Sector Focus: Manufacturing equipment
22 NSC
June 18
Steel manufacturing equipment
is extensively used in steelwork
contractors’ workshops and has also
become part of the added value offer from
larger steel stockholders who are offering
basic fabrication services to their customers.
Cutting and drilling
In the fabrication factory or steel service
centre one of the first operations is to cut the
sections to length and profile the plates to
the desired size or shape. This can be done in
a number of ways using a range of automated
machinery; Band saws which are generally
used for cutting to length, oxy/gas cutting
which can be used to cut components from
thick steel plate; components can also be cut
efficiently by plasma arc systems. To support
the efficiency of the steelwork fabrication
process the use of drilling and punching
equipment allows components to be rapidly
bolted together on site.
Blast cleaning and auto-painting
For many steelwork contractors, sections and
plates are blast cleaned prior to fabrication,
although some choose to carry out the
blast cleaning after the sections are cut to
length. Shot is fired at the steel surface which
displaces dirt and mill scale, and also mildly
indents the steel creating a “rough” surface.
Manufacturing equipment with autopainting
functions mean that prefabrication
primers can be applied immediately after
blast cleaning. This immediate application
maintains the reactive blast cleaned surface
in a rust-free condition through the
fabrication process until final painting can be
undertaken.
Multi-function machinery and workshop
design
Equipment manufacturers are increasingly
offering multi-function machines which
combine a number of the processes outlined
above. In addition to offering multi-function
machinery, manufacturers of steel fabrication
equipment work closely with steelwork
contractors planning the workshop design
and layout with real time simulation to find
the best flow of materials and maximise
production based on required output
through the use of advanced simulation
software.
Computer Numerically Controlled
machinery
Advanced simulation software has
established Computer Numerically
Controlled (CNC) machinery as the
standard today and it is integrated into each
stage of the steel fabrication process. The
process may vary between each steelwork
contractor but will generally commence with
the efficient and seamless transfer of 3D
model information from the design office to
the equipment in the workshop.
CNC machinery provides a number
of added value benefits to the steelwork
contractor including; less material wastage
due to accuracy, faster production and
increased safety through reducing material
handling.
The structural steelwork sector is also
seeing the adoption of modern scribe
marking technologies. This software allows
for full or partial contours to be scribed
directly onto the steel to indicate the position
of the parts that need to be welded, saving
valuable time and minimising errors. In
addition, information can be marked on the
steel indicating quality, traceability, welding
information and assembly details.
“Improvement in CNC technology and
automation has been a priority for Ficep,
many customers have seen the advantage
of automating even a single machine in a
workshop. Customers involved with steel
processing have been given a boost in
productivity and competitiveness to levels
that we have never seen before,” says Ficep
Managing Director Mark Jones.
Post-sale support
The role of the manufacturing equipment
providers doesn’t end with the sale of the
machinery. Once a customer has invested in
a new machine or processing line, they want
to be sure it works and continues to work
properly.
In addition to the standard warranty
which comes with any new piece of
machinery, manufacturers also offer a range
of service support contracts.
Remote diagnostics is now integral as it
allows technicians and service engineers
to repair equipment without visiting the
customer; saving time and meaning repairs
are executed faster.
The Future
The sector is moving towards the adoption
of full automation of all processes on the
factory floor, utilising robots or cobots
(collaborative robots) where humans and
robots work together with direct interaction
in a defined workspace to reduce material
handling and welding. While this is some
way off, some steelwork contractors are
already moving into robotics.
‘In a world that is evolving at a faster
pace than ever, Peddinghaus manufactures
machinery that withstands the test of time.
Integrating flawlessly with industry leading
software companies our steel fabrication
equipment is innovative, powerful,
indestructible and backed by our 24/7
customer service department,” sums up
Anton Peddinghaus, CEO of Peddinghaus
Corporation.
A guide to steel
production equipment
Steel manufacturing equipment and its producers play an
essential role within the structural steelwork sector.
Sponsors
Manufacturing
equipment
Gold: Ficep UK Ltd,
Peddinghaus Corporation
Bronze: Kaltenbach Ltd
Voortman Steel Machinery
CNC technology offers
steelwork contractors a
range of benefits
/Steel_construction_products#Flat_products_-_plates
/Fabrication#Gas_or_flame_cutting
/Fabrication#Plasma_cutting
/Fabrication#Drilling_and_punching
/Construction#Site_bolting
/Steel_construction_products#Standard_open_sections
/Fabrication#Shot_blasting
/Paint_coatings#Application_of_paint_coatings
/Design
/Construction_and_demolition_waste#Waste_in_steel_construction
/Health_and_safety
/Welding
/Fabrication
/Steel_construction_products#Flat_products_-_plates
/Fabrication#Gas_or_flame_cutting
/Fabrication#Plasma_cutting
/Fabrication#Drilling_and_punching
/Construction#Site_bolting
/Steel_construction_products#Standard_open_sections
/Fabrication#Shot_blasting
/Paint_coatings#Application_of_paint_coatings
/Design
/Construction_and_demolition_waste#Waste_in_steel_construction
/Health_and_safety
/Welding
/Fabrication