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Exploring How 3D Printing Services Have Impacted Aerospace Supply Chain

Posted on June 14, 2024 by faz_business

Like other fields, the aerospace industry needs a competitive edge to overcome challenges. 3D printing is helping aerospace find an advantage and overcome obstacles. 3D printing is now being adopted to develop higher-risk parts. Key industry players feel more confident moving past aerospace components parts into critical systems and secondary structures applications. But how does 3D printing services impact the aerospace supply chain in the first place? The benefits of using 3D printing components for the aerospace industry are plentiful, and some of these are the following:

How 3D printing services have impacted aerospace supply chain

1. 3D printing enables timely manufacturing, production & distribution of parts

One of the critical drivers of faster time to market in the aerospace field is innovations in the supply chain that facilitate quicker production of parts. Time-to-market is crucial for success regardless of the industry in question. On-demand manufacturing is the best way to expedite your production cycles. Whatever qualifications or certifications are required, the manufacturing process can use standard equipment with no need for part-specific tooling just to come up with specialized components no matter where you are.

3D printing can help accelerate production timelines. With all design files in digital form, aerospace engineering firms can easily customize them according to specific use cases. Since 3D printing doesn’t need mold or tool changes, the process is focused exclusively on updating designs. However, mass customization doesn’t necessarily mean a single size. It allows for reducing production quantity from 10,000 using traditional manufacturing techniques to as low as 100 with 3D printing.

2. Cut back on supply chain costs

Shrinking a component from 80 individual parts to just one part, for example, has a significant trickle-down effect on the entire supply chain. This reduction of parts will result in a leaner supply chain. Imagine a tighter and more improved supply chain with a more consistent and reliable production level. The aerospace industry, for example, no longer requires a front-end factor to produce metal parts that still need to be sent to the machine shop, where they will be finished before shipping to the destination.

Vertical integration is now possible with self-sustaining machine shops using ordinary and certified powder to deliver components and parts. Vertical integration opens the door to localized production and can help reduce the lead times and shipping costs that traditional manufacturing techniques often require.

3. Simplify parts through BOM consolidation

Many design engineering companies have enjoyed more freedom in design with the help of 3D printing. 3D printing can bring so much to the table from a design perspective. However, the secret here is to think beyond the individual parts. For instance, a fan in a cooling system comprises several time-consuming and labor-intensive parts. With the help of 3D printing, you can consolidate the fan down to just one part. However, the benefits can go beyond the design itself. The use of 3D-printed parts can reduce potential failure points and assembly time.

Through this, 3D printing technologies simplify the parts and reduce the waste produced by traditional subtractive manufacturing techniques. Even though simplification is the main advantage of 3D printing in the aerospace industry, it also gives the chance to manufacture complicated designs that are impossible to make with traditional methods such as injection molding. It gives engineers the design freedom to develop parts that can render maximum performance. It means you can use more brilliant design geometries from a manufacturing perspective. It can also eliminate fixture and tooling costs and improve the lifecycle and durability of parts.

Certification and qualification for 3D printing in the aerospace supply chain

Industries with the most significant and complex compliance and qualification requirements, such as aerospace, can enjoy the most important benefits of 3D printing design services. For technology to shift from niche to broader industrial use, it must undergo several essential maturity stages. The first stage is the necessary engineering rigor to guarantee repeatability and stability for volume or large-scale manufacturing. The next stage is the characterization and documentation required for qualification efforts; this is where 3D printing is.

Generally, 3D printing can provide high-quality production worldwide with the help of distributed manufacturing. However, a few best practices should be in place to cater to the stringent demands of aerospace manufacturing before turning this capability into a reality. Standard processes should also be across several locations to allow true build portability. These include consistent input materials, proper equipment calibration, a secure digital file transfer mechanism, standard equipment, and proper quality certifications.

3D printing applications in the aerospace industry

The first-ever 3D-printed aircraft parts used worldwide were in an Airbus test aircraft that sped down the airstrip in 2014. It was a tiny titanium bracket part of the tower to secure the engine. Since then, 3D printing has enjoyed a rapid escalation, although new concept design & product development firms continue to learn and master how to adapt to the different 3D printing solutions to gain and leverage its many benefits. These include lowering costs, shortening time to market, and maximizing production output.

Commercial airplanes

There is also a skyrocketing demand for new commercial airplanes. The global fleet doubles every 15 years. 3D printing can assist companies with the intimidating mountain of orders to reduce their production time. For instance, in November 2018, Airbus reported a backlog of over 7,000 aircrafts. Considering the existing process, this figure is equivalent to a production time of nine years. Similarly, Boeing’s commercial aircraft backlog was almost 6,000 at the end of September 2018.

Several internal features in aircraft design often don’t lend themselves by complexity or volume to injection composites and other molding processes. While traditional metalworking can make creating these parts more time-consuming and expensive, 3D printing can simplify the process. This capability can be beneficial in the aerospace industry for producing turbine and engine parts, cabin interior components, and parts with more defined aerodynamic properties. The entire process can also be done at a lower cost within a shorter timeframe.

Since 3D printing enables easy customization, part consolidation, and on-demand manufacturing, design for manufacturing (DFMA) companies in the aerospace industry can substantially cut down their time to market. 3D printing is at least 2x faster than traditional methods of manufacturing. It can even reduce time to market by more than half in aerospace manufacturing. However, the aviation influx always comes with a price. Twice the number of aircrafts that circle the world means more excellent noise roaring from overboard, heavier carbon emissions, and higher fuel consumption.

Environmental-friendly design

The good news is that 3D printing can also help mitigate the environmental impact of aircrafts. 3D printing can help make an aircraft lighter by up to 55%. For instance, the Boeing 737-800, the average-sized plane that most popular commercial airlines fly, has an average weight of 90,000 pounds, excluding the passengers and fuel. However, a 55% reduction can lower it to just over 40,000 pounds.

Since an aircraft’s weight directly correlates with the airframe’s helpful life and fuel consumption, it will also reduce its fuel consumption. Simply put, design for additive manufacturing services can help increase the overall sustainability of the present and future aerospace industry.

Global possibilities await the aerospace industry with 3D printing

On-site production is ultimately the most significant benefit of 3D printing in the aerospace industry. Transporting materials and parts can incur costs in terms of money and time. But 3D printing makes it possible to print customized components on location. The potential for an internationally distributed manufacturing network can improve overall efficiency and provide substantial savings.

This will product design companies to keep ideal inventory levels to boost productivity and make way for new value chains in the aerospace industry verticals. This capability can enable future companies to do more than act and think globally. It can give them the chance to operate beyond the planet’s boundaries. 3D printing might be the key to exploring space and embarking on planetary and lunar colonization.

The bottom line

Whether it is used to print a wrench made from lunar dust for the very first settlers on Mars or help an airline finish its backlog of orders, 3D printing and its many possibilities in the aerospace industry go beyond Earth’s atmosphere. It will be exciting to see and look forward to the new applications that will come to fruition as 3D printing establishes itself as a critical tool in aerospace. But one thing is for sure: the aircraft of the future and beyond will only be able to get off the ground and soar to great heights with the help of 3D printing.

How Cad Crowd can assist

Cad Crowd offers aerospace engineering and 3D printing services to companies such as NASA. Contact us for a free quote if your organization needs help with aerospace and CAD designs.

How Are Companies Utilizing CAD Technology to Drive Innovation in Automotive Design?

Posted on May 2, 2024 by faz_business

Computer-aided design, or CAD, plays a significant role in automotive design and development. A professional automotive designer doesn’t only use CAD-based models to design a vehicle’s aesthetics. CAD automotive design also serves as the basis for module and configuration systems. Automotive design professionals also use automobile design for verification and simulation purposes.

Most of you probably don’t know it, but CAD systems aren’t newcomers to the automobile industry. Originally used during the 1980s, CAD design software has existed for three decades. It evolved to become more advanced CAD programs that open exciting doors of possibilities for automobile development. This post will delve into how companies use CAD technology to drive innovation in automotive design.

A quick history of CAD technology in the automobile industry

Hardware characterized vehicles back in the mid-80s. The development processes used then were focused on optimization cycles based on prototypes. The development of a single car during that time required around 40 labor hours, notably longer than the current duration of just 17 to 18 hours. Revisions were then made on the implementation of CAD methods. 3D CAD design and 2D drafting services officially replaced hardware-based engineering tasks in the 80s.

When the late 90s came, network-based development became the trend. Physical prototypes were also finally replaced with virtual ones for good. These virtual prototypes allowed the collaboration of partners from around the world. It helped cut down the duration of full-vehicle development projects to three years. It’s safe to say that automotive design experts have always been on top of the game regarding technology and innovation. More notably, using CAE or computer-aided engineering and CAD software has seen substantial developments in the past few years.

CAD technology simplifies the design process

It’s common for an automobile designer to use CAD technology to streamline the design process. Automotive designers often use CAD software to speed up the creation and modification of their designs without the need to start from scratch. It allows them to test various design concepts and make changes more quickly. This helps improve the efficiency of the design process. CAD software also allows automobile designers to generate precise and accurate 3D and 2D models of their designs that can be refined and modified easily.

This ensures a more accurate representation of the final product. This helps save resources and time and reduces the need to develop physical prototypes. CAD technology also allows automotive design professionals to conduct virtual testing and simulate different design settings, eliminating the need for physical prototypes. Again, it helps save resources and time and makes it easier for designers to pinpoint potential flaws in automobile design earlier in the process.

CAD technology enables new concept design & product design professionals to work together on their design projects anywhere in the world. It improves communication and allows designers to share feedback and ideas to ensure a more cohesive automotive design process. Since it’s possible to integrate CAD software with manufacturing systems, designers can also develop easy-to-manufacture designs. It improves the efficiency of the manufacturing process while cutting down on the resources and time required to launch the product in the market.

CAD technology speeds up the prototyping process

CAD technology allows automobile design experts to speed up the prototyping process. With the help of this technology, automotive designers can conduct virtual simulations of the behavior of different design scenarios. Simulations allow automotive design experts to spot potential flaws in the design and address them right away before the start of the actual production. It eliminates the need to use physical properties and, at the same time, accelerates the process of prototyping.

CAD design software also allows automotive design & engineering design services to work together and enjoy the real-time sharing of models and designs. This enhances communication and ensures that automotive engineers and automotive designers are aligned. CAD technology also enables faster iteration of different design concepts, allowing designs to promptly test and assess numerous design processes to shorten design cycles. 3D prototypes can also be developed using additive manufacturing methods, including 3D printing with the help of CAD software.

This paves the way for rapid prototyping that involves the quick and easy creation of physical prototypes. It allows designers to evaluate and test various design iterations faster. Automobile designers can also use CAD technology to create precise and accurate 3D and 2D models of their designs that they can modify and refine quickly. It makes virtual prototyping possible, where the designers can quickly create and test several design iterations, which speeds up the entire design process.

CAD technology improves product quality

The automobile industry has been reaping the benefits of CAD software in terms of improved product quality. Thanks to CAD software, design engineering firms can conduct virtual simulations and testing of different design scenarios, letting them spot and solve potential design errors before the start of the actual production process. This cuts down the number of product recalls and improves the quality of automobile products significantly.

Automobile designers can also use CAD software to produce precise and accurate 3D and 2D models of their designs that are easier to modify and improve. As a result, designers can optimize their designs for performance, functionality, and safety, which results in products that boast higher quality. Thanks to CAD software, designers can also simulate different materials and their respective behaviors, allowing them to choose the most suitable one for their product. This guarantees that the product will be made using the best materials, thus enhancing its durability and performance.

Since it’s also possible to integrate CAD software with manufacturing systems, DFM services can develop designs that can be manufactured easily. It improves the efficiency of the manufacturing process, eliminating the risks of errors and improving the overall quality of the product. Automotive design professionals can also use CAD technology to create standardized designs to ensure that every product meets the same quality standards.

CAD technology guarantees safety and fuel efficiency

One of the most significant roles of CAD technology in automotive design is that it contributes to safety and fuel efficiency. Designers can use CAD software to develop 3D models that are useful for optimizing the aerodynamics of a vehicle. Improving the airflow around an automobile allows carmakers to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce drag. CAD software also helps aerospace engineering designers create accurate 3D models for optimizing the routing and placement of electrical parts and components.

Automobile designers can enhance fuel efficiency by lowering the amount of power needed to run the electrical systems of the vehicle through optimization. CAD technology makes it possible for engineers to simulate the behavior of a vehicle in different crash scenarios. It allows them to pinpoint potential safety concerns and make changes to the design before physical testing. It guarantees substantial advancements in the overall safety of the vehicle. Automotive designers can also use the technology for simulation of the behavior of different materials so they can optimize their designs for reduced weight without compromising on safety.

Automobile designers can advance fuel efficiency by lowering vehicle weight while keeping everything safe and secure. 3D product modeling companies can also use CAD software to produce precise 3D models that are handy for sensor integration into automobile designs. Safety features, including backup cameras, lane departure warning, and collision avoidance systems, are significantly improved.

CAD technology lowers production cost

CAD software has always been known to help cut costs in most design processes. The technology allows engineers and designers to share and collaborate on their models and designs in real time. This improves communication and reduces the need for expensive physical testing and prototypes. Engineers and designers can also use CAD technology to develop exact and accurate designs, which lowers the risks of design flaws and errors that would have been otherwise costly to fix much later on.

Automobile design professionals also use CAD software to simulate the behavior of different materials and upgrade the design for weight reduction. This lowers material costs and reduces material waste. Physical prototyping is also reduced since CAD technology allows 3D product design experts to develop precise and accurate 3D and 2D design models to enable virtual simulation and prototyping. As a result, physical prototypes that can be very expensive to create and test are no longer required.

Lastly, the time to market with CAD software is also reduced because designs can be made more efficiently and quickly than before. It reduces development costs, allowing automobile design experts to keep up with the erratic market conditions faster than ever.

How Cad Crowd can help

Increasingly, automotive companies use CAD technology to drive innovation in automotive designs. Cad Crowd is a reliable platform where you can search for the best and most reliable automobile design experts who can transform your visions to life so you can have your new car models racing down the road in no time!

FEA (Finite Element Analysis) Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring FEA Engineering Services

Posted on April 8, 2024 by faz_business

The idea behind FEA (finite element analysis) is to predict how a design or structure responds to various types of physical forces and study the possibility of failure without using a physical prototype. Everything is done on a computer screen by combining 3D CAD technology and mathematical-based geometry analysis. It is a virtual simulation to visualize the effects of the usage environment on design parts, components, and assemblies made of any known material. Physical forces may include air pressures, water pressures, weights, vibrations, repeated impacts, dynamic loads, static loads, and temperature changes, to name a few.

The purpose of FEA (finite element analysis)

FEA services are meant to replicate both common/likely and worst-case real-life scenarios in the simulation. Under each scenario, the simulation offers comprehensive imagery depicting how a design responds and withstands physical forces until it deforms and breaks. The data is the foundation for discovering the solution that meets pre-defined design requirements like safety, durability, performance, and repairability.

Since all physical products of any industry are affected by the conditions in which they are stored and used, they can be subjected to FEA tests. From the simplest small wooden carvings and complex crude oil pipelines to intricate blood transfusion devices and sophisticated microchips, FEA simulation engineering designers can determine the amount of stress loading under which their building blocks will fail. Manufacturers then use analysis results to improve their products.

Push-button solution

Several popular 3D CAD software packages come equipped with powerful FEA features. Many vendors still offer stand-alone software tools for each functionality, but integrating both technologies simplifies the analysis procedures. FEA simulation can only happen when the engineering design experts subdivide the CAD model into more minor elements in the form of a geometric mesh that represents the building blocks of the design. The “meshing” procedure is an automated process requiring manual inputs for refinements in specific design areas such as joints, connections, and edges.

The simulation also implements a semi-automation principle where users determine design characteristics, including material properties and assembly features, before running the analysis. The mostly automated computational procedure should allow users to perform an FEA simulation. Users can create (or have access to) the CAD model and the appropriate software to activate the simulation program. Thoughtful analysts argue that the idea of a push-button solution can be dangerous, and they almost certainly have a point. Every design is unique.

Two comparably shaped products of different materials should display dissimilar behaviors even when exposed to the same physical force; two distinctive products built from identical materials will also exhibit unalike responses to matching environmental factors. The inclination to run an FEA simulation is irresistible, especially in a hi-tech world where the solution to the problem is just one click away. Any suggestion to imply that automation makes every analyst equal is nonsensical. There will always be design issues to discover and, thereby, engineering problems.

Considering the level of complexity in design intent, materials science, and the physics of structural deformation, FEA is by no means a trivial matter. Just because users can run the analysis does not necessarily mean they should. No degree of automation can make FEA analysis easy, let alone accurate. More importantly, the results of the FEA simulation are approximate at best. They are only as accurate as the engineers determining the design constraints, materials’ parameters, and load thresholds. Take a stress analysis as an example.

Among the first things to define are the types, strength, and direction of strains exerted on the entire model during a typical usage scenario; specific criteria, such as the forces acted upon welded or glued connection as well as the cumulative effect of dynamic and constant loads, are determined next. To come up with realistic approximations, users must input multiple assumptions into the software:

Specific loads are considered likely usage conditions, while others are worst-case scenarios. All have varying degrees of intensity. Some loads only occur during the product assembly process.
Every material acts differently when exposed to external forces. Part properties, including thickness and length, will affect the material’s tensile strength.
Points of connection in the assembly, such as glued edges or welded parts, have different boundary conditions from solid blocks.

Users must have access to an accurate database defining materials’ known characteristics and behaviors under stress, loads, heat, and pressure. In any case, a successful FEA simulation relies on at least the following complex steps:

Assessment: make the correct assumptions and ask the right questions to the software
Validation: ensure the software is mathematically precise enough to generate a workable solution
Interpretation: understand the results and translate the information into product performance data

Software developers and vendors keep on improving accuracy and interface to make the tools more reliable and easier to use. Users still need professional credentials to effectively and accurately utilize the analysis.

Common mistakes when hiring FEA engineering services

FEA is a powerful computational tool to simulate the almost limitless possible deformations in structures as it is exposed to physical forces. It was once considered a domain exclusive to expert engineers and supercomputers. Still, thanks to technological advances and market competition that drive computer prices down, FEA is easily accessible by 3D artists and CAD users anywhere.

In any case, freelance finite element analysis & FEA engineering services exist mainly because only some people are qualified to run the analysis and interpret the results. The much-debated concerns over the democratization of FEA are not entirely baseless. Companies currently looking to outsource product analysis to external FEA consultant services should not fall into the trap of such democratization, leading to the following mistakes:

Incorrect Credentials

For most people, FEA and all its capabilities to predict the structural behaviors of products or materials are almost magic. It was once a black art practiced only by the most educated engineers. Since the rapid development and adoption of CAD technology, FEA has gradually made its way into the computers of typical 3D artists and casual users. Both the pre-processing and post-processing steps are mostly automated within the CAD interface. Familiar menus make operation as easy as it can be.

One of the most significant issues with democratization is that entry-level engineers and 3D product modeling services feel qualified to offer FEA services. Widespread adoption might be a good thing in other technologies, but there is a real danger in hiring a person with incorrect credentials to perform FEA. While most modelers and junior engineers probably have access to the FEA simulation program from their CAD software, they are not supposed to practice the analysis at a professional level.

They can run the simulation and come up with approximations. Still, at the moment, CAD software vendors need to offer a reliable mechanism to warn users that the generated results might be wrong. Even if some software packages do provide warnings, there are no easy-to-follow procedures to discover the underlying issues and fix the problems. The most effective workaround is to consult time-tested engineering experience and knowledge.

Wrong tools for the job

Nearly all major CAD software packages come with structural analysis features ready to deploy. 3D Modeling design firms specializing in 3D design and modeling may think that expanding the business into FEA territory is a good idea because the software has built-in features. The specializations do not fall under the FEA category. Companies or individuals looking to hire FEA services must avoid the firms at all costs.

Integration between modeling and analysis is good, but only when the users are qualified to operate both. Many of the built-in features are stripped-down capabilities of the full-fledged FEA software. The features are not necessarily destructive but tend to omit many customization options in favor of automation. In other words, the analysis generates results by removing actual engineering inputs from the equation.

No modeling option

Firms or freelancers may rely entirely on the included features (in the CAD software) and automated functions. They have a model from the client, run the FEA simulation, and deliver analysis results within an hour. Every client needs to understand that a slight deviation in dimensions, load points, and angles can change the results to a great extent. Depending on how they were built in the first place, some models might be sensitive to minor variable alterations.

A typical stress analysis on a model may take 10 minutes or so using powerful computers. However, a true FEA professional will build dozens (if not more) of model variations to determine the proper constraints and structural behaviors based on in-depth engineering knowledge of material properties. Until the model is rebuilt multiple times with perturbations, it isn’t easy to accurately predict its structural behaviors. Repeated simulations with varying engineering parameters and boundary levels are indispensable for accuracy.

Lack of documentation

FEA documentation must provide enough details to allow clients to reproduce the results. Every project has documentation requirements but should contain at least model identification, source geometry, model assumptions, simulation parameters, and validation. Although the focus is on the results, proper documentation ensures the model and design remain traceable from the client’s standpoint. FEA aims to visualize the structural behavior of a model, and the client must be able to gain clear insights from the analysis at the end of the process.

Assigning the task of FEA simulation to an unqualified person (whether as a cost-saving measure or due to an uninformed hiring decision) can be hazardous instead of advantageous. A qualified consultant has real-world engineering experience, specifically in the field related to your models or products. FEA enables companies to solve complex structural design problems, but only if the consultant performing the analysis has a working knowledge of engineering practices.

Discover FEA with Cad Crowd

Avoid common mistakes and achieve optimal results for your projects. Equip yourself with knowledge, sidestep potential missteps, and contact us for guidance. Contact us today to hire the best FEA expert for your company.

Structural Steel Detailing Services for Companies: Steel Detailer Costs and Rates

Posted on April 5, 2024 by faz_business

The professional who provides and installs the steel framework for a construction project is known as a steel fabricator. Everything a fabricator does on the job, including cutting and welding the frames, is based on a set of technical drawings produced by a steel detailer.

A highly specialized area within the architectural drafting profession, structural steel detailers read architectural and engineering drawings to gain practical knowledge about the overall design intent of the construction process. Based on the information, the steel detailing designer creates another set of technical drawings for steel fabrication. The outcome is a comprehensive, accurate, illustrated instruction on the installation and erection methods of steel framework.

An architectural drawing offers a detailed view of a project design, whereas an engineering draft provides a complete and annotated construction layout. On the other hand, the documents produced by a structural steel detailer clearly define every individual part required to build the framework, along with its precise dimension and length. Fabricators—welders and installers—use the diagrams from a steel detailer as the operational guidelines to do their jobs.

CAD drafting for structural steel detailing

Structural steel detailing used to be traditionally drawn by hand using such drafting equipment as a parallel bar, scales, T-squares, and various templates of shapes, among other tools and calculating aids. Manual drafting has been almost wholly replaced by CAD drafting software. It is not entirely automatic, but the CAD drafting software features a wide range of built-in drafting functions to generate accurate steel detailing digitally. Before printing, crucial data like quantities and numbering must still be manually inserted into the drawing.

Modern steel detailing services will likely use 3D modeling applications to build realistic visualization. As expected, a three-dimensional view delivers a better (more perceptible) notion of thickness, depth, and volume, improving the chances of accurate construction. Steel detailers build the framework on screen in 3D before construction begins. In case of mistakes, every bit of the model can be modified without restarting from scratch.

Steel detailing documents

No matter the project, structural steel detailing services only have to produce two types of technical documents:

Information about the fabrication requirements for the assembly of a structure is written in a shop drawing and provided by shop drawing services. A complete shop drawing contains detailed specifications of each part, including but not limited to materials, sizes, dimensions, paints or colors, bolting, welding, and surface preparation. There needs to be more information about the installation process because the drawing is only intended for use by a steel fabrication shop. The main point is that the document describes each part of the framework.

The description must be comprehensive, too. A shop drawing should include all diagrams, schedules, illustrations, material certifications, catalog data, design calculations, storage requirements, and transportation procedures of the framework components. Structural steel detailing services generally produce all data types according to the job description in Contract Plans (submitted by contractors to engineers) or a separate project brief.

Shop drawings are only necessary for parts or components that require off-site fabrication. The information must be detailed enough to complete the fabrication processes without referencing additional documents. Contractors can propose changes to some aspects of the constructions—such as fabrication methods, materials, or steel products—through shop drawings. However, any modification should not affect the framework’s already-specified requirements for load-carrying capacity, maintainability, and structural integrity. Architects or engineers of record must review all changes indicated in the drawings before approval.

The steel framework installation methods are described in the erection drawings. One thing to remember is that such drawings are sometimes treated as recommendations only. In reality, contractors are in charge of the on-site installation; they have the freedom, to a certain degree, to determine the construction techniques, methods, procedures, and installation sequences. The architects and engineers may allow such latitude as long as the built framework conforms with project requirements and is done on schedule.

Additional views

Some frameworks require pre-cast or prestressed beams, gliders, or non-standard and miscellaneous steel products. In such a situation, steel shop drawing services may include additional plan views to denote the correct placement of the components. There might also be other documents to complement the erection drawings, for example, when significant structures must be constructed using specialized pre-casting or equipment. The project brief has to define all the requirements for the submittal of erection drawings to avoid repeated RFIs (requests for information) that will inevitably delay project completion.

Minimum information requirement

When details are scarce in the brief, and an RFI is not immediately answered until the “Issue for Approval” day, shop drawing and erection drawing are required to provide at least the following information:

drawing number
drawing title and project name with a location description
the initials of the individuals (detailers, checkers, contractors) responsible for the drawing
The Contractor commissioning the detailing project
the fabricators’ names (in title blocks)
the Engineer of Record

Additional information includes a description of the project site, where an item is located, and the position in which an item is installed (such as handrails or sign structures). Complementary documents like catalog data, trade literature, and calculation sheets are bound with the drawings and submitted together.

Before any shop drawing and erection drawing is ready for submission, the Contractor is responsible for the review process to check if the specified details are correct following project requirements. Verifying that a newly created document is consistent with the existing (approved) drawings is also necessary. In the United States, all structural steel detailing services must conform to the standard of practice established by either NISD (National Institute of Steel Detailing) or AISC (American Institute of Steel Construction).

Steel detailers’ qualifications

Although steel detailer designers will not be directly involved in the on-site construction, the drawings provided play crucial roles in ensuring project progress. They are the foremost (and perhaps the only) practical steel procurement, fabrication, and design guidelines. The steel detailing drawings must be created and treated as detailed manuals to organize the structural steel components used for any project. More than just construction diagrams, both shop drawings and erection drawings are intended as instructions to help engineers or architects minimize the waste of resources while improving productivity.

When hiring structural steel detailing services for companies based in the United States, you can hardly judge their capabilities and qualifications by academic credentials. There are plenty of certification programs in the country, including structural design, steel design, engineering design services, and architectural drafting services. However, specific degrees for steel detailing still need to be determined. A college degree is optional to be a professional steel detailer in the United States. Furthermore, most of the experienced steel detailers are trained on the job. NISD also provides Individual Detailer Certification Programs eligible for professionals with at least five years of experience. That said, enrollment is voluntary. Many practicing steel detailers in the US have yet to receive formal academic training in the occupation.

Cost of structural steel detailing services

In the US, steel detailers are formally recognized as architectural drafters specializing in steel material. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the full-time annual pay rate averages $60,340 or $29.01 per hour. Freelancers’ average hourly rate is in the same range, between $27 and $32, depending on years of experience, certifications, and design-related qualifications. For example, a steel detailer with an associate degree in civil engineering or architectural drafting will likely charge more than a self-trained freelancer.

Some structural steel detailing services offer a per-tonne basis pricing schedule. Small detailing firms or freelance structural steel detailing experts typically charge between $85 to $100 per tonne of steelwork described. Many services have a lower rate but implement a minimum fee from $10,000 to $15,000 per project.

Steel Detailing Services in the US	Average Annual Pay (Full-time)	Average Hourly Rate (Full-time)	Per-Tonne Pricing	Minimum Project Fee
Steel Detailers (BLS Data)	$60,340	$29.01	–	–
Freelance Steel Detailers	–	$27 – $32	–	–
Structural Steel Detailing Services	–	–	$85-100/tonne	$10,000-15,000

Before hiring, ensure the quoted fee covers the cost of the checking process, which has to be done by another steel detailer. Skipping the crucial step may lead to costly inaccuracies, such as missed welds and incorrect cuts. It is a good idea to cut costs wherever possible, but straining the budget of a steel detailer can only add unnecessary risks to the project. While the steel construction framework might not be visible when the project is complete, the backbone holds everything in place. It must be done right by qualified professionals to prevent potentially expensive mistakes.

How Cad Crowd can help

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