Fabrication layout device and method

A method of fabricating a railing assembly, the method comprising:

• providing an assembly comprising
• a table including a base and a work surface fixed on the base, the steel work surface being a continuous steel surface configured to support a plurality of railing components having a length of at least 3 feet;
• one or more guide rails extending along one or more sides of the table;
• a beam located above the work surface, the beam extending between and fixed to beam supports each having a lower end movably engaging the one or more guide rails;
• a first motor operatively coupled to the beam and configured to move the beam in the first direction relative to the work surface;
• a device attached to the beam and configured to move along the beam in a second direction different from the first direction, the device configured to provide a pattern of the railing assembly directly on the work surface;
• a second motor operatively coupled to the device and configured to move the device in the second direction relative to the work surface;
• one or more adjustors attached to the table, each adjustor configured to adjust a position of each of the one or more guide rails so that each of the one or more guide rails extends linearly along the work surface;
• and
• a control panel configured to operate the first and second motors to move the beam and the device relative to the work surface, the control panel further configured to operate the device to provide the pattern directly on the work surface;
• providing, using the device, a first pattern of the railing assembly on the work surface, the first pattern having dimensions equal to actual dimensions of the railing assembly;
• positioning a plurality of railing pieces along the first pattern on the work surface;
• and
• assembling the railing pieces on the work surface to form the railing assembly.