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Articles tagged with "energy"

Results: 29

	Dealing with internal pressure in free hydraulic bulging: Predicting results with FEA By: Atsushi Shirayori, Contributing Writer For hydraulic tube bulging, direct pressure control is the most commonly used process. Pressure control allows engineers to determine the correct capacity hydraulic system and, more importantly, prevent tube rupture. However, inflow control, or control of the volume of fluid inside the tube, theoretically could be another viable hydroforming process. Finite element analysis has shown that inflow control could allow engineers to more accurately predict deformation behavior and therefore enhance the hydroforming process. Publish date: June 12, 2003 Tech cell: Hydroforming
	Examining the effects of push assist on the formability of aluminum tubes By: Ghafoor Khodayari Ph.D., and Michael Worswick, Ph.D., Contributing Writers It is well-known that tube has become an important material for hydroforming hollow components. The increasing complexity of product structures, particularly in the automotive industry, often requires one or more forming operations before a tube actually is hydroformed. Prebending is one of these forming processes used to prepare tubes for the so-called prebent tube hydroforming. Publish date: July 10, 2003 Tech cell: Hydroforming
	What's that material?: Using XRF technology to identify alloys By: Julie Villescas, Contributing Writer Many alloys—stainless steels, HASTELLOY®, INCONEL®, INCOLOY®, MONEL®, duplex and superduplex alloys—are similar in appearance and easily mixed up after mill test reports (MTRs) and heat stamps are removed in material processing. These mix-ups can have serious consequences to the end user, including product rework, factory downtime, or premature product failure. A single mistake may cost hundreds of thousands of dollars in materials and labor to correct. In addition, any loss of consumer confidence resulting from shipping incorrect material carries incalculable costs. Publish date: June 12, 2003 Tech cell: Metals/Materials
	Ensuring a plant's electrical system safety: One company's experience with infrared thermography By: Mark Paulson, Contributing Writer This article takes a look at using infrared thermography in the plant setting to detect potential fire hazards. It discusses who can provide the service, what sorts of problems it can detect, and generally explains how the problems discovered when using this technology should be handled. It also uses an actual inspection as a basis for the discussion. Publish date: November 29, 2001 Tech cell: Safety
	Defibrillators—Should you have one in your workplace? By: Vicki Bell, Web Content Manager This article explores the facts about AEDs, the legalities surrounding their use by laypersons, and guidelines for implementing an AED program in the workplace. Publish date: May 29, 2003 Tech cell: Safety
	Selecting the best lens for welders' eye protection By: Julie Copeland, Contributing Writer In the industrial environment, safety glasses are a necessity for jobs that put employees' eyes at risk of exposure to heat, impact, chemicals, or dust. But workers also need protection from nonimpact dangers, such as radiant energy, eye strain, and fatigue. So choosing the appropriate lens or filter plate for your workers' eye protection is just as important in preventing eye injury as is selecting the appropriate style of safety eyewear. Publish date: October 9, 2003 Tech cell: Safety
	New Year's Resolutions: Making them work all year long By: Dr. Bob Rausch, Ph.D., Contributing Writer What are your resolutions for 2004? "I'm going to lose that extra 15 pounds." "I plan to exercise more this year." "I'm going to be more complimentary to my staff." "I'm going to be more patient." Or, did you remember the resolutions you didn't keep last year and ask yourself, "Why make resolutions? I won't keep them once I get back to the daily grind." Publish date: January 13, 2004 Tech cell: For CEOs
	When hurricanes come: Dealing with the unexpected By: Dr. Bob Rausch, Ph.D., Contributing Writer Many people watched with awe as the recent barrage of hurricanes hit the Caribbean and southeastern United States. Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne caused destruction that totaled billions of dollars and, regrettably, took the lives of many people. We sympathize with all those who experienced Mother Nature's wrath and had their lives turned upside down. Publish date: October 12, 2004 Tech cell: For CEOs
	Getting your mojo back: You can't energize others if you aren't energized By: Dr. Bob Rausch, Ph.D., Contributing Writer Organizations can be only as energized and focused as their leaders. This article discusses how leaders can replenish their own waning energy levels and refocus. Publish date: August 9, 2005 Tech cell: For CEOs
	Keep it clean: Selecting the right waste treatment option By: John Burke, Contributing Writer Are you having problems with wastewater discharges from your metalworking facility? Have you received a violation notice from your sewer use authority? Do your environmental experts speak a language you don't understand or continually reject new fluids you would like to use? Or perhaps you would like to use new or improved lubricants, cleaners, rust preventives, or detergents, but the products you've tried have failed the waste treatment tests. Publish date: August 14, 2003 Tech cell: For Engineers
	The future of energy: stability or volatility?: Short-term, long-term views of demand, supply, and price By: Eric Lundin, Editor, TPJ-The Tube & Pipe Journal� Senior Editor Eric Lundin looks at changes in supply and demand for energy, and how they have affected the prices for crude oil, gasoline, natural gas, and electricity. He also digests a few predictions to see what fabricators can expect for future energy prices. Publish date: November 7, 2006 Tech cell: Industry Trends and Analysis
	Do you see the light? By: Dan Davis, Editor-in-Chief In this article, The FABRICATOR® attempts to shine the light on opportunities for improvement in both the front office and on the shop floor. In this case, the light is on the lights—as well as the heating and ventilating system and other energy-sapping devices. Publish date: February 26, 2004 Tech cell: Shop Strategies
	Overcoming organizational paralysis By: Dr. Bob Rausch, Ph.D., Contributing Writer Paralysis – what a horrible thought. What if you found yourself in a situation in which you had partial or complete loss of motion and sensation in your body? Publish date: May 15, 2003 Tech cell: Training and Retention
	Tuning a piano—making the most of your best resources By: Dr. Bob Rausch, Ph.D., Contributing Writer Publish date: July 24, 2003 Tech cell: Training and Retention
	Leadership lessons from the forge: Getting 2005 off on the right foot By: Dr. Bob Rausch, Ph.D., Contributing Writer, inspired by Bob Nichols One of the benefits of coaching individuals and teams across the country is that I have the opportunity to meet bright, insightful, and creative people. The inspiration and much of the content of this article come from one of those people—Bob Nichols. Publish date: January 11, 2005 Tech cell: Training and Retention
	Appliance industry takes a shine to powder blank technology By: Wade L. Ficklin, Contributing Writer Among European, Pacific Rim, and U.S. appliance makers and other manufacturers with large-scale, appliance-grade finishing requirements, the use of powder blank line coating systems has grown steadily during the past 10 years. Publish date: May 15, 2001 Tech cell: Press Technology
	What's driving your press? By: Errol Neider, Contributing Writer Mechanical presses are challenged to provide high-speed production with a greater number of hits per minute, smaller batch runs, and quicker die changes. Publish date: August 14, 2003 Tech cell: Press Technology
	High-tech presses: Servo technology meets mechanical presses By: Dennis Boerger, Contributing Writer Publish date: November 20, 2003 Tech cell: Press Technology
	Sizing up servo presses: A look at tonnage and energy By: James Landowski, Contributing Writer Servo-powered presses will not replace all flywheel mechanical presses. Each technology has its advantages and disadvantages, depending on the stamping application. Publish date: April 6, 2004 Tech cell: Press Technology
	Achieving straight-side capabilities in a gap-frame press: New developments in motion and frame technology By: David G. Stone, Contributing Writer Recent changes in tooling technologies, material specifications, part quality requirements, and inventory levels have driven the demand for new developments in the way a mechanical press operates. This article discusses how link motion and bridge-frame structures help stampers. This includes a description of what link motion is and how it works, and how bridge frame presses affect frame deflection. Publish date: October 25, 2001 Tech cell: Tool and Die
	A new energy in appliance manufacturing: 13 SEER provides springboard for revamped manufacturing strategies By: Stephanie Vaughan, Contributing Writer In January 2006, a new 13 SEER mandate for appliancemakers takes effect. Although it isn't the only thing driving change in manufacturers' product designs, it is providing a springboard for manufacturers to make changes in their products that will help meet increasing customer demands. Publish date: February 7, 2006 Tech cell: Tool and Die
	Magnetic pulse welding for tubular applications: Discovering new technology for welding conductive materials By: Ben-Tzion Spitz and Victor Shribman, Contributing Writers A review of how magnetic pulse welding works, in what applications it can be used, and what considerations users must take to perform it properly. Publish date: July 26, 2001 Tech cell: Tube and Pipe Fabrication
	Cutting tube in a recut operation: How to decide on a method and equipment By: Klaus Schonfeld, Contributing Writer This piece, which originally appeared in TPJ-The Tube & Pipe Journal in 1997, explains how to decide whether to cut tubing on the production line or cut it later in a recut operation. Discusses various types of recutting equipment and focuses on the dual-blade shear cutting method. Publish date: October 25, 2001 Tech cell: Tube and Pipe Fabrication
	Laser welding of stainless pressure tubes By: Frank Fenton, Contributing Writer Not all laser welded tubes are created equal. Know what to look for in the final product to ensure that you're buying quality and not just an imposter. Publish date: July 12, 2001 Tech cell: Tube and Pipe Production
	Advantages of plasma welding: Often-overlooked PAW offers speed and affordability By: Randy Dull, Contributing Writer Plasma arc welding sometimes offers greater welding speed than gas tungsten arc welding at lower cost than laser beam welding. Publish date: February 19, 2001 Tech cell: Arc Welding
	Laser-integrated robotics for assembly: How one job shop met an aluminum welding challenge In recent years laser welding has advanced into many different industries, from automotive to electronics. With lasers, it is possible to weld at high speeds with great efficiency. Once unthinkable applications and processes are now being developed into working systems. Publish date: June 26, 2003 Tech cell: Automation and Robotics
	Radiographic and ultrasonic weld inspection: Establishing weld integrity without destroying the component By: Tony Anderson, Contributing Writer This article outlines the differences in radiographic and ultrasonic weld inspection, the two most common methods if nondestructive testing. It gives an overview of both methods, including how they are used. Publish date: December 13, 2001 Tech cell: Welding Inspection
	Monitoring laser beam performance: How beam focusability helps evaluate beam quality online By: Lawrence Green, Contributing Writer This article discusses online laser beam monitoring and its alternatives, with emphasis on beam quality and focusability. Publish date: September 17, 2001 Tech cell: Laser Cutting
	Job shop reduces costs, improves laser's output: Laser regulator minimizes gas contamination By: Richard Green, Contributing Writer Today's job shop market is characterized by unrelenting competitive pressure for laser processing services. Job shops are expanding into niche services such as multiaxis laser processing and thick plate applications to differentiate themselves from their competitors. Others are performing additional services such as forming, welding, painting, and assembly to add value. Publish date: May 29, 2003 Tech cell: Laser Cutting