Blodgett's Basics
Dimensional Analysis and Welding Costs
Nov 1, 2009In Part 1 of this report (see WD&F, September/October 2009, p. 9), we used a version of dimensional analysis that I learned from my grandfather to derive...
Dimensional Analysis and Welding Costs, Part 1
Sep 1, 2009, Omer W. Blodgett, Sc.D., P.E.I first learned about dimensional analysis from my grandfather. He taught me a simple way to verify that mathematical calculations were done correctly:...
Concave Welds A Lesson Learned in the School of Hard Knocks
Jul 1, 2009, Omer W. BlodgettTechniques for avoiding cracking when making concave fillet and groove welds...
Tack Welds Deserve Respect
May 1, 2009, Omer W. BlodgettIn Part 1, we examined tack welds in general and discussed tack welds made in the weld joint. This month, we'll consider in detail some toughness-related...
Tack Welds Deserve Respect
Apr 1, 2009, Omer W. BlodgettAs we have done in recent months, we will continue to focus on the little details that can cause problems, this time looking at tack welds. Let's start...
Managing MIG shop costs; Stainless switch?
Apr 1, 2009Q: Our shop does a lot of MIG welding. About half of it is higher-volume production work and half is one-time special orders. Are there ways that we can...
Blodgett's Basics: Good weld design is in the details
Jan 1, 2009, By OMER W. BLODGETT, ScD., P.E.The famous German architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe reportedly said God is in the details. Others have morphed his words into another saying: The devil...
Blodgett’s Basics: When you only have a moment
Nov 1, 2008, By OMER W. BLODGETT, ScD., P.E.The moment of inertia of the cross-section of a structural member measures the resistance to rotation provided by the section. Expressed as (I), the moment...
Re-examining Intermittent Fillet Welds, Part II
Oct 1, 2008, By Omer W. Blodgett, ScD., P.E.In the first part of this discussion, we learned that intermittent fillet welds are not always the lowest cost option, nor do they always reduce distortion....
Re-examining Intermittent Fillet Welds Part 1
Sep 1, 2008, By OMER W. BLODGETT, ScD., P.E.Intermittent fillet welds are used in some work where the loads are small. They reduce the cost of welding and also reduce distortion....
To bear or not to bear
Jul 1, 2008Ships have always fascinated me. My grandfather owned 23 ships that transported limestone, salt and pulpwood on the Great Lakes. They were wooden ships,...
No Twisters or Swingers Allowed
May 1, 2008, Omer W. BlodgettIn Part I, we examined the behavior of weldments that are subject to torsion, and learned that under such conditions, the designer should use closed sections wherever possible...
Dont Get All Twisted Up
Apr 18, 2008, Omer W. BlodgettWeldments frequently are subject to torsional loading. Unfortunately, designers often overlook such loading. Even when torsional loading is recognized,...
When weld size alone isnt enough
Mar 12, 2008, Omer W. BlodgettWhen designing a weldment, determining the proper weld size is important, but sometimes, this isnt enough. Load path and weld orientation can also be...
Getting the Most From Each Pound of Weld Metal
Feb 13, 2008, Omer W. BlodgettAs we consider some options, three principles of weld design will be illustrated and in the process, well learn how to get the most out of each pound...
