The role of metal fab in robotics

Metal minds: the role of metal fab in robotics

6 min read

Tools, Tech, Transformation – a National Industries Info Series

When it comes to the latest tech and developments in metal fab – and all things related – there’s no denying our team is just a little bit obsessed. If there’s new equipment hitting the market, ground breaking techniques being showcased or an AI integration being tested, you better believe it has our attention.

In our latest edition of our TTT series, we're looking at the critical role metal fabrication is playing in the next generation of robotics. 

Life imitating art

If you have spent any time at all on social media over the last five years there's every chance you have seen a futuristic video of a jerky robot dog playing fetch, a robotic human trying to jump, and another learning how to walk down hills without falling. 

With the rise of AI image generators over the last few years, it's easy to get lost in what's real and what isn't, but the truth is, these 'I, Robot' and 'Bicentennial Man' type beings are not as far off as many of us would have thought. Around the world, there is concentrated efforts on producing everything from robotic house help that goes far beyond our Roomba vacuums, to military machines that will ideally keep humans off the battlefield. 

When it comes to metal fabrication, the possibilities are endless — and some of the most exciting applications are happening at the cutting edge of robotics.

From precision-engineered components that power industrial robots to advanced materials enabling humanoid movement, metal fab is driving innovation in ways that feel straight out of science fiction. 

And while most stories and media are zoomed in on the capacity of these machines — if they will be sentient, if they will genuinely learn, if they will take over — we're fixated on our part in this great game: the metal fabrication that will house their intellect and help them turn 'thought' into action. 

Building the brains and brawn

Robots, at their core, are machines. They are designed to replicate human actions or to undertake actions that we are currently incapable of ourselves.

And while their effectiveness hinges on the advanced programming that will help them function, the materials and components they’re made from are also critical in ensuring they are fit for purpose and able to carry out the jobs they are tasked with. 

The parts that can be formed from metals are many and varied, as are the materials and processes selected to construct them.

Precision parts for movement: Robotic joints, arms, and actuators require exact tolerances, and techniques like CNC machining and laser cutting to ensure every part fits perfectly. Metals like titanium and stainless steel are ideal for their strength, corrosion resistance, and lightweight properties.

Lightweight durability: Aluminium alloys are commonly used in mobile robots, striking the perfect balance between structural integrity and mobility.

Even the tiniest deviations can throw off a robot’s programming  — something manufacturers absolutely can’t afford. Thanks to metal fabrication’s advancements, robots are now faster, more precise, and more reliable than ever before.

From the factory to the living room

Robots have long been synonymous with factory floors, performing repetitive tasks with speed and precision that surpass human capabilities, and interestingly, for the most part, we have welcomed this advancement without fear completely taking over.

While metal fab was most certainly around much earlier than robotics, we now see almost a chicken and egg situation on shop floors, where robots created with components and parts produced by metal fabrication, are now themselves, involved in the metal fabrication of new components and parts for future robots.

Every pivot, grip, and weld a robotic arm performs on an assembly line depends on components engineered to exacting standards. With outputs created for a vast array of critical industries, as well as the home, there is little to no room for error.

In everyday life, the influence of metal fabrication on robotics is becoming increasingly apparent. Domestic robots, from vacuum cleaners to automated lawn mowers, require lightweight but robust components to perform their tasks efficiently over time. And they are just the beginning. Realistically, much more advanced versions of the 'The Jetson's' 'Rosie' will be with us before we know it.

Taking it to critical industries, just to illustrate the existing wide reach of robotics, in healthcare, for example, robotic systems are becoming indispensable, particularly in surgeries that demand an unparalleled level of precision.

The ability to fabricate surgical robots with micrometre-level accuracy ensures they can operate in spaces where human hands might falter.

Meanwhile, wearable robotic exoskeletons, designed for physical rehabilitation, rely on adaptable yet durable metal frames to assist users in regaining mobility.

Without the advancements in fabrication techniques, these machines wouldn’t have the durability or accuracy to integrate seamlessly into life and industry.

The transition from industrial to personal robotics underscores how the same technologies that revolutionised manufacturing are now enhancing lives in ways that were once unimaginable.

Metal fabrication stands at the core of this transformation, ensuring that, as robots become more intelligent, their physical structures can keep pace.

The rise of autonomous minds

Advanced robotics goes beyond hardware — today’s robots are equipped with AI, sensors, and neural networks to perform complex tasks. But none of this intelligence works without the right physical framework, for example:

Sensor housing: The precision of metal fabrication ensures protective, lightweight cases for the sensors that help robots 'see' and 'feel'. We are literally creating robot eyes, ears and other sensory systems. If you saw the December 2024 update to ChatGPT, you know exactly what we're talking about, with the system now able to 'see' the prompter and their surroundings, not just speak to them. 

Cooling systems: As robots process data, they generate heat. Metal fab produces efficient cooling systems, like heat sinks, that ensure optimal performance.

Into the future: biomimicry and beyond

The future of robotics lies in creating machines that can move, think, and adapt like living creatures.

Metal fabrication is already playing a key role in this, with innovations such as bio-inspired designs that enable robots to mimic natural movements, like the smooth flight of a bird or the flexibility of an octopus’s tentacles; and soft robotics that combine metal frames with softer materials, to enable more delicate operations, such as handling fragile objects or navigating uneven terrain.

Shaping tomorrow with metal

Whether it’s enabling robots to assemble cars with superhuman efficiency, assist surgeons with to-the-millimetre precision, or one day explore other planets, metal fabrication plays a key role robotics innovation.

As these 'metal minds' grow more advanced, the role of fabrication becomes even more critical — building not just the robots of today but the technologies of tomorrow.