Here is a summary from someone I know who is an estimator for a...

Here is a summary from someone I know who is an estimator for a WA fabrication business.

Great for vessels and large pipes. Can't handle really heavy walled pipes or pipes that need
bridging due to misalignment.

Also no good for many piping procedures due to the current pipe fittings being supplied with bevelled edges and the need to custom fabricate spools on many jobs that will still require traditional welding methods.

Because it is a fast process and the majority of work in most fab businesses consists of structural steel, the benefit may be limited.

It is amazing on the vessels and large piping so its benefit to a fabrication company will depend on where the majority of their work comes from.

End of summary


Larger businesses would probably have a division dedicated to vessel and tank fabrication so it would be a natural fit for them and maybe stop Australian companies getting much of the large projects built in Asia and floating them
back here. If labour costs really are a major factor in companies looking overseas then maybe more work will stay in Australia.

As with most new technology, the process will constantly be improved and its uses widened, just as we see with 3D printers.