The welding industry may be the only one forecast to show any growth between now and 2012, but growth in the U.S. is threatened by a number of factors: skilled worker shortages, welding rod litigation; and what some consider the need for greed among business executives.

Jeff Adams may have taken the nontraditional route in manufacturing by starting out in the laser equipment vendor community, but he has since moved to the job shop side of the industry, using his laser knowledge and expertise to help grow his 12-year-old laser job shop in Libertyville, Ill.

Miller Welding & Machine isn't a typical job shop for a lot of reasons. This family-owned and -operated company, in business since 1963, employs almost everybody in the Miller family -- and tackled its complete inexperience in finishing by investing in a full powder coating and wet paint line in a new facility to serve its customers, who started demanding finishing services five years ago.

Rad Craig, owner of Induction Concepts, which develops high-performance twin turbo systems, has been considering robotic welding but wasn't sure where to go for information. Rad contacted Practical Welding Today®, which contacted several robotic welding equipmentmakers and integrators to help him find the answers to his questions. This is the first of several articles PWT plans to publish directly from subscribers' questions.

If your welding shop hasn't implemented lean manufacturing initiatives, it's only a matter of time, the experts say. Learn and brush up on your understanding of lean manufacturing to see what tools might help boost your productivity and efficiency.

Being a good welder often means more than on-the-job performance. Whether it's volunteering to help others or otherwise giving back to one's community, these welders are examples of so many who take their time to give of themselves on the job — and outside the office.

Prototyping parts for projects with shorter lead times and meeting the automotive industry's mass production needs were two large goals for Amtek more than a year ago. Amtek turned to laser welding to meet its goals.

Three food service equipment makers spoke with The FABRICATOR about their investments in more automated fabrication equipment, especially lasers, and how these investments have paid off for them, even as the economy takes its time to recover.

Most people are happy just to get their thoughts down on paper. Mike Ingram takes it a step farther, capturing what he sees in his mind in the metal he shapes and welds.

Troy Trepanier stands next to the FastForward Fastback 1967 Mustang®, a project car restored with modifications borrowed from Ford's 2005 concept Mustang. It was made in 18 weeks with parts and accessories found and bought on eBay Motors. Troy Trepanier says his company does all the...

A new organization in Rockford, Ill., thinks job shops working together is a MARRVelousidea.

Using his experience in the manufacturing industry, Don Wainwright plans to help improve the U.S. manufacturing industry through his position as chairman of the Department of Commerce's newly created Manufacturing Council.

Dwarfed by his largest sculpture to date, artist Gary Beals collaborated with K-zell Metals to create this piece for the University of New Mexico.The stainless steel centerpiece for a grouping of sculptures at the University of New Mexico is a first for its creators for several reasons. First, the...

Making sense of the skilled labor shortage in the welding industry is like having conversations with five different people simultaneously while trying to walk a tightrope with a vase on your head and juggle at the same time. Several perspectives play prominent roles in this issue, from the welders...

In November 2002 Greg Lamm was laid off from his full-time welding job. One month later he started his own microwelding business. This year he plans to purchase a laser. So how did he do it? It started with one phone call, then two, and then more phone calls from mold or tool and die shops in the...