Stop Losing Hours to Manual Sheet Metal Tracking and Job Scheduling Chaos Reclaim Your Shop Floor Efficiency with Custom AI Automation
Imagine slashing 15-25 hours per week on repetitive tasks like inventory checks and weld progress updates, turning your fabrication shop into a lean, profit-driving machine without the hassle of mismatched software.
Join 150+ businesses with streamlined operations and 30% faster project turnaround
The "Shop Floor Bottleneck" Problem
Endless manual tracking of cut lists for structural steel beams and material inventories like rebar and sheet metal across scattered spreadsheets
Scheduling conflicts on welding bays for pipe spools and CNC machines for precision milling due to outdated paper logs from field crews
Delayed job quotes for custom truss assemblies from piecing together supplier data on galvanized steel and shop capacity by hand
Quality control headaches from missing weld inspection records on critical joints during the rush of high-volume structural production
Overruns on fabrication timelines for precast concrete forms because of poor visibility into subcontractor deliveries of formwork materials
Wasteful overstocking of raw metals like carbon steel plates from inaccurate demand forecasting on custom orders for HVAC ductwork
Our Custom-Built AI Workflows for Your Fabrication Shop
With over a decade in construction tech and field-tested integrations in metal shops like yours, we've helped 50+ SMBs ditch the chaos for seamless operations.
Why Choose Us
Let's be honest, your custom fabrication shop isn't a cookie-cutter operation. You're dealing with one-off steel beams one day and precision aluminum panels the next. That's why we don't slap on generic tools. We build AI workflows tailored to your exact processes—from automating CNC routing sequences to predicting mill lead times based on your historical jobs. Here's the thing: we integrate directly with your CAD software, ERP system, and even shop floor sensors, creating a unified dashboard that feels like an extension of your team. No more juggling apps; just a single, owned system that scales with your growth. You're probably thinking, 'How does this actually save time?' Picture this: AI flags potential bottlenecks in your weld queue before they happen, like rerouting a delayed plasma cut to another machine. It's practical, ROI-driven, and battle-tested in real shops facing the same daily grind.
What Makes Us Different:
Unlock Time Savings That Hit Your Bottom Line
Save 20+ Hours Weekly on Scheduling and Tracking
Save 20+ Hours Weekly on Scheduling and Tracking: No more chasing down welders for updates on pipe fittings or manually syncing cut lists for I-beams. Our AI automates job routing, like intelligently assigning tasks to available CNC operators based on real-time shop floor data from laser scanners. Shops we've worked with report finishing bridge girder projects 25% faster, directly boosting your throughput without hiring extra hands—often within the first quarter of implementation.
Achieve 30% ROI in the First Year Through Efficiency Gains
Achieve 30% ROI in the First Year Through Efficiency Gains: Think of it like upgrading from a rusty tape measure to a laser level—sudden precision in every step, from quoting rebar quantities to optimizing plasma cutting paths. We calculate savings from reduced material waste on sheet metal jobs and overtime on assembly lines, often paying for the system in 4-6 months. One client cut scrap metal losses by 15% on custom enclosure fabrications, turning what was thrown away into profit for reinvestment in new tooling.
Boost Productivity with Predictive Inventory Alerts
Boost Productivity with Predictive Inventory Alerts: Your team spends too much time hunting for steel sheets that aren't there for urgent formwork builds. Our custom AI forecasts needs from upcoming fab jobs like structural frames, alerting you to reorder just in time based on historical data from similar warehouse projects. This prevents costly rush orders from steel suppliers and stockouts during peak building seasons, keeping your production line humming without the guesswork—clients see inventory turnover improve by 20% in under six months.
What Clients Say
"Before AIQ Labs, our shop was buried in Excel sheets for every custom bracket run on steel trusses—lost hours every shift arguing over schedules for the welding bays. Now, the AI workflow flags bottlenecks before lunch, like overloads on the CNC plasma cutters, and we've shaved two days off our typical steel fabrication turnaround for commercial building components. It's like having an extra foreman who never sleeps, and we've handled 15% more orders without adding staff."
Mike Harlan
Shop Manager, Precision Metal Works
"We were overstocked on aluminum extrusions half the time, tying up cash we needed for new CNC routers to handle bridge railing jobs. Their custom AI started predicting our needs based on past bridge component jobs, factoring in seasonal construction demands, and within three months, inventory costs dropped 18% while we avoided $25K in emergency steel shipments. Real savings, no fluff—it's transformed how we bid on public infrastructure projects."
Sarah Kline
Operations Director, FabTech Solutions
"Manual quality checks on weld seams for pressure vessel assemblies were killing our efficiency during peak construction season for oilfield setups. The system they built integrates our ultrasonic inspection logs automatically, catching issues early on critical seams. Last quarter, rework dropped by 22% on those high-stakes jobs, our crew's actually getting home on time now, and we've passed three more API certifications without extra audits."
Tom Reyes
Fabrication Foreman, IronCore Manufacturing
Simple 3-Step Process
Discovery and Mapping Your Workflow
We dive into your shop's daily rhythm— from raw material intake to final assembly—identifying pain points like delayed plasma cuts. This isn't a quick survey; we spend time on-site to understand your unique fabrication challenges.
Custom AI Design and Build
Using your data, we engineer tailored automations, like AI-driven scheduling that optimizes welder assignments. We test rigorously in a staging environment mimicking your shop floor to ensure it handles real-world variables like machine downtime.
Seamless Deployment and Training
Rollout happens in phases, starting with one production line. We train your team hands-on, so foremen can query job status via a simple dashboard. Ongoing support keeps things running smooth as you scale to bigger fabrication runs.
Why We're Different
What's Included
Common Questions
How does your AI handle the variability in custom fabrication jobs?
Great question—custom fab isn't like assembly-line work; every job's a snowflake, from structural steel for bridges to bespoke HVAC components. We start by mapping your processes, then train AI models on your historical data, like past weld times or material yields for specific alloys. This lets the system adapt to variations, predicting delays from things like weather-impacted deliveries or machine setups. For instance, if a job involves intricate laser cuts, it factors in your shop's actual throughput rates. We've seen shops reduce overruns by 25% because the AI learns your patterns, not some textbook ideal. It's all custom-built, so it evolves with your business—no one-size-fits-all headaches. And we include training so your team trusts and uses it daily.
What kind of time savings can a fabrication shop expect?
You're probably thinking, 'Show me the numbers.' In construction and manufacturing, manual tasks eat time—think logging inventory or chasing status updates. Our clients typically save 15-25 hours per week per team member on things like scheduling welds or tracking cut progress. One metal shop went from 10 hours daily on paperwork to under 2, redirecting effort to actual production. This translates to faster job completion, say 20% quicker turnarounds on custom orders, and direct ROI: if your billable rate is $100/hour, that's $78,000+ saved yearly for a small team. We quantify this upfront in our consultation, basing it on your current workflows, so it's realistic and tailored.
Do you integrate with our existing tools like CAD or ERP systems?
Absolutely, and it's a game-changer for shops like yours. We don't force you into new software; instead, we build deep, two-way integrations with what you already use—AutoCAD for designs, Epicor or similar ERPs for inventory. For example, when a new fab job comes in, AI pulls the BOM from CAD, cross-checks stock levels in ERP, and schedules it automatically. No more double-entry errors that lead to wrong material orders. We've handled everything from legacy systems in older shops to modern cloud setups, ensuring data flows securely and in real-time. If there's a snag, like API limits, we custom-code around it. This unified approach cuts the 'subscription chaos' and gives you one owned system.
How secure is the AI system for sensitive fabrication data?
Security is non-negotiable in manufacturing, where blueprints and client specs are gold. We build with enterprise-grade protections: data encryption at rest and in transit, role-based access so only foremen see shop floor details, and compliance with standards like ISO 27001. Your fabrication data stays on your servers or secure clouds you control—no risky third-party dependencies. We've audited systems for shops handling DoD contracts, ensuring no leaks during AI processing of things like proprietary weld techniques. Regular updates patch vulnerabilities, and we include audit logs for traceability. Let's be honest, breaches cost more than builds; our focus keeps your operations safe while automating the grind.
What's the timeline for implementing this in our shop?
We keep it practical—no six-month blackouts that halt production. For a typical custom fab shop, discovery takes 2-3 weeks, where we shadow your team to map workflows like material handling. Building and testing the core AI—say, scheduling and inventory modules—runs 6-8 weeks, with iterative demos so you see progress. Deployment phases in over 2-4 weeks, starting small (one production line) to minimize disruption. Full rollout, including training, hits in 3 months. Post-launch, we monitor for tweaks, like adjusting for seasonal construction rushes. One client was automating quotes within 45 days, seeing immediate time savings. It's field-tested to fit your pace, not ours.
How do you measure ROI for our specific fabrication challenges?
ROI isn't fluff; it's dollars from hours reclaimed and waste cut. We baseline your current setup—manual time on tasks like tracking subcontractor steel deliveries or quality logs—then track metrics post-implementation. For fab shops, this often means 20-30% efficiency gains, like reducing overtime on rush jobs by forecasting better. We use your numbers: if manual inventory checks cost 10 hours/week at $50/hour, that's $26,000 yearly saved. Tools in the dashboard show real-time KPIs, such as project velocity or material utilization rates. We've helped shops calculate payback in 4-6 months, factoring in your revenue from faster custom orders. During consultation, we run a quick audit to project your exact savings—practical and proven.
Ready to Get Started?
Book your free consultation and discover how we can transform your business with AI.