Cut Metal Fabrication Costs
In the dynamic landscape of industrial operations, optimizing costs while maintaining quality is a perpetual challenge. Facility managers and owners like yourself want to cut metal fabrication costs without compromising on excellence. But navigating the intricacies of cost estimation, material selection, and project management can make it seem like an impossibility.
When it comes to industrial facility construction, there are a lot of factors at play—the footprint of the building, how it will be used, and floor plan efficiencies. The size of the machinery, location of delivery docks, and storage must all work together to save time and get the most out of the process.
How workers will interact with the machinery, perform maintenance, and safety considerations must all be taken into account during the design and construction phases. And, of course, project requirements must consider all codes, permits, and jurisdictional necessities before the first shovel of dirt can be turned.
The fabrication process involves a lot of planning and understanding of the work that needs to be done. A custom fabrication company needs to know the overall timeline of the project, key deadlines, and other phases of construction. This information will detail a path to meeting all goals, especially if the construction will also be performing the fabrication.
That’s why it’s so important to work with a design-build company like Storee Construction that has decades of experience when considering a new construction project, an expansion, or even an upgrade. That accumulated knowledge will pay off when engineering and design don’t exactly meet eye to eye.
How The Design-Plan Process Helps Cut Metal Fabrication Costs
A general contractor may be the single point of contact, but if they need to deal with several sub-contractors, some dialogue may get lost in translation. Which could lead to costly overruns and missed deadlines. With everyone under one roof, issues become even less likely. Time can be saved if engineers and designers understand what can be done with fabrication. And if time is money, that’s music to your ears.
In commercial and industrial building construction, the structural parts needed are made to fit the specific design and needs of each building. Architects plan how they should look, and licensed engineers figure out how they should work. Then, a team skilled in metal fabrication puts everything together.
With careful planning and attention to detail at the fabrication drawing stage, value-added solutions or cost savings can be achieved through consultation with the owner of the building. With full coordination with the steel erection team, the fabrication plan can also streamline the installation process saving time and total costs on building construction methods.
Understanding Metal Fabrication
Before we start finding ways to spend less money, it’s important to understand the basics of making things out of metal and what makes projects cost money. Metal fabrication involves different methods like cutting, bending, welding, and finishing. These methods are used to turn raw materials into useful parts or structures.
From stainless steel to aluminum and beyond, the cost of metal plays a significant role in determining overall fabrication costs. Material availability, metal thickness, and suitability for the intended application also influence the total cost of the project.
Projects requiring tight tolerances or intricate designs may incur higher fabrication costs due to the additional time and expertise required to achieve precision. When armed with a complete understanding of the sheet metal fabrication process, it’s easier to create actionable strategies to reduce costs and enhance efficiency without sacrificing quality.
Design Optimization
CAD/CAM Software: Using advanced CAD/CAM software allows engineers to identify inefficiencies, minimize material waste, and streamline production processes.
Material Efficiency: By optimizing designs to minimize scrap and maximize use, fabrication shops can significantly reduce raw material costs while maintaining structural integrity and performance.
Value Engineering: Collaborating closely with fabrication experts during the design phase creates value engineering, making it easier to find cost-effective alternatives without compromising functionality or quality.
Maximize Productivity and Minimize Lead Times
Investing in lean manufacturing principles and optimizing the process helps eliminate bottlenecks, reduce cycle times, and enhance overall productivity, resulting in lower fabrication costs and faster project turnarounds from the metal fabrication team.
Incorporating automation and robotics into fabrication processes reduces labor costs, improves consistency, and enhances throughput, enabling fabricators to achieve higher volumes with greater efficiency. Powder coating offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional painting methods, providing durable, corrosion-resistant finishes that enhance product longevity and aesthetics without breaking the bank.
Establishing open lines of communication and fostering collaborative partnerships with fabrication companies facilitates the exchange of insights, requirements, and constraints, resulting in more accurate quotes and smoother project execution.
When is Metal Fabrication Needed?
If overhead access to new equipment or machinery is needed, a catwalk and stairs can be manufactured along with safety railings, guards, walkways, gate systems, and other fall protection. Even designing ergonomic workstations can improve worker safety and mitigate fatigue.
But fabrications also provide additional stability to the facility itself. Many of these installations are retrofits to accommodate new equipment, such as more support for bar joists or roof structure additions. Is production improving to the point that the loading dock becomes a choke point? Structural modifications can be made to increase the amount of product that can be handled, the equipment being used, and the mode of transportation it can handle.
While steel fabricators work with heavy-duty applications, they also are adept at working with more design-oriented operations. Conveyor systems require flexibility and stability while dumpers, material-handling carts, and sanitary steel for food processing need to be made to exact specifications to improve processes.
Metal Fabrication FAQs
How can I accurately estimate metal fabrication costs for my project?
You need to know all the details about the project, how much materials and labor will cost, and other expenses. Working with experienced fabricators and using good cost estimation tools can help make sure your cost estimates are accurate and reliable.
How does the design-build process keep metal fabrication costs down?
The design-build process helps keep metal fabrication costs down by combining the design and construction phases into one. This means there’s less chance of mistakes or changes that could add extra expenses later on. Plus, everyone involved can work together closely to find the most efficient and cost-effective ways to build things.s.
Are stainless steel fabrication costs significantly higher than other metals?
Making things out of stainless steel can be more expensive compared to other metals because stainless steel has special qualities like being hard, resistant to rust, and becoming harder when worked on. But by picking the right materials, designing things well, and working efficiently, we can still use stainless steel without sinking the budget.
How can I minimize lead times for metal fabrication projects?
Manage your processes well, make workflows smooth, and use your resources wisely. By teaming up with your fabrication partners, you can find and fix any problems that might slow things down. Getting materials faster and planning production better can help get projects done quicker.
Work With Metal Fab Pros to Cut Costs, Not Quality
Storee Construction will work with you during the planning stage to coordinate building plans and construction schedules to avoid downtime. While the building is still being designed, Storee reviews the project from the client’s perspective using our years of industrial process and building construction experience.
We’ll work hand in hand with the client’s team and the architects and engineers to fully address the building and production priorities with a plan that will have a positive effect on the pricing and minimize construction time. With the building design and site plans in place, the construction schedule must also meet the client’s critical manufacturing milestones.
Case Study
Storee completed a 63,000-square-foot building expansion including multiple manufacturing areas for a large equipment manufacturer. The original eight-week delivery time was unacceptable to the client’s production schedule–our solution was to re-engineer the structural plan to fast-track the structural metal parts fabrication project.
This shortened the lead time to 10 days–nearly seven weeks early! Within the original lead time, Storee had finished construction of the building and was progressing rapidly with the interior installations to support the expanded manufacturing area.
The shortened timeline allowed Storee to meet the client’s critical 14-week overall production expansion requirement. This progress was possible through Storee’s knowledge of industrial construction, full consultation with the client, and the use of Storee’s ability to plan, fabricate structural steel building components, construct the building, and complete installation of the manufacturing equipment.
Storee Construction works directly with clients to expedite the construction of key areas with a progressive construction plan that will allow the client to move into new or expanded facilities as they become available utilizing all time-saving opportunities. Set up a consultation to see how we can improve your productivity and improve your bottom line.
