The fabrication industry has seen its share of challenges over the past several decades, but Arrow has always responded by identifying and developing opportunities to increase our resilience and sustainability.
As we continue to move forward in the post-pandemic world, increasing process efficiencies, optimizing costs, and ensuring project quality with advanced technology will be the primary objectives of metalworking engineers as consumers continue to carefully navigate an unpredictable market.
In answer to changing market conditions, here are some of the trends to watch out for in 2025.
Elevated Investments In Research For Fabrication
The geopolitical world is shifting, and although it’s unclear how the markets will respond, we believe domestic suppliers will invest in research to strengthen their market positions. Developing innovations in materials, tooling, processes, and technology that help streamline fabrication and keep costs down will enable suppliers to take a leadership role in improving our national competitiveness.
For example, we’re already seeing significant changes in EV manufacturing, which has revolutionized automotive manufacturing by using lightweight and malleable materials that increase the EV’s performance and range. As this market opens up further, we expect more investment in research that will bring additional value to consumers.
Increased Integration Of Automation And Robotics Into Fabrication Processes
Automation and robotics have long been integral parts of CNC machining. We expect that companies will make further investments in technology to handle repetitive tasks such as material loading, unloading, and inspection, as well as milling, shaping, turning, and welding metal. Automation allows production to continue nonstop 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, providing reliable consistency throughout the production run.
Education will also be key in reassuring a sometimes skeptical public that robots aren’t here to replace human workers but rather to work alongside them so they can do their jobs with added efficiency. It also needs to be communicated that robotic technology makes the workplace safer by taking on dangerous tasks that carry a high risk of injury.
Read More: Investing In Robotics To Build Organic Growth For Customers
Use Of More Robust Design Software
Consumers have raised their expectations of manufacturers to make products that cater to their specific needs. This often means custom, intricate designs with low tolerances that can take time to produce in a market where fast availability and high quality are essential.
Advanced CAD (Computer-Aided Design) and CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing) software and simulation tools offer precise modelling and simulation features that can simulate machining operations before production begins, allowing designers to optimize drawings and predict potential issues sooner. This enables fabricators to make more informed tooling decisions and adjustments faster and more accurately so approved designs get into production faster than ever. Thanks to this technology, you can expect new products to hit the market with unprecedented turnaround times.
More Widespread Use Of AI And Machine Learning
AI and machine learning are incredible innovations for the metalworking industry. Many manufacturers have already integrated AI algorithms into their fabrication processes to finely tune tool paths and monitor product quality in real time. Additionally, AI can analyze data from past production runs in order to make predictions on tool wear, allowing fabricators to carry out proactive maintenance instead of reactive repair and avoid unexpected production delays.
Machine learning models also enhance efficiency by helping manufacturing equipment adapt to changing conditions automatically, improving design, simulation, and testing and helping fabricators identify constraints more quickly. We expect more manufacturers to adopt AI and machine learning in 2025 to help keep production runs moving forward with added efficiency and reliability.
Additional Focus On Adopting Sustainable Practices
Continued pressure exists on our industry to optimize our operations to contribute to environmental sustainability. Innovation and technology have enabled us to help minimize our carbon footprint by using recycled and repurposed materials whenever possible and adopting energy-efficient equipment that lowers our carbon footprint. Reducing material waste with CNC machining, automation, and robotics is also a growing standard practice in metalworking.
In 2025, we forecast a significant rise in metalworking companies integrating green-friendly technology to help cut costs, build a positive brand image, and discover new partnerships with other companies that prefer to work with organizations that prioritize environmental responsibility.
Arrow Machine & Fabrication Group: Embracing Technology To Create Better Products
In 2024, Arrow made significant investments in technology across all our divisions to help improve the quality and cost-efficiency of our products. This year, we’ll continue to make technology investments that benefit our ability to help improve our customers’ market positions.
This approach has sustained our company for over 100 years, making us a global leader in precision-machined parts and equipment and assemblies to OEMs worldwide, and it will continue to serve our customers’ needs in the future.
Feel free to reach out to an Arrow expert for more information on how we use technology to make our customers’ businesses more profitable.