Walco
From concept and drawings
to fabrication-ready steel.
Steel detailing and OEM design support that turns structural drawings, customer specifications and product concepts into accurate, fabrication-ready components and assemblies.
What this is
We bridge the gap between design and fabrication.
Our design and detailing capabilities let us visualise a project before fabrication begins: identify potential issues, develop individual components and connections, and give our shop the information it needs to manufacture the finished product efficiently. Whether the starting point is architectural and structural drawings, existing customer prints, equipment specifications or an initial concept, the goal is the same.
We can start from
- Structural drawings
- Customer prints
- Equipment specifications
- A concept
From model to shop floor
Drawing, model,
details, steel
- 01
Drawings, specifications or concept
Whatever you have. Engineering and construction drawings, an existing print, an equipment specification, a sketch or a requirement written down.
- 02
3D modelling and detailing
The structure or product is modelled before anything is cut, so components can be seen as part of the complete assembly rather than as a stack of separate drawings.
- 03
Component and assembly development
Individual members, connections, plates and brackets are developed, along with how they go together.
- 04
Fabrication drawings, BOMs and cut information
Shop details, part drawings, bills of material and cut lengths — the information the floor actually works from.
- 05
Material procurement
Material ordered against the takeoff rather than against a guess.
- 06
Fabrication and welding
Cut, formed, welded and assembled in our own building, by the shop the details were written for.
- 07
Finished steel assembly
Coated where required, inspected, and shipped.
Track one
Structural steel detailing
Turning structural drawings into fabrication-ready models.
Modelled before
anything is cut
Walco can develop detailed three-dimensional models of structural steel assemblies from project drawings and specifications. Modelling the structure first means individual beams, columns, braces, plates, connections and miscellaneous components can be seen as part of the complete assembly.
Because detailing and fabrication are closely connected, our models can be developed around how the steel will actually be manufactured on our floor. That translates engineering and structural requirements into practical fabrication information: cuts, holes, copes, plates, connections, weld locations and assembly details.
Engineering drawings → 3D steel model → shop details → fabrication.
Structural detailing capabilities
What we
can produce
Modelling, detailing and the paperwork the shop floor runs on.
- ●3D structural steel modelling
- ●Beams, columns, channels, angles and structural tubing
- ●Connection and attachment detailing
- ●Base plates and cap plates
- ●Stiffener and connection plates
- ●Brackets and support assemblies
- ●Beam copes and end preparations
- ●Bolt and hole layouts
- ●Clip angles and connection components
- ●Miscellaneous structural steel
- ●Fabrication and assembly drawings
- ●Individual part drawings
- ●Material and component identification
- ●Cut lengths and fabrication dimensions
- ●Bills of material and material takeoffs
Track two
OEM & industrial product design
Turning customer requirements into manufacturable products.
From a sketch
to a welded assembly
Walco also provides design and modelling support for OEM and industrial fabrication. Customers can supply existing drawings, specifications, dimensions, sketches, equipment requirements or an initial concept.
From that, we develop detailed three-dimensional models and the fabrication information for individual components or complete welded assemblies.
Customer specifications → 3D product model → production drawings → fabrication.
OEM design capabilities
What we
can develop
One-off components through to repeat production, with the drawings and lists to build them.
- ●3D component and assembly modelling
- ●Custom fabricated steel products
- ●Welded frames and structures
- ●Equipment bases and skids
- ●Machine and equipment supports
- ●Industrial brackets and mounting assemblies
- ●Guards, platforms and support structures
- ●Plate and formed components
- ●Sheet and plate development
- ●Bent and formed steel components
- ●Hole and mounting patterns
- ●Welded assemblies
- ●Custom one-off components
- ●Repeat-production components and assemblies
- ●Fabrication drawings and part drawings
- ●Bills of material
- ●Cut lists and component identification
Why it matters
Problems found on screen
are cheap.
Three-dimensional modelling lets our team and our customers understand a product or structure before steel is cut. Assemblies can be viewed from any angle, components isolated, and the relationship between parts evaluated while changes still cost nothing but time.
What modelling first gives you
Eight things
caught early
Fit-up and interference issues identified
Complex assemblies clarified
Component locations and orientations confirmed
Better communication between customer and shop
Less fabrication uncertainty
More accurate material and cut requirements
Simpler shop assembly
Design revisions made before material is cut
Built around fabrication
One resource, drawings
through to delivery
Walco combines design and detailing support with in-house steel fabrication. Our team can weigh manufacturability throughout the detailing process, and you deal with one company from initial drawings and specifications through to completed fabrication.
Keeping these capabilities connected means a project is not approached as a drawing exercise. Each component is considered for how it will actually be cut, formed, welded, assembled, handled and delivered.
That suits customers who need more than a shop capable of cutting and welding steel — who need the information they supply translated into the detail required to manufacture the finished product.
Our capabilities include structural and miscellaneous steel, custom OEM fabrication, cutting, forming, welding, assembly, and fabrication support for both one-time projects and repeat production.
Detailing FAQ
Common questions
What do I need to send to get started?
Whatever you have. Architectural or structural drawings, an existing customer print, an equipment specification, dimensions, a sketch, or a written requirement. Walco can develop the model and the fabrication information from any of those starting points.
How does this work alongside our engineer?
Walco works to the engineered design supplied for the project. Our role is detailing, modelling, manufacturability input and fabrication — turning that design into the models, shop drawings and material information needed to build it.
Can Walco detail work it will not fabricate?
The detailing service exists because detailing and fabrication inform each other, and the models are developed around how the steel will actually be built. Send the project to [email protected] and we will tell you what we can help with.
What deliverables come out of the process?
Three-dimensional models, fabrication and assembly drawings, individual part drawings, connection and component details, bolt and hole layouts, bills of material, material takeoffs, cut lengths and component identification.
Can you work from an incomplete design?
Yes. Modelling early is often most valuable when a design is still developing, because fit-up problems, interferences and assembly questions surface while changes still cost nothing but time.
Next step
Have a project
to discuss?
Send your drawings, specifications or project requirements. Our team will review the information and determine how Walco can assist with detailing, fabrication and delivery.