- FMA
- The Fabricator
- FABTECH
- Canadian Metalworking
Our Publications
Categories
- Additive Manufacturing
- Aluminum Welding
- Arc Welding
- Assembly and Joining
- Automation and Robotics
- Bending and Forming
- Consumables
- Cutting and Weld Prep
- Electric Vehicles
- En Español
- Finishing
- Hydroforming
- Laser Cutting
- Laser Welding
- Machining
- Manufacturing Software
- Materials Handling
- Metals/Materials
- Oxyfuel Cutting
- Plasma Cutting
- Power Tools
- Punching and Other Holemaking
- Roll Forming
- Safety
- Sawing
- Shearing
- Shop Management
- Testing and Measuring
- Tube and Pipe Fabrication
- Tube and Pipe Production
- Waterjet Cutting
Industry Directory
Webcasts
Podcasts
FAB 40
Advertise
Subscribe
Account Login
Search
Articles - Page 203
- From The Fabricator
Financial benchmarking in metal fabrication
- By Dick Kallage
- Mar 16, 2016
- Shop Management
- Article
The world is full of surveys these days, and some really don’t have much purpose. Others, however, can be extremely valuable. Industry benchmarking surveys, for instance, can be a vital tool for any company looking to improve. This includes the “Financial Ratios & Operational Benchmarking Survey” from FMA.
- From The Welder
What’s inside your GTAW torch?
- By Jim Watson
- Mar 16, 2016
- Consumables
- Article
Welders are judged by the appearance of their beads, the strength of their welds, and their ability to pass visual and technical inspection. So why shouldn’t you scrutinize your GTAW torch components in the same way that you or someone else would scrutinize your welds? If your GTAW torch doesn’t pass inspection, there’s a good chance that your welds won’t either.
Two bending processes, two directions, four tooling sets, one machine
- By Eric Lundin
- Mar 16, 2016
- Tube and Pipe Fabrication
- Article
As design software becomes more complex, and as engineers strive to differentiate their products from those of their competitors by developing increasingly complex, unique, and aesthetically pleasing products, manufacturers have to keep up. Superior Tube Products Inc., Davenport, Iowa, found that its conventional tube benders weren’t always up to the task, and invested in a twin-head servo-driven machine.
- From The Fabricator
Getting standard work instructions right for fabricating
- By Dave Lechleitner
- Mar 16, 2016
- Shop Management
- Article
The goal of any fabricating operation is to discover the safest and most efficient method to produce quality parts. That goal can be achieved only with clear work directions for shop floor employees. Fabricators that follow some basic guidelines, or implement the right software, can make sure they are putting together work instructions that anyone can follow.
- From The Fabricator
Product development drives growth at Illinois metal fabricator
- By Tim Heston
- Mar 16, 2016
- Materials Handling
- Article
The Great Recession nearly killed J-tec Industries, a cart manufacturer in East Peoria, Ill. But the company pulled through and, thanks to its product development efforts, is now experiencing record growth. During the past two years, its workforce has doubled in size.
- From The Fabricator
In custom metal fabrication, nothing is typical
- By Tim Heston
- Mar 16, 2016
- Manufacturing Software
- Article
Average on-time delivery rates in custom fabrication have remained stubbornly low. Clear, constant communication and transparency can change this. And here software can help, even at the smallest shops.
Swaging a war on piping system leaks
- By Eric Lundin
- Mar 16, 2016
- Tube and Pipe Fabrication
- Article
While welding and threading have their place in pipeline systems, mechanical connectors can be a good alternative, especially in applications subject to shock loading, constant vibration, and thermal cycling. Bolt-on flanges are one example; for small diameters, radially swaged connectors can be even better.
- From The Welder
6 tips for better GTAW results
- By Mark Kadlec
- Mar 16, 2016
- Arc Welding
- Article
Keep these tips in mind for GTAW applications to help you save time and money in rework and to help ensure a quality finished weld. Taking some extra steps in preparation and setup can help you complete the job on schedule and avoid the cost and hassle of troubleshooting or rework later in the welding process.
- From The Fabricator
Optimizing your welding process with ventilation, tables
- By Benjamin Howell
- Mar 14, 2016
- Shop Management
- Article
Is there room for improvement in your welding operation? Choosing the right ventilation system along with flexible worktables can go a long way toward optimizing your welding process.
- From The Fabricator
Ask the Stamping Expert: What do the various press styles have to offer?
- By Thomas Vacca
- Mar 11, 2016
- Bending and Forming
- Article
Q: I am having a problem stamping a shallow drawn cup about 0.75 in. deep from 0.045-in. 304 half-hard stainless steel. I’m using a mechanical press. What do other press technologies have to offer? A: Years ago I wrote a brief on the major differences between mechanical and hydraulic presses....
- From The Fabricator
Ask the Stamping Expert: The 10 Tooling Laws explained
- By Thomas Vacca
- Mar 11, 2016
- Bending and Forming
- Article
Q: In your last column you listed the 10 Tooling Laws. I had never seen these before. Can you please explain each law in more detail? A: I drafted these laws years ago out of necessity. After more than 35 years of experience in the stamping field—many as a master toolmaker, then as a toolroom...
- From The Fabricator
Ask the Stamping Expert: When is a WEDM purchase justifiable?
- By Thomas Vacca
- Mar 11, 2016
- Bending and Forming
- Article
A stamper is getting pressure from customers to add WEDM to reduce costs. Thomas Vacca advises him on how to justify the purchase.
- From The Fabricator
Ask the Stamping Expert: How can we maximize our tooling’s hits per service?
- By Thomas Vacca
- Mar 10, 2016
- Bending and Forming
- Article
Q: We are running high-strength, low-alloy (HSLA) brackets for a large aerospace firm. We cannot get the hits per service we need from our tooling and are struggling to meet production requirements. Any advice?A: Regardless of how many hits per service you get off a tool, you always want to...
- From The Fabricator
Ask the Stamping Expert: Why does tooling fail during coining and forming operations?
- By Thomas Vacca
- Mar 10, 2016
- Bending and Forming
- Article
Q: In our stamping division, we do a lot of coining and forming of 300 and 400 series stainless steels from 0.030 to 0.090 in. thick. We coin up to a 30 percent reduction in thickness and form multiple bends with very tight radii. Our punches and form die inserts fail. They break, crack, chip, or...
- From The Fabricator
Ask the Stamping Expert: How do I calculate shear pressure when figuring stamping die tonnage?
- By Thomas Vacca
- Mar 9, 2016
- Bending and Forming
- Article
Q: I read the article “How can I reduce snap-through condition effects?” in the September/October 2012 STAMPING Journal®. If I understand the article correctly, you do not want to stagger the punches too much to prevent the stored energy from releasing before the next set of punches hit. If...
subscribe now
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.
start your free subscription- Podcasting
- Podcast:
- The Fabricator Podcast
- Published:
- 03/26/2024
- Running Time:
- 67:51
This week on The Fabricator Podcast, Jason Becker, host of the Arc Junkies Podcast and owner of Underground...
- Industry Events
Coil Processing Workshop & Tours
- April 2 - 3, 2024
- Corpus Christi, TX
GOLF4MFG South
- April 15, 2024
- Charlotte, NC
16th Annual Safety Conference
- April 30 - May 1, 2024
- Elgin,
Pipe and Tube Conference
- May 21 - 22, 2024
- Omaha, NE
World-Class Roll Forming Workshop
- June 5 - 6, 2024
- Louisville, KY
- Upcoming Webcasts
Nitrogen Generation for Laser Cutting: Navigating System Design for YOUR Operation
- April 24, 2024
- Sponsored
- Presented By: Purity Gas