The use of automation technology to enhance outcomes in
industrial steel fabrication has greatly risen in popularity as a solution to
providing customers with high-quality, cost-friendly steel fabrication products
delivered on time.
Automated fabrication technology can include beam lines, laser
cutting technology, and machinery for stamping, assembly, leading and
unloading, handling, fitting and painting of steel modules and components.
Some of the many benefits of automated fabrication
technology include enhancing project efficiency, safety, reporting and speeding
up project timelines.
Here’s five ways that automation is enhancing the industrial
steel fabrication industry:
Greater precision in steel products
One of the many advantages that automated fabrication
technology has over manual fabrication is that weldments, bends and cuts can
all be completed with greater precision and accuracy.
This is because machines complete work with less variability
than human labour.
Completing fabrication projects with greater precision means
that the likelihood of having to do re-work is eliminated, which is not only
costly, but can slow down project completion timelines.
This greater precision also enhances the quality of the
project as automated fabrication machinery performs all tasks precisely and
consistently to exact measurement specifications.
Enhanced efficiency
One of the biggest ways in which automated fabrication
technology creates better steel fabrication outcomes is by enhancing
efficiency.
This is due to:
- Less time needed to complete work (up to 2 or 3
times less in most case studies), leaving fabricators time to spend time
completing adjacent work, which leads to sped-up project timelines - Shorter lead times, which allows fabricators to
complete multiple projects on-site, whether for the same or multiple
stakeholders
One of many examples of automated fabrication machinery
which greatly enhances project efficiency is beam line technology.
Beam line technology works to speed up the cutting and
drilling of steel beams, instead of fabrication professionals manually measuring,
cutting, and drilling steel beams – a time consuming process.
Not only do beam lines enhance efficiency by speeding up the
process, but they also increase safety for workers as it requires the steel beam
to be moved less by workers.
For more complex heavy fabrication projects, a single
component may need to be moved multiple times for all the necessary work to be
completed, often requiring the use of overhead cranes.
Since the nature of heavy fabrication projects means they
are large-scale, there is risk each time the structure is moved.
More controlled processes and predictable life cycles
Automated fabrication technology and machinery helps to
control fabrication processes and create more predictable life cycle times.
A more predictable life cycle allows fabrication companies
to deliver finished projects on time and schedule fabrication professionals
more accurately.
Examples of controlled automated fabrication processes
include
- Precision machining
- Automated cutting
- Welding
- Cladding
- Milling
- Fitting
Since automated fabrication processes are machine-run, they
aren’t prone to human error which can slow down production due to re-work.
This allows Fabrication Plant Managers to more accurately plan
life cycles, improving project flow, scheduling and accuracy.
Enhanced data and reporting
When automated fabrication technology is paired and connected
with software, it becomes a wealthy resource to identify mistakes in weldments
and log valuable data for future reporting.
This data can give metal fabrication companies better
insight and accuracy into processing times, which in turn can be passed over to
the customer in the form of more accurate scheduling quotes.
This data is also useful in quickly identifying quality
control issues so they can be mitigated before a project’s inspection date, where
re-work may be identified and project completion timelines are extended.
Increased safety
One of the greatest benefits of automated fabrication
systems and robotic technology is that it can increase safety for workers.
This is due to the reduced need for large fabricated modules
to be moved manually, leaving less chance for human error leading to safety
incidents.
While automated machinery is helping enhance safety for shop
workers, the need for skilled fabrication workers isn’t dwindling.
While robotic welding machines are used for specific,
repetitive tasks, such as bending and cutting, the need for versatile welders
and fitters isn’t fading anytime soon. There is still a growing need for
welding professionals in the industrial fabrication industry, growing at a rate
of about six per cent per year.
Automated welding technology, together with experienced
welding professionals are enhancing and increasing efficiency in the industrial
fabrication industry for better outcomes as we know it.
“Automated equipment is a successful way of reducing
production costs significantly as well as lead times, which enables fabricators
to deliver projects quickly, for less cost,” said Paul Margarit, Manufacturing
Engineer at Saskarc. “Competitiveness is a key to our future and opens new
markets and capabilities.”
Saskarc analyzes every project to define the critical requirements that will maximize success. We continuously invest in our people, equipment, and facilities to provide our customer with the best service, support, and innovative solutions to meet their requirements.
Our strict attention to material
selection, joining specifications and inspection procedures ensures that we
deliver on the highest quality projects.
Saskarc is entirely committed to
quality, customer service and on-time delivery, however NEVER at the expense of
our commitment to safety.
Due to the versatility of Saskarc’s custom steel fabrication capabilities and project management expertise, we are equipped to fabricate and assemble oversized modules limited only by transportation regulations. When it comes to large projects, Saskarc is your turnkey professional fabrication solution. Read what our customers have to say about working with us.
