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Articles tagged with "stock"

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	Increasing productivity on your cutoff saw: Considerations when sawing round and square tubing By: Cliff Dixon, Contributing Writer All of the components of a tube cutting job—the workpiece, the blade, the saw, and the cutting fluid included—have to work together optimally to maximize your productivity. Publish date: April 24, 2001 Tech cell: Sawing
	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
	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
	Selecting a table for abrasive jet machining By: John H. Olsen, Contributing Writer Publish date: June 26, 2003 Tech cell: Waterjet Cutting
	Choosing the right coated abrasive for plate finishing applications: A look at grain properties By: Mark Boudreau and Dave Jacoby, Contributing Writers Most plate fabricating companies need to select a coated abrasive to finish their parts. This selection process can be intimidating, as well as confusing, because so many types of coated abrasives are available. Publish date: January 29, 2004 Tech cell: Finishing
	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
	Big steel on the ropes: Consolidation looms for a troubled industry By: Lincoln Brunner, Contributing Writer Integrated steel mills in the U.S. are feeling the heat of foreign competition, pricing problems, and bankruptcies. How long will it be before consolidations start narrowing the field? Publish date: June 18, 2001 Tech cell: Metals/Materials
	Stamp of Approval: Full-court press safety: How to maintain an effective safety program end to end By: Herb Kamphausen, Contributing Writer If you want a safe press operation, look beyond the machinery. Don't be surprised to find the keys to a good safety program well outside the confines of the pressroom. Publish date: August 23, 2001 Tech cell: Safety
	Maximizing your scrap's value: Diligence in preparation and tracking pays off By: Greg Cozzi, Contributing Writer The more uniform and contaminant-free that scrap is when fabricators provide it to recyclers, the more fabricators can benefit. This article addresses the two principles for selling scrap to recyclers: know what you're selling vs. what you're getting paid for, and incorporate sorting & cleaning into your production stream. Publish date: November 29, 2001 Tech cell: For CEOs
	To e, or not to e?: Hamlet.com? Not quite, but automakers trying to save princely sums via Internet By: Bernard Swiecki, Contributing Writer The idea was to have e-commerce solve everything. Then the thud of a million dot-coms hitting bottom gave people a new perspective. Are automakers still hip on e-commerce? You'd better believe it. Publish date: October 25, 2001 Tech cell: For CEOs
	Managers are not necessarily leaders By: Steve D. Benson, Contributing Writer Often we are told that leadership is the key to the success of any business or organization. What is leadership? Is it the same as management? And whatseparates would-be or so-so leaders from world-class leaders? Publish date: June 26, 2003 Tech cell: For CEOs
	Slash maintenance inventory costs: Five steps for managing MRO parts By: Johanne Kelley and Karen Schneider, Contributing Writers The quickest boost for most organizations' bottom line is finding opportunities for decreasing costs without sacrificing quality. An area frequently overlooked is the inventory of parts kept for maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO). Publish date: April 10, 2003 Tech cell: For Engineers
	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
	Steel industry anything but status quo: Next generation of distributors set to lead wave of change By: Donald R. McNeeley, Ph.D., Contributing Writer As the market demands change, the steel distribution industry will take up the gauntlet and change with the times. Contrary to some speculation, the steel manufacturing industry is neither going away nor reluctant to embrace the innovations necessary to survive. Publish date: July 12, 2001 Tech cell: Industry Trends and Analysis
	Tips on Lean Manufacturing: Mastering the stop 'n' go of your shop's work flow By: Gary Conner, Contributing Writer Mastering the flow of work through your shop is your most important taks if you are attempting Toyota's approach to lean manufacturing. Publish date: August 16, 2001 Tech cell: Shop Strategies
	Getting the most for your money: 12 financial tips for welding professionals By: Bruce Fenton, Contributing Writer These include the importance of contributing to an individual retirement account, retirement programs for the self-employed, tax-exempt investments, $10,000/year gift tax exclusions, charitable contributions, how much money you should keep in checking and savings accounts, liquidity, and diversified portfolios. Publish date: August 16, 2001 Tech cell: Training and Retention
	Pairing a servo feed with a pull-through straightener: Applications for noncosmetic stamped parts By: Todd Wenzel, Contributing Writer This article explores the possibility that servo feeds can be used with pull-through straighteners as opposed to a conventional feed line that uses a powered straightener. Using the servo-PTS (pull-through straightener) can save money on equipment and material. The only limitation may be marking the material so noncosmetic applications are recommended. Publish date: December 13, 2001 Tech cell: Coil Processing
	The basics of uncoiling: A review of standard equipment By: David Foscarini, Contributing Writer A review of the basic components of a coil handling system which covers servo drive roll feeds, cradles and reels, straighteners and combination units. Publish date: December 13, 2001 Tech cell: Coil Processing
	High-Speed Feeding Techniques - Reviewing the Facotrs that Affect Process Speeds By: Al Lochtefeld, Contributing Writer Gripper or roll-type feeds operate on the principle of feeding force, which is a product of the coefficient of friction between the grippers or feed rolls and the material being fed. Reviewing each force as a factor of the feeding equipment or feeding conditions helps in evaluating the feeding process. Publish date: February 19, 2002 Tech cell: Press Feeding
	Appliancemaker reduces downtime with stamping press feed system: Inconsistent feeds caused die jams, inconsistent parts By: Kate Bachman, STAMPING Journal® Editor The Whirlpool Co. builds refrigerators at its facility in Fort Smith, Ark. The company stamps the appliance parts—large and small, galvanized, cold-rolled, and aluminum—on approximately 35 presses. The majority of its stamping presses are straight-side machines, although some are open-back inclinable (OBI), and a few are hydraulic. Publish date: January 13, 2004 Tech cell: Press Feeding
	Contract stamper increases die life and draw die productivity: Link-drive presses, value-added services, and employee initiative keep the company competitive By: Heinz Becker, Contributing Writer Publish date: November 15, 2001 Tech cell: Press Technology
	Equipping Your Press With the Right Tonnage Monitor By: Dan Falcone, Contributing Writer This article explains why it's useful to monitor press tonnage, the types of tonnage monitors available, the choices for mounting load sensors, calibrating a monitor, and options available for tonnage monitors. Publish date: November 15, 2002 Tech cell: Press Technology
	Filling in the blanks: What to look for in an in-house blank shearing line By: Gary Johnson, Contributing Writer Publish date: December 11, 2003 Tech cell: Press Technology
	Spraying it right: Containing and controlling lubricants By: Stan Reineke, Contributing Writer Publish date: June 8, 2004 Tech cell: Press Technology
	Key design principles for successful deep drawing By: Art Hedrick, Contributing Writer Successful deep drawing depends on many factors. Ignoring even one of them during die design and build can prove disastrous. Publish date: May 30, 2001 Tech cell: Tool and Die
	Designing progressive dies: Reviewing the basics of progressive tooling By: Michael Korneli, Contributing Writer Decisions and compromises must be made when designing progressive dies to produce a part. Knowing ahead of time what this process entails just might help you. Publish date: September 17, 2001 Tech cell: Tool and Die
	Die Design for flat parts: Achieving perfection in a difficult task By: Art Hedrick, Contributing Writer Flatness is one of the most difficult part characteristics to achieve in a conventional stamping die. Publish date: February 19, 2001 Tech cell: Tool and Die
	Protecting dies against press system faults By: Harry J. Walters, Contributing Writer The need for die protection has existed ever since the first die was produced. The most elementary form of protection has always been an alert, dependable operator. However, an operator cannot always react to a problem before it damages a die. Publish date: May 30, 2001 Tech cell: Tool and Die
	Tooling tricks of the trade: A few tips for extending die life By: Steve Chamberlain and Rodney Hewitt, Contributing Writers Publish date: June 26, 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
	Batter up! Turning an aluminum tube into a baseball bat By: Kevin Cole and Eric Lundin, Editor, TPJ-The Tube & Pipe Journal� The roar of the crowd, the shouts of the umpire, the crack of the bat hitting the ball—these are the unmistakable sounds of a baseball game. Over the last few decades, however, one of those sounds has changed; now the bat tends to make a ping that resonates when it hits the ball. It's the sound of aluminum rather than wood making contact with the ball. Publish date: May 29, 2003 Tech cell: Tube and Pipe Fabrication
	Automotive motives - Tips for cutting per-piece prices for automotive customers By: Brad Vigar, Contributing Writer Today's automotive industry is more competitive than ever. To compete with the European, Mexican, and Asian markets, the U.S. market must become more aggressive in finding ways to cut costs. Publish date: May 29, 2003 Tech cell: Tube and Pipe Fabrication
	The little-known life of the scarfing tool: Focusing on a small device to see the bigger picture By: W.B. "Bud" Graham, Contributing Writer Who cares about scarfing tools? There are more important things in life. When the beauty pageant contestant is asked what problem she would like to solve, she's more likely to answer "I'd like to establish world peace" than "I wish I could find ways to help scarfing tools last longer." Publish date: June 26, 2003 Tech cell: Tube and Pipe Fabrication
	Troubleshooting compression bending By: Marsha Blasengame, Contributing Writer You 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. Publish date: January 13, 2004 Tech cell: Tube and Pipe Fabrication
	Tooling, the key for mill production By: Robert Stroud, Contributing Writer This article discusses three main criteria that govern tube mill tooling—design, materials used in their construction, and alignment of tooling on the mill. Discusses advancements in design due to CAD technology; experimental use of ceramic and plastic materials for making tooling; and the use of subplates and interchangeable components to ease tube mill alignment. Publish date: November 29, 2001 Tech cell: Tube and Pipe Production
	Making seamless tubing with a floating mandrel mill By: Ray Miller, Contributing Writer Publish date: September 17, 2001 Tech cell: Tube and Pipe Production
	Using existing tooling for new product applications: Evaluating the tooling's capabilities and limitations By: David Jenkins Jr., Contributing Writer The article outlines factors for consideration when changing material type, grade, coatings, efficient speed requirements, specialty shapes, etc. Special consideration is given to the difference in speed between the minor relief angle and the root diameter. Publish date: November 29, 2001 Tech cell: Tube and Pipe Production
	Comparing single-cut and dimple-free tube mill cutoffs: When to employ each system By: John J. Pavelec, Contributing Writer This article covers the application of single-cut and dimple-free cutoff shear technologies as they are applied to contemporary high-speed tube mills. Publish date: October 25, 2001 Tech cell: Tube and Pipe Production
	Examining tube mill roll tooling, setup, and maintenance By: Dan Ventura, Contributing Writer In today's competitive market, two of the most important considerations for high-quality production are proper roll tooling setup and mill alignment. Publish date: September 17, 2001 Tech cell: Tube and Pipe Production
	Inline gauge control in welded tube production: Reducing conversion losses By: W.B. "Bud" Graham, Contributing Writer Reducing scrap when converting strip to finished tube is a huge step in bettering your bottom line. Publish date: July 26, 2001 Tech cell: Tube and Pipe Production
	Roll form tooling tryout and troubleshooting: Taking a five-step approach By: Dan Mennecke, Contributing Writer The secret to developing successful roll tooling—whether for tube production or roll forming—and achieving maximum roll integrity is a simple but often overlooked notion: a comprehensive approach. Publish date: May 29, 2003 Tech cell: Tube and Pipe Production
	Reviving the past: Welding students restore ironwork to Victorian-era YMCA building By: Bob Hollingsworth, Contributing Writer Publish date: May 15, 2003 Tech cell: Art and Sculpture
	Art From the Forge: Finding new sources for inspiration By: Dona Z. Meilach, Contributing Writer Those 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. Publish date: May 29, 2003 Tech cell: Art and Sculpture
	Making the most of the daily grind: How to choose and use abrasives for welding and fabricating applications By: Jeff Kompare, Contributing Writer The article divides grinding equipment into three application categories: welding/heavy metal removal; metal fabrication and construction; and light metal removal, finishing, and sharpening. It also discusses grits and grains and operator safety. Publish date: November 29, 2001 Tech cell: Consumables
	Spinning your wheels?: Separate grinding wheel facts from myths By: Roger Cloutier, Contributing Writer Grinding wheels used in welding and fabrication are strong, tough tools, but many in the industry have called them "rocks" or "stones," implying that they're unbreakable. Publish date: May 29, 2003 Tech cell: Consumables
	Four factors to consider when purchasing a grinder: You get what you pay for By: David Smith, Contributing Writer Cost 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. Publish date: July 26, 2001 Tech cell: Cutting and Weld Prep
	Selecting the right abrasives for your operation By: Richard Lawson, Contributing Writer When it comes to weld preparation, choosing the right abrasive wheel for your grinder can make your job easier. Just grabbing your grinder and cleaning up the weld area can result in poorly prepared joints, cross-contaminated welds, and more wear and tear on the tool and the operator. Publish date: August 14, 2003 Tech cell: Cutting and Weld Prep
	Press brakes: the quest for a happy ending: Manufacturers, users hope technology is the ticket By: Lincoln Brunner, Contributing Writer Screen some press brake owners and manufacturers these days, and it's like they're all reading from the same script: Publish date: June 26, 2003 Tech cell: Bending