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Articles - Page 223
- From The Fabricator
Flight of a complex progressive stamping--from customer print to finished part
- By Ross Weber
- Jun 1, 2015
- Bending and Forming
- Article
A complex stamped component begins its journey as a part print. Then a CAD layout drawing marks the progression; a 3-D model fleshes out the form and indicates any possible interference; and the die is put through a test run before the first part is produced.
- From The Fabricator
Fabricator turns up the heat
- By Eric Lundin
- Jun 1, 2015
- Laser Welding
- Article
When A.O. Smith, the company known for developing the glass-lined residential water heater, had a bottleneck at its resistance welding station and sought an alternate welding method. It had been making a lap welding on galvanized steel by resistance welding, but this trapped vaporized zinc; escaping vapors weakened the weld. A new method, a butt weld performed by laser welding, doesn’t trap the vapors, leaving a visually appealing weld that is essentially free of defects.
- From The Fabricator
Precision sheet metal bending, bump by bump
- By Tim Heston
- Jun 1, 2015
- Bending and Forming
- Article
Bump bending remains more art than science, especially for large and thick workpieces, but using the right tools and setup procedures help make this challenging brake operation much more efficient.
- From The Fabricator
A modern take on accountability
- By Dick Kallage
- May 28, 2015
- Shop Management
- Article
The definition of accountability has evolved to mean responsibility with consequences. Ideally, entry-level and other low-level employees should have accountability over the outcomes of their work, but that accountability must be based on objectivity and fairness. Otherwise, an accountability scheme can actually weaken an organization instead of strengthening it.
- From The Fabricator
Putting heavy-duty cutting on the table
- By Steve Zlotnicki
- May 28, 2015
- Plasma Cutting
- Article
Thermal cutting of plate can produce a haze in the shop, but does it have to be that way? Table options can help to clean up the plasma and oxyfuel cutting process and create a better work environment for fabricators.
Best coolant practices make perfect
- By Steve Lowery
- May 28, 2015
- Tube and Pipe Production
- Article
Taking all of the necessary parameters into consideration when designing a tube or pipe mill can be a big task, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. The main considerations include all of the cooling system capacity and location, the type of coolant, the filters and skimmers to be used, and local water quality. Making these decisions early, and incorporating them into the mill’s design, maximizes the cooling system’s efficiency.
- From The Fabricator
Driving change, not fork trucks
- By Tim Heston
- May 28, 2015
- Shop Management
- Article
Quality Industries has changed a lot in two years, and in another two years it will change even more. A new management team is putting a new emphasis on engineering and continuous improvement.
- From The Fabricator
Rob Key Designs: Fabricator in the national spotlight
- By Vicki Bell
- May 27, 2015
- Shop Management
- Article
Tulsa, Okla.-based Rob Key Designs is among 100 businesses featured in the Small Business Revolution project, an initiative showcasing successful small businesses in the U.S. How did this fabricator become successful? Owner Rob Key shares some insight.
- From The Fabricator
Shop technology and 3-D CAD: Design for function
- By Gerald Davis
- May 27, 2015
- Shop Management
- Article
Columnist Gerald Davis offers an overview of using CAD to develop a better design.
- From The Fabricator
Different people, different perspectives on lean
- By Charlie Hopewell, Dave Davidson, and Gary Conner
- May 27, 2015
- Shop Management
- Article
Employees and managers experience a lean transformation in vastly different ways. Understanding these viewpoints can help change a company culture to one that embraces continuous improvement.
- From The Fabricator
An artist and welder in equal measure
- By Amanda Carlson
- May 26, 2015
- Arc Welding
- Article
San Francisco-based metal artist leans on creativity and production welding know-how to create sculptures that are simple in appearance but complicated in execution.
- From The Fabricator
FMA $500,000 grant supports Harper College manufacturing education
- By Sue Roberts
- May 26, 2015
- Shop Management
- Article
The Fabricators & Manufacturers Association Intl. (FMA) partnered with Harper College, Palatine, Ill., with a $500,000 sponsored gift to support Harper College’s Advanced Manufacturing Technology program and the Harper College Promise Scholarship program.
Turning to milling for weld preps
- By Eric Lundin
- May 26, 2015
- Tube and Pipe Fabrication
- Article
Preparing tube or pipe ends for welding with a portable tool is one way to get the job done, but for complex end forms and high-volume work, a stationary beveling machine is the way to go.
- From The Fabricator
Decision-making in metal forming
- By Bill Frahm
- May 21, 2015
- Shop Management
- Article
We live in the Information Age. But for many in manufacturing faced with costly decisions in design and manufacturing, it can seem like the Way Too Much Information Age. Large volumes of data and information are available from myriad sources. But publishing accessibility is widespread and easy,...
- From The Fabricator
Cheese, metal fabrication, and the future skilled worker
- By Tim Heston
- May 21, 2015
- Shop Management
- Article
Over the past two decades, Millerbernd Systems has evolved into a complex entity--part fabricator, part automation systems provider. It also launched a local education initiative to ensure talent remains in the pipeline.
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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:
- 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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