Benefits of Moving from 2D to 3D CAD Workflows in Metal Fabrication

Most metal fabrication businesses still rely on 2D drawings, even though 3D models are readily available. On the production floor, drawings are used to develop a production plan. The use of 2D geometry is still prevalent, but its use affects productivity to a high level of significance. The main reasons include the inability of images to maintain close collaboration and the limited possibilities for clearly communicating design intent.

In addition, these 2D drafts are often difficult to manage and prone to errors that lead to miscommunication and production cancellations. However, the benefits of adopting a 3D CAD workflow can outweigh the time and investment of resources for transformation and can continue to help fabricators compete better in the digital or Industry 4.0 era.

3D CAD actually opens up many opportunities for the sheet metal fabrication business in a variety of ways and is certainly the only way forward for organizations to remain productive and profitable. The advantages of using 3D CAD in metal fabrication include:

1. Improve quality and accuracy
   The 3D CAD capability ensures that any design changes made in the model are automatically reflected in the required 2D concepts on the factory floor. This eliminates inconsistencies in design communication and provides finer control over design versions. Accuracy in the workflow thus absorbs trust within the team and thus helps to increase the overall efficiency in the product development process.

2. Design is better
   The immediate benefit of designing in 3D is increased design accuracy and quality. The 3D CAD modelling tool features sheet metal that gives the designer the ability to design a finished product, as it will look after it is produced.

3. Configurable product design
   There are many possibilities with implementing 3D workflows. Having a 3D CAD model takes productivity to the next level by implementing design automation. For assemblers developing configurable products it is possible to automate repetitive tasks to produce 3D product models, drawings and documentation according to customer preferences.

Thus, it is important to design your metal fabrication needs with 3D CAD that can meet your needs and make it easier to imagine your product before the product is made. Also, you can discuss with Duta Laserindo Metal for every process including designing the product you want with the best quality.