OEM Fabricators, Inc
A Low to Medium-Volume Fabricator Adds Automation
This article first appeared in the Railway-News magazine, Issue 2 2023.
OEM Fabricators, Inc., a contract metal fabricator with locations in the United States recently expanded its robotic welding capacity to serve its rail customers.
Initially, a volatile customer segment in the oil and gas market was the target for the first robotic welder.
“The steep increases and decreases in work made it difficult to plan the workload and give stability to our workforce.”
Since the initial robot in 2013, OEM Fabricators, Inc. has increased its number of robotic welders and capacity to serve its passenger train and rail maintenance customers, recently adding two additional units. Having previously tried robotic welders in 2003, OEM found the programming technology did not offer quick enough programming and setup for its low to medium-volume production. Improved programming capabilities allow OEM to utilise these tools on lower to medium-volume production which increases productivity, protects the workforce from swings in demand and provides more repetitive production and improved quality.
Next steps towards automation for OEM Fabricator’s, Inc. include a collaborative robot (cobot) integrated with a machining centre.
“We expect to take delivery of the cobot in May and will be ready to implement the machine shortly afterwards. We’re excited to incorporate these tools into our production and better serve our passenger train and rail maintenance.”
About:
Founded in 1986, OEM Fabricators, Inc. built its business by providing contract manufacturing services for local original equipment manufacturers in the Midwestern United States. As a result of OEM Fabricators’ high Directory 48 levels of service and quality, the company spent its first twenty-five years experiencing rapid growth in its customer base throughout the United States and Canada. In 2012, OEM became EN 15085-2 Class 1-certified and has used this certification to support North American and European manufacturers in the rail maintenance industry and develop into a key supplier in the passenger rail industry.
Services Offered:
OEM Fabricators, Inc. has a team of highly skilled craftsmen and women building products for leading manufacturers in the oil and gas, construction, mining, rail maintenance and passenger rail industries. OEM Fabricators provides contract-manufacturing services including design assistance, fabrication, welding, machining, painting and light assembly. The company’s strength is complex small to medium-sized components. Examples of products built are structural frames, work head components, underframes, bogey frames, coupler components, tanks and assorted large battery/hydraulic/electrical boxes.
