While many people are tuned into the latest and greatest cell phones and portable computers to help make their life easier, new metal fabrication technologies often go unnoticed. However, this tech a big deal to people who work in an industry that generates between $10 million and $100 million in annual revenue. As a worker in the metal fabrication industry, you know how important it is stay abreast of new industry technology, so here are four types of recent equipment you may want to invest in:

1. Portable Beveling Equipment

Most beveling jobs are done on cutting and machining tables because they typically deliver the best results. But new developments in hand-held beveling equipment are giving the tables a run for their money. The new portable beveling tools costs less money, can be taken from the shop to the job site, and are very accurate. Hand-held beveling equipment can also be used on a variety of metals of different thicknesses. They are also great for curved parts, which can be difficult on machining tables. If you are a fabricator looking to deliver high-quality weld joints, then invest in portable beveling equipment.

2. Heavy-Duty Plate Saws

There are new electronically controlled plate saws now on the market that can automatically cut aluminum, high-tensile-strength, and low-alloy solid metal materials. These machines feature a feeding mechanism that is attached to a frame, which allows two plates or blocks to feed the material to the blade. Roller conveyors are also mounted on various parts of the saw to help the material move through the equipment during the cutting process. A laser measurement system detects the end of each work piece for automated operation. There is a downfeed that displays the cutting force on the operator control panel. While these saw tables are large, they get the job done with extreme precision.

3. Media Mist Collectors

Newly released technology in the metalworking industry includes a media mist collector with a three-stage filtration process. This new piece of equipment offers more than 99% particle removal efficiency because it progressively reduces mist concentration. Depending on the application, this mist collector can use saturated depth coalescing filter cartridges or fiberglass bags. It is configurable and self-contained, which allows the device to be mounted on machining centers or connected remotely by ductwork.

4. Laser Cutting Machines

While laser cutting machines have been used for decades, there are now fiber-optic laser machines appearing in the metal fab industry. These machines are so accurate that new design possibilities have erupted for customers seeking unique pieces. They can handle a wide range of tube diameters, lengths, and thicknesses. And each cut is burr-free. Burr has always been a problem because it interferes with the insertion of the tube-bending mandrel, and it can cut workers as they handle the metal. As technology continues to grow with fiber-optic laser cutters, customers can send in both 2D and 3D files, which will work on these machines.

Probably the biggest advancement is that fiber-optic laser cutters now make it possible to cut reflective materials, like aluminum, brass, and copper. This used to be a problem because the laser beam would reflect off of these materials, making it unable to cut them. But a fiber-optic laser beam is a different frequency and is readily absorbed by these reflective metals.

These is just a look at four amazing pieces of equipment that feature new technologies to improve the work output provided by the metal fabrication industry. As a worker in this industry, you may be interested in purchasing one, some, or all of these items for your own shop. If you have questions about these or other types of machines, contact industrial metal machine manufacturers, like those from Suburban Welding & Steel LLC.

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