care, cleaning and calibration

Blueprint Reading for Metal Fabrication

  • Interpret title blocks
  • Interpret bill of materials
  • Locate general tolerances
  • Identify special tolerances
  • Interpret drawing notes
  • Identify revision levels
  • Interpret line types
  • Interpret orthographic projections
  • Identify dimensioning techniques
  • Differentiate between inch and metric dimensions

Metallurgy for Metal Fabrication

  • Identify the three metal identification methods and explain what characteristics they exhibit about a metal:
    • Metals and alloys
    • Ferrous and nonferrous
    • Chemical analysis
  • Discuss the three metal properties and explain the different observable attributes they provide about a metal:

    • Physical properties
    • Mechanical properties
    • Chemical properties
  • Recall the five common mechanical testing methods and explain how they are used to measure the response of metals to mechanical forces:
    • Tension
    • Compression
    • Shear
    • Torsion
    • Flexure

Precision Sheet Metal (PSM) Equipment

  • Identify the function(s), usage, and application(s) of common mechanical and automated PSM equipment:
    • Shears
    • Press Brakes
    • Water Jets
    • Punches and Dies
    • Lasers
    • Plasma
    • Iron Workers
  • Understand the primary operation of each piece of equipment including:
    • Parts/components and their function
    • How to determine capacities
    • Material types
    • Basic maintenance practices
  • Know the safety features specific to each machine and follow safe operation guidelines

This Course is Designed For

Course intended for schools

Schools

FMA is committed to connecting students to meaningful jobs in the industry. The Fundamentals of Metal Fabrication Certificate Exam serves as the culmination of the students’ achievements in the classroom and translates to a certificate that they carry with them into the workforce.

Subscriptions are available to post-secondary schools that offer a one- to two-year degree / program of study in precision sheet metal fabrication. The length and extent of coursework will vary based upon the school’s unique academic format, but it is recommended that the metal fabrication curriculum include all the following:

  • 120 hours (or two semesters) of classroom instruction and / or a minimum of 22 credit hours
  • Hands-on instruction with a performance assessment
  • Instruction in the Core Topics

Access to the online exam will be given to FMA member schools at no cost; their subscription will remain active with their annual membership renewal.

The annual subscription rate for nonmember schools is $175 / year.

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Course intended for students

Students

Complement your degree with a nationally-portable, industry-recognized certificate!

The Fundamentals of Metal Fabrication Certificate Exam is offered through community colleges and technical schools, working in tandem with sheet metal fabrication curriculums. To obtain the industry-recognized certificate, complete your school’s coursework and successfully pass FMA’s independent assessment. Along with a school’s degree in metal fabrication, the certificate can be used in your job search and give you a head start on your career path.

The certificate is available to students enrolled in a one- to two-year degree / program of study in precision sheet metal fabrication. Check with your school or instructor to see if you are eligible to sit for the exam.

The cost per individual student exam is $30. If needed, this fee includes one (1) retake within a 30-day period.

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Course intended for individuals

Individuals

At FMA's discretion, the certificate exam can also be offered to individuals at special industry events. The certificate does not imply the designation of a professional certification nor does it require renewal.

One of these special industry events is FMA's Hands-On Workshop: Fundamentals of Metal Fabrication. At the end of this workshop, you’ll have the option of taking FMA’s Fundamentals of Metal Fabrication Certificate Exam after learning the main concepts in three days of training.

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Recommended Shop Equipment

These Hand Tools and Precision Sheet Metal (PSM) Equipment are commonly available in a school lab. These are recommendations only, and are not required for success in this program.

Hand Tools

  • Tape Measure with 16th inch increments
  • Scriber
  • Straight edge
  • Caliper
  • Trammel points
  • Center punch
  • Ball peen hammer
  • Combination square
  • Protractor
  • Dividers
  • Prick punch
  • Torpedo level
  • Calculator
  • Micrometer

PSM Equipment

  • Shear
  • Press brake
  • Sheet roller
  • Set-up tables
  • Metal cutting saw
  • Iron worker
  • Tubing/pipe bender/roller
  • Welding equipment
  • Plate roller
  • CNC cutting table
  • 6” bench vise
  • Drill Press
  • Bench and angle grinders
  • Oxy-Fuel Cutting
  • Plasma Cutting (hand-held)
  • Computer access for programming, etc.

Recommended Teaching Resources

These resources will help to provide a well-rounded fabrication curriculum. These are recommendations only, and are not required for success in this program.

Metal Fabrication: A Practical Guide - Fourth Ed.

Authors: Robert O'Con and Richard Carr with Press Brake Updates by Steven D. Benson

ISBN: 978-1-881113-13-3

Paperback and digital versions available

Teaching Companion for Metal Fabrication Guide 4th Ed.

Author: Steven D. Benson

Online Power Point PDF teaching aid

Metal Fabricators Pocket Bible

Publisher: Practical Publications

ISBN: 9780912914770

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