Fabrication Freedom: Why On-Site Nitrogen Beats Deliveries

The Role of Gases in Fabrication

In metal fabrication, gases aren’t just utilities they’re critical tools. Nitrogen supports everything from laser cutting to welding to inerting, ensuring clean edges, strong welds, and reliable product quality. But while most shops focus on their machines, one overlooked factor quietly drives costs and downtime: how you source your nitrogen.

The Problem with Deliveries and Long-Term Contracts

Many fabricators still rely on bulk nitrogen deliveries or cylinders. On the surface, it feels simple but the reality is far more costly:

• Unreliable Supply: Deliveries mean production schedules are tied to trucks. Missed deliveries or supply chain delays translate directly into lost productivity.
• Escalating Prices: Bulk nitrogen contracts often include annual price increases, locking you into rising costs you can’t control.
• Paying for More Than You Need: Bulk suppliers typically provide ultra-high purity nitrogen (99.999%) far beyond what many fabrication processes require. If your laser cutting or inerting only needs 99.95%, you’re paying extra for purity you don’t use.

The result? Rising operational expenses and constant dependence on external suppliers.

The On-Site Nitrogen Advantage

On-site nitrogen generation changes the equation by putting control back into the hands of fabricators. With a generator installed in your shop, you gain:

• Freedom from Deliveries – Generate nitrogen as you need it, on demand, with no reliance on trucking schedules.
• Cost Control – Eliminate long-term gas contracts and unpredictable price hikes. Your costs become stable and predictable.
• Application-Specific Purity – Dial in the exact purity you need, high for precision laser cutting, moderate for welding or inerting and stop wasting energy (and money) on unnecessary ultra-high purities.
• Operational Efficiency – Stable, on-demand nitrogen supply reduces downtime, improves cut quality, and strengthens welds, leading to less rework and higher throughput.

The Bottom Line: Independence and Savings

For fabricators, the real hidden cost isn’t just about gas purity, it’s about being tied to a delivery truck and contract pricing you can’t control. On-site nitrogen generation removes the worry, cuts operating costs, and ensures that your production floor is always ready when you are.

Make sure to visit Atlas Copco at FABTECH, booth #A4987, to see our nitrogen generation solutions.

Not attending? Connect with our Nitrogen Experts today to learn how on-site generation can lower your costs and give your shop total independence.