FABTECH 2017: Welding
The 2017 edition of FABTECH is on track to be one of the largest welding events ever at McCormick Place in Chicago, and our special coverage provides technical reviews of some of the welding systems and accessories that will be exhibited to help you navigate the show floor and manage your time while you’re there.
Posted: September 22, 2017
FABTECH 2017 is North America’s largest collaboration of technology, equipment and knowledge in the metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing industry. The event takes place November 6-9 and will occupy over 750,000 sq ft in the McCormick Center in Chicago, where more than 1,700 exhibitors and 50,000 attendees will have full access to special events, presentations, educational sessions and live demonstrations of the latest technology and integrated solutions, along with one-on-one exchanges with exhibitors and networking with industry leaders. There will also be opportunities to attend keynote presentations, a state of the industry outlook, discussions on key industry issues that influence manufacturing, and more. You don’t want to miss this:
Next Generation Welding Torch Technology
The lightweight ABIMIG AT torch, the ABIMIG WT water-cooled torch, the CAT3 Collision Mount, the ABIROB Cyclone and the TSi Injection Unit from Abicor Binzel are ideal for advancing productivity in robotic welding operations.
Innovative Clamp Reduces Distortion During Welding Process
The Angle-Rite Clamping System from Meridian Stainless helps welders reduce shrinkage distortion when welding tube or pipe and helps save time by allowing complete set-up, cutting, and welding to take place with the clamp attached so that the angle and rotation are maintained throughout the entire process.
Live Welding and Gun Repair/Maintenance Demonstrations
Bernard and Tregaskiss will showcase their welding guns and consumables and demonstrate how to repair, maintain and install option changes to Bernard BTB Semi-Automatic Air-Cooled MIG Guns to illustrate the ease of maintenance or modification.
Collapsible Tool Storage Cart Increases Productivity of Technicians
The narrow and collapsible C27S Tool Trolley from Beta Tools is a key-locking tool storage cart that conveniently keeps the most frequently used tools right where the technician is working so there are less trips back and forth to a large tool cabinet.
Modular Fixturing Systems for Welding Reduces Downstream Installation Times
A pneumatically-controlled braking option for manual rollover positioners from Bluco can be retrofitted to existing units to provide constant friction that prevents rotation unless the foot pedal is engaged to allow rotation of the center axis.
Auto Height Control for Welding, Plasma Cutting and Plasma Gouging
Automatic Height Control for welding, plasma cutting and plasma gouging from Bug-O Systems utilizes arc sensing to automatically control the height of the torch from the workpiece to maintain proper arc length and provide proper and consistent weld or cut quality.
A Perfect Fit for Automation: One Platform, Endless Possibilities
Kawasaki Robotics features FASTSUITE Edition 2 software from CENIT for the efficient development, reliable programming and effective optimization of their robot cells, special machines and integrated manufacturing cells that can be customized for any production environment.
Portable Multi-Functional Mag Drill with Automatic Feed and Reverse for Large Holemaking
With adjustable automatic feed and power retraction and an integrated automatic cooling/lubrication system, the portable MAB 1300 V mag drill from CS Unitec is suitable for production applications and can tap large holes up to 1-5/8 in diameter.
Portable, Digital Ultrasonic Flaw Detection
The handheld ECHO FD from Danatronics is equipped with a 3.5 in sunlight readable color display, Peak Memory, two independent gates, DAC curves, AWS software, 2 GB of micro-SD card memory, encoded B-scan, grid view supervisor lock, and a floating and tracking gate option.
Abrasives that are More Effective at Low Speeds with Less Pressure
SUNBURST thermoplastic abrasives from Dedeco are less expensive and more effective at low speeds with less pressure, making them more durable and an even better value.
Resistance Welding Systems for High Strength Steel and Aluminum
The Flexwave Capacitor Discharge Welder, the NDZ-CDW variable-output Capacitor Discharge Welder, and the High Force Lightweight Reduction Gear X-Gun from Dengensha America are all specially created to maximize quality, minimize heat transfer and eliminate heat distortion when welding high strength steel and aluminum.
Tungsten Grinder Offers the Latest Tungsten Preparation Technology
The redesigned and refreshed Piranha II Tungsten Grinder from Diamond Ground Products has a sliding dust shield for 100 percent dust containment that is ideal for longitudinal diamond grinding, flatting and notch-cutting of .040 in, 1/16 in and 3/32 in tungsten electrode diameters.
Positioners Improve Ergonomics, Safety, Weld Quality and Robotic Efficiency
The Short Stroke – low capacity fixed headstock/tailstock welding and assembly positioner from ALM Positioners is ideal for applications that don’t require high clearance and heavy lifting, and features all of the safety and ergonomic advantages of intelligent positioning systems.