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The Fabricator February 2023
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.
Tips for preparing a model for review
- By Gerald Davis
- Feb 28, 2023
- Manufacturing Software
- Article
CAD guru Gerald Davis guides a product designer through the steps to improve the model review experience.
Smart grinding and finishing in the metal fabrication shop
- By Antoine Guay and Mykolai Dutkewych
- Feb 27, 2023
- Finishing
- Article
Inefficient grinding and finishing can damper a metal fab shop’s true productive potential. The right technique, environment, and tools can help.
The importance of handling heavy metal plate safely
- By Dan Davis and Kristian Knights
- Feb 25, 2023
- Materials Handling
- Article
The use of magnets is one way to reduce the risk of injury when handling plate.
9 strategies for preventing part collisions on the press brake
- By David Bishop
- Feb 25, 2023
- Bending and Forming
- Article
Parts can collide with nearly every surface of the press brake. Having a plan and using the right tools can help prevent those collisions and make life easier in the brake department.
Sheet metal nesting strategies and leveraging data for the job shop
- By Caleb Chamberlain
- Feb 23, 2023
- Manufacturing Software
- Article
Columnist Caleb Chamberlain discusses lessons learned in sheet metal nesting and inventory management, and how high-product-mix job shops can better use data.
What welders and other metal fabricators should know about AWS D1.1
- By Dan Davis
- Feb 22, 2023
- Arc Welding
- Article
Members of the AWS D1 Committee on Structural Welding try to dispel misconceptions related to the D1.1 Structural Welding Code.
Yield, tensile, and bending small metal parts on the press brake
- By Steve Benson
- Feb 22, 2023
- Bending and Forming
- Article
Steve Benson answers questions about sheet metal forming terminology, including yield strength and ultimate tensile strength, and describes the creativity behind bending very small parts.
The value of talk in the job shop and how culture builds sustainability
- By Tim Heston
- Feb 20, 2023
- Shop Management
- Article
Conventional wisdom in lean manufacturing says that material handlers should stage tools and material for operators. The less wasted movement operators make, the better. Still, how does this affect shop culture and idea generation? It's worth putting more value in talking a communication in the metal fabrication job shop.
How low-code apps could streamline the manufacturing shop floor
- By Tim Heston
- Feb 16, 2023
- Manufacturing Software
- Article
Software runs the modern world, but not all problems can be solved with out-of-the-box software. Low-code apps could help metal fabricators customize programs to meet specific manufacturing needs.
Staying safe with hand-held laser welding in the metal fabrication shop
- By Tim Heston
- Feb 14, 2023
- Safety
- Article
Hand-held laser welding has produced some eyebrow-raising results. But in the quest for productivity, metal fabrication shops can’t forget about safety using the advanced technology.
The power of a multigenerational family metal manufacturing company
- By Dan Davis
- Feb 13, 2023
- Laser Cutting
- Article
Growing aggressively in the face of a difficult labor market has earned Salem, Ohio-based and multigenerational family-owned Hickey Metal Fabrication The FABRICATOR’s 2023 Industry Award.
Small California metal fabrication shop provides props for Hollywood
- By Kate Bachman
- Feb 12, 2023
- Waterjet Cutting
- Article
A small metal fab shop in North Hollywood that usually supplies the aerospace industry occasionally gets the chance to supply props and parts to the motion picture industry.
Mergers and acquisitions in fabrication: Making better together a reality
- By Tim Heston
- Feb 11, 2023
- Shop Management
- Article
White Rock Manufacturing Solutions has experienced dramatic growth, acquiring five companies in five years. Part of that success might have to do with how employees communicate and collaborate. Top-down, my-way-or-the-highway management isn't the metal fabricator's style.
Swedish scooter maker curves sheet metal with sustainability in mind
- By Tim Heston
- Feb 9, 2023
- Bending and Forming
- Article
Without dedicated tooling, most sheet metal forming processes bend along a bend line. A Swedish company is taking a new approach, curving metal in multiple directions to simplify and strengthen assemblies.
Staying connected on the shop floor
- By Eric Whitley
- Jan 15, 2023
- Automation and Robotics
- Article
Connected worker technology, which uses digital devices to distribute work instructions, automate workflow logging, and enable operator reporting of shop floor problems, can maximize shop safety, productivity, and asset management.
- Podcasting
- Podcast:
- The Fabricator Podcast
- Published:
- 05/14/2024
- Running Time:
- 62:12
Cameron Adams of Laser Precision, a contract metal fabricator in the Chicago area, joins the podcast to talk...
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