9 Things to look out for when sourcing for machines produced locally
Can the efficiency, performance, lifespan and the aesthetic property of locally produced machines measure up to foreign machines? The answer is ‘yes’ if you make your choice of selectively and effectively.
As a fabricator, I fabricated an agglomerator for a client who was skeptical about the functionality of the local machine. After the fabrication, we benchmarked our machine with an imported machine. Our locally produced machine stood out in terms of performance, lifespan and efficiency. But honestly, we lag behind in the aesthetic property. That was how we got a major contract to do more machines.
Therefore when you are sourcing for a local machine or seeking the service of a fabricator. Look out for the following points:
1)Machine workshop: The workshop machines in a fabrication workshop enable a fabricator to carry out machining processes such a tuning, milling, chamfering, slotting, keyway and so on. All these processes above are carried out by different machines such as lathe machine, milling machine, shaping machine, radial drill machine and many more. In the absence of these workshop machines, a fabricator often substitutes hand tools and equipment for this which affects the performance and efficiency of the machine produced.
Tuning that should be done with lathe machine will be done with hand grinder. This is whack.
So please visit a fabshop to know if they have enough fab tools and machines to carry out all fabrication processes before giving out your job.
2)Balanced experience with qualification: Don’t be deceived by the qualifications of a fabricator (Msc, PhD, COREN, NSE member). Though qualifications are important but its importance are relative and cannot be substituted or compared with experience. It must be balanced. Don’t bother to dwell on the number of degrees or the level of education attained by the fabricator. Theory cannot be substituted for practical.
For example, I have seen a situation where top engineering management were assigned to handle repair and refurbishment of a plant and for more than 2 weeks, they were still documenting, reviewing and consulting engineering texts. Do you know that, it does not take an experienced fabricator 4 days to finish the refurbishment and test running of the machines.
3)Machine parts: If there is an already fabricated machine in the fab workshop. Please perform some assessments. Touch and feel the machines. Is there a part of the machine that needs to be machined and given a clean finish that is grinded with hand grinder? Touch and feel, then you will know. Is there a part of the machine that needs to be tight fitted or with little tolerance but has clearance and is loose? Assessment will help you make the right decision either to give the fabricator the job or proceed to another fabshop.
4)Check out for the parts welded: A fabricator that chooses to weld all the assembled part of a machine together does not give room for repair, refurbishment, replacement and maintenance. The most essential parts to be welded together are the frames and any other parts that does not need replacement. Most parts must be fastened together with bolts and nuts. Check out for this in the machines available for inspection.
5)Ask the fabricator if there are or there will be wearable or replacable parts such as wearplates, shafts etc How long can they last before replacing? The cost of the replacement parts? How easy will it be for the parts to be replaced? Can the lifespan of the parts be extended? If so, how? This is very important because some fabricators are so inexperienced that they will not put into consideration room for replacement.
6)Weight of the machines: Some fabricators use thin and light plates for their fabrication. Sometimes they use shafts of few mm. This is done in other to maximize profits. For example the price of a 10mm plates cannot be the same with 12mm plates or 15 mm plates. Be on the look out for the sizes of the materials that will be use in the fabrication work. Tell your fabricator to use thick plates. It makes the machine last long.
7)Don’t be deceived with price: Some clients will compare the price of a machine from one fabricator to another fabricator and they will come to the conclusion that the one with higher price is a cheat. Do you know that as a fabricator, I can fabricate a machine for you @ the rate of #100,000 and fabricate another one at the rate of #200,000. The truth is that they cannot be the same in terms of quality and performance. So don’t settle for less. Look out for a trustworthy fabricator that will give you maximum value for your money .
Look out for areas or parts of the machine that glides over each other. What materials do they use? Brass or bronze should be used instead of mild steel and a grease nipple should be put in place for lubrication. Pulleys should be made of cast iron or aluminium instead of mild steel.
9)Watch out for third party fabricators: Go directly to a fabricator workshop. Meet or communicate directly with fabricator. A third party fabricator will pose as the real fabricator and with their sugar coated mouth, they will convince the client to give them the fabrication job. The third party fabricator will increase the price of the machine so as to make his own profits then he will subcontract the job out to the real fabricator at a lesser price. This will be at the client detriments.
So beware.

Please check out this post 5 Technical reasons to fabricate machines locally than importing from China https://www.nairaland.com/4728437/5-technical-reasons-fabricate-machines

Visit our website www.domkinutfabrications.com or facebook page @domkinutfab to see how we meet international standards in term of fabrication or call or WhatsApp us on 08038634118. We can help you with your fabrications.
Forward our contact to anyone who might be interested in fabrication of machines, repair of machines, fabrication of spare parts. A trial will definitely convince you. Check my other posts on nairaland on fabrications.

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