Processing equipment fabricators often require special alloys with inherent anti-corrosion properties, as they are mandatory for fabrication of tanks, conveyers, mixers and feeders. The biggest challenge for sheet-metal fabricators involved in fabrication of aforementioned equipment, is constantly increasing prices of alloy like stainless steel [the best corrosion resistant]. Surcharges for grade 304 and 316 stainless steels showed a sharp rise of 34% and 25% respectively in the last year. With rising prices and demands to meet, fabricators try to minimize errors and automate sheet metal design workflows.
Sheet metal fabricators of processing equipment used 2D CAD drafting in their early days. Gradually, as the CAD technology advanced, fabricators then shifted to 3D CAD models along with the plugins for Product Data Management – PDM for fabrication of complex assemblies ranging from simple welded joints to accurate products with maximized automation.