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The Fabricator May 2017
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.
Fabricator by trade, artist by accident
- By Eric Lundin
- May 5, 2017
- Tube and Pipe Fabrication
- Article
California is well-known for all it has to offer, which is much more than sun, sand, surf, and Hollywood. In many ways, the state is a leader—it has first-class universities, enviable careers in Silicon Valley, well-known metropolitan areas, and millions of acres of stunning natural beauty....
Technology Spotlight: A new take on forming with fluids
- By Dan Davis
- May 5, 2017
- Hydroforming
- Article
If you know anything about hydroforming, you know that a bladder is necessary. Well, that bladder can prove troublesome in some metal forming applications. A new metal forming technology that uses water but does not require a bladder gives manufacturers something to think about as they seek to form intricate metal parts.
Technology Spotlight: Removing rubies and sapphires from the waterjet mix
- By Dan Davis
- May 5, 2017
- Waterjet Cutting
- Article
Diamond Technology Innovations (DTI) has developed a reputation over the years as reliable supplier of waterjet orifices. It has worked hard in convincing fabricators and manufacturers that the higher price tag for diamond orifices is worth it because they last longer and deliver more consistent waterjet stream performance than much cheaper rubies and sapphires. Some companies balk at the price of diamonds, however. DTI hopes to entice those cost-conscious companies with the debut of its new tetraCORE™ product.
Plate rolling challenge: Taking a crack at rolling aluminum
- By Steve Benson
- May 3, 2017
- Bending and Forming
- Article
Should one shop invest in a roll to bend large-diameter curves in thick aluminum or outsource the job? The answer depends on the return on investment, as well as the knowledge and expertise the job requires.
What sheet metal shops wish you knew: Batch size, setup, and thickness
- By Gerald Davis
- May 3, 2017
- Shop Management
- Article
Columnist Gerald Davis discusses 3-D CAD and precision sheet metal manufacturing in a four-part series. The first installment covers batch production. The accuracy of things made from rolled sheet stock and design rules for sheet metal are topics in future editions.
Data management in metal fabrication: Taming the chaos
- By Tim Heston
- May 3, 2017
- Manufacturing Software
- Article
>Laser Precision LLC was a relatively small fabricator in 2004. Over the past 13 years the company has transformed the way it processes information. The result: Sales increased by more than 500 percent, and on-time delivery is nearly perfect.
The middle-market squeeze in metal fabrication
- By Tim Heston
- May 3, 2017
- Shop Management
- Article
The modern economy has put the squeeze on many middle- market companies, and metal fabrication isn’t immune. But because the market is so diverse, it’s allowing progressive shops to bridge the chasm between niche players and market leaders.
Coaching continuous improvement
- By Jeff Sipes
- May 1, 2017
- Shop Management
- Article
Coaching is an integral part of any lean transformation. It happens everywhere, from the top floor to the shop floor. In fact, how well people coach often determines how successful and sustainable the lean transformation will be.
The basics of metal surface finishes
- By Jeff Kwasny
- May 1, 2017
- Finishing
- Article
The desired finish of a job depends on the product application, material, and type of finish your customer requires. These tips will help you deliver just what the customer expects in terms of a surface finish.
Diversity in metal manufacturing drives growth at Valley Fab
- By Tim Heston
- May 1, 2017
- Machining
- Article
Valley Fab Corp. has built a sustainable business based on diversity. Diverse metal manufacturing technologies, including both fabrication and machining, serve diverse customers.
Grinding tool basics: Finish it right
- By Lucas Bryk
- Apr 28, 2017
- Finishing
- Article
Industrial material removal applications are extremely challenging, so combining productivity with safety is paramount. To that end, fabricators should take steps to select the right grinding tool for the job and learn how to operate and maintain it correctly.
Metal fabrication meets The Big Easy
- By Tim Heston
- Apr 28, 2017
- Shop Management
- Article
Fab shop leaders take a participatory approach to shop management. To do this successfully requires both a broad view and a narrower operational focus. The FMA Annual Meeting in New Orleans gave attendees both.
A tip sheet for quality plasma-cut edges
- By Dan Davis
- Apr 28, 2017
- Plasma Cutting
- Article
If a fabricator isn't getting a squared edge during plasma cutting, changes need to be made to the mechanized table's operation. This guide can help fine-tune the equipment's operation.
The secret to success in metal fabrication: Keep it simple
- By Tim Heston
- Apr 27, 2017
- Shop Management
- Article
Metalworking Solutions has tripled in size in the past seven years and improved its quality and delivery. Last year, out of millions of parts shipped, 99.8 percent either met or surpassed customer quality requirements. How did it attain such performance? By keeping things simple.
Perfecting kit-based part flow in metal fabrication
- By Bill Bossard
- Apr 27, 2017
- Bending and Forming
- Article
Put dynamic nesting and smart part labeling together, then add panel bending and press brake equipment with no changeover time, and you make kit-based, single-piece part flow a reality in the fab shop.
- 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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