The lack of communication about metal fabricating practices and formal documentation of those processes is a real shame. Metal fabricators may be engaging in shop floor practices that just don't make sense from an efficiency and safety standpoint, and they may not be willing to change if allowed to use these processes over an extended period of time. Metal fabricating he was left alone on the shop floor and how that led him to develop a better way to bend bar stock in a press brake

When it comes to providing exact details for the bill of materials for a 3-D design job, columnist Gerald Davis provides some pointers to help speed up the project.

The concepts of cloud computing, or software as a service (SaaS), show their mettle at one automotive metal stamper. The stamper is in the middle of a growth spurt, and is proof that companies can find success in the changing automotive market.

Customers are asking their metal fabricating suppliers to assume more production responsibilities as they look to reduce the size their vendor bases. As a result, more fabricators are becoming involved in powder coating, either doing it themselves or coordinating the finishing process with a nearby custom coater. Of course, metal fabricators are first and foremost in the business of cutting, forming, and joining metal, but they still need to stay on top of the latest developments in powder coating.

When it comes to grinding, a more productive worker is often a safer worker, if given the right tools and training.

At Impulse Manufacturing, operators double as quality assurance personnel. The company tracks efficiency and quality via an innovative Web-based shop-management system. The company's mantra: If you don't measure it, you can't improve it.

A unique method of metal transfer allows gas metal arc welding to tackle thin-gauge and cosmetically sensitive workpieces.

This Atlanta area company is an extruded metal distributor, architectural metal fabricator, and metal finisher all rolled into one. Such vertical integration gives the company a leg up over the competition.