Stop Losing Jobs to Miscommunications on the Shop Floor Custom AI Communication That Keeps Your Projects on Track
Imagine cutting client follow-up time by 40% while ensuring every weld and cut aligns perfectly with their specs—no more emails lost in the shuffle or phone tag during rush jobs.
Join 150+ fabrication businesses streamlining comms for faster turnarounds
The "Shop-to-Client" Disconnect Problem
Clients ghosting after vague quotes on custom CNC-machined steel brackets, leading to 20% lost leads in fabrication bids
Rework headaches from misread tolerances in rushed emails on welded pipe fittings, causing 15% scrap rates in assembly lines
Supply chain delays on raw aluminum extrusions not reaching clients until after promised delivery, inflating project overhead by 10-15%
Overloaded foremen fielding calls during critical MIG welding phases on structural beams, disrupting 30% of daily production shifts
Lost follow-ups on repeat orders for galvanized I-beams and channel steel, resulting in 25% drop in recurring revenue from site builds
Compliance mix-ups in client approvals for fabricated truss assemblies under ASTM standards, risking OSHA fines and project halts
Tailored AI Communication Built for Your Fabrication Workflow
We've powered comms for over 50 metal shops, turning chaotic client interactions into seamless, ROI-boosting processes.
Why Choose Us
Here's the thing: off-the-shelf chat tools treat your fab shop like just another business, ignoring the grit of plasma cutting deadlines and the precision of CNC routing. We build custom AI systems from the ground up, integrating directly with your CAD software, inventory trackers, and shop management tools. You're probably thinking, 'How does this fit my unique setup?' We start by mapping your exact workflow—whether it's quoting ornamental ironwork or managing large-scale beam fabrication—and craft a unified platform that owns your data, not some vendor's subscription trap. Let's be honest, this isn't assembly-line AI; it's field-tested for the sparks and sweat of your daily grind.
What Makes Us Different:
Why This Custom Fit Transforms Your Fab Operations
Faster Client Approvals, Fewer Delays
Picture this: A client gets an AI-generated 3D mockup of their custom structural bracket via chat, approves ±0.005-inch tolerances in minutes, and your team starts plasma cutting without waiting on back-and-forth emails. We've seen fabrication shops shave 2-3 days off structural steel timelines, boosting throughput by 25% and keeping welders on task for rebar installations.
Reduced Errors in Spec Handling
No more scrapped parts from misunderstood dimensions on gusset plates. Our AI parses client requests against your CAD drawings, flagging issues like a faulty bolt hole spec before the laser cutter hits sheet metal. One mid-sized shop cut rework costs by $15K quarterly on HVAC component runs—that's real ROI from smarter spec handling in high-volume production.
24/7 Availability Without Extra Headcount
While your crew clocks out after a long shift bending and forming sheet metal for ductwork, our AI handles inquiries on order status or stainless steel lead times 24/7. It escalates complex issues like custom flange designs to your team seamlessly, ensuring no opportunity slips—like that urgent precast concrete form order that came in at 10 PM and was quoted by morning, preventing a week-long site delay.
What Clients Say
"We were buried in emails about sheet metal bend radii and tolerances for custom enclosures, losing hours chasing clarifications during peak runs. AIQ's system integrated with our AutoCAD and nesting software, auto-sending progress pics with exact specs—cut our client response time from days to hours, and we landed two big repeat contracts for industrial shelving last quarter, worth $75K."
Mike Rivera
Lead Welder and Foreman, Precision Metalworks Inc., specializing in custom enclosures for manufacturing facilities
"Handling custom stair rail quotes was a nightmare with phone tag during peak plasma cutting and assembly runs on galvanized handrails. Their AI chat handles the basics, pulls from our real-time inventory on structural tubing, and even suggests alternatives if steel prices spike due to tariffs. Saved us about 10 hours a week on admin, and clients love the instant feedback—closed a $40K job for a commercial building over the weekend without overtime."
Sarah Chen
Operations Manager, Apex Fabrications LLC, focused on architectural metalwork for construction sites
"Our old setup meant delays in notifying clients about aluminum billet stockouts for extruded profiles, leading to rescheduling headaches on bridge component deliveries. This custom AI pings them proactively with substitute alloy options, tied right into our ERP system for inventory tracking. We've avoided three major overruns in six months on load-bearing assemblies, and it's paid for itself in the first $50K project alone by keeping crews on schedule."
Tom Hargrove
Owner and Principal Engineer, ForgeLine Metals Co., experts in extruded aluminum for infrastructure projects
Simple 3-Step Process
Discovery and Mapping
We dive into your shop's rhythm—interviewing foremen on pain points like client spec changes mid-weld—and map how comms flow from quote to delivery.
Custom Build and Integration
Our engineers craft your AI system, linking it to CAD files, shop floor sensors, and client portals for a single, owned hub that fits like a perfectly machined joint.
Testing and Launch
We run field trials on real jobs, tweaking for accuracy—like ensuring AI flags a bent tube issue—then launch with training so your team hits the ground running.
Why We're Different
What's Included
Common Questions
How does this AI handle the technical side of metal fab specs?
We train the AI on your specific terminology and processes, like distinguishing between TIG and MIG welding details or tolerances for structural steel. It integrates directly with your CAD and ERP systems to pull accurate data, then communicates it clearly to clients—think generating a simple diagram of a bracket's dimensions on the fly. No more explaining complex drawings over email; the AI does it instantly. For a 50-employee shop we worked with, this cut misinterpretation errors by 35%, saving thousands in rework. It's all custom-built to your workflow, so it feels like an extension of your team, not a generic bot fumbling jargon.
What if my shop uses outdated software—can it still integrate?
Absolutely. We've hooked into everything from legacy ERP like older SAP versions to basic Excel trackers used in smaller fab outfits. Our approach starts with a quick audit of your setup, then we build secure APIs or even custom connectors to bridge the gaps. One client with a 20-year-old inventory system saw seamless syncing for material delay notifications, reducing client complaints by half. You're not locked into upgrading everything; we make the AI work with what you've got, ensuring quick wins without big IT overhauls. It's practical, field-tested integration that respects your shop's history while pushing efficiency forward.
How secure is this for sensitive client designs in fabrication?
Security is non-negotiable in metal fab, where proprietary designs for things like aerospace components can't leak. We build with end-to-end encryption, role-based access, and compliance features for standards like GDPR or NIST. Data stays owned by you in a private cloud or on-prem setup—no shared servers with random vendors. For instance, a defense contractor we partnered with used our system to share encrypted weld schematics, passing audits without a hitch. Regular penetration testing and audit logs keep everything airtight. Let's be honest, we've seen off-the-shelf tools expose data; ours is engineered for the high-stakes world of custom fabrication.
Will this replace my team's communication roles?
Not at all—it's designed to empower your crew, not replace them. The AI handles routine stuff like status updates on a ductwork job or answering FAQs on lead times, freeing foremen to focus on overseeing the actual bending and welding. In one case, a shop's comms lead went from 30 hours a week on emails to just 10, redirecting time to quality checks that boosted output. We include training so your team uses it intuitively, and it always escalates complex issues—like a custom fixture revision—with full context. Think of it as a reliable apprentice that handles the grunt work, letting your experts shine on high-value tasks.
How long until we see results in our daily operations?
Most shops notice quick wins within the first two weeks of launch. We prioritize high-impact features, like auto-notifications for cut sheet approvals, which can slash response times immediately. Full rollout, including tweaks for your workflow, takes 4-6 weeks, but we've had clients reporting 20% faster project cycles right after testing. For a mid-sized outfit doing ornamental metalwork, it meant closing quotes 40% quicker, directly hitting their ROI goals. It's not vaporware; we measure progress with your KPIs from day one, adjusting to ensure it delivers in the real-world grind of fabrication deadlines.
Can this scale if my fab shop expands to multiple locations?
Yes, it's built modular and scalable from the start. We design the core system to handle one shop's volume, then add nodes for additional sites—like syncing comms across a main plant and satellite welding facility—without rebuilding. Integrations grow with you, pulling in more data sources as needed. A client expanding from 30 to 80 employees added two branches seamlessly, maintaining consistent client updates on orders. No performance dips during peak seasons, unlike rigid templates. You're investing in a flexible asset that evolves with your business, keeping comms tight no matter how big you get.
Ready to Get Started?
Book your free consultation and discover how we can transform your business with AI.