The Best Ironworker Machine Brands For Your Fabrication Shop

An Ironworker machine is undoubtedly the most versatile machine tool in the Fabrication Shop today. An Ironworker machine is packed full of capabilities like punching, shearing, forming and notching and can be equipped with additional capabilities like pipe coping, channel notching, gaging systems etc. All this capability is packed into a relatively small sized yet affordable machine tool that makes the Ironworker machine the perfect first machine for every shop, even machine shops. So what features make one Ironworker better then others and what brands should you look at

Brands of Ironworker Machine

In this article we will concentrate on only the type 4 brands as most other brands are a copy of these manufacturer’s designs. We will notate what makes each of these brands appealing to buyers. As with most manufacturers these manufacturers offer different types of machines including dual cylinder/dual operator styles that increase the usability but also increase the cost.  For this article we will concentrate on the most popular brands of entry level machines in the sub 100 Ton (65-75 Tons) range that are most popular with Fabricating Shops.

Edwards Ironworkers: These are relatively low cost systems that are of a ‘sandwiched plate’ design whereas plates of steel make the frame of the outer structure and the moving components are encapsulated between these plates. Equipped with Punching, Plate Shearing, Angle Shearing and Notching, these base systems offer the least amount of functionality in the entry level systems without resorting to adding attachments and accessories but do so at an attractive price point. The workstations on Edwards are at varying heights due to the design of themachien and can make working with longer materials more difficult than other designs. The Edwards Ironworker machines do offer a unique “PowerLink” system that allows external devices to be hooked up to the machines internal hydraulic system

Geka: Geka Ironworkers (S Models only) offer a similar design to the above Edwards machines but with the addition of two extra stations for shearing round and square bars and although they are slightly more robust, the Geka machines are generally 20-25% higher priced then the competitive entry level options. These machines also have multiple working heights for each feature making roller tables, supports, etc require more adjustment and setup then other types.

Scotchman: Typically the least expensive of all the Ironworker machines the Scotchman design utilizes a combination of sandwiched plate frame and rocker arm design. While these machines boast many features they are often more difficult to setup an adjust then comparable systems from other manufacturers

Piranha: The Piranha Ironworker machine is a cantilever design utilizing an oversized frame that looks much like a “Jaw”. This design allows for very quick tool changes and includes more functionality as standard then other brands. While not the cheapest Ironworker machinery on the market, the Piranha’s versatility with all working stations on  a common level makes adding roller tables, drop tables etc., much easier. Also the dovetail slide punching head allows for quick tool changes in mere seconds vs several minutes for many of the other brands to allow for additional features like: Pipe Coping, Channel Shearing and Press Brake Forming Tools.  

The Benefits and Features of Different Ironworker Machines

When considering and Ironworker machine for your facility you will need to consider the following capabilities you will need:

• Tonnage: Ironworkers are all rated on tonnage, this provides the capacity to handle the materials you are working with. While a standard job shop working with a ¼” plate might be quell service with a 65 ton option, a Structural Fabrication may require 140 ton machine or more. It’s important to know your maximum work needs in order to select the correct tonnage machine for your application. 
• Features: As there are many features available for Ironworker machines, some will be standard and others optional, it is important to calculate which ones you will use most. Since punching and shearing are the most common, all machines are thus equipped however you may have a need for bar & rod shearing, pipe coping, channel shearing and various other features that can make a less expensive machine suddenly climb in price to be above that of a well equipped machine as standard. 
• Single or Dual Operator: The next stage in ironworker machinery selection is determining whether you will need a dual operator system. These machines, although slightly higher in price, operate dual cylinder systems off of a single hydraulic system.  They allow for an operator to work the punching head of the machine for a continuous production run while another operator can safely operate  the shearing and coping systems on the machine. 
• Automating an Ironworker: The final phase of your selection process is to determine if you need to add automation to your machine. Automated feeding, shearing, punching etc are all options that either can be purchased with, opr in many cases retrofitted afterward in an ironworker turning the basic manually operated machine into a CNC parts producing system. 

Choosing The Best Ironworker Machine For Your Fabrication Shop

When you're looking to add an ironworker to your shop there are many brands available (including many others we haven’t mentioned like: Sunrise, Cleveland, Baileigh etc.) but it is important to note that most of these machines are of a very similar design to one of the 4 major brands previously mentioned. When buying an ironworker machine, you will need to consider many more things then just price or buying used vs. new, and that's where we can help. You can check out our complete Guide: Intro To Ironworkers & Notchers, linked below, or just browse our site for more information. 

At Southern Fabricating Machinery Sales, Inc. we are experts at Ironworker and fabricating machinery in general. Stocking a supply of both new and used machines we can assist you in selecting the right machine for both your needs and budget as well as equipping that machine with the right accessories to make you Ironworker machine a solid and sound investment.  Call us today at 1-813-444-4555 for immediate hold or visit our website at www.southernfabsales.com for more information on how we can hello you select the right Ironworker.