http://www.thefabricator.com/TestingMeasuring/TestingMeasuring_TechCell.cfm The Testing and Measuring 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 11:16:52 AM CDT Vicki Bell Laurie Harshbarger http://www.thefabricator.com/TestingMeasuring/TestingMeasuring_Article.cfm?ID=1653 In many advanced fabrication shops, tube bending is a highly automated process that uses robotic and CNC bending machines to produce high volumes of complex tubes, each one formed to precise specifications. Robotic, automated operations are fascinating to watch as the steel tube methodically is formed into shape without human intervention, other than perhaps loading and unloading the tube. The formed tube then moves through various assembly workcells and ends up in an assembled componen... Paul Hogendoorn Tue, 12 Jun 2007 12:00:00 AM CDT http://www.thefabricator.com/TestingMeasuring/TestingMeasuring_Article.cfm?ID=1586 In addition to detecting the weld seam, some modern electronic sensors are sophisticated enough that, when properly programmed, they can differentiate between a good weld and a bad one. Picture the activity in a typical automotive assembly plant. Dozens of synchronous industrial processes run full-tilt. Stamping presses bang out parts; robotic welding cells bond door, hood, and body components; the paint shop runs full-bore; suppliers continuously drop off just-in-time deliveri... Dave Bird Tue, 13 Mar 2007 12:00:00 AM CST http://www.thefabricator.com/TestingMeasuring/TestingMeasuring_Article.cfm?ID=1404 Tube producers routinely test weld seams in carbon steel on the tube mill as the product is made. Such testing is a vital part of any well-rounded quality assurance program. Ultrasonic or electromagnetic nondestructive testing (NDT) techniques are acceptable methods under most codes and practices. Ultrasonic testing is the method of choice, but for thin-walled or small-diameter tubing (wall thickness less than 3 mm or 0.125 inch, or diameter less than 50 mm or 2 in.), ultrasonic tes... A.C. Richardson, Murray Rose, and Rick Northrup Tue, 11 Jul 2006 12:00:00 AM CDT http://www.thefabricator.com/TestingMeasuring/TestingMeasuring_Article.cfm?ID=1307 The crimp force monitor is sensitive enough to indicate a process failure when a single sheet of paper disrupts the crimping cycle. This level of sensitivity isn’t practical for most manufacturing operations, but it does demonstrate the process variation monitor’s capability. It's time to take a fresh look at the way manufacturers monitor quality in their facilities. A new perspective is especially critical for simple processes such as tube bending, end forming, rivetin... Paul Hogendoorn Tue, 11 Apr 2006 12:00:00 AM CDT http://www.thefabricator.com/TestingMeasuring/TestingMeasuring_Article.cfm?ID=1243 Using the right filler material is a major factor in successfully joining alloys because it affects a welded joint's quality and integrity. To produce unique characteristics in the finished weld, each filler alloy must be matched to the base alloy and application. When choosing the optimal filler alloy, it's important to consider the base alloys and the desired qualities and performance of the weldment. Be sure to ask what types of stresses, corrosive influences, and operating t... Tom Anderson and Jim Pasmore Tue, 10 Jan 2006 12:00:00 AM CST http://www.thefabricator.com/TestingMeasuring/TestingMeasuring_Article.cfm?ID=1129 Fabricators and contractors always should check to be sure that the extent of nondestructive examination and the acceptance criteria required are understood clearly by all parties and documented in writing. Piping fabricators and contractors occasionally get contracts that specify "random" radiography. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Code B31.3, "Process Piping," requires 5 percent random radiography of each "lot" of pipe as the default inspec... Walter J. Sperko, P.E. Tue, 12 Jul 2005 12:00:00 AM CDT http://www.thefabricator.com/TestingMeasuring/TestingMeasuring_Article.cfm?ID=642 In May, automotive quality gurus J.D. Power & Associates released the results of its 2003 Initial Quality Study (IQS). As is the case every year, the winners will trumpet their scores while the losers will promise improvement. A closer look at the numbers, however, reveals some interesting observations.   The companywide scores, which represent the number of problems per 100 vehicles, are as follows: Considerable variation exists among individual divisions of some OEMs. A... Bernard Swiecki, Contributing Writer Thu, 10 Jul 2003 12:00:00 AM CDT http://www.thefabricator.com/TestingMeasuring/TestingMeasuring_Article.cfm?ID=640 The effect that checking fixtures have on your operating bottom line is so important that they should be given a much higher priority than most tube fabricators give them. The cost of quality checking fixtures should be included in every bid when quoting jobs. In fact, costs incurred because of quality problems are much lower in jobs that include such fixtures compared to the costs of a similar job that does not include quality fixtures. When bidding a job, many companies look for areas i... Dave Petrack, Contributing Writer Thu, 10 Jul 2003 12:00:00 AM CDT http://www.thefabricator.com/TestingMeasuring/TestingMeasuring_Article.cfm?ID=433 Figure 1: Eddy-current flow follows a closed-loop pattern unless interrupted by a crack, pin-hole, or similar discontinuity. Eddy currents are alternating electrical currents that can be induced to flow in any electrically conducting material, which covers all metals. Eddy current flow follows a closed-loop pattern unless it is interrupted or diverted by a nonconductivity area such as a crack, pin-hole, or similar discontinuity (see Figure 1). Eddy current testing is the science of detec... Brian Roberts, Contributing Writer Mon, 17 Sep 2001 12:00:00 AM CDT http://www.thefabricator.com/TestingMeasuring/TestingMeasuring_Article.cfm?ID=191 All hardness testing methods require a good understanding of the testing process to obtain accurate results. Hardness, while technically not a material property, is used extensively to determine quickly if the material being tested is suitable for its intended use. If the material is too soft, it may yield as a result of the forces imposed on it; if it is too hard, it may crack because of brittleness. Tubes and pipes require some additional consideration because of their hollow shape. To ... Edward Tobolski, Contributing Writer Thu, 15 Nov 2001 12:00:00 AM CST