Resistant, technophobic fab shop owners

[Anonymous]

Apologies if this isn't the place, but i was just wondering out of curiosity and frustration if any other detailers here had come across any fab shop bosses that are seemingly very resistant to the idea that 3D CAD modelling and steel detailing can radically improve production and efficiency?

I know one that just can't seem to grasp it at all and thinks some of what we do is long winded, unnecessary BS. 

Fair enough, for medium to large jobs where there are nothing but a basic architectural concept is provided, he will accept that a full set of production drawings are required.

But i'm talking more about smaller platforms and staircase type jobs. 

For example he'll receive an architects drawing with minimal overall dimensions on and perhaps a few end plate and notional fixing details, but little else.

He'll then throw it out asap onto the workshop floor and expect the guys to fathom it all out themselves, making up their own connection details and dimensions and drawing it all out full size on the floor in French chalk to find out essential dimensions required for fabrication.

He seems convinced that this is "quicker" than waiting a day or two for a full set of production drawings..?

Having served 25 years+ on the workshops floor myself, it would drive me nuts having to put in all that extra time and effort in, into fabricating some steelwork that a detailer could produce production drawings, for in the relative blink of an eye.

As you can probably guess, i find this quite frustrating and i'm letting off a bit of steam by writing this.

I often work with this guy quite closely on a day to day basis, but i find it really baffling that he can't seem to see the wood for the trees and just because the job is hitting the workshop floor quicker, he thinks it's going to be fabricated and finished quicker.

Anyone else come across this bizarre scenario?

[AntDrt]

Hello !
I'm in a similary position in my job.
I'll made a different office where the way to do is singlepart/assembly drawing/ga drawings.
Its easier for fabricator i've found.

But in my office now the way to do is very different.
Our principal fabricator ask for assembly drawing with all cotation for single part.
And all of these in huge A0 (1189x841mm) drawing size.
It force us to play tetris all the time.
It's totally the invert of way to do of tekla or avance Steel ans create a lot of work to programate drawing style and prey for no errors in fabrication drawing.

It ask a lot of time to make It own way. And our boss don't want move by the normal way to do. (Easier for us)

They're still in the old way to do.

How much time i've heard m'y boss talk about making Just line and fabricator make there own detailling parts.

Of course it's fastest for us but now our job has change.
Architects and enginners want to see all of our connexions

So it's the beginning of the 3d in the contraction world.
(Revit and bim asked for public contract)

But in the future and prove to jour boss and our boss the way to do of 3d software is much fastest and sage if WE CHANGE OUR VISION OF OUR JOB


So i understand your problem well.

[dgorsman]

People with a lot of fab experience can usually look at something, even a vague overall concept, and come up with the "details" in their head.  And to a certain extent they are correct that it's easier to just work it out as you build it.

Experience levels are one area of benefit.  Not everyone has the benefits of having worked in a shop, or for a long time.  Using software evens this up a bit, the experienced guys might indeed lose a bit of time but the majority will get it done faster and more accurately than the old school methods.

Change management is one of the bigger benefits.  On projects where designs are changing models and automation allow for making those changes rapidly as well as documenting those changes.  Designing in 3D also allows for better coordination with other models as they change, no more things not fitting because someone had a case of the clevers.

Cost controls is another benefit through more efficient stock management and more accurate cost estimates.  Less overcharging clients on some projects and more importantly, there should be fewer cases of needing to "eat it" because of a cost overrun.  It's hard for someone in the management chain to argue "It should be remade (this way), we're not paying for it." when it's properly documented as to how it should be made.

[muleman1]

Times are for sure changing. The basic skills that were required to move from a helper to a journeyman back in the day are now a skill set that will make you a shop foreman!

The software, in our opinion, is a necessary evil. Our only issue is the fact that it is marketed and sold to be 100% functional , but it is not. That's the school I want to attend...to learn how to sell an incomplete, unfinished, out-of-square, badly painted, $50.00 fab job for $300.00