The oil and gas industry offers numerous opportunities for custom metal fabricators. In fact, almost all components that make up the infrastructure and equipment required for oil and gas exploration, extraction, and refining are made from steel. Equipped with the right technology, such as a plasma cutting table, to ensure perfect cuts and speedy turnarounds, professional fabricators can do well even in a crowded industry. Here are some examples of why oil and gas companies need custom fabrication services.
Infrastructure
The infrastructure of oil and gas operations varies in complexity, from single on-land oil rigs to massive offshore oil platforms complete with processing facilities and employee housing. Some examples of oil platforms include:
- Fixed platforms
- Semi-submersible platforms
- Floating production systems
- Compliant towers
- Tension-leg platforms
- Jack-up drilling rigs
- Gravity-based structures
- Spar platforms
- Drill ships
All of these structures require steel legs, floors, beams, girders, hollow sections, and myriad other custom-fabricated steel materials.
Equipment
As with infrastructure, there is virtually no end to the need for perfectly fabricated metal parts for oil and gas equipment. Different processes, from drilling and extracting to refining and storing, require specialized machines and components. Examples of equipment used for oil and gas operations include:
- Pipes, valves, and fittings
- Pressure vessels
- Oil and gas separators
- Heat exchangers
- Conveyors
- Storage tanks
- Evaporators
- Air coolers
How Automated Plasma Cutting Tables Help Custom Fabricators
Oil and gas fabrication companies rely on state-of-the-art technology to meet the needs of their clients in the oil and gas industry. Plasma cutting machines are popular options, as they are powerful and precise enough to deliver perfect processing of metal sheet and plate, and most models can be equipped with CNC controls to automate operations. Automation is key to getting and staying ahead of competitors, as it can provide numerous benefits.
What Are CNC Controls?
Computer numerical control (CNC) is a fabrication software that automates plasma cutting operations. Plasma cutting machines with CNC software tend to be more effective than traditional means of fabricating metal, as cutting mistakes are minimized and turnaround times are improved—an automated burn table can always move faster and more precisely than a human hand holding a torch.
Powering Your Shop With CNC Plasma Cutting Technology
Machitech is a leading manufacturer of automated CNC plasma cutting tables. One of our heavy-duty burn tables can help improve the custom fabrication capabilities of your shop so that you can perfectly process any component needed for oil and gas equipment or infrastructure. Plus, we provide our customers with free and unlimited support for life. Contact Machitech today to learn more.