September 1, 2008
Features
Gases
Knowledge Is Power
The first overall objective to strive for with systems and equipment is efficiency. Time and resource management affects everyone and, whether looking...
Operations
California Workforce Development Program Gives Inmates Welding Skills
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has launched a program to train inmates in a variety of specialized welding skills that will...
Workforce Development
Besides the traditional, hands-on schools Tooling U, a Cleveland-based online training company that specializes in manufacturing, has created a mobile...
Processes
Techniques to Reduce Robot Manufacturing Cycle Times
Lowering manufacturing cycle times is a continuous challenge. Reducing machine cycle time helps to increase production throughput and profits. Cycle time depends on many factors including conveyors, process times, vision, clamps, tooling, operators, and robots....
The Growth of Laser and Waterjet Cutting
Cutting methods have evolved over the past decade as work requirements have changed. TEDM once was widely used, as was stamping, but those processes have...
Shop Stories
Laser cutting and FMS keep Towmaster Trailer out front
Variety was on the mind of Harlan Palm, who ran Palm Industries on the prairie farmlands of Litchfield, Minn. Palm Industries makes roll-over protection...
Case Study: General Motors Grand Rapids Metal Fabrication Plant
The General Motors Grand Rapids Metal Fabrication Plant houses four operational areas in its 2,000,000 sq. ft. facility: Tool & Die Operations, Blanking,...
Design for manufacturing software helps Hypertherm to create higher profits and competitiveness
Hypertherm Inc., the producer of plasma metal cutting technology, increased its profit per square foot of factory floor space by six times by using design...
Commentary
Hire the incarcerated?
Associate Editor Clare Goldsberry writes about the use of a virtual welding program to teach inmates in California's prisons how to weld....
Industry News
Hobart Institute of Welding Technology Expands Training Area
Hobart Institute has responded to the demand for trained welders by adding 8,000 sq. ft. of training area to include two additional, large classrooms and lab space equipped with the latest technology....
ESAB Opens New Flux Plant
ESAB Welding & Cutting Products has added a new flux plant to its filler metal manufacturing facility in Hanover, Pa., providing the company with a significant upgrade in manufacturing capacity....
Hypertherm Acquires Manufacturer and Supplier of Laser Consumables
Hypertherm, the supplier of plasma arc cutting technology, has acquired ESSE A Srl., a manufacturer and supplier of laser consumables and accessories based in Italy....
Motoman moves Detroit operations
Motoman Inc., a provider of robots and complete robotic solutions, has relocated its Detroit Regional Center to Rochester Hills, Mich., from Wixom, Mich....
TW Cylinders reinstates surcharges for acetylene and high-pressure cylinders
TW Cylinders LLC, a division of Taylor-Wharton International LLC (www.TaylorWharton.com) announced in early August that it reinstated surcharges on all...
Focus on the Internet
Focus on the Internet
Old welding photos If you have or are interested in historic welding photos, check out the thread on the Welding Web...
Blodgett's Basics
Re-examining Intermittent Fillet Welds Part 1
Intermittent fillet welds are used in some work where the loads are small. They reduce the cost of welding and also reduce distortion....
People
People
Key Personnel Changes at Eriez Magnetics Eriez Magnetics has appointed Andy Lewis to the newly created position of vice president, international. Lewis joined the company in 1976, and has served as managing director of Eriez- Europe since 1995. Lewis will manage all of the company's affiliate companies and regional headquarters except for the Eriez-CPT businesses in Canada and Brazil...
Barton's Q & A
Trying to weld 2024 Al is not worth the trouble
Q: Can 2024 aluminum be welded to 6061 aluminum? A: 2024 aluminum is limited in its weldability, was intended for mechanical fastening and is considered...
Products
Products
PROCESSES Plasma arc gauging system Thermal Dynamics (www.thermal-dynamics.com) has added a new manual plasma cutter to its product line. The PAK 200...
Off the Clock
Hypertherm Plasma Takes to the Road
Hypertherm went on the road this summer with two Mobile Cutting Centers. The cutting centers are travelled through North America to show people how easy,...
Other Articles
Chemicals Management Services open the door to efficiency improvements and cost savings in metal fabrication
Auto manufacturers generally do not think of themselves as experts in chemical management. That is the reason that, nearly 20 years ago, General Motors...
