In today’s fast-paced construction environment, the demand for data centers has skyrocketed. These critical infrastructure hubs power the digital world, and their construction must meet tight deadlines, high precision, and rigorous standards. For electrical contractors, this means finding ways to fabricate conduit systems faster and more accurately than ever before.
At Allied BIM, we’ve embraced machine automation to streamline the fabrication process, allowing us to deliver precise results in record time. A recent large-scale data center project gave us the perfect opportunity to demonstrate the power of automation, cutting down fabrication time for conduit bends to under 17 seconds. Here’s why this matters—and why automation is the key to unlocking efficiency and profitability in electrical fabrication for data centers.
Why Machine Automation is a Game Changer
Traditional conduit fabrication methods, especially for large projects like data centers, are labor-intensive, time-consuming, and prone to errors. Manual bending, cutting, and marking can take several minutes per piece, with significant room for human error. These delays can bottleneck the entire construction process, pushing timelines and increasing costs.
By automating these processes, we not only drastically reduce fabrication time but also improve accuracy and consistency. For example, in our recent data center project, we leveraged a fully automated workflow that included:
Inkjet UPC Barcode Marking: Automatically marking each conduit stick with a UPC barcode allows for seamless integration into the digital workflow. This step ensures traceability and eliminates errors during the assembly and installation phases.
Scotchman CPO 350 + RazorGage Cutting: The precision cuts delivered by the Scotchman CPO 350 guarantee that each conduit is cut to the exact length needed, minimizing material waste and optimizing efficiency.
CRIPPA 150CBE Bending: The CRIPPA 150CBE rotary draw bender ensures that every conduit bend—whether it’s a 30°, 45°, or 90°—is executed to precise specifications, with no need for rework. This high level of accuracy allows for perfect installation, saving both time and labor on-site.
Time Savings: Less Than 17 Seconds per Bend
By integrating this cutting-edge technology, we’ve reduced the total fabrication time to less than 17 seconds per conduit piece. Compared to traditional methods, which can take anywhere from 2 to 7 minutes for a single bend, the time savings are astronomical. This speed allows us to meet the high demands of large data center projects without compromising quality or precision.
For contractors working on tight schedules, such time savings can make the difference between finishing on time or falling behind schedule. And when you’re managing a project of this magnitude, those few minutes per piece quickly add up, meaning faster project delivery and less downtime.
The Financial Impact of Automation
Aside from time savings, automation has a direct impact on profitability. Here’s how:
- Reduced Labor Costs: Automation reduces the need for manual intervention, allowing fabrication teams to focus on higher-value tasks. Instead of dedicating hours to cutting, bending, and marking conduit, workers can oversee more complex aspects of the project, increasing overall productivity.
- Minimized Waste: The precision of automated cutting and bending ensures that no material is wasted. In large-scale projects like data centers, this can translate into significant cost savings by reducing the amount of raw material needed.
- Improved Accuracy: Mistakes in manual fabrication can lead to costly rework and delays. Automated processes ensure that every cut and bend is to specification, eliminating errors that could hold up installation or require additional materials.
- Faster Project Completion: Time is money. By completing the fabrication of critical electrical components faster, projects can move more quickly from the fabrication stage to installation. This reduces project timelines, leading to earlier completion and faster time to market for data centers.
Enhancing Project Quality
Automation doesn’t just deliver speed and savings—it also enhances quality. Data centers require a high degree of precision in electrical installations, as even small errors can lead to issues down the line. Automated systems like the CRIPPA 150CBE ensure that every bend is perfect, minimizing the chances of electrical faults, rework, or future maintenance problems.
Moreover, the use of automated barcoding and tracking adds another layer of quality control, making it easier to track each piece of conduit from the shop floor to installation. This reduces the risk of mix-ups and ensures that the right pieces are in the right place at the right time.
A Competitive Advantage for Electrical Contractors
For electrical contractors, adopting automation provides a significant competitive advantage. Data centers are complex, fast-paced projects, and clients expect high-quality work delivered on time. By investing in automation, contractors can meet these demands while also improving their bottom line.
The ability to deliver precise, high-quality work faster than the competition can be a key differentiator in a crowded marketplace. Additionally, clients value contractors who can help them bring their projects to completion more efficiently, without sacrificing quality or safety.
Conclusion: The Future of Electrical Fabrication is Automated
At Allied BIM , we’re proud to be at the forefront of automation in electrical fabrication. Our recent success in delivering conduit for a large data center project in under 17 seconds per piece is just one example of the transformative power of machine automation. As the demand for data centers continues to grow, so too will the need for faster, more precise electrical installations.
By integrating advanced technology into the fabrication process, electrical contractors can not only meet these demands but also set themselves up for long-term success in the industry. The future of electrical fabrication is automated—and it’s already here.
