Fiber lasers have enormous potential in metal fabrication. They aren't a panacea, but for certain applications, they may be extremely attractive. They're solid-state, require less maintenance, and often can cut twice as fast as their CO₂ counterparts.

Fabricators looking to streamline bending should weigh all the options, from standalone press brakes to robotized brake cells and automated panel benders.

Not many people who enter the welding profession think about their long-term career path. A certified welding inspector may be the next logical step for the right welder.

In April 2010, more than 100 wordsmiths from 30 countries traveled from as far away as New Zealand and Australia to the picturesque hills of County Monaghan, northwest of Dublin, to visit Combilift, a forklift manufacturer that manufactures locally, but sells globally.

Updates to the ANSI standards are meant to harmonize press and press brake safety standards from all parts of the world. Once accomplished, a manufacturer can feel confident that its plants meet the latest safety standards no matter where those facilities are in the world.

ABMyr, Belleville, Mich., is a manufacturer of finishing systems for its automotive clients, but at the heart of the company is its fabricating talent. That is what will serve the company best as it looks to rebound from the recent downturn.

Working on a design for a Shashlik Grill, columnist Gerald Davis turns his attention to fasteners as it's time to shore up the support structure.

Autogenous orbital welding on large projects has become nearly routine with large numbers of successful welds completed with very low reject rates. Thus it is very easy to become complacent. However, installers need to be alert to potential problems and take immediate action when a problem occurs.

This California fabricator finds success with its employee stock ownership plan. The ESOP gives everyone a stake in the business. ESOPs go against conventional wisdom in retirement planning, where the financial gurus promote investment diversification. But for LeFiell employees, investing in the ESOP has paid off--big time.