5 tips for process optimisation in steel engineering

If you work in steel engineering, there are plenty of opportunities to optimise business processes. The sector is ideal for working just that little bit smarter with the help of digitalisation. If you choose to automate actions, for example with CAD software, you will have more time left over to add value. These are 5 important tips for process optimisation in steel engineering!

Looking to optimise business processes?

In some sectors, it is quite a quest for those who want to optimise business processes. This is not the case in steel construction. Digitalisation and intensive use of CAD software can quickly pay off. Take a look at these tips.

5 tips for process optimisation in steel engineering:

  • Digital control of production - Steel engineerings make relatively large use of round profiles and special shapes that have to fit together. Process optimisation is possible here through digital delivery using STEP files. This allows you, for example, to have production machines laser tubes or make a special curve. The same applies to the control of cutting machines. If you opt for digital control of machines, you save a lot of time, because you reduce a lot of manual operations.

  • Smart joining of profiles - When drawing a fence, you have to be careful to connect profiles correctly. With CAD software, a welder can only join profiles one way (the right way). If the CAD programme already provides holes in a way that prevents confusion, a welder will work faster and better.

  • Measurement on an assembly drawing - This is typically something that still happens manually in steel construction: the measurement of certain distances, so that someone else can start assembling. Yet software is capable of taking over this task. Do you choose to spend 5-10 minutes on this manually or do you prefer to do this automatically with one push of a button?

Do you want to get to know our smart CAD software? In a handy video we show how HiCAD can optimise your business process.

  • Configure instead of draw - As with the dimensioning, you can also choose to draw profiles and connectors manually. We think it is better to standardise some products a little. If you do that, your 3D CAD software can quickly show the model on your screen, including the possibility of configuring products. One push of a button versus a lot of manual work.

  • Standardisation - Being flexible is good, but so is being able to deliver customised work. That should not be an obstacle to process optimisation in steel construction. This can be achieved, for example, by making agreements in the drawing department about certain materials and how something is drawn. Make sure that draftsmen, especially those who have just started, know where they must or can work in a standardised way and where they do have freedom.

Optimising business processes saves time

Process optimisation in steel construction comes close with the use of good 3D CAD software. It is time saving that stands out. If a system is set up properly, making connections between two profiles is just a matter of pressing a button. If there are many connections to be made, you save a lot of time, which you can put to use serving customers even better.