The Fabricator February 2013

Columnist Gerald Davis continues a series of columns that address one of the most important activities related to shop profitability: job estimating. In this second installment, he describes how an estimator can use the shop’s manufacturing history to refine the predictions of future expense.

The modern laser cutting machine operator must wear several hats: one for in-process quality assurance, another for recordkeeping, one for preventive maintenance, and one more for troubleshooting.

Companies involved in heavy-duty metal fabricating and fieldwork discuss the traits they want to develop in their own workforces.

By choosing a die opening as close to perfect as possible, your consistency will improve, your setup and run times will get shorter, and the risks of running into problems will be greatly reduced.

While a process change is the first step in reducing welding fumes, fume extraction and respiratory systems are critical tools for employee health and safety.

A tube bending shop with roots that go back to the Gemini and Apollo missions looks far different today than it did eight years ago.

Generally, five categories are examined to determine company valuation. All are important in assessing risk-adjusted valuation, but the one that gets the most immediate attention, rightfully, is the financials.

Cal Poly engineering students use tablet computers to assist them with learning how to run and perform maintenance on machining centers. Discussions reveal that they enjoy this type of interaction rather than traditional training.

An educator gives metal fabricators advice on how they can improve the overall image of manufacturing and help to develop their next generation of workers at the same time.

Penn Stainless Products, Quakertown, Pa., wanted to upgrade its plasma cutting operations so that it could cut thicker stainless steel plate. It found that plasma technology advancements could deliver the thicker cut and additional benefits as well.

Having survived a bankruptcy in the 1990s and the Great Recession, A&E Custom Manufacturing isn't about to embark on an aggressive growth path just to chase more business. It wants to grow intelligently, balancing investment with real opportunity. With that in mind, the company has made some very wise decisions that has allowed it to grow in the face of ongoing uncertainty.

After realizing he was spending too much time traveling, risk management consultant Hank Padilla decided to take a dramatic career detour. He did some vocational coursework and opened a fabrication shop, serving the local area (Littleton, Colo.) with precision tube bending and GTAW for roll cages and exhaust systems.