All You Need To Know: Covid19 And Metal Fabricators

By Author: steven glassner
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The Covid19 pandemic disrupted lives, economies, businesses, and work structure. And the metal production industry is of no exception. However, if you work in the metalworking industry, you know how there’s a light at the end of the crisis tunnel.

Like many metal fabricators, Laserfab, a Lebanon, Pa.-based job shop, faced a tough time initially. “When it all hit, everyone had questions. There was so much uncertainty as to how to proceed. And the guidance coming from the state government changed daily.” So, said Dain Zimmerman, business development manager, who added, “Uncertainty sums it up, really.”

But then businesses began to stabilize by the end of April 2020 as their lasers were cutting parts for hospital beds. The business is also fabricating stainless steel parts for test tubes in medical labs.

That order was huge for us,” Zimmerman said. “We’re cutting the same day we’re receiving material.”

This goes out to show that while many businesses are being temporarily shut, metal fabrication operation is at the forefront providing supplies. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security ...
... recently deemed metal manufacturing part of the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce.

What does the essential critical workflow include?

- Workers necessary for the manufacturing of metals and products needed for supply chains associated with food and agriculture

- Workers necessary for the manufacturing and maintenance of equipment and other infrastructure necessary for mining production and distribution

- Workers needed to maintain the continuity of these manufacturing functions and associated supply chains

So, the manufacturing industry including metal fabricators is essential to maintain certain services majorly food and agriculture that Americans depend on during the pandemic.

How is metal fabricator helping in feed and grain storage?

Even during extreme climate changes, a customized metal fabricator will help protect the bins and silos.

A metal fabricator can apply the following techniques:

- Hot-dip galvanizing (HDG) to coat the metal in corrosion-resistant zinc

- Spot or metal arc welding to fuse silo or hopper parts together prior to galvanizing

- Additional fabrication detailing, such as adding metal fasteners that are compatible with the zinc coating

Custom metal fabrications are helping not just in feed and grain but also in—

- Mining production and distribution

- Oil and gas

- Essential manufacturers who require custom-fabricated metal storage and infrastructure support

A key to adding precision and efficiency to this growing demand for metal fabricators is laser technology. Laser metal cutters are popular for the precision they provide. If you make the cut with lasers, the result will be smooth and clean. It will also save time and reduce costs by eliminating waste and reducing manpower.

Laser cutters are also efficient in cutting a variety of materials like stainless steel, mild steel, plastic, leather, or titanium that have different thickness.

Lasers can cut, join, and subtract material. You can also add materials with the help of laser metal deposition or 3D printing. You can make the changes in power levels, pulse frequencies, and energy densities via beam diameter manipulation.

If you are looking for laser parts, go for popular brands like Amada laser parts or Prima Spare Parts that offer quality solutions.

The changes in technology, for instance, a C02 laser beam allows for constant laser beam length that will help you deliver a consistent cutting performance. Therefore, the result is clean, and precise cuts every time.

To get the best out of metal fabrication, you must utilize the most efficient methods for cutting. Avoid mistakes, waste materials, and complex programming. This will increase both time and expense.

Final Remarks

In this crisis, metal fabricators are in a better place. High customer demand is preventing a major downturn in this space. Moreover, using efficient laser parts can add to the efficiency of your machines which will allow you to serve in the best possible way. You can buy Amada laser parts or Prima Spare Parts to get the best possible results.

Steve M Glassner is the General Manager of Alternative Parts Inc, the leading manufacturer and distributor of Amada machinery replacement parts. Steve is a Machine Tools industry enthusiast and frequently writes about various aspects of the industry.