Stop Losing Hours to Manual Data Entry on Shop Floor Reports Automate It with Custom AI Built for Your Weld Benches and CNC Machines
Imagine slashing 15-25 hours per week on tedious data logging, turning those into focused fabrication time that boosts your output by 20% without extra hires.
Join 150+ businesses with streamlined workflows and real ROI
The "Data Entry Bottleneck" Problem
Endless Logging of Weld Times and Material Specs for Structural Steel and Pipe Fittings from Handwritten Notes
Double-Entry Nightmares Between Shop Floor ERP like JobBOSS and Inventory Systems for Raw Stock like Aluminum Sheets
Chasing Down QC Data for Every Batch of Fabricated Parts like Rebar Cages or HVAC Ductwork
Manual Updates to Job Schedules After CNC Machine Downtime on Press Brakes or Plasma Cutters
Error-Prone Transcription of Dimensions from CAD Blueprints to Digital Records for Custom Beams and Trusses
Time Sinks Verifying Supplier Specs Against Incoming Steel Deliveries for I-Beams and Angle Iron
Our Custom AI Automation Tailored to Your Fabrication Line
We've helped over 50 metal shops build field-tested systems that integrate directly with your CAD software and ERP, drawing from our own experience scaling manufacturing ops.
Why Choose Us
Here's the thing: in metal fabrication, every minute counts on the shop floor. You're probably thinking about those late nights reconciling data that could have been automated. At AIQ Labs, we don't slap together generic tools. We engineer custom AI workflows that pull data straight from your CNC machines, weld trackers, and inventory logs. No more retyping specs or chasing paper trails. It's like having an extra foreman who never sleeps, ensuring your data flows seamlessly so you can focus on precision cuts and tight deadlines. We start by mapping your exact processes—whether it's tracking laser cuts or bending schedules—and build a unified system you own outright.
What Makes Us Different:
Unlock Time and Cost Savings That Hit Your Bottom Line
Save 20 Hours Weekly on Data Logging
Save 20 Hours Weekly on Data Logging: Let's be honest, your fabricators spend too much time typing up job tickets for welding structural components instead of running the press brake. Our automation captures weld times and material usage like ASTM A36 steel specs automatically, freeing up 20 hours per week across a 10-person shop. That's like adding a full shift without the payroll hit, directly boosting your throughput on custom rebar orders and reducing lead times by 15% for on-site deliveries.
Achieve 30% Faster ROI Through Error Reduction
Achieve 30% Faster ROI Through Error Reduction: Manual entry leads to scrapped parts—think a mislogged alloy spec on aluminum extrusions costing $500 in rework for a bridge component. We eliminate that with AI verification against blueprint tolerances, cutting errors by 80% and delivering ROI in under 3 months. Shops see productivity jumps as teams trust the data for quicker bids on commercial builds and fewer delays in the steel fabrication pipeline, with one client recovering $10K in avoided scrap within the first quarter.
Boost Efficiency with Instant Workflow Insights
Boost Efficiency with Instant Workflow Insights: You're juggling quotes for site pre-fab, laser cuts, and weld assemblies—our system provides dashboards showing real-time bottlenecks, like idle time on your fiber laser cutter during peak framing season. This leads to 25% efficiency gains, turning chaotic shops into lean operations where every hour translates to more shipped modular units and happier general contractors, with dashboards integrating seamlessly with tools like AutoCAD for on-the-fly adjustments.
What Clients Say
"Before AIQ, our guys were wasting two hours a day entering cut lists from the plasma table for structural beams. Now it's all automatic, and we've shaved a full day off our lead times for high-rise steel jobs. Saved us about $15K last quarter alone in overtime on a downtown project deadline."
Mike Harlan
Shop Foreman, Precision Metalworks Inc., a structural steel fabricator in Chicago
"Sarah Ruiz"
Sarah Ruiz
Operations Manager, ForgeTech Manufacturing, specializing in HVAC components for commercial construction
"We handle a lot of custom brackets and frames for bridge reinforcements; manual data entry was killing our margins with constant blueprint re-verifications. After implementation, our team reclaimed 18 hours a week, which we poured into a new robotic welding line for faster turnaround. ROI was clear in two months on a highway project—highly recommend for any fab shop drowning in paperwork for precast concrete forms."
Tom Becker
Owner, Apex Fabrications, a custom metalwork shop serving infrastructure projects
Simple 3-Step Process
Discovery and Mapping Your Shop Floor
We dive into your daily grind—talking with welders and operators to understand pain points like tracking mill tolerances or job sequencing. No templates here; it's all about your unique setup.
Design and Build the Custom AI Engine
Our engineers craft the automation from scratch, integrating with your tools like Mastercam or shop tablets. We test it on real runs, ensuring it handles the grit of metal dust and variable shifts without a hitch.
Deploy, Train, and Optimize for Peak Performance
Roll it out with hands-on training for your crew, then monitor for tweaks—like fine-tuning data pulls from laser cutters. You get full ownership, scaling as your fab shop grows.
Why We're Different
What's Included
Common Questions
How does this automation handle the variability in custom metal jobs?
In metal fabrication, no two jobs are exactly alike—whether it's a one-off bracket or a run of structural beams. Our custom AI is designed to adapt: we train it on your specific workflows, like variable bend radii or weld types, using machine learning to recognize patterns from your CAD uploads and shop logs. For instance, it can auto-populate job sheets based on part geometries while allowing quick overrides for unique specs. We've seen shops reduce setup time by 40% because the system learns from each run, getting smarter over time. It's not rigid; it's built to flex with your daily chaos, ensuring accurate data without slowing down the line. Plus, we include a simple interface for your operators to input exceptions on the fly.
What if our shop uses older machinery without digital outputs?
Many metal fabs still run legacy equipment, like manual mills or older plasma cutters without APIs. That's no problem—we bridge the gap with hybrid solutions, such as tablet-based inputs or barcode scanners tied to your machines. For example, we can set up AI to interpret photos of dials or voice notes from operators, converting them into structured data that feeds your ERP. In one project, a shop with 20-year-old gear cut manual entries by 60% using our mobile app integration. We start with a full audit of your setup, then build adapters that make even analog tools 'smart' without a full overhaul. The result? Seamless data flow that feels native, saving you upgrade costs while modernizing your ops.
How quickly can we see ROI from this automation?
You're ROI-driven, so let's talk numbers: most metal shops we work with recoup their investment in 2-4 months. Take a typical 15-person fab operation logging 25 hours weekly on data entry—that's about $2,500 in labor at $25/hour. Our system slashes that to under 5 hours, delivering immediate savings. We factor in reduced errors, like avoiding $1,000+ in scrapped titanium due to bad specs. Post-launch, we track metrics like time saved and error rates, adjusting as needed. One client hit break-even in 8 weeks by automating inventory pulls for steel coils. It's practical: we baseline your current costs first, then project exact gains based on your volume, ensuring it's a no-brainer for your bottom line.
Will this integrate with our existing software like SolidWorks or Epicor?
Absolutely—integration is our bread and butter. We specialize in deep, two-way connections with tools common in metal fab, like pulling geometries from SolidWorks models or pushing job data into Epicor for costing. Unlike superficial links that break during updates, our custom APIs handle the heavy lifting, syncing in real-time without manual intervention. For a recent project, we linked a client's nesting software to their ERP, auto-generating cut lists that matched inventory levels. If your stack includes other systems like quoting tools or time clocks, we map it all out upfront. The goal is a single source of truth, so your data moves fluidly from design to delivery, cutting those frustrating handoffs that waste hours.
What kind of support do you provide after deployment?
We don't just build and bail—that's not how we operate in this industry. Post-deployment, you get our dedicated support team for the first 90 days, including weekly check-ins to optimize performance, like refining AI accuracy on weld data. Our systems come with built-in monitoring, so if something like a data sync hiccups during a rush order, we get alerted and fix it fast. Training is hands-on: we train your foremen and operators via shop-floor sessions, creating quick-reference guides tailored to your processes. Long-term, you own the code, but optional maintenance plans keep it humming as you add machines or change suppliers. Clients tell us it's like having an in-house expert without the salary—reliable, responsive, and always focused on keeping your fab line productive.
Is this secure for handling sensitive fabrication blueprints?
Security is non-negotiable in metal manufacturing, where blueprints can include proprietary designs or client IP. We build with enterprise-grade encryption and role-based access, ensuring only authorized users—like your lead fabricator—see sensitive data. All automations run on secure, private servers you control, compliant with standards like ISO 9001. For example, data from scanned drawings is anonymized and audited, preventing leaks during supplier shares. We've audited our systems for shops handling defense contracts, adding features like watermarking for exports. It's peace of mind: your automation strengthens security, not weakens it, so you can automate freely without risking that next big aerospace bid.
Ready to Get Started?
Book your free consultation and discover how we can transform your business with AI.