Why Automation Is Vital For The Industry?

Advances in technology are ever-evolving the landscape of manufacturing – and particularly sheet metal fabrication. In such a fast-paced industry with increasing pressure to supply to meet demand and often within tight turnaround times, many firms are embracing automation and it’s empowering them.

Here, we consider how automation facilitates successful sheet metal fabrication, during and especially after the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Driving the Industry Forward

Automation helps businesses meet huge demand. They have the capability to produce vast quantities of products all to a high-quality spec and meet within those shortened lead times. Simply, automation results in higher productivity, as it means equipment can run for longer periods of time with very little input from the workforce. Staff are freed from manually intensive jobs a smart tool can take the lead on – and can spend vital time on projects requiring the human touch instead.

Businesses – and importantly, their customers – can also benefit from lower costs where automation is implemented. Automation systems ensure the utmost efficiency – there’s little waste, minimum power and precise, controlled movements, all adding up to cheaper costs and increased profit.

Encouraging a 24/7 Service

We’re all human and we all make mistakes. Automation removes the risk for human error, increasing accuracy and repeatability as the machines are programmed to perform a task over and over again.

Meanwhile, automated systems allow management in sheet metal fabrication companies to monitor all processes at any time. This would-be tedious manual labour is left to the machines and can be managed from anywhere (senior teams don’t even have to be on the workshop floor). All this effectively leaves businesses with a round-the-clock service to offer customers, enabling them to clinch that lead spot in a saturated market.

To get a detailed account of automation within sheet metal fabrication, head over to Made in Yorkshire, where Salamander’s director David McStrafick offers his opinion.