Stop Losing Hours Chasing Lost Specs and Rework Nightmares Automate Your Knowledge Base to Slash Errors and Boost Shop Floor Efficiency
Imagine reclaiming 15-20 hours per week for your team—no more digging through dusty binders or endless email chains for that one welding procedure. Our custom AI knowledge base turns your fabrication know-how into instant, searchable gold, delivering ROI in under 3 months through reduced scrap and faster job turnaround.
Join 250+ businesses with streamlined operations and 30% faster project delivery
The "Scattered Knowledge" Problem
Welders wasting 2-3 hours per shift hunting for AWS D1.1 welding procedures in dusty filing cabinets or fragmented network drives
Rework spikes by 40% when a fabricator pulls an outdated ASME Y14.5 blueprint version from last year's structural steel project
New hires struggling to master custom CNC tube bending techniques without a centralized hub for G-code setups and tooling specs
Quality control delays of up to 4 hours as NDT inspectors scramble to verify mill test reports for ASTM A36 steel buried in email chains
Bidding errors up to 15% from missing historical cost data on similar I-beam steel frame assemblies for commercial builds
Compliance headaches during audits when OSHA 1910.252 welding safety or AWS D17.1 aerospace standards aren't instantly accessible on the shop floor
Our Custom-Built AI Knowledge Base: Tailored for Your Fabrication Workflow
We've powered knowledge automation for over 50 fabrication and manufacturing shops, turning chaotic info silos into field-tested efficiency machines
Why Choose Us
Here's the thing: in custom fab, your knowledge isn't just data—it's the blueprint of your competitive edge. We build a unified AI system that ingests your weld logs, CAD files, procedure manuals, and even voice notes from the floor. No off-the-shelf templates. We customize it to your exact processes, like integrating it with your CNC software for real-time spec pulls. Let's be honest, you're probably thinking this sounds too good—but it's field-tested, saving shops like yours 15+ hours weekly on searches alone. We handle the heavy lifting, so you focus on cranking out precision parts.
What Makes Us Different:
Quantifiable Wins for Your Bottom Line
Reclaim 15-20 Hours Weekly on Manual Searches
Reclaim 15-20 Hours Weekly on Manual Searches: Imagine your lead fabricator dodging that hour-long hunt through binders for a plasma cutting guide on 1/4-inch mild steel—our AI delivers it instantly via rugged shop tablet. That's time back for actual welding, translating to $5K+ monthly in productivity gains for a mid-sized structural fab shop. No more frustration-fueled delays—just smoother runs and happier crews cranking out more tonnage.
Cut Rework Costs by 35% with Instant Access
Cut Rework Costs by 35% with Instant Access: A botched fillet weld on a pressure vessel can eat $2,000 in scrap steel and overtime labor. Our system ensures every team member pulls the latest AWS specs, reducing errors from 'I thought it was this GD&T tolerance.' Shops we've worked with report hitting ROI in 8 weeks, with efficiency jumping as knowledge flows like a well-oiled CNC punch press, preventing costly vessel failures.
Boost Onboarding Speed by 50%, Scaling Your Team Seamlessly
Boost Onboarding Speed by 50%, Scaling Your Team Seamlessly: New hires in fab shops often take 4-6 weeks to ramp up on custom processes like orbital TIG welding for piping systems. We automate that with searchable guides tailored to your workflows, including video walkthroughs of electrode prep for stainless. Result? Faster productivity from day one, lower training costs by $1,500 per hire, and the ability to handle more jobs without the growing pains of delayed pipe spools.
What Clients Say
"Before AIQ, our guys were losing half a shift every week chasing down old mill certs for 6061 aluminum extrusion jobs. Now, the knowledge base pulls them up in seconds on our shop tablets—we've cut scrap waste by 25% on runs over 500 linear feet, and my estimators are bidding faster without second-guessing historical data on similar storefront frameworks."
Mike Reynolds
Welding Supervisor at Precision Metal Fabricators LLC
"I was skeptical about AI in our dusty fab environment, but this system changed everything. Our certified welders access procedure updates right from their phones during breaks, like the latest preheat requirements for A514 high-strength steel, and we've eliminated those costly do-overs from using outdated tolerances. Saved us about 12 hours a week, easy—worth every penny for our bridge girder projects."
Sarah Kline
Production Manager at BuildRight Steel Manufacturing
"As a small custom shop, we couldn't afford delays from new techs fumbling through manuals on our tube laser setups. AIQ built us a knowledge base that integrates our SolidWorks revisions automatically, pulling up nesting patterns for ductwork. On a recent HVAC project for a commercial retrofit, we shaved two days off fabrication time and avoided $800 in material overcuts. It's like having an extra journeyman who never forgets the kerf settings."
Tom Vargas
Owner and Lead Fabricator at Apex Custom Metalworks
Simple 3-Step Process
Discovery & Workflow Mapping
We dive into your shop—interviewing foremen, reviewing your CAD libraries and procedure binders—to map exactly how knowledge flows (or gets stuck) in your fabrication process.
Custom AI Build & Integration
Our engineers craft the system from scratch, ingesting your docs and linking it to tools like your ERP or CNC controls, ensuring it fits your custom fab needs like a perfectly machined bracket.
Testing, Training & Launch
We run field tests on the shop floor, train your team with hands-on sessions, and launch with ongoing tweaks—getting you to full efficiency without disrupting production runs.
Why We're Different
What's Included
Common Questions
How does this knowledge base handle our custom fabrication processes that aren't standard?
We start by mapping your unique workflows—like specific bending sequences for custom HVAC components or proprietary welding techniques for high-strength steel. Our AI is trained on your actual docs and processes, creating a searchable system that understands terms like 'flare bevel' or 'root pass specs.' It's not generic; we build it to mirror your shop's reality, ensuring quick retrievals that save time on every job. For example, a fabricator can query 'last tolerance for 1/4-inch plate' and get exact matches from past projects. This customization typically takes 4-6 weeks to implement, with immediate efficiency gains once live.
Will this integrate with our existing CAD and ERP software in the shop?
Absolutely—integration is core to what we do. We connect the knowledge base directly to tools like AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or your ERP (say, Epicor or SAP) for seamless data flow. Need a historical spec while updating a drawing? It pulls it instantly. We've done this for shops handling everything from custom railings to industrial enclosures, reducing manual cross-checks by 70%. The setup involves secure APIs, tested for reliability so it won't disrupt your production line. Post-launch, we monitor for any hiccups, ensuring it runs as smoothly as your best CNC run.
What's the typical ROI timeline for a fabrication shop like ours?
Most clients see ROI within 2-3 months. Take a 20-person shop: they reclaim 15 hours weekly on searches (valued at $300/hour in labor), plus 30% less rework on scrap-prone jobs, adding up to $10K+ monthly savings. We base this on real metrics from similar implementations, like reduced downtime during peak seasons. Upfront, it's a one-time build cost, no recurring fees beyond optional support. You're probably thinking it's too optimistic— but our field-tested approach delivers because it's built for the gritty realities of fab, not fluffy promises.
How secure is the system for sensitive fabrication designs and IP?
Security is non-negotiable in custom fab, where proprietary designs are your lifeline. We use enterprise-grade encryption (AES-256) for all data, with role-based access so only authorized eyes see critical specs like alloy formulas or client blueprints. It's hosted on compliant clouds (SOC 2, ISO 27001) and includes audit logs for tracking views—perfect for defending IP in bids or disputes. We've secured systems for shops dealing with defense contracts, ensuring no leaks. Plus, you own the data outright, with full export options if needed. Short version: it's fortified like a vault on your shop floor.
Can non-tech team members, like our welders, actually use this on the floor?
Yes, we design it for the shop floor, not a corner office. Interfaces are simple—think voice search like 'show me fillet weld for 6061 aluminum' or quick-scan QR codes on procedures. No steep learning curve; we've trained fab crews with zero IT background in under an hour. For mobile use, it's rugged-app ready, working offline during power glitches or site work. One client reported their veteran welders adopting it faster than expected, cutting query time from 20 minutes to 30 seconds. It's practical, like a digital toolbox that doesn't require a manual to open.
What if our knowledge base needs updates as processes change?
We build in auto-update capabilities, so when you revise a procedure (e.g., new laser cutting params), the AI propagates changes across the system and notifies users. For bigger shifts, like adopting a new CNC mill, we offer quick reconfiguration—usually 1-2 days. Our ongoing support includes quarterly check-ins to refine based on usage data, ensuring it evolves with your shop. Clients in dynamic fab environments love this; one updated their entire welding library post-certification and saw zero disruptions. It's flexible, keeping your edge sharp without constant rebuilds.
Ready to Get Started?
Book your free consultation and discover how we can transform your business with AI.