Metal Fabrication Blog
 
The blending of computers, robotics and metalworking has revolutionized the steel fabrication process. This technological advancement has become necessary in the manufacturing industry to meet the increase demands for high quality equipment and automobiles.

Innovative software allows fabricators to design machines with meticulous specification. They can also measure metal surfaces with the help of scanning equipment and micro-calipers. Even revolutionized 3D scanners can provide fabricators with a facsimile that shows greater depth accuracy.

Some design programs now allow a user to test and alter the designs before producing products like tools and die-cast stamps. This proves to be a major time and cost effective method because it allows them to look for flaws, if any, before precious resources are wasted.

Equipment innovation isn’t always about creating tools that can make the job easier. Some effort must also go to the safety of the machine operator as well. Modern grinders allow fabricators to move equipment weightlessly while cutting. Others can provide shielding from flying metal debris. Tools that focus on protecting the welder from fumes and spark are a plus, and technology is continuing to improve to enhance the safety features in equipment used by metal cutting operators.

Traditional welding techniques force operators to make multiple stops in order to reposition their equipment or metal sheet. This is not only annoying but time consuming. However, new welding carriages now allow for continuous welding of lap joints and corners, making way for a smoother and more productive finish on items like pipe fabrication, which has a great deal of curvature.

Advancement in laser technology also allows users to cut through thicker metal. This is especially helpful with a metal fabrication process known as grinding, which can put a strain on a fabricators’ body and increase the risk of injury.

With the help of human operators, robotic applications in metal fabrication have considerably reduced the time and manpower it takes to complete a task. Robotic systems can assist in bending thick pieces of metal in half the time it would take to be done by human strength alone. Robotic applications are also being adapted to mimic human tactile response so that they can move metal parts around, similar to the way that a living breathing operator would, thereby reducing production time.

Humans have an insatiable need to construct newer and more advanced equipment and vehicles. With the help of new design programs, laser cutting technology, and robotics, the steel fabrication industry can produce innovative products faster, cheaper, and with better design detail. 




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    Whether it is a heavy gage stamping, laser cut component, or value-added assembly, DIT will work with your engineering team to develop the most cost effective manufacturing solutions.

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