When fume extraction equipment is on the fritz, there are definite warning signs present that should alert you to the problem. The more attentive you are to what these warning signs are, and the more familiar you are with how to address these problems, the quicker you can ensure that the health and safety of shop personnel and equipment will be restored.

Q: I was recently interviewed by a writer who was researching how welders make the transition to certified welding inspectors (CWI). One of the questions he asked was, “What key skills make for the best certified welding inspector?” A: Communication—written, photographed, or verbal—is the...

Q: We're a midsize job shop that manufactures a wide variety of products from various types of metal. Currently we have a project that requires welding 304L to 316L stainless steel and welding both of these alloys to A572 Grade 50 steel. Some of the welds are structural and some are used in...

Q: I am employed as an AWS D.1.1-qualified welder at a machine shop. I was wondering why you can certify on 75 percent argon/25 percent CO2 when you are not allowed to use a short-circuit transfer on materials over 3/16 in. You need at least 83 percent argon to obtain a spray transfer, yet I passed...

How do you know which aluminum filler alloy to use? Our experts lead you to choose the right aluminum filler rod and wire for your welding projects here.

Attention to proper weld cleaning is especially critical in field applications.

As more metal fabricators look to increase value-added activities, they are considering adding a powder coating line. Before they do that, however, they need to know what's involved. They need to select a system that fits a specific footprint, can deliver the customers’ surface appearance and corrosion protection requirements, and meets budget constraints. In other words, they really need to do their homework.

Almost every natural and synthetic material has been tried as a waterjet cutting abrasive. The best material appears to be almandine garnet. However, it's the right combination of hardness, density, toughness, and particle shape in the garnet that maximizes a waterjet's cutting capabilities.

Bending tubular parts for the aerospace industry isn’t easy. OEMs continue to push the envelope, designing increasingly complex parts made from pricey materials. Fabricators are under continuous pressure to improve their capabilities, turn orders around faster, and minimize scrap. To that end, SL Engineering recently invested in a second all-electric bender from Unison.

When does switching to metal-cored wires make sense? Answers to the most commonly asked questions about this consumable can help you decide if it’s right for your operation.

Firefly Bicycles, a 2011 start-up in the custom bicycle business, is thriving despite the sluggish economy and a competitive marketplace. The company’s three founders are using their previous work experience in bicycle fabrication and their enthusiasm for cycling to stay ahead of the competition.

AGCO engineers don’t have to rely solely on the traditional product development process any longer. They have implemented a new virtual reality system that enables engineers to correct design flaws without having to build multiple prototypes. Now the tool is being used to build the company’s first generation of global agricultural equipment.

Columnist Gerald Davis walks the reader through the steps needed to create a 3-D CAD movie that can be used to bring an assembly or product idea to life.

A powder-on-powder process developed by Hartford Finishing in Wisconsin is providing customers with corrosion protection that they weren't getting with e-coat or other powder finishes.

Editor Eric Lundin recounts some of the more interesting articles published in TPJ since it was founded in 1990, discusses some of the trends, and provides some input from early members of TPA’s board of directors.