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The Fabricator May 2021
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.
A better way to tackle that complicated bending job
- By Dan Davis
- May 28, 2021
- Bending and Forming
- Article
An Ohio-based manufacturer of press brake tooling discusses customized tools for difficult bending applications.
How manufacturers can manage a demand surge
- By Jeff Sipes
- May 27, 2021
- Shop Management
- Article
Business has been rough, but now that demand is returning, is your manufacturing operation ready? Lean tools, including an analysis of cycle and takt times, can help your shop floor find out.
Preserving parametric links when changing CAD model file names
- By Gerald Davis
- May 26, 2021
- Manufacturing Software
- Article
CAD expert Gerald Davis creates a multifile project for a fabricated part and changes the file names while preserving the parametric CAD links.
5S in the sheet metal shop
- May 25, 2021
- Shop Management
- Article
5S remains one of the simplest, most effective tools in the lean manufacturing toolbox. Lean consultant Gary Conner describes how a metal fabrication shop can start and sustain the effort.
How metal fabricators can manage distortion in profile bending
- By Tim Heston
- May 24, 2021
- Tube and Pipe Fabrication
- Article
Bender-rollers have seen a spike in the demand for curved metal in recent years. The elliptical tube structure surrounding the CTA train tracks at the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) stop near downtown Chicago is a perfect example. But even though Chicago Metal Rolled Products made it look easy, curving metal doesn’t come without its complications. Managing distortion tops the list, according to American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC).
Collaborative robotics meets the press brake
- By Craig Zoberis and Joe Campbell
- May 21, 2021
- Automation and Robotics
- Article
Metal fabricators continue to be enthusiastic adopters of press brake automation, and their enthusiasm has increasingly turned toward collaborative robotics.
Attaining zero unplanned downtime in metal fabrication
- By Claire Gregoire and Heidi-Melanie Maier
- May 18, 2021
- Manufacturing Software
- Article
Smart factories demand smart maintenance. But how does maintenance become smart? Data analytics will play a big role for metal fabricators, write Claire Gregoire and Heidi-Melanie Maier of TRUMPF Inc.
Finishing talent helps Virginia metal fabricator stand out
Bridgewater, Va.-based Shickel Corp. excels at putting the finishing touch on fabrication projects.
Custom sheet metal fabricator’s deep roots guide its future
- By Tim Heston
- May 12, 2021
- Shop Management
- Article
Launched in 1916 by three Eastern European immigrants, St. Louis-based sheet metal and machine shop Laciny Bros. blends an old school approach with modern technology.
Potential career paths are manufacturing’s greatest lure
- By Tim Heston
- May 11, 2021
- Shop Management
- Article
Entry-level wages are on the rise. Fabricators have positions to fill, now. But protentional workers want careers—and in that arena, manufacturing has so much to offer.
Think press brake work is simple? Think again
- By Steve Benson
- May 10, 2021
- Bending and Forming
- Article
The press brake ram descends, the metal bends, the cycle repeats. It looks pretty straightforward to the uninitiated. But it’s not that simple, writes bending guru Steve Benson. Not by a long shot.
How a waterjet helps to bring characters to life for Nashville designer
- By Dan Davis
- May 9, 2021
- Waterjet Cutting
- Article
A new waterjet cutting machine from Omax helps Nashville, Tenn.-based Animax Designs bring its animatronic and interactive characters to life.
ERP platform for the metal industry's next generation
- By Dave Lechleitner
- May 5, 2021
- Manufacturing Software
- Article
The industry’s demographics are changing. Shop owners are retiring, and millennials are moving into leadership roles. Can ERP platforms adapt to meet their needs?
- Podcasting
- Podcast:
- The Fabricator Podcast
- Published:
- 04/30/2024
- Running Time:
- 53:00
Seth Feldman of Iowa-based Wertzbaugher Services joins The Fabricator Podcast to offer his take as a Gen Zer...
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