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The Fabricator December 2006
The Fabricator is North America's leading magazine for the metal forming and fabricating industry. The magazine delivers the news, technical articles, and case histories that enable fabricators to do their jobs more efficiently. The Fabricator has served the industry since 1970.
Surveying suitability of resistance welding for roll formed parts
- By Bill Schubert
- Dec 11, 2007
- Roll Forming
- Article
Resistance welding differs from fusion welding in that pressure is applied to the weld until the molten area coalesces, cools, and solidifies. Two resistance welding processes commonly integrated with roll forming are high-frequency welding and rotary spot welding. High-frequency Welding From...
Get paid to make progress
- By Scott Schmidt
- Feb 6, 2007
- Shop Management
- Article
Many manufacturers don't think that their companies qualify as researchers and developers. But with a little look into your company's everyday activities, you may find that you do conduct R&D - and possibly spend enough on R&D in a year to qualify for a tax credit.
High-powered lasers take a bite out of plate
- By Jason Hillenbrand
- Dec 12, 2006
- Laser Cutting
- Article
CO2 lasers are available in wattages that can cut plate more than 1 in. thick. The wattage, however, isn't the only factor that affects total speed and power. The assist gas chosen and the mode of the laser also influence final results.
P is for plasma, precision
- By Stephanie Vaughan
- Dec 12, 2006
- Arc Welding
- Article
Plasma arc welding (PAW) is very similar to gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW), but its highly concentrated arc makes it very different - and not necessarily the best process for every application. A close look at its characteristics and equipment will help you decide if it's right for your applications.
Moving in the right direction
- Dec 12, 2006
- Shop Management
- Article
When Crystal Distribution Inc., a manufacturer of curb adapters and related products, was challenged by the logistics of its facility, President Pat O'Brien had three choices: lease a different building, buy a different building, or build a new facility. Deciding to build a new facility made the most sense and ended up giving the company's manufacturing operations a whole new flow.
Can your manufacturing software do this?
- By Dan Davis
- Dec 12, 2006
- Manufacturing Software
- Article
Manufacturing software has come a long way in just the last five years. Independent software developers point out some of the advancements in manufacturing software in the hopes that some fabricators realize they may be missing out on some real production-optimization tools.
Structurally, it's a job shop
- By Dan Davis
- Dec 12, 2006
- Shop Management
- Article
Structural steel shops book jobs by the shop hour. More jobs lead to more hours and inevitably longer delivery times. In many instances, just-in-time deliveries in the structural business can be measured with calendars, not stopwatches. Suburban Steel Supply Co., Gahanna, Ohio, tries not to fall into that traditional trap when servicing its customers.
High Roller meets fast cutter
- By Stephanie Vaughan
- Dec 12, 2006
- Plasma Cutting
- Article
The historic High Roller roller coaster, perched atop the Stratosphere Tower on the Las Vegas Strip, needed to be demolished. The question for contractors was what cutting process and equipment would be best to dismantle the roller coaster, all 367, 3-foot, 300-lb. sections of it.
Live or die making tools
- By Stephanie Vaughan
- Dec 12, 2006
- Shop Management
- Article
A tool- and die-maker for 50 years, Leo Niemela started out successfully enough in the tool and die business. But as the industry started to decline, he and his family had to decide which direction to take: stay with tool and die or reposition the company.
Taking software integration to new heights
- By Dan Deanovic
- Dec 12, 2006
- Shop Management
- Article
For a job shop or contract manufacturer to take as much labor out of the manufacturing process as possible, automation is necessary. This can be helped with the integration of front-office and shop floor software.
Maximizing a coil fed press
- By Ted Sberna
- Jul 24, 2003
- Bending and Forming
- Article
Coil-fed stamping presses are nothing new, but coil feeding processes have changed a lot since the days when press feeders were driven mechanically by crank motion. Influencing these processes are differences between transfer and progressive tooling.
- Podcasting
- Podcast:
- The Fabricator Podcast
- Published:
- 04/16/2024
- Running Time:
- 63:29
In this episode of The Fabricator Podcast, Caleb Chamberlain, co-founder and CEO of OSH Cut, discusses his company’s...
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