http://www.thefabricator.com/Finishing/Finishing_TechCell.cfm The Finishing tech cell is packed with specific links to help you find product information, suppliers, technical articles, case studies, seminars and conferences, as well as books, software, and videos on metal fabricating-related topics. en-us http://www.thefabricator.com/RSS/images/thefabricator_rss.gif http://www.thefabricator.com Copyright 2007 FMA Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. official publication date Tue, 21 Aug 2007 11:14:46 AM CDT Vicki Bell Laurie Harshbarger http://www.thefabricator.com/Finishing/Finishing_Article.cfm?ID=1640 You might not notice them, but if you look closely, you'll see them. They're on graders, backhoes, forklifts, cranes, bulldozers, and nearly every piece of equipment used by construction workers, warehouse personnel, and road crews. They're piston rods, the long, cylindrical sections that are exposed when a hydraulically powered device is in use, whether it's moving, lifting, scraping, or dumping. Other than having a small streak or two of hydraulic fluid, the pistons'... Eric Lundin, Senior Editor Tue, 12 Jun 2007 12:00:00 AM CDT http://www.thefabricator.com/Finishing/Finishing_Article.cfm?ID=1629 Nonlocking paddle switch grinders require the user to hold down the paddle switch while in use. Once the paddle switch is released, the grinder turns off automatically. Although hand-held angle grinders have been around for many years in the metal fabrication industry, they now are being used more frequently by professionals in the mechanical contracting, autobody, masonry, and painting industries for grinding, cutting, and polishing. As power tools have become more advanced, an... Terry Tuerk Tue, 08 May 2007 12:00:00 AM CDT http://www.thefabricator.com/Finishing/Finishing_Article.cfm?ID=1623 As the use of stainless steel has expanded into new applications, many tube fabricators are finishing stainless steel for the first time. Some are just experiencing its hard, unforgiving nature, while also discovering how readily it is scratched and blemished. In addition, because stainless steel is priced higher than carbon steel and aluminum, material cost concerns are magnified. Even those already familiar with stainless steel's unique properties are encountering challeng... Kate Bachman, Senior Associate Editor Tue, 08 May 2007 12:00:00 AM CDT http://www.thefabricator.com/Finishing/Finishing_Article.cfm?ID=1573 Automotive parts supplier SPX CONTECH had struggled with quick-attach abrasive fiber disks for its flash removal and deburring of its die-cast aluminum parts. The company found a replacement disk that lasts three times longer than the problem disks. The squeeze on companies in automotive supply chains to reduce their manufacturing costs is powerful. That means no stone is left unturned in search of cost savings. SPX CONTECH® is one such automotive supplier. This pro... Tue, 13 Mar 2007 12:00:00 AM CST http://www.thefabricator.com/Finishing/Finishing_Article.cfm?ID=1496 Steel wire brushes can be used for weld cleaning, deburring, rust and oxide removal, surface preparation, and surface finishing. Steel wire brushes are a common and essential tool in any metal fabrication shop. These brushes can be used for a variety of applications, including weld cleaning, deburring, rust and oxide removal, surface preparation, and surface finishing. One reason wire brushes are so widely used is that, unlike solid abrasive wheels, steel filaments will ... Ron Vogt Sr. Tue, 07 Nov 2006 12:00:00 AM CST http://www.thefabricator.com/Finishing/Finishing_Article.cfm?ID=1280 In anodizing, dyes are absorbed into the aluminum oxide layer’s porous structure. Anodizing, the electrochemical oxidation of aluminum, is widely used throughout the world for a variety of functional and decorative applications. In anodizing, a thin film of aluminum oxide forms on the surface of the aluminum part and acts as a barrier against further natural oxidation or corrosion. Before it is anodized, the aluminum is treated in a variety of chemical baths to yield a bright, s... William Rusch Tue, 07 Mar 2006 12:00:00 AM CST http://www.thefabricator.com/Finishing/Finishing_Article.cfm?ID=1190 A conveyor carrier takes a part into the dryoff oven. It's not every day that a small or medium-sized job shop invests in an entire line of new equipment. And buys 65 acres to build a new facility to house and operate it—especially if the company's knowledge and experience with the technology are nil. This was the situation Miller Welding & Machine Co., Brookville, Pa., decided to get itself into five years ago. Finishing Demands In business since 1963, Miller Weldin... Stephanie Vaughan, Contributing Writer Tue, 08 Nov 2005 12:00:00 AM CST http://www.thefabricator.com/Finishing/Finishing_Article.cfm?ID=1120 For several decades tube producers who wanted an opaque, colored, temporary coating with no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have not had a choice as to the type of coating they could use—only powder coatings were available. However, technologies change over time, and tube producers now have an alternate type of coating to choose from. They now can apply a 100 percent solids liquid coating inline during tube production runs. These coatings are nonflammable and cure instantaneou... Brian Maddox Tue, 12 Jul 2005 12:00:00 AM CDT http://www.thefabricator.com/Finishing/Finishing_Article.cfm?ID=1113 Figure 1 Triplex Systems manufacturers this casting cleaning cabinet for the investment casting industry. Editor's Note: Dr. Olsen has authored several articles for thefabricator.com about abrasive wate jet cutting technology. These articles can be found in thefabricator.com's Article Archive. Previous articles have explained abrasive waterjet cutting technology and provided guidance to those contemplating buying a machine. This article describes ... Dr. John Olsen, Contributing Writer Tue, 12 Jul 2005 12:00:00 AM CDT http://www.thefabricator.com/Finishing/Finishing_Article.cfm?ID=973 Since its introduction in the 1960s, coated coil has become the raw material of choice for some industries, and its demand has increased steadily, according to the National Coil Coating Association (NCCA). Coated steel and aluminum coil is being used predominantly in the building industry as siding, soffits, panels, trims, and accessories, and in the appliance industry casings for refrigerators, ovens, microwaves, and laundry machines. It also has found its way into less obvious product... Kate Bachman, Associate Editor Tue, 12 Oct 2004 12:00:00 AM CDT