Ship Repair: How to Reduce Your Steel Fabrication Expenses

If you are planning on conducting some repairs on your ship, you will probably need steel components for the restoration. In general, the ship structure and attached components are fabricated using steel. This material is popular because it is an economical choice for large-scale use. Also, the metal is reliable in terms of strength and lifespan.

Unfortunately, the steel components in your vessel will not last forever. As a result, you might require replacement steel parts during the repairs. Moreover, if your ship is highly damaged or worn out, the cost of the parts will be considerably high. Therefore, you must make the right steel fabrication choices to reduce the financial implications. Here are some indispensable guidelines on keeping your costs low when ordering steel parts for your ship repair project.

Utilise Standard Materials

Replacement parts for your ship should be designed for fabrication using standard steel material. In simple terms, there are different forms of steel in terms of factors such as alloy composition, gauge and size. If you choose a unique aspect such as a rare alloy or an unusual gauge, your total repair costs will go up. Therefore, it is advisable to understand standard steel products and use these in your designs unless a special material is truly needed.

Consider Best Tolerances

It is crucial for you to evaluate the importance of a tight tolerance when creating parts for ship repair work. Tight tolerances mean that the dimensions of the components will be extremely accurate. Naturally, it is more advantageous for parts to have precise dimensions. However, the cost of such components will be higher than the costs for less accurate ones. Therefore, you should consider the best tolerance for each replacement part. For instance, delicate parts intended for the engine room should be highly precise, but you can be less stringent with body parts.

Opt for the Simplest Designs

You can achieve optimal cost reduction by choosing the simplest designs when ordering ship replacement parts. The complex parts are more expensive because they require more time for production. A higher level of skill and even more sophisticated equipment might be needed. Therefore, you should opt for the simplest design possible when ordering your components. It is particularly important to simplify the folds of the steel parts. Simple angled bends are cheaper to produce than tight bends.

Finally, you should use a local steel manufacturer for your ship parts. Proximity is highly beneficial for cost reduction because you will spend less on shipping. Contact a company that handles ship repair work to learn more.