Folding technology makes sweeping changes: New developments in 200-year-old technologySchwenkbiegemachinen, or swing bending machines, have been in use for more than 200 years. European manufacturers began to power them with electrical or hydraulic power after World War II, when an enormous amount of sheet metal was used in the reconstruction of Europe.
|
|
Eliminating final trim shearing of hydroformed tubeThe most common way to establish tube length after hydroforming is by cutting or shearing the tube to a specified dimension; however, cutting out this step can reduce scrap. A new method designed to eliminate this step combines forming the end of a tube to resemble its final form with using a hydroform die to correct end position variations off the bender. While this approach eliminates the final shear trim operation, it also presents new challenges.
|
|
Combating plate corrosion: Improving corrosion resistance through welding, fabrication methods |
|
US. DOC Offers Export Assistance: Provided by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the International Trade Administration. |
|
Goin' Global: How U.S. fabricators can angle in worldwide watersThe U.S. is considered to be the best consumer market in the world. However, competition for this market has increased as more and more countries have cast their rods in the U.S consumer pool.
|
|
The future of vocational educationThe death knell is sounding for vocational programs throughout the U.S. Readers who responded "Yes, vocational programs have been cut" to thefabricator.com's recent question regarding the status of vocational programs where they live outnumbered those responding "No, vocational programs are intact" three to one.
|
|
Is your company a breeding ground for workplace violence?Workplace violence—many of us think about it only when national or local media reports an incident. Most of us probably think it happens infrequently and never could happen where we work. And it's likely that workplace violence victims thought the same thing, before it happened to them.
|
|
Flatness in coil processing operations: New turns in the leveling processMost flat-rolled coil processing operations use some sort of roller leveling technology. Operations people understand what these machines can do to improve the quality of the product they produce. In the competitive marketplace, customers demand and get more that just flat sheets or slit coils.
|
|
Spraying it right: Containing and controlling lubricants |
|
Improving blank edge conditionsA blank, stamped in the first station of a progressive stamping operation, usually is subject to subsequent forming processes to form a designated part. If the blank is subject to straining, deformation, bending, stretching, or lateral expansion in later stations, its edge condition should be carefully examined.
|
|
Troubleshooting compression bendingYou can achieve nearly trouble-free bending by being aware of the causes of typical compression bending problems and by correctly operating and maintaining the compression bender.
|
|
Low-tech system mechanizes pipe welding: Backing device allows GMAW on open rootWelding technology has changed dramatically over the last few decades. Although skilled welders always will be needed in manufacturing, mechanical welding devices can provide improvements over manual welding in terms of repeatability and throughput.
|
|
Flying high with orbital welding: Equipment, applications, and joint designs for aerospace componentsOrbital welding first was developed in the late 1960s by a group of engineers from McDonnell Douglas to join aerospace tubes. These engineers were aware of the problems associated with producing repeatable welds for their critical applications.
|
|
Laser welding of stainless pressure tubesNot 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.
|
|
Whale watching: A doctor's love of whales leads to a complex welding projectMetal artist James Berry constructed a large whale display by making healthy use of Gas Metal Arc Welding. Here's how he did it, and why.
|
|
Art From the Forge: Finding new sources for inspirationThose of you who are busy fulfilling commissions for gates, fences, staircases, and the myriad items that keep food on the table might want to look at artwork created by people whose backgrounds are based in the arts. Metalworkers often are so tuned to traditional designs that they are unaware of a swelling modern movement that could generate new ideas, new visions, and new clients.
|
|
Unique fireplace items can fire up your incomeFireplace screens don't have to be boring. Fireplace tools don't have to be ordinary. Re-thinking the function of fireplace screens and tools can add a new dimension to these items and attract customers like moths to a flame.
|
|
New PC-based controls open path to better press brake utilization: Control improvements simplify operator usePress brake forming always has been a labor-intensive process. Shrinking lead-times and smaller lot sizes demand more frequent setups, which cut into productive output hours and put more pressure on manufacturing efficiencies. Fabricators need to find ways to reduce machine downtime for setup and operator adjustments.
|