Automated fabrication technology has no doubt impacted and improved the industrial fabrication industry, with customers reaping benefits such as improved timelines and cost-savings.

Along with increased efficiency and other inherit benefits for project owners, automated fabrication technology has also impacted change within fabrication professionals and teams.

Some of these benefits include increased safety for steel fabrication teams, and an enhanced skillset for professionals in the metal fabrication industry.

Learn more about how automation and robotic technology is making a positive impact in industrial steel fabrication teams:

Greater efficiency

One of the most significant ways in which automated fabrication technology is changing industrial steel fabrication teams is by enhancing team efficiency and output.  

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 simultaneously, whether for the same or multiple project stakeholders

Two of many examples of automated fabrication machinery which greatly enhances project efficiency are beam line and beam assembly technology.

Beam line technology works to speed up the cutting and drilling of steel beams, replacing the traditional method of fabrication workers manually measuring, cutting, and drilling steel beams – a time consuming process. Beam assembly technology produces further efficiencies by automatically locating and fitting attachments to beams, highly accurately and efficiently.

Not only do these processes enhance efficiency by speeding up the process, but they also increase
safety for workers as it requires the steel beam component 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.

This enhanced efficiency allows fabricators to spend more time focusing on the more creative aspects
of fabrication, including design, trouble-shooting, and other tasks leading to continual improvement and increased worker satisfaction.

“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.”

Operating in multiple markets creates greater stability for fabricators, in addition to diversifying tasks.

Variety is noted as a key factor to workplace happiness, as noted by NBC News. Feeling of happiness and satisfaction in the workplace among workers are also noted as factors contributing to increased productivity and output.

Increased safety

One of the greatest benefits of automated fabrication systems and robotic technology is that it can increase safety for workers.

Automated technology works to enhance safety for fabrication teams by:

1. Removing workers from the frontline of dangerous work procedures. This is due to the reduced need for large, heavy fabricated components to be moved manually via forklifts or overhead cranes, leaving less chance for human error leading to adverse safety incidents.
2. Responding quickly to emergencies via real-time monitoring software, where customized actions can be programmed and sent through a chain-of-command accordingly.  
3. Easily updating safety protocols with a planned course of action in the case of an adverse event with automation software.

As stated by the World Economic Forum, robots are perfect for physically demanding or tasks too dangerous for humans to carry out.

In addition, automated welding technology, in particular, provides fabricators with protection from fumes, sparks, welding torch noise and prevents strains occurring from prolonged welding positions which are not ergonomically friendly.

Once sustained, workplace injuries can span from days to years if serious, causing workers to suffer negative health consequences and reduced wages. In rare cases, death can occur.

Nearly 1,000 workers lose their lives while on the job annually in Canada.

Enhanced skillset

While automated machinery is helping enhance safety for shop workers all around, the need for skilled fabrication workers is far from 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.

There is a common misconception that automated/robotic technology is a threat to fabrication professional’s job security. However, automated/robotic fabrication technology is designed to collaborate with workers, not replace them.

Automation has disrupted the steel fabrication market and changes the way fabricators complete large-scale industrial steel projects. This disruption has proved to be very beneficial, with fabricators reaping the benefits of increased efficiency, safer work environments, and an enhanced skillset for better outcomes for both workers and project owners.

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.