Top 4 Sheet Metal Industry Trends

The sheet metal fabrication is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. Although considered traditional in its approach, still it has experienced the influx of emerging technologies. Earlier manual tools were mainly used for sheet metal fabrication processes such as cutting, machining, welding, as well as the assembly of the final product. However, today many of these tools are replaced by advanced and effortless versions. The growth of the sheet metal fabrication industry is fueled by two factors – improved supply chain practices, and technology advancements. After reading all these, you might be intrigued to know about the major trends in the sheet metal industry. Isn’t it? If yes, this post will introduce you to the same.

4 Trends That Will Transform Sheet Metal Industry

Following are some of the top trends gaining prominence in the sheet metal industry. So, let’s have look at each of them.

Automation: Automation is on its way, and it is set to play a powerful role in the future, too. It has transformed various industries and the metal fabrication industry is one of them. The act of cutting and bending sheet metal has simplified due to robotic technologies. Additionally, these automated technologies are also helping manufacturers to achieve precision, as well as minimize their material waste.

Additive Fabrication: 3-D printing is not a future technology. In several ways, it is already an integral part of the manufacturing industry. Many metal fabrication businesses are enjoying benefits of 3-D technology investments such as time and cost reduction by eliminating few assembly steps, achieving great design freedom, and minimizing waste. Ultimately, these technologies are helping them their production quality. Additionally, metal 3D printing involves the metal stamping to produce a required design.

Tube Laser Technology: It is one of the fastest growing sheet metal fabrication technologies. The tube laser technology offers various advantages over traditional sheet metal fabrication and manufacturing processes. The tube laser machines have a capability to produce sharp and intricate cuts, which helps improve the fabrication quality and speed. Also, it helps reduce the material waste and assembly costs.

Reshoring: Reshoring is another big trend to watch in the metal fabrication industry. Also, referred to as manufacturing regionalization, nowadays many businesses prefer availing services of manufacturers in their region rather than the third-world countries. Rising labor wages, raising awareness on “ no sweat” policy, steeply increasing transportation charges, and market volatility are some key factors that have contributed to the reshoring trend.

Based on all the aforementioned trends, it is quite clear that the metal fabrication industry is all set to transform for the better. Although manufacturers are quick to adopt these technologies, still there is a high demand for good quality hand-held and automated tools in the sheet metal fabrication industry. Automotive fabrication facilities and other sheet metal fabrication services choose to source their fabrication tools and devices from industry recognized companies like Woodward Fab.

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