Stop Losing Hours to Manual Tracking and Error-Prone Processes AI Workflow Automation Built for Your Fabricators
Imagine slashing 15-25 hours per week on repetitive tasks like inventory checks and order routing, turning your shop into a lean, profit-driving machine with ROI in under 6 months.
Join 150+ manufacturing businesses with streamlined operations and 30% efficiency gains
The "Fragmented Workflow" Problem
Manual inventory counts of steel beams and sheet metal eating into production time on the shop floor, leading to idle CNC machines and delayed weld setups
Error-prone quoting and order processing for custom metal parts delaying plasma cutting and MIG welding schedules, causing overtime on tight deadlines
Disconnected CAD software and shop floor systems causing miscommunications between design engineers and fabricators, resulting in mismatched tolerances on structural components
Overloaded admins juggling supplier orders and quality checks manually
Unpredictable lead times for raw materials like aluminum alloys disrupting multi-axis CNC machining runs and robotic assembly lines in high-volume production
Paper-based quality inspections for weld integrity and surface finishes slowing down final non-destructive testing and shipping of fabricated assemblies
Our Custom AI Workflows – Engineered for Metal Fab Precision
With over a decade in manufacturing ops, we've field-tested these systems in shops just like yours, delivering proven ROI without the hype.
Why Choose Us
Let's be honest – your metal fab shop isn't a cookie-cutter operation. That's why we don't slap together off-the-shelf tools. At AIQ Labs, we dive deep into your workflows, from raw material intake to finished part delivery. We build a unified AI system that automates the grunt work: tracking steel coils in real-time, routing jobs to the right plasma cutter, and flagging quality issues before they scrap a batch. You're probably thinking, 'How does this fit my setup?' We start with your CAD files, ERP data, and shop floor realities to create a seamless, owned platform. No more subscription sprawl. Just efficiency that scales with your growth.
What Makes Us Different:
Unlock Tangible Time and Cost Wins for Your Shop
Save 20+ Hours Weekly on Routine Tasks
Save 20+ Hours Weekly on Routine Tasks: Here's the thing: manual tracking of weld logs and material usage for steel fabrication steals time from your skilled crew. Our AI automates it all, like having an extra foreman who never sleeps, integrating with your ERP to flag low stock on rebar or tubing. Shops see a 25% productivity boost in the first quarter, turning wasted hours into billable plasma cutting time and direct cost reductions of up to 15% on material waste.
Achieve 40% Faster Order Fulfillment
Achieve 40% Faster Order Fulfillment: You're probably thinking about those rushed structural steel jobs where delays cost clients. We streamline quoting to shipping with AI that predicts bottlenecks in press braking or robotic welding, using historical data from your shop's runs. Result? Quicker turnarounds within 30 days of implementation, happier customers, and ROI hitting your bottom line in 3-6 months – think $50K+ annual savings on labor for assembly line operators.
Reduce Errors and Scrap by 30%
Reduce Errors and Scrap by 30%: In metal fab, one wrong measurement on a sheet metal enclosure means scrapped parts and overtime to recut on the waterjet. Our custom AI cross-checks CAD specs against real-time inventory of galvanized steel, like a digital quality gatekeeper before the line starts. This cuts rework by integrating with your CMM tools, boosts your margins on custom builds, and lets your team focus on precision work that drives repeat business in construction projects.
What Clients Say
"Before AIQ, we were drowning in Excel sheets for tracking aluminum extrusions and steel tubing inventory – it took our team two full days a week just to prep orders for CNC routing. Now, the AI handles routing optimization and inventory sync with our legacy ERP automatically. We've cut lead times from 10 days to 4 on custom brackets, and our error rate dropped 35% last quarter. It's like adding two machinists without the payroll hit."
Mike Reynolds
Operations Manager, Precision Metal Works (Specializing in Aerospace Components)
"I was skeptical about AI in our dusty shop with fiber laser cutters, but they built a system that integrates our old ERP with the new Trumpf machines for seamless data flow. No more manual data entry between shifts on structural beams. Last quarter, we saved 18 hours a week on setup times and avoided a $12K scrap loss on a big I-beam fabrication job for a bridge project. Straightforward and effective."
Sarah Chen
Shop Foreman, Apex Fabrications Inc. (Heavy Steel Construction)
"Juggling supplier quotes for stainless steel plates and quality logs for weld certifications was killing our efficiency on boiler components. AIQ customized workflows that flag porosity issues in stainless steel batches early via integrated sensors. We've boosted throughput by 28% on assembly lines and finally have real-time dashboards for the floor team tracking tolerance specs. ROI was clear in four months with $25K in recovered scrap value – no fluff, just results."
Tom Vargas
General Manager, ForgeTech Manufacturing (Industrial Piping Systems)
Simple 3-Step Process
Discovery and Mapping Your Workflow
We kick off with a deep dive into your shop – from material receiving to final weld inspections. No assumptions; we map every step to uncover bottlenecks like delayed punch press setups.
Custom AI Design and Prototyping
Using your data, we prototype tailored automations, like AI that optimizes cutting sequences for sheet metal. We test it in a sandbox to ensure it fits your tools without disrupting production.
Seamless Integration and Launch
We roll it out shop-wide, training your team with hands-on sessions. From day one, expect automated alerts and dashboards that keep fabrication flowing smoothly, with full ownership in your hands.
Why We're Different
What's Included
Common Questions
How does AI workflow automation handle the unique variability in metal fabrication jobs?
Great question – metal fab isn't assembly-line predictable. We design AI that adapts to job-specific variables like custom sheet metal bends or one-off structural components. By ingesting your historical data from past runs, the system learns patterns in material usage and machine setups. For instance, it can auto-adjust cutting paths for varying steel thicknesses. We start small, automating one workflow like inventory for coils, then scale. Shops typically see 15-20% efficiency gains in the first quarter, with minimal disruption since we integrate around your existing tools. No magic; just smart engineering tailored to your floor.
What kind of ROI can a mid-sized fab shop expect from this?
You're probably thinking about the numbers – fair enough. Based on our work with similar shops, expect to save 15-25 hours weekly on manual tasks like tracking plate stock or logging welds. That translates to $40K-$80K annual labor savings for a 50-person operation, plus reduced scrap from errors. One client hit positive ROI in 5 months by cutting order processing time from 4 hours to 30 minutes per job. We focus on quick wins first, like automating quoting, to build momentum. It's practical: we measure against your baselines and adjust for max impact.
Will this work with our legacy ERP and shop floor equipment?
Absolutely, and that's where we shine. Many fab shops run older systems – think outdated ERP or standalone CNC controllers. We specialize in deep, two-way integrations without ripping out what works. For example, we can pull data from your legacy software to feed AI models that predict material needs for upcoming weldments. We've done this for shops with 20-year-old setups, ensuring secure APIs handle the handoff. Setup takes 4-6 weeks, with testing to avoid any production halts. The result? A unified flow that feels native, not bolted-on.
How secure is the AI system for handling sensitive fabrication designs?
Security is non-negotiable in metal fab, especially with proprietary blueprints. We build with enterprise-grade encryption and compliance in mind, like ISO 9001 standards. Data stays on your servers or in secure clouds you control – no third-party leaks. AI models are trained solely on your anonymized data, with access controls for roles like designers vs. welders. We've audited systems for shops dealing with aerospace-grade alloys, ensuring no vulnerabilities. Post-launch, we provide ongoing monitoring. It's like fortifying your shop's digital perimeter: robust, tested, and yours to own.
What's the implementation process like, and how long does it take?
We keep it straightforward, no overwhelming overhauls. Step one: a 1-2 week audit of your workflows, chatting with your team about pain points like delayed plasma schedules. Then, 4-6 weeks building and testing prototypes – say, automating inventory for aluminum profiles. Launch in phases over 2-4 weeks, with training that's hands-on, like walking foremen through the new dashboard. Total timeline: 8-12 weeks for a full system, but you get value early from quick automations. We're with you every step, adjusting for real shop feedback to ensure it boosts productivity without the usual headaches.
Can this scale as our fabrication business grows?
Yes, scalability is baked in from day one. Unlike rigid no-code tools that cap out at certain volumes, our custom AI grows with you – handling 10 jobs a day or 100. For example, as you add more lathes or expand to larger steel fabrications, the system auto-scales predictions and integrations. We've scaled solutions for shops doubling output in a year, maintaining 99% uptime. It's modular: add features like advanced forecasting without rebuilding. Bottom line, it evolves as your business does, supporting that next big contract without efficiency dips.
Ready to Get Started?
Book your free consultation and discover how we can transform your business with AI.