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The Fabricator January 2018
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.
The world of plug-and-play ventilation
Most people can recognize a dust collector because of its hulking size against a laser or plasma cutting table. Donaldson Torit looks to make the dust collector more inconspicuous with its new product offering.
Fabricator tweaks traditional seam welding equipment design
- By Dan Davis
- Jan 12, 2018
- Tube and Pipe Fabrication
- Article
Leo Valerio is the best example of a metal fabricator: He sees a different way of doing things and sets forth to do it better. That's what led him to found a company aimed at building better semi-automated welding equipment.
Press brake bending basics: Die angles, tonnage, and K-factors
- By Steve Benson
- Jan 11, 2018
- Bending and Forming
- Article
Bending guru Steve Benson answers several reader questions about die angles, tonnage calculations, and what the K-factor really means.
Sculptures that move, both kinetically and emotionally
- By Amanda Carlson
- Jan 11, 2018
- Arc Welding
- Article
Santa Fe, N.M., artist Don Redman believes art and sculpture should be enjoyed by everyone. He strives to work big, push boundaries, fabricate sculptures with longevity, and, most importantly, create something that resonates with the masses.
Next-gen angle rolling
- By Kate Bachman
- Jan 11, 2018
- Bending and Forming
- Article
Promau Davi introduced its next-generation section bending machine line at its conference in October. The most notable improvement to the company’s section roll machines line is that they are equipped with a new radius-checking vision system called iRoll-Camera.
Evolution of ERP software Q&A
- By Kate Bachman
- Jan 10, 2018
- Manufacturing Software
- Article
ERP software has reinvented itself during the last decade, becoming more integrated, intuitive, and indispensable, according to three ERP software technical experts.
Reinvestment in technology: The cornerstone of the future metal fabricator
- By Tim Heston
- Jan 10, 2018
- Shop Management
- Article
As technology marches forward, fabricators need to reinvest to stay in the game. Such reinvestment demands healthy cash flow, which is why lean manufacturing and continuous improvement have become so important. But smart equipment financing also is playing a role.
A 3-D CAD modeling case study: Design for manufacturing in cooperation with industrial design
- By Gerald Davis
- Jan 9, 2018
- Shop Management
- Article
Columnist Gerald Davis discusses challenges in product development in a continuing case study. We know the new client built prototypes, but what were the factors that led to the design and schedule?
Lean manufacturing in metal fabrication: How are your parts presented?
- By Jeff Sipes
- Jan 9, 2018
- Shop Management
- Article
How do your welders receive parts from upstream operations? How do your material handlers group cut parts before taking them downstream? When tackling continuous improvement, part presentation matters.
Laser cutting leads to business diversification
- By Tim Heston
- Jan 8, 2018
- Laser Cutting
- Article
A fabricator of drive-thru order points plunges into the laser cutting arena. Why? The company didn’t need more cutting capacity. Instead, managers hope the laser will help build new streams of revenue.
A guide to finding the right industrial laser cutting machine
- By Keith Leuthold
- Jan 8, 2018
- Laser Cutting
- Article
Need to purchase an industrial laser cutting machine and not sure where to start? This guide can help fabricators learn how to chose the right laser metal cutters.
Black Hills Metal Fabrications welcomes the makers
- By Dan Davis
- Jan 5, 2018
- Shop Management
- Article
Black Hills Metal Fabrications is trying to grow its business, so instead of turning away potential customers and other interested parties, it's attempting to welcome them into its shop--during scheduled hours, of course.
Shop floor makes transition to paperless workflow
- By Dan Davis
- Jan 5, 2018
- Tube and Pipe Fabrication
- Article
Realizing what the potential of embracing building information modeling and other advanced technologies might mean for fabricating efficiencies at its shop, Shapiro & Duncan began making a transition to digital technologies about 10 years ago. Today that effort is paying off handsomely as it is able to stay on top of business even in the face of skilled workers retiring and not having great success in finding skilled replacements.
Leveling for metal fabricators: Know the material you’re buying
- By Tim Heston
- Jan 4, 2018
- Metals/Materials
- Article
With better knowledge of how leveling operations make material flat, fabricators can make better buying decisions.
FABTECH previews the future of metal fabrication
- By Tim Heston
- Jan 4, 2018
- Shop Management
- Article
FABTECH® 2017 provided a preview of what looks to be a very positive 2018. Conferences and keynotes also brought industry trends and challenges front-and-center: flexible automation, software, Industry 4.0, and the perennial search for the engaged skilled tradesperson.
- 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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