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Articles tagged with "power"
Results: 55
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What to know before selecting a manual plasma cutter: Understanding size, power, components, costThe first plasma arc cutting (PAC) systems, developed in the '60s, were 1,000-amp monsters designed to blast through 6-inch stainless steel.
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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.
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Dealing with internal pressure in free hydraulic bulging: Predicting results with FEAFor 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.
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Tips to follow before you start beveling: Simple choices make a difference in end prepChoosing the right grinder is always important. Size, weight, durability, and a few specific features can play a big part in working efficiently. Before starting your next beveling project, use the following tips on grinder and wheel selection to make sure you're as productive as possible.
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Safety Fundementals for Today's Industrial Lasers: As Laser Use Increases, So Does the Importance of SafetyAddressing laser beam hazards, safety regulations for laser use, and methods to improve laser safety should be foremost in the mind of every laser machine operator.
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Ensuring a plant's electrical system safety: One company's experience with infrared thermographyThis 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.
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Staying safe during HF welding: A common sense approach to personnel protectionProper clothing, training, procedures, troubleshooting, preparation, and equipment for HF welding are critical if you want to prevent workplace accidents.
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Six dangerous misconceptions about crane safety: Knowing the facts could save your lifeKnowing how cranes should be used, and how they should not be used, is critical to crane safety. Overload, side pull, limit switches, secondary braking devices, using the reverse direction for speed control, and daily inspections are surrounded by myth and mystery in the workplace.
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Material handling safetyHandling material is a daily function in the workplace. All too often it is a task taken for granted, with little knowledge of or attention to the consequences if done incorrectly. Management and employees need to look at and evaluate how material goods are handled inside and outside their facilities. Whether the operation involves delivering or receiving material, an area should be designated for that purpose.
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Reflection—Getting the most from experienceLeaders, what have you learned about yourself, your employees, and your company in the past year? What were your business blessings? What did you learn about your leadership style or methods? What do you intend to take into the new year, and what will you leave behind?
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Beating 'world' pricing: Nu-Way Industries finds the formula to take on competition from ChinaDuring the depths of the manufacturing slowdown that has cost the fabricated metal products sector nearly 300,000 jobs since 2000, Steven Southwell, president of Des Plaines, Ill.-based Nu-Way Industries Inc., faced a depressing challenge from one of his multinational OEM customers??either meet the ??total cost of acquisition? achieved in China or purchase the part from the Chinese supplier, inventory it, and incorporate it into the family of parts supplied by Nu-Way.
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Do you see the light?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.
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Shedding light on negativity—Part 1 |
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Shedding light on negativity—Part 2 |
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Getting it Straight: Understanding coil straightening in stamping operationsBefore coiled material can pass through a die to produce an acceptable part, it must be straightened. Coil straightening is accomplished by bending a strip of material around sets of rollers that alternately stretch and compress the upper and lower surfaces so that the material's yield point is exceeded.
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What's driving your press?Mechanical presses are challenged to provide high-speed production with a greater number of hits per minute, smaller batch runs, and quicker die changes.
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High-tech presses: Servo technology meets mechanical presses |
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Filling in the blanks: What to look for in an in-house blank shearing line |
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The problem with quality: A closer look at quality ratingsIn 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.
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Rolling bolsters bolster productivityTo thrive and experience growth and healthy profits, a stamping company must have systems in place that allow flexible manufacturing and minimize press downtime. Changing from one job to the next in the least amount of time possible is one of the primary factors impacting productivity and a company's ability to adjust to the changing needs of customers quickly and efficiently.
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Bending tube with an all-electric machine: Characteristics and capabilitiesThis article discusses the ins and outs of all-electric tube bending machines, discussing the challenges, performance characteristics, and typical options of all-electric benders.
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The growing use of orbital tube welding: Quality, repeatability, and documentation drive the technologyAlthough orbital tube welding has been used in aerospace, semiconductor, and other high-purity applications for a long time, general industrial markets just now are beginning to view it as a viable and economical option for joining stainless steel tubing.
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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.
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Titanium trends: Energy demand, titanium demand grow hand-in-handElectricity demand grew an average of 15,000 megawatts per year from 1995 to 2006, and this trend will undoubtedly continue. The Energy Information Administration predicts that meeting future demands will require the equivalent of more than 20 new 500-MW power plants per year over the next 20 years or so. A critical component in power plant construction is titanium tubing, which is favored for its high strength and corrosion resistance.
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Maintaining and troubleshooting HF welders: A common-sense approach for vacuum tube and solid-state machinesThe basic steps of general preventive maintenance and troubleshooting for both vacuum tube and solid-state high frequency (HF) welders should assist in keeping welders online and producing pipe or tube.
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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.
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Welding aluminum with inverter-based power suppliesIt's easy to look at such a long-established technology as welding and believe that little or no technology development is taking place. In truth, however, the capabilities of welding power supplies are changing constantly and rapidly, especially in the area of inverter technology. These power supplies are suitable for welding aluminum alloys, including thin aluminum alloys.
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Inverter versus transformer power supplies for aluminum GTAW |
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Choosing a GMAW machine for occasional aluminum welding |
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GMAW vs. FCAW for beginners: Choose the best process for your small operationThere are several pros and cons to using the gas metal arc welding process versus the flux cored arc welding process in compact applications.
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Gun Control: GTAW torch design innovations enhance productivity, qualityThis article discusses improvements to the GTAW torch that should enhance the productivity and quality of welding operations. It specifically discusses the welding gun's affect on ergonomics and cooling capacity.
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Remote GTAW of spent fuel canisters: How this process reduces operator exposure to radiationThis off-the-beaten-path article defines a remote GTAW process that allows weld operators to minimize their exposure to radiation when welding spent fuel canisters used to contain nuclear fuel.
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Joining aluminum with GTAW: Advice for the noviceAluminum is a real challenge to weld, especially for beginners. A knowledge of the gas tungsten arc welding equipment that is available to do the job as well as required accessories, preparation tips, and proper techniques is a good thing to have before jumping in.
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Using narrow-gap GTAW for power-generation equipment: Techniques and applicationsNarrow-gap gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) frequently is used to weld regular and multilayer high-chromium steel for power generation boilers, stainless steel for nuclear power generation equipment, INCONEL® alloy and other high-alloy steels, and thick-wall stationary pipes.
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Using inverter technology: FAQs about inverter-based plasma cuttersBusinesses feel a constant pressure to gain an advantage and control their processes better. However, the decision to embrace new technology often leaves them feeling vulnerable. In the realm of hand-held metal cutting operations, one such decision is choosing between traditional technology and an inverter-based plasma cutting system.
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Getting the best results in gas-shielded FCAW: Filler metals play a crucial role in the process |
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Using the tandem welding process to your advantageTandem welding power source technology now is able to meet the demands of many applicants for which welders many not expect it to be useful.
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Welding aluminum tailored blanks with Nd:YAG lasers for automotive applicationsThe increased average power at the workpiece delivered by a 4-kilowatt, continuous-wave Nd:YAG laser source can be used for tailored blank welding of aluminum alloys
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Is robotic welding right for you?: Making an informed decisionThis article examines robotic welding and discusses the considerations behind choosing to use (or not use) welding robots. It answers the questions what comprises a robotic welding installation, what costs are associated, and what industries are best suited for robotic welding.
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Robots and dials and knobs—oh my!: GMAW power sources have evolved over timeIn the late 1950s, the U.S. Navy wanted to find a way to join heavy aluminum structural sections used to fabricate motor torpedo boat hulls.
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Laser-integrated robotics for assembly: How one job shop met an aluminum welding challengeIn 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.
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Welders turn to induction heating for preheating, stress relievingThis article discusses using induction heating for preheating and (postheating) stress relief of welds. It focuses on what this technology is, how it works, and how it can be used in an industrial setting. This article also gives several real-life examples of how the technology has been used in actual applications.
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Four factors to consider when purchasing a grinder: You get what you pay forCost often is a deciding factor when you purchase a grinder. However, the saying "you get what you pay for" can be true when you're talking about tools. The price tag alone doesn't always reflect some of the more important factors--performance level, cost to operate, and tool life--that make a grinder worth its cost.
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Three optional techniques for beveling: Understanding the advantages and drawbacks of eachMany fabricators use standard plasma cutters and abrasives to create beveled edges. Along with these traditional methods, welders also have the option of using three alternative beveling techniques: punch and nibble, peeling and shearing, and milling and routing. Each has advantages and drawbacks.
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Supporting the defense: Manufacturer uses direct diode laser to weld missile canisters |
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Examining electric resistance weld nuggets in tube and pipe: Using the microscope to study weld characteristicsAn in-depth examination of electric resistance welding nuggets as a quality control step in the manufacturing of high-strength tube and pipe used for pressure applications
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Design tips for sheet metal: Bend relief, small holes, hole distortion near bends, and minimum flange widthsThe article discusses making small holes and when to use a punch or laser cutter, inside radius measurements and how they differ depending on whether you are coining or air bending on a press brake, and adding bend relief to prevent tearing material.
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Brake Line: Press Brakes and More: Planning to cut corners on safety?Press brake safety is a common sense issue.
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Mobilizing equipment-saving time and talentIt's hard to believe that machines such as press brakes and hardware setting equipment can move around on wheels or be moved by forklift and still function correctly. But I can tell you, from experience, that it is true and can be done.
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The Brakes: Press Brakes and You -- Whose business is safety? Everybody'sWhat sort of safety measures needed in your shop depends somewhat on your equipment, but making your press brake a safe piece of equipment is largely a matter of old-fashioned common sense.
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Turning up the power: Using lasers to cut thick plateThe most common power levels ranged between 1,500 and 2,000 watts. However, a statistical survey conducted by the AMT Laser System Product Group indicates a steady increase during the last 12 months of installations for high-power 3,000- to 4,000-watt laser systems and a decline in sales of lasers with power levels less than 2,000 watts.
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The art of laser cutting: Will recent advancements meet future challenges?Laser cutting continues to grow in popularity with sheet metal fabricators. With developments in speed, cutting quality, and manufacturing economy in laser cutting, today's manufacturers have more options than ever before from which to choose the optimal manufacturing method for their specific applications.
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Job shop reduces costs, improves laser's output: Laser regulator minimizes gas contaminationToday'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.
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The business of lasersAs we all know, the laser industry has seen easier times. Economic and market pressures have changed the competitive landscape for laser cutting equipment, and the changes are likely to continue. Both lasermakers and laser users need to adapt to the changes in the laser market, and the companies that recognize and adapt first are likely to be those that succeed.
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Cutting through five myths about modern lasers: The truth behind laser cutting technologyWhether you're operating a 10-year-old laser machine or evaluating the purchase of a new one, staying up-to-date on current laser cutting technology and techniques can be the key to maintaining a competitive edge.
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