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Articles tagged with "rate"

Results: 65

	Cutting through the obstacles: The challenges of sawing structural tube, pipe, and solids By: David Byrley and Dave Burkhart, Contributing Writers Of all the materials that can be cut on industrial band saw machines, structural steels—such as pipe and tubing, plate, angle and channel iron, and I beams—are all among the most common and challenging. Publish date: December 11, 2001 Tech cell: Sawing
	Cutting to the chase: Array By: Array Array Publish date: Array Tech cell: Array
	Band saw cutting of tube and pipe: Tips for blade selection and machine settings By: Cliff Dixon, Contributing Writer Production quantities of cut tube and pipe can be produced economically with a band saw. However, the choice of which blade to use is very important in maintaining a low cost per cut. Publish date: February 19, 2001 Tech cell: Sawing
	Cutting exotic alloys: Circular saw helps shop land aircraft tubing project By: John Manchester, Contributing Writer Cutting tubing with a circular cutoff saw is a common metal fabrication operation. This type of saw can produce a smooth finish that requires little secondary finishing. Publish date: April 24, 2003 Tech cell: Sawing
	Take the old with the new - Selecting saw blades with new technologies in mind By: Dave Byrley, Contributing Writer New methods for cutting tube and pipe have been introduced to welding shops in the last few years—methods designed not only to cut metal, but also to cut costs. Publish date: May 29, 2003 Tech cell: Sawing
	Cutting to the chase Sawing structural and architectural tubing: Sawing structural and architectural tubing By: David McCorry, Contributing Writer This article examines common fabrication processes for structural and architectural tube. It specifically focuses on cutting, sawing, miter cutting, bundle sawing, and cambering. Publish date: December 13, 2001 Tech cell: Sawing
	Not your father's abrasive jet: Technological advances, attention to common woes give fabricators options for precision cutting By: John H. Olsen, Contributing Writer The advances made in abrasive jet cutting in recent years have negated much of the downside formerly associated with the technology. Publish date: July 12, 2001 Tech cell: Waterjet Cutting
	Exploring complementary cutting methods: Comparing capabilities of laser, plasma, EDM to waterjet technology By: Michael Ruppenthal and Chip Burnham, Contributing Writers The various cutting methods available to fabrication shops today can be both a little daunting and very beneficial. Choice is good--learn how to make the most of the diversity all your choices offer to you. Publish date: September 4, 2001 Tech cell: Waterjet Cutting
	Blast Cleaning Equipment: What you need to know before buying By: Mike Gignac, Contributing Writer If you are a fabricator of metal parts that need to be primed or painted, then you more than likely will have to prepare the part surface before finishing to produce the desired end result. Publish date: October 23, 2003 Tech cell: Finishing
	Successful tube hydroforming: Watching parameters, accurately simulating the process yield good results By: Taylan Altan and Suwat Jirathearanat, Contributing Writer A typical tube hydroforming system is shown in Figure 1. Within this system, a host of factors must be taken into account, from starting tube geometry and material properties to the quality of the final part (such as thickness distribution and dimensional accuracy). Publish date: June 15, 2001 Tech cell: Hydroforming
	Effective simulation of hydroforming: Current capabilities and requirements for the future By: Reimund Neugebauer, Matthias Putz,J�rg Leihkauf, and B. Schulze, Contributing Writers Simulation is used in the hydroforming process to replace the experimental investigation and tests required in a real tryout process. Publish date: February 19, 2001 Tech cell: Hydroforming
	Pressure-sequence and high-pressure hydroforming: Knowing the processes can mean boosting profits By: Gary Morphy, Contributing Writer Pressure-sequence hydroforming can form complex parts as well as forming most ductile metals, including high-strength, low-alloy, and stainless steels with sharper corners, thick-walled tube, and other difficult features. Publish date: February 19, 2001 Tech cell: Hydroforming
	Predicting the service life of galvanized steel By: Thomas J. Langill, Ph.D., and Philip G. Rahrig, Contributing Writers Zinc, which has been used to hot-dip-galvanize steel for 250 years, provides 50 to 75 years of corrosion protection in many environments. Empirical data collected about hot-dip galvanized (HDG) steel field performance from 1940 to 1980—in environments ranging from industrial to marine to suburban—indicates that zinc can prevent base steel corrosion more than other surface treatments. Because of zinc's long-lasting protection, projects require no maintenance and therefore no maintenance costs. Publish date: May 29, 2003 Tech cell: Metals/Materials
	Stretching metal's forming limits with HSP lubricants: Forming aluminum, high-strength steel without tooling upgrade By: Brad Jeffery, Contributing Writer Publish date: June 12, 2003 Tech cell: Metals/Materials
	Phases, structures, and the influences of temperature By: Bob Capudean, Contributing Writer When you heat or cool a piece of metal to a specific temperature, that metal goes through what's called a phase change, in which its crystal structure changes. Sometimes the change is obvious. For example, when a piece of metal melts, it goes through a phase change when the crystal structure breaks down and the metal goes from solid to liquid. When it solidifies it's also a phase change, as the structure re-forms from liquid to solid. Publish date: June 26, 2003 Tech cell: Metals/Materials
	Roll formers look for a win: Industry players hope to score with customization, better technology By: Lincoln Brunner, Contributing Writer Publish date: September 25, 2003 Tech cell: Roll Forming
	Your best safety resource: The FMA/CNA Safety Committee By: Vicki Bell, Web Content Manager Do you know the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International™ (FMA)/CNA Safety Committee? If not, you should. They're an excellent resource for guidance on workplace safety issues. And they're the force behind the safety focus on thefabricator.com. Publish date: June 12, 2003 Tech cell: Safety
	Workplace stress—Part 1 By: Vicki Bell, Web Content Manager Stress is a fact of life. It's here to stay, and even if we could abolish it, we wouldn't want to. At its best, stress can be the catalyst that moves us to make changes and achieve great things in life. At its worst, it can create all kinds of emotional and physical problems. What determines whether stress is a friend or foe? Whether it precipitates changes that improve our lives or whether it greatly diminishes the quality of our lives? One determining factor is how we handle or manage stress. We can be our own best friend or our own worst enemy. Publish date: July 24, 2003 Tech cell: Safety
	Workplace stress—Part 2 By: Vicki Bell, Web Content Manager If you've visited a doctor recently and were told that stress is the cause of or a contributing factor to what ails you, you're not alone. Although you can't expect to eliminate all of the stress in your life, you can learn to manage it and reduce its negative effects. Publish date: August 14, 2003 Tech cell: Safety
	Protecting yourself from gases and fumes: 10 tips for healthier lungs By: Jerold Jay, Contributing Writer Welding gases, fumes, and smoke can cause both short-term and long-term health hazards for welders. Presented here are 10 ways to help ensure welders are kept safe. Publish date: September 25, 2003 Tech cell: Safety
	One system does not fit all: Ventilation equipment becomes more specific to improve the welding environment By: Stephanie Vaughan, Contributing Writer Ventilation systems come in a variety of types for different types of welding processes and varying fabrication facility setups. The emphasis on proper application of these systems and best use of the components used in them comes from an increased interest in cleaner air for the welder. Publish date: January 13, 2004 Tech cell: Safety
	Respirator selection as a business decision: How to choose the right equipment for your welders By: Clifford Frey, Contributing Writer Several technical articles have addressed respiratory diseases associated with welding activities and when a respirator should be used to help prevent these diseases. Once an employer concludes that respiratory protection is the appropriate option for a particular application, the next step is selecting the right respirator. Publish date: January 29, 2004 Tech cell: Safety
	What price workers' compensation insurance? By: Vicki Bell, Web Content Manager It's a Catch-22 for many manufacturers. Not having workers' compensation insurance can put them out of business. Paying for workers' compensation insurance can put them out of business. How is a company to survive? Publish date: July 10, 2003 Tech cell: For CEOs
	Taxing situation: New tax incentives aimed at helping out people like metal fabricators By: Dan Davis, Editor-in-Chief Most fabricators aren't knowledgeable about tax laws and don't have time to immerse themselves in tax updates. They're too busy on the shop floor. Publish date: January 29, 2004 Tech cell: For CEOs
	Mac's Muse: One potato, two potatoes, three potatoes ... gone! As U.S. steel industry gets its lunch eaten, many parties can share blame By: Don McNeeley, Contributing Writer A lot of parties can share the blame for what's happened to the North American steel industry, and its going to take effort from them all to pull the industry out of its quagmire. Can it be done? Time will tell. Publish date: November 15, 2001 Tech cell: Industry Trends and Analysis
	Sick at Work? By: Vicki Bell, Web Content Manager All employees have days at work when they don't feel well. Usually these days are intermittent and can be attributed to a cold or other illness or job-related stress. Publish date: May 15, 2003 Tech cell: Industry Trends and Analysis
	A 'bout' with the champion By: Dan Davis, Editor-in-Chief Rep. Don Manzullo speaks about taxes, steel tariffs, health care, and manufacturing's future. Publish date: February 26, 2004 Tech cell: Industry Trends and Analysis
	New Features in Coil-to-Coil Slitters: Adapting to the changing coil industry with technology By: Chuck Damore, Contributing Writer Years ago it was customary for coil processors to have dedicated slitting lines for specific materials and gauges. Today's larger, stronger, and thinner-gauge coils, however, require service centers to be able to process many materials and gauges on the same machine. Publish date: March 11, 2004 Tech cell: Coil Processing
	Examining press feeding options: Considerations that determine a feed's effectiveness By: Bruce Grant, Contributing Writer Press- and servo-driven roll feeds and gripper feeds are almost as common to the stamping industry as sheet metal and dies. Knowing how to use them effectively may not be so common. Publish date: July 12, 2001 Tech cell: Press Feeding
	Metal stamping and electromagnetic forming: New process improves material formability, reduces wrinkling By: Helen Gallagher, Contributing Writer This article describes the development of electromagnetic forming (EMF) and how EMF works. Publish date: October 25, 2001 Tech cell: Press Technology
	Experimenting with flexible blank holder force control: Prototype shows promise for difficult-to-form materials By: Leonid Shulkin, Jeffrey Rowan, Taylan Altan, and Gary L. Kinzel, Contributing Writers The quality of deep drawn sheet metal products is determined largely by the rate at which a sheet is drawn into a die. Varying blank holder force (BHF) as a function of time or the press stroke is of great importance. Publish date: July 12, 2001 Tech cell: Press Technology
	Predicting springback in air bending, straight flanging By: Taylan Altan, Contributing Writer All businesses tied to the metal forming industry are scrambling to find areas in which they can lower costs without sacrificing quality. Adding to this burden are a tight cash flow and a lack of financial resources to invest in process improvement equipment. Therefore, the savings must come from doing more with less. Publish date: October 9, 2003 Tech cell: Press Technology
	Do you use checking jigs and fixtures?: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure By: Dave Petrack, Contributing Writer How do you check tube fabrications to ensure they meet quality standards? Do you ship parts without checking them and hope that the next time the phone rings it isn't a prelude to a tirade from a disgruntled customer? Or do you check finished parts only to realize that your scrap rate is too high and wish you had checked them at earlier stages of the manufacturing process? Publish date: July 10, 2003 Tech cell: Testing and Measuring
	Controlling flow and obtaining stretch in deep draw operations By: Art Hedrick, Contributing Writer Addressing the difficulties in obtaining a wrinkle-free stamped part requires a good understanding of metal flow and how it is affected by draw beads Publish date: February 19, 2001 Tech cell: Tool and Die
	Sharpening for a longer life: Maintaining the cutting edge on punch and die components By: Nick Tarkany, Contributing Writer Routine maintenance—grinding, using surface treatments, sharpening ejector pins, and minimizing potential grinding damage—can extend tool life and save you a lot of headaches. Publish date: August 16, 2001 Tech cell: Tool and Die
	Cutting die-related costs: Where to look to save money By: Michael Korneli, Contributing Writer Demands for cheaper, better, and faster tooling for stampings and the pace of business continue to escalate. This trend is not going to reverse itself. Publish date: February 19, 2001 Tech cell: Tool and Die
	Investing in lubricants: Increasing your profits 7 percent by changing metals By: Brad Jeffery, Contributing Writer All businesses tied to the metal forming industry are scrambling to find areas in which they can lower costs without sacrificing quality. Adding to this burden are a tight cash flow and a lack of financial resources to invest in process improvement equipment. Therefore, the savings must come from doing more with less. Publish date: October 9, 2003 Tech cell: Tool and Die
	Selecting a pressure system for a stamping die By: Art Hedrick, Contributing Writer Author's Note: Before I begin, I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to thefabricator.com's readers. I hope you have enjoyed the stamping articles, and I am excited about writing for 2004. I also would like to wish all of you a great holiday season as well as a prosperous and successful year. Best holiday wishes!Art Publish date: December 11, 2003 Tech cell: Tool and Die
	Selecting a stamping die pressure system, Part II By: Art Hedrick, Contributing Writer Publish date: February 12, 2004 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
	Orbital welding for space program applications: Producing welds that withstand the rigors of deep space By: Mike Serafin, Contributing Writer Welding applications in the aerospace industries demand high precision, a quality that can be entirely as low as possible. Automatic orbital welding is being used to help meet these requirements. Publish date: February 19, 2001 Tech cell: Tube and Pipe Fabrication
	Solving Problems on the Tube Mill By: Robert Sladky, Contributing Writer Tube mill operators face a variety of challenges everyday in their efforts to produce high-quality tubing in a cost effective and productive way. Publish date: August 16, 2001 Tech cell: Tube and Pipe Production
	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
	Solving the mysteries of the fin pass—Part 2 By: W.B. "Bud" Graham Editor's Note: This article is the second part of a two-part series about fin passes. Part I, which appeared in the March issue, discussed their location, what they do, and how they do it. Part II focuses on troubleshooting. Publish date: May 15, 2003 Tech cell: Tube and Pipe Production
	Cutting to the chase: Array By: Array Array Publish date: Array Tech cell: Array
	Welding aluminum with inverter-based power supplies By: Frank Armao, Contributing Writer It'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. Publish date: July 24, 2003 Tech cell: Aluminum Welding
	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
	Secrets of Using GTAW for Tools and Dies: One retired fabricator share the basics of how he added this services to his shop By: Earl Durfee, Contributing Writer Tool and die welding can be a very lucrative service for a fab shop. However, tool and die welders are about as rare as brain surgeons because of a general lack of knowledge about the process and because of the extra expense it brings to a shop. This article offers a basic understanding of what's needed to add this service to your fab shop. Publish date: November 17, 2002 Tech cell: Arc Welding
	Joining aluminum with GTAW: Advice for the novice By: Mike Sammons, Contributing Writer Aluminum 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. Publish date: February 19, 2001 Tech cell: Arc Welding
	Using inverter technology: FAQs about inverter-based plasma cutters By: Brian Schmidt, Contributing Writer Businesses 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. Publish date: July 24, 2003 Tech cell: Arc Welding
	Choosing the right oxyfuel gas and supply system By: David Bell, Contributing Writer Mixing oxygen with fuel gases for brazing, cutting, heating, and welding metal has been around since the early 1900s. Oxyfuel processes have remained in use over the years despite the introduction of other metal fabrication processes, such as arc welding, plasma cutting, and laser materials processing. Finding the most economical method for supplying oxyfuel gases requires a basic understanding of the process. Publish date: November 6, 2003 Tech cell: Arc Welding
	Getting the best results in gas-shielded FCAW: Filler metals play a crucial role in the process By: Tex Ikeda and David Haynie, Contributing Writers Publish date: December 11, 2003 Tech cell: Arc Welding
	Welding aluminum tailored blanks with Nd:YAG lasers for automotive applications By: Mohammed Naeem and Richard Jessett, Contributing Writers The 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 Publish date: February 19, 2001 Tech cell: Automation and Robotics
	Welding exhaust system components: Laser technology may aid this traditionally high-volume application By: Frank Brennan, Contributing Writer In the field of automobile exhaust systems, such components as manifolds, pipes, catalytic converters, and mufflers are joined either by the car manufacturer or by a subcontractor to form a subassembly ready for attachment. Publish date: September 17, 2001 Tech cell: Automation and Robotics
	Robots and dials and knobs—oh my!: GMAW power sources have evolved over time By: George J. Williams, Contributing Writer In 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. Publish date: May 29, 2003 Tech cell: Automation and Robotics
	Shielding gas consumption efficiency-- Part I: Spend a penny, save a dollar By: L.R. Standifer, Contributing Writer Installing a bulk delivery system in your welding shop is perhaps the best way to save money Publish date: February 19, 2001 Tech cell: Consumables
	Identifying the right cutting and welding tips: Understanding torch tip design and function By: John Uccellini, Contributing Writer Publish date: October 9, 2003 Tech cell: Consumables
	Selecting the right tungsten: How your choice affects AC GTAW By: Brent Williams, Contributing Writer Most welders used to agree that a pure tungsten electrode was crucial to obtaining the best results for gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) aluminum, magnesium, and other alloys that required an AC arc. Publish date: February 26, 2004 Tech cell: Consumables
	Selecting a shielding gas for joining stainless steel: The right choice is critical for success By: Kevin Lyttle and Garth Stapon, Contributing Writers Publish date: June 8, 2004 Tech cell: Consumables
	Supporting the defense: Manufacturer uses direct diode laser to weld missile canisters Publish date: September 25, 2003 Tech cell: Laser Welding
	Understanding weld discontinuities By: Tony Anderson, Contributing Writer Publish date: June 12, 2003 Tech cell: Welding Inspection
	Hot spots for U.S. metal fabricated exports By: Kate Bachman, STAMPING Journal� Editor Increased global competition for customers on their home turf has driven U.S. metal fabricators to throw their nets wider to international markets. With this in mind, fabricators should look at the lists of the countries purchasing the most U.S. metal fabricated tools, machinery, products, and partially assembled goods as a road map to export opportunities. Publish date: July 10, 2003 Tech cell: Bending
	Turning up the power: Using lasers to cut thick plate By: Kevin Laughlin, Contributing Writer The 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. Publish date: July 12, 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
	Laser cell system gives job shop the home field advantage By: Kate Bachman, STAMPING Journal® Editor Contract manufacturer CGI Automated Manufacturing Inc., Cicero, Ill., fabricates parts as an outsource resource for vertical manufacturers. The company started out as a stamping operation, then added other fabrication technologies, including welding, press brake forming, drilling, punching, rolling, shearing, and cutting. Publish date: February 12, 2004 Tech cell: Laser Cutting