The Art of Stainless-Steel Fabrication

This is the first instalment of getting to know the People Behind the Brand for 2024. Today we get an exclusive peek into Allmach’s custom fabricator Luca Sabian, his approach to custom work and what it means to Allmach’s customer-first approach.

Background: From Genoa, Italy to Narangba, Queensland

Luca is not your run-of-the-mill welder. After all, how many welders in the plumbing supply industry can say they’ve worked on building a rocket? Allmach's lead welder and custom fabricator has made a significant impression on customers with his innovative approach to solving real-world problems on the ground. His expertise and skills in welding and custom fabrication have been invaluable to the team.

Luca's journey began in Genoa, Italy, where he honed his skills in making equipment for yachts. He earned European certifications in pressure welding (ISO 9001/EN 287-1) before moving to Australia, where he worked in pressure vessels and aviation. Luca brings a wealth of experience to Allmach’s customers, creating bespoke fabrication solutions where off-the-shelf products are either not suitable or are impractical due to time or cost constraints.

Certification and Standards

The plumbing supply industry mainly deals in Watermark accreditation. Welding standards are quite different, relying on the overall quality an experienced welder brings.

Having said that, not all welds (or welders) are created equal. A sub-par weld can compromise the structural integrity and performance of a piece.

“Sometimes a customer may ask about quality, but the proof is in the work – they can visibly see the quality of the welds”, says Luca. “My goal is to maintain a high standard of work, aligning with what is practical and necessary for the job. I focus on what's essential for each project. It's about delivering quality that meets the specific needs of the plumbing supply industry while keeping quality standards high” says Luca.

Having this level of reassurance is a major win for Allmach’s customers and an asset to the company.

Technique – the proof is in the weld

When discussing his welding preferences, Luca explains that he prefers TIG welding over MIG. TIG welding offers a faster and more precise approach. Through his experience in welding, Luca noticed that MIG welding tends to introduce complications such as inclusions, porosity, and inadequate fusion in the weld.

“For me, it’s not only easier and cleaner to use TIG, but it’s also easier to repair if needed. I do like welding stainless steel – it’s a nice metal to work with”.

As with most things, preparation is key. Luca says around 80% of the work during welding is prep-related. When asked for specific examples, Luca gave the following:

“You need to account for distortions during welding, given the amount of heat generated to bond the materials together. Especially in tube systems that require bends because a certain amount of ‘pull’ happens during the welding process, so you must account for the angle. For example, if I’m working with a 15-degree angle, I may have to reset it slightly to account for the pull, to get the angle correct. Knowing how different metal materials react comes with knowledge and experience”.

Custom fabrication is an iterative process

When working in custom fabrication, each job is unique. Luca will go through several iterations with the customer. This usually includes updating drawings the customer may have sent, double-checking for accuracy and ensuring it’s solution-ready. Sometimes he will create a drawing from scratch, based on a conversation. If both parties are happy, the custom fabrication can begin.

If a customer requests something that Luca thinks may not be the best fit for their needs, he offers a collaborative and consultative approach towards solution-focused options. This process ensures customers end up with what they truly need, even if it differs from the original brief.

Is there aesthetic beauty in welding?

A strong weld is the primary outcome we look for in the welding process. When asked if welding has an inherent beauty, Luca said “Oh, for sure. A bad weld looks horrible, and so unprofessional. A good clean and even weld is not only pleasing to look at but has structural integrity as well. Signs of professional and quality weld are there in plain sight. They speak for themselves”. This style of work appeals to the part of Luca that continually strives for excellence.

Allmach's Welding Excellence Satisfies Industry Needs

In a perfect world, everything would fit together like blocks of Lego pieces. While Allmach stocks a wide variety of high-quality off-the-shelf products for the piping industry, there is always a need for bespoke fabrication to address real-world installation scenarios. Scenarios where a custom manifold junction makes multiple connections to it easy. Or times when a solution needs something other than a standard 90-degree bend angle in an elbow or connection.

Through Luca’s craftsmanship, Allmach finds solutions to installation problems by delivering custom fabrication solutions that exceed industry norms, incorporating precision standards derived from the aviation industry.

For more information about custom fabrication, reach out to the team at Allmach.

#WeldingExcellence #PrecisionCraftsmanship #CustomFabrication #AviationStandards #InnovationInWelding #WeldingMastery #Allmach #AllmachCustomFabrication