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Cover Story
Text of stories
November 2020
November2020
a trend publication  Volume 17 Number 10
automotive
Aluminum die castings replace fabricated alloy sheet assemblies on eighth-generation sports car
FFJournal logo white with shadows
Metal Service Centers logo
FFJournal Virtual Trade Show 2020 logo
A three-month-long product and video demonstration showcase designed to present virtual exhibitors to fabricators, OEM/end-users, metal service centers and metal producers
Ultra-high power fiber laser
heat treating technologies
metal machine
cut out pieces of metal
features
Laser Technology
Ultra-high power fiber laser produces higher volume of quality parts
stamping/ presses
Components are designed and built to withstand the toughest conditions using the latest heat treating technologies
tube & pipe
Manufacturer employs automation to offset short supply of welders
plasma technology
Building custom equipment is made simpler with a practical purchase
features
Ultra-high power fiber laser
Laser Technology
Ultra-high power fiber laser produces higher volume
of quality parts
heat treating technologies
stamping/ presses
Components are designed and built to withstand the toughest conditions using the latest heat treating technologies
metal machine
tube & pipe
Manufacturer employs automation to offset short supply of welders
cut out pieces of metal
plasma technology
Building custom equipment is made simpler with a practical purchase
find even more metal fabricating & forming content online
permanent, site-specific work for the nature reserve Hoge Mouw near Kasterlee, Belgium
/customfabricator
man working metal machine
/bending
brush and abrasive solutions
/deburring
Online
Features
ffjournal.net
/customfabricator
Gijs Van Vaerenbergh created a permanent, site-specific work for the nature reserve Hoge Mouw near Kasterlee, Belgium
ffjournal.net
/bending
One shop brings capabilities in house, offering a local solution to its clientele
ffjournal.net
/deburring
Dragsters enhance performance with a variety of brush and abrasive solutions for specialized applications
at sign
female welder with her mask up
Facebook
Artist Karena Massengill: Welding ideas in constant motion
Photo: Random Lengths News
welder in action
Instagram
I saw the light I’m hooked and will stay #tigwelding #welding #shinebright
back of jet with sunset in background
Twitter
Break the sound barrier with Boom Supersonic’s XB-1 airplane made with 21 3D-printed parts
Learn more
Photo: Boom Supersonic
J. Neiland Pennington Headshot

From the
Senior Editor

J. NEILAND PENNINGTON
Resilience
T

he procession of gloom is endless. Every day, the television news and newspaper front pages report heart-wrenching stories of people out of work, of staggering unemployment statistics. The pandemic-fed fall in the economy has affected people that are seemingly immune to hard times. Not unnoticed are the bizarre images of families queueing up for free food boxes in their Mercedes-Benz or BMW SUVs.

And yet, there is the sense that a turnaround is in the offing. Current national unemployment is in the 10-percent range, a considerable improvement from just a month ago. Congress is wrestling over another financial stimulus, with some factions claiming that more stimulus money is a disincentive to work. But recent studies by both Yale University and the University of Chicago have shown that this is not the case, and people receiving stimulus payments are still in the job market. Americans, by and large, are spending on basics and necessities, delaying discretionary purchases and accumulating cash.

Guest Editorial
BY NICK DRAKE, GULLCO INTERNATIONAL
Safeguards
Sticking to a plan that works is not as hard as you think
B

ack in March, companies scrambled to comply with ever-changing safety guidelines to remain operational. As time has passed, social distancing efforts, sanitation upgrades and remote work access have become part of day-to-day business. The production line must remain on site in order to fulfill orders but staggered schedules or crew number limitations are not sustainable without a long-term plan.

In addition to distancing work stations, adjusting schedules and providing workers with work station shields and proper air filtration, it is imperative for everyone inside the facility to wear masks, carry out symptom checks and institute a no-questions-asked paid sick day policy.

People are struggling to make ends meet. Throughout the U.S., a lot of people already have lost their jobs. If you are forced to choose between going to work or risk being fired because you’re asking for sick time, that is not an effective way to keep the virus from spreading or to remain a productive business.

Fabricator’s POV
By Lauren Duensing
Aero space tool in warehouse
This tooling fixture is used for aerospace production.
In the know
Keeping on top of trends allows fabricator to meet customers’ expectations

FOR OVER 40 YEARS, WB Indus-tries has manufactured custom machined and metal fabricated parts, tooling and equipment for a wide variety of industries, applying customer-specific requirements and working to several industry standards, such as NASA, Boeing, AMS, AISC, IBC, ASTM and MIL.

“We build things that solve certain logistic problems—equipment designed with the goal of moving things from one place to another effectively,” says Gary Bertolucci, president of the O’Fallon, Missouri-based fabricator.

What’s Happening
Vernon Tool MPM In Use
Lincoln Electric, PypeServer form partnership
Lincoln Electric, Cleveland, and PypeServer Inc., Federal Way, Washington, have created a partnership under which all newly sold Vernon Tool MPM pipe profilers will come standard with PypeServer software. In addition, Lincoln Electric will support the retrofit of existing Vernon machines with PypeServer for MPM customers who wish to update their equipment with CAD import, part nesting and advanced cutting capabilities.
Vernon Tool MPM In Use
Mazak Optonics Headquarters
Mazak to expand headquarters
Mazak Optonics has confirmed expansion plans for their North American headquarters located in Elgin, Illinois. Mazak plans for the project to be completed in the spring of 2021, and once complete, it will bring more than 20,000 sq. ft. of additional operational facilities. The expansion will feature a new auditorium, increased capacity for parts and customer service support, a new research and development center, and additional machine tool technology areas.
Mazak Optonics Headquarters
Eye on People
Marc Glasser Headshot

Marc Glasser

Rolled Alloys director joins HTS board

The Heat Treating Society re-elected Marc Glasser, Rolled Alloys’ director of metallurgical services, to its board. He will now serve through 2023. Glasser has been with Rolled Alloys since 2012 and has nearly 40 years of experience working in materials science and engineering.

Bystronic adds sales engineer

Zack Morrison has joined Bystronic Inc., Hoffman Estates, Illinois, as a direct sales engineer for the Oklahoma and Kansas territories. He has over 10 years of direct manufacturing industry experience in sales management and CNC production and the skills of a consulting engineer.

Automotive
By J. Neiland Pennington, senior contributing editor
The new C8 Corvette is a 490-hp track-ready rocket, capable of 190 miles per hour out of the box.

Photo: National Corvette Museum

Title of article
F

or at least 20 years, aficionados of the Chevrolet Corvette have speculated on the possibility of the car evolving from a front-engine configuration to mid-engine. Almost all of Europe’s supercars have the engine mounted behind the seats. With the the exception of a few one-off efforts, Corvette was the American holdout.

Speculate no more. For its eighth generation, the Corvette does indeed introduce the much-anticipated and long-awaited mid-engine design. The C8 Stingray is a total break from a 67-year front-engine tradition, now putting it in league with Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, Lotus and many of the other European cars that appear on teenage boys’ posters.

Laser Technology 
By Lynn Stanley, senior editor
Eagle’s eVa cutting head has been engineered to withstand ultrahigh laser power without failure.
Laws of motion
Ultra-high power fiber laser produces higher volume of quality parts
T

here’s a movement afoot in North America that is driving the development of higher wattage fiber lasers. According to Chip Burnham, co-owner of Fairmont Machinery, the reasons are simple. Higher wattage machines can produce cheaper parts faster. But there is a catch.

“Eight years ago, 4 kW fiber lasers were common,” Burnham says. “Capacity for power quickly escalated to 6 kW and 8 kW. Today, manufacturers are pushing for machines that can deliver 10 kW and higher. The trick lies with the cutting head. OEMs are struggling to develop a laser delivery system, such as cutting head optics, that can withstand more power without experiencing failure. Replacement or rebuild costs can be hefty, ranging from $8,000 up to $40,000.”

special section
2020 FFJournal Virtual Trade Show
Abrasives: Gemtex
ABRASIVES
Gemtex: Flaptec- Premium zirconia and ceramic flap discs
Gemtex QR Code
Abrasives: Osborn
ABRASIVES
Osborn: Bosch X-Lock angle grinders
Abrasives: Osborn QR Code
Abbrasives: Rex-Cut Abrasives
ABRASIVES
Rex-Cut Abrasives: Sigma Z
Abrasives: Rex-Cut Abrasives QR Code
Aluminum Mill Products: Channel Alloys
ALUMINUM MILL PRODUCTS
Channel Alloys: Alloy 2011; 2024; 6061; 6262; 7075; 7076
Aluminum Mill Products: Channel Alloys QR Code
Bending: Carell Corporation/Eagle Bending Machines
BENDING
Carell Corporation/Eagle Bending Machines: Parmigiani VBH Series
Carell Corporation/Eagle Bending Machines QR Code
Bending: SafanDarley North America LLC
BENDING
SafanDarley North America LLC: Minicell
SafanDarley North America LLC QR Code
Bending: Salvagnini America Inc
BENDING
Salvagnini America Inc.: P2 Lean panel bender
Salvagnini American Inc. QR Code
Bending: Trumpf Inc.
BENDING
Trumpf Inc.: TruBend 7050
Trumpf QR Code
Coil Processing: b+s group
COIL PROCESSING
b+s group: Coil Slitting Lines
b+s group QR Code
Coil Processing: The Bradbury Group Co Inc.
COIL PROCESSING
The Bradbury Group Co Inc.: Flat Trak CL Strip Evaluation System
The Bradbury Group Co Inc. QR Code
Coil Processing: Braner USA Inc.
COIL PROCESSING
Braner USA Inc.: Coil Slitting Lines
Braner USA Inc. QR Code
Coil Processing: Braner USA Inc.
COIL PROCESSING
Braner USA Inc.: Cut-to-Length and Blanking Lines
Braner USA Inc. QR Code
Coil Processing: Butech Bliss
COIL PROCESSING
Butech Bliss: Push-Pull Pickling Line
Butech Bliss QR Code
Coil Processing: Butech Bliss
COIL PROCESSING
Butech Bliss: Stretch Leveling Lines
Butech Bliss QR Code
Coil Processing: Red Bud Industries
COIL PROCESSING
Red Bud Industries: Slitting Lines
Red Bud Industries QR Code
Coil Processing: Red Bud Industries
COIL PROCESSING
Red Bud Industries: Rotary Shear
Red Bud Industries QR Code
Conveyor Systems: Mayfran International
CONVEYOR SYSTEMS
Mayfran International: Shuffle Drive Conveyor Systems
Mayfran International QR Code
Conveyor Systems: P/A Industries Inc.
CONVEYOR SYSTEMS
P/A Industries Inc.: The Electra
P/A Industries Inc. QR Code
Deburring: ARKU
DEBURRING
ARKU Inc.: EdgeBreaker 4000
ARKU Inc. QR Code
Deburring: Lissmac Corp.
DEBURRING
Lissmac Corp.: SMD 123 RE
Lissmac Corp. QR Code
Deburring: Lissmac Corp.
DEBURRING
Lissmac Corp.: SMW 123 RB/RT
Lissmac Corp. QR Code
Deburring: Mid Atlantic Global
DEBURRING
Mid Atlantic Global: FINISHLINE metal finishing machine
Mid Atlantic Global QR Code
Drilling: Hougen Manufacturing Inc.
DRILLING
Hougen Manufacturing Inc.: HMD904 Magnetic Drill
Hougen Manufacturing Inc. QR Code
Finishing Tools: Titan Tool Supply Inc.
FINISHING TOOLS
Titan Tool Supply Inc.: Flexible Diamond Finishing Files
Titan Tool Supply Inc. QR Code
Finishing Tools: Titan Tool Supply Inc.
FINISHING TOOLS
Titan Tool Supply Inc.: Micro Diamond and Borazon Grinding Pins
Titan Tool Supply Inc. QR Code
Grinding: Diamond Ground Products Inc.
GRINDING
Diamond Ground Products Inc.: The Piranha III
Diamond Ground Products Inc. QR Code
Grinding: Michigan Pneumatic Tool Inc.
GRINDING
Michigan Pneumatic Tool Inc.: 9500 Series Grinder
Michigan Pneumatic Tool Inc. QR Code
Industry Search Engine: Trend Publishing Inc
INDUSTRY SEARCH ENGINE
Trend Publishing Inc.: MetalsAndMetalworkingSearch.com
Trend Publishing Inc QR Code
Inspection, Testing, & Measurement: Hitachi High-Tech America Inc.
INSPECTION, TESTING & MEASUREMENT
Hitachi High-Tech America Inc.: NEW OE750 OES metals analyzer
Hitachi High-Tech America Inc. QR Code
Inspection, Testing, & Measurement: The L.S. Starrett Company
INSPECTION, TESTING & MEASUREMENT
The L.S. Starrett Company: Electronic Digital Micrometers
The L.S. Starrett Company QR Code
Ironworker: Scotchman Industries
IRONWORKER
Scotchman Industries: 50-ton hydraulic Ironworker
Scotchman Industries QR Code
Ironworker: Sunrise Ironworkers
IRONWORKER
Sunrise Ironworkers: 50 to 185 ton Ironworkers
Sunrise Ironworkers QR Code
Laser Technology: Amada America Inc.
LASER TECHNOLOGY
Amada America Inc.: VENTIS 3015 AJ
Amada America Inc. QR Code
Laser Technology: Bystronic Inc.
LASER TECHNOLOGY
Bystronic Inc.: ByStar Fiber laser cutting system
Bystronic Inc. QR Code
Laser Technology: Cincinnati Inc.
LASER TECHNOLOGY
Cincinnati Inc.: CLX Fiber Laser Cutting System
Cincinnati Inc. QR Code
Laser Technology: Eagle Laser/Fairmont Machinery
LASER TECHNOLOGY
Eagle Laser/Fairmont Machinery: iNspire Series fiber laser
Eagle Laser/Fairmont Machinery QR Code
Laser Technology: Laguna Tools
LASER TECHNOLOGY
Laguna Tools: Laguna FC and DLP fiber laser systems
Laguna Tools QR Code
Laser Technology: Mazak Optonics Corp.
LASER TECHNOLOGY
Mazak Optonics Corp.: OPTIPLEX NEXUS FIBER
Mazak Optonics Corp. QR Code
Laser Technology: Mazak Optonics Corp.
LASER TECHNOLOGY
Mazak Optonics Corp.: FT-150 FIBER
Mazak Optonics Corp. QR Code
Laser Technology: MC Machinery Systems Inc.
LASER TECHNOLOGY
MC Machinery Systems Inc.: ASTES4 LASORTING
MC Machinery Systems Inc. QR Code
Laser Technology: Trumpf Inc.
LASER TECHNOLOGY
Trumpf Inc.: TruLaser 1030
Trumpf Inc. QR Code
Laser Technology: Trumpf Inc.
LASER TECHNOLOGY
Trumpf Inc.: TruLaser 5030
Trumpf Inc. QR Code
Material Handling: Canrack Metal Center Systems
MATERIAL HANDLING
Canrack Metal Center Systems: Sheet Order Filling – Bundle Splitter
Canrack Metal Center Systems QR Code
Material Handling: Canrack Metal Center Systems
MATERIAL HANDLING
Canrack Metal Center Systems: Orbital Wrapper Conveyor System
Canrack Metal Center Systems QR Code
Material Handling: Combilift USA
MATERIAL HANDLING
Combilift USA: C-Series multidirectional forklift
Combilift USA QR Code
Metal Fabricators: G.E. Mathis Company
METAL FABRICATORS
G.E. Mathis Company: OEM supplier of precision fabricated components
G.E. Mathis Company QR Code
Plasma: AKS Cutting Systems
PLASMA
AKS Cutting Systems: AKS robo-kut
AKS Cutting Systems QR Code
Plate & Angle Rolls: Boschert USA
PLATE & ANGLE ROLLS
Boschert USA: Picot plate roll bending machines
Boschert USA QR Code
Plate & Angle Rolls: DAVI Inc.
PLATE & ANGLE ROLLS
DAVI Inc.: Human Machine Interface
DAVI Inc. QR Code
Plate & Angle Rolls: DAVI Inc.
PLATE & ANGLE ROLLS
DAVI Inc.: iRoll-Camera
DAVI Inc. QR Code
Plate & Angle Rolls: SweBend
PLATE & ANGLE ROLLS
SweBend: Angle and Plate Bending Machines
SweBend QR Code
Press Brake Tooling: Fab Supply Inc.
PRESS BRAKE TOOLING
Fab Supply Inc.: Rolla-V dies
Fab Supply Inc. QR Code
Press Brake Tooling: Mate Precision Technologies
PRESS BRAKE TOOLING
Mate Precision Technologies: American Precision Style Tooling with Maglock
Press Brake Tooling: Mate Precision Technologies QR Code
Press Brake Tooling: Rolleri USA LLC
PRESS BRAKE TOOLING
Rolleri USA LLC: Rolleri VARIO
Rolleri USA LLC QR Code
Press Brake Tooling: WILA USA
PRESS BRAKE TOOLING
WILA USA: American Style punches
WILA USA QR Code
Press Brake: Amada America Inc.
PRESS BRAKES
Amada America Inc.: HRB 1003 ATC
Amada America Inc. QR Code
Press Brakes: Automec Inc.
PRESS BRAKES
Automec Inc.: CoastOne
Automec Inc. QR Code
Press Brakes: MC Machinery Systems Inc.
PRESS BRAKES
MC Machinery Systems Inc.: High-capacity automatic tool changer
MC Machinery Systems Inc. QR Code
Press Brakes: SafanDarley North America LLC
PRESS BRAKES
SafanDarley North America LLC: R-Brake
SafanDarley North America LLC QR Code
Punch Tooling: Wilson Tool International
PUNCH TOOLING
Wilson Tool International: My Account customer portal
Punch Tooling: Wilson Tool International QR Code
Punching/Bending Solutions: Pivatic
PUNCHING/BENDING SOLUTIONS
Pivatic: Highly-automated sheet metal solutions
Pivatic QR Code
Sawing: Behringer Saws Inc.
SAWING
Behringer Saws Inc.: HBE-320/523GA miter band saw
Behringer Saws Inc. QR Code
Sawing: Brobo USA
SAWING
Brobo USA: S350D & S400B ferrous metal cutting saws
Brobo USA QR Code
Sawing: Cosen Saws
SAWING
Cosen Saws: V-2026NC vertical tilt-frame bandsaw
Cosen Saws QR Code
Sawing: Kasto Inc.
SAWING
Kasto Inc.: KASTOwin fully-automated bandsaw
Kasto Inc. QR Code
Sawing: Sawblade.com
SAWING
Sawblade.com: Q501 IC band saw blade
Sawblade.com QR Code
Sawing: Sawblade.com
SAWING
Sawblade.com: Trajan Q1400 Carbide Chop Saw
Sawblade.com QR Code
Software: Cincinnati Inc.
SOFTWARE
Cincinnati Inc.: CIberDash
Cincinnati Inc. QR Code
Software: Lantek Systems Inc.
SOFTWARE
Lantek Systems Inc.: Manufacturing Execution System
Lantek Systems Inc. QR Code
Software: Lantek Systems Inc.
SOFTWARE
Lantek Systems Inc.: Enterprise Resource Planning Solution
Lantek Systems Inc. QR Code
Software: Metamation Inc.
SOFTWARE
Metamation Inc.: Flux bending software
Metamation Inc. QR Code
Software: SigmaTEK Systems LLC
SOFTWARE
SigmaTEK Systems LLC: SigmaTEK Suite
SigmaTEK Systems LLC QR Code
Stamping/Presses: AIDA-America Corp.
STAMPING/PRESSES
AIDA-America Corp.: DSF-C1-A direct-drive gap frame servo press
AIDA-America Corp. QR Code
Stamping/Presses: AIDA-America Corp.
STAMPING/PRESSES
AIDA-America Corp.: DSF-M2 direct-drive servo presses
AIDA-America Corp. QR Code
Stamping/Presses: Beckwood Press Co.
STAMPING/PRESSES
Beckwood Press Co.: Custom Servo-Electric Presses
Beckwood Press Co. QR Code
Stamping/Presses: Nidec Press & Automation
STAMPING/PRESSES
Nidec Press & Automation: Minster GS2 Press Series
Nidec Press & Automation QR Code
Stamping/Presses: Stamtec
STAMPING/PRESSES
Stamtec: Get ahead of the curve with the latest in servo press technology
Stamtec QR Code
Stamping/Presses: Stamtec
STAMPING/PRESSES
Stamtec: Largest in-stock inventory of mechanical presses
Stamtec QR Code
Storage Solutions: Fehr Warehouse Solutions Inc.
STORAGE SOLUTIONS
Fehr Warehouse Solutions Inc.: 50 ft. Honeycomb system
Fehr Warehouse Solutions Inc. QR Code
Tool & Die Equipment: Pacesetter Systems
TOOL & DIE EQUIPMENT
Pacesetter Systems: 48 in. Heavy Duty Bolster Extensions
Pacesetter Systems QR Code
Tube & Pipe: BLM Group USA Corp.
TUBE & PIPE
BLM Group USA Corp.: Lasertube LT8.20
BLM Group USA Corp. QR Code
Tube & Pipe: HGG Profiling Equipment
TUBE & PIPE
HGG Profiling Equipment: UPC 450 Universal Profiler
HGG Profiling Equipment QR Code
Tube & Pipe: Parker Steel Company
TUBE & PIPE
Parker Steel Company: Metric Capillary Tubes
Parker Steel Company QR Code
Tube & Pipe: Parker Steel Company
TUBE & PIPE
Parker Steel Company: Metric Flat Oval Tubes
Parker Steel Company QR Code
Tube & Pipe: Parker Steel Company
TUBE & PIPE
Parker Steel Company: 4140 Alloy Round Tubes
Parker Steel Company QR Code
Tube & Pipe: Prudential Stainless & Alloys
TUBE & PIPE
Prudential Stainless & Alloys: Aluminum pipe and tube in odd-ball sizes
Prudential Stainless & Alloys QR Code
Tube & Pipe Bending: Ercolina – CML USA, Inc.
TUBE & PIPE BENDING
Ercolina – CML USA, Inc.: HB60 Hot Shot tube and pipe bender
Ercolina – CML USA, Inc. QR Code
Waterjet: Barton International
WATERJET
Barton International: Barton Abrasive Removal Tool – BART
Barton International QR Code
Waterjet: Flow International Corp.
WATERJET
Flow International Corp.: Mach 500 waterjet system
Flow International Corp. QR Code
Waterjet: Flow International Corp.
WATERJET
Flow International Corp.: SHAPE Delta Series waterjet cutting mixing tubes
Flow International Corp. QR Code
Waterjet: OMAX Corp.
WATERJET
OMAX Corp.: MAXIEM 1530 abrasive waterjet
OMAX Corp. QR Code
Welding: American Weldquip
WELDING
American Weldquip: Smoke Extraction Torches
American Weldquip QR Code
Welding: Diamond Ground Products Inc.
WELDING
Diamond Ground Products Inc.: Tri-Mix tungsten electrodes
Diamond Ground Products Inc. QR Code
Welding: John Tillman Co.
WELDING
John Tillman Co.: TIG Glove and cut resistant stick glove
John Tillman Co. QR Code
Welding: Strong Hand Tools
WELDING
Strong Hand Tools: PRO28 Welding Table
Strong Hand Tools QR Code
Welding: Strong Hand Tools
WELDING
Strong Hand Tools: Stainless Steel TIG Feeder
Strong Hand Tools QR Code
Welding: T.J. Snow Company
WELDING
T.J. Snow Company: Online resistance welding seminars
T.J. Snow Company QR Code
Workcell: Trumpf Inc.
WORKCELL
Trumpf Inc.: Trumpf Workcell/ TruBend Cell 7000/ TruMatic 1000 fiber
Trumpf Inc. QR Code
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Stamping/Presses
BY GRETCHEN SALOIS, SENIOR EDITOR
Hydraulic presses at work at Synergy Prototype Stamping where production-oriented tooling setups and designs benefit customers.
Durable dependability
Components are designed and built to withstand the toughest conditions using the latest heat treating technologies
W

ith a collection of presses ranging from a 15-ton mechanical press to a 600-ton hydraulic press, Synergy Prototype Stamping LLC can take on an order for a single part or 100,000 units. For customers in search of sources for low-volume production, it can be difficult to find companies that won’t charge high prototype piece prices or huge tooling expenses seen for high-volume jobs.

A manufacturer of aftermarket off-road vehicle parts turned to Synergy to manage parts from start to finish. “We can buy turnkey with finished weldments, fully coated and inspected and ready for our final packaging. That saves us time and additional management on our end,” says an engineering product manager at an off-road aftermarket vehicle part manufacturer.

Tube & Pipe
By Tim Schultz, Marcom Solutions
HGG’s RPC-1200 robotic beam cutting line also known as the beam profiler
HGG’s RPC-1200 robotic beam cutting line, left, also known as the beam profiler, cuts and prepares ready-to-fit parts for both welded and bolted connections.
Mapping manpower
Manufacturer employs automation to offset short supply of welders
T

he American Welding Society predicts the U.S. could see a shortage of 400,000 skilled welders by 2024. Older welders are reaching retirement age at a high rate while younger welders are not filling the gap fast enough. Experts suggest a couple courses of action to help solve the problem.

First, companies need to do more to entice younger people to consider the trades as an option to a four-year college education. Secondly, manufacturers and fabricators should look more closely at the latest advanced automation. FIM opted for the latter.

Plasma Technology
BY GRETCHEN SALOIS, SENIOR EDITOR
Pushing forward
Building custom equipment is made simpler with a practical purchase
Ergonomic Solutions Inc. builds special applications equipment using the Hornet dual-side drive 5-ft. by 12-ft. plasma.
W

hen lead times ballooned from two days to more than two weeks, Ergonomic Solutions Inc. (ESI) in Wichita, Kansas, decided to invest in its own plasma cutter. “We engineer parts for customers and lead times are important,” says Bill Schnittker, president. “We realized if we had our own high-definition plasma, we could finish parts ourselves and not rely on outside sources.”

ESI installs, engineers and manufacturers custom material handling products. It also serves as a dealer for everything from jib cranes and hoists to storage racks and automated guided vehicle systems.

Custom Fabricator
Know a great CUSTOM FABRICATOR? Tell us. Email Mark Koenig at mkoenig@ffjournal.net.
INSPIRATION
Inspiration is artist Zachary Oxman’s sculptural homage to another form of creative expression: the written word. “Words have power. They persuade, inform and convey the full range of human emotion.” In those few words, Oxman describes the essence of this large-scale, complex work, which stands 18 ft. high and weighs about 8,000 lbs. Nearly a year in the making, Inspiration showcases three notions: the writer (the fedora-wearing, 1940s-era reporter deep in thought), his tools (a notepad and typewriter), and his craft (the written word unfurled in newsprint coming off the press). Oxman used the lost-wax casting method for the sculpture’s figure, keys, typewriter return arm, plus for the letters and numbers on the typewriter’s strikers. The remainder of the piece was fabricated. Inspiration was commissioned by the Northwest Indiana Times newspaper, based in Munster, Indiana.
Learn more about this and other Custom Fabricators at www.ffjournal.net/customfabricator.
Photo: Zachary Oxman
Zachary Oxman and sculpture
INSPIRATION
Inspiration is artist Zachary Oxman’s sculptural homage to another form of creative expression: the written word. “Words have power. They persuade, inform and convey the full range of human emotion.” In those few words, Oxman describes the essence of this large-scale, complex work, which stands 18 ft. high and weighs about 8,000 lbs. Nearly a year in the making, Inspiration showcases three notions: the writer (the fedora-wearing, 1940s-era reporter deep in thought), his tools (a notepad and typewriter), and his craft (the written word unfurled in newsprint coming off the press). Oxman used the lost-wax casting method for the sculpture’s figure, keys, typewriter return arm, plus for the letters and numbers on the typewriter’s strikers. The remainder of the piece was fabricated. Inspiration was commissioned by the Northwest Indiana Times newspaper, based in Munster, Indiana.
Learn more about this and other Custom Fabricators at www.ffjournal.net/customfabricator.
Photo: Zachary Oxman
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Editor-in-Chief
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Editorial
Senior Editor
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Senior Editor
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Contributing Editor
Lauren Duensing
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FFJournal® (ISSN 1551-1006) November 2020 (Vol. 17, No. 10) is a registered trademark of Trend Publishing Inc. FFJournal® is published 11 times by Trend Publishing Inc., with its publishing office located at 123 W. Madison St., Suite 950, Chicago, Illinois 60602, 312/654-2300; fax 312/654-2323. Michael D’Alexander, President, Trend Publishing Inc. Copyright 2020 Trend Publishing Inc. All rights reserved under the United States, International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—mechanical, photocopying, electronic recording or otherwise—without the prior written permission of Trend Publishing Inc. Opinions expressed in articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of Trend Publishing Inc. Published free of charge for those who qualify. It is mailed at no cost to these qualified readers in the U.S., Canada and U.S. possessions. Single copies $14. Paid subscriptions in the U.S., $120/year. Canada, $140/year. Foreign subscriptions, $175/year surface mail and $255/year air mail. For subscription information, go to www.ffjournal.net or call 312-654-2300. Periodicals postage paid at Chicago and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to FFJournal® c/o Creative Data Services, Inc., 440 Quadrangle Drive Suite E, Bolingbrook, IL 60440. Printed in the USA.
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