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LESSONS LEARNED IN GTAW QUALIFICATION TESTING
To emphasize the importance of the effects of welding heat input and cooling rate on weld mechanical properties, Regis Geisler of Lincoln Electric analyzes another application where a one percent nickel electrode was successfully implemented in a welding application.
CNC CAN MAKE YOU A MULTI-TASKING ASSET TO YOUR COMPANY
Attention Operators: Today’s advanced CNC can look and feel the same way, whether on grinders, milling machines, lathes or another machine tool, and also on press brakes, lasers, welding systems and other fabrication equipment . . . get the picture? Randy Pearson of Siemens Industry explains how and why.
TOUGH TIMES: THE IMPERATIVE FOR PROCESS CONTROL
Mike Riley presents a simple model from industrial metrology supplier Renishaw Inc. that explains the sources of process non-conformance and the process control methods to address them – something manufacturers will need if and when times get tough.
Selling Safety, Revisited
Phil La Duke of Rockford Greene explains why and how Safety must distinguish discretionary spending from non-discretionary spending and be prepared to explain why a safety initiative must be implemented immediately instead of waiting for a better business climate.
Probing Thoughts About, Well, Probing
Sophisticated CNC can do much more than just find the edge for you. Randy Pearson of Siemens Industry shows how it also improves part production and repeatability on prismatic and complex 5-axis jobs alike . . . and it keeps score!
Troubleshooting the Wire Feed System
Accurately troubleshooting problems with the delivery of the welding wire to the weld pool and the current to the wire when they arise or, better yet, avoiding them before they arise, is crucial to maximizing the benefits that these processes offer.
Shedding Light on Light Curtains
It is not a difficult engineering challenge to design effective safeguarding for virtually any type of machine. Sergio Aguilar of Omron STI explains how the real challenge is to provide guarding that will deliver high levels of safety while also enabling high productivity and throughput.
WELDING IN THE ENERGY SECTOR: CAN A PROCESS CHANGE HELP MEET INCREASING DEMANDS?
As the demands for energy continue to increase worldwide, fabricators serving this industry will be challenged to remain competitive by changing from the stick welding process to a gas-shielded flux-cored welding process. Tim Hensley of Hobart Brothers explains why they must carefully assess their quality needs and available labor or training ability before making this sort of switch.
EDUCATION: CHANGING THE STATUS QUO
Doing More With Less: Guest columnist Dale Petts of Simonds International sees a perfect storm brewing as baby boomers retire and young people view factory work as dirty, dangerous and unfulfilling. But he also sees an industry that is discovering how online training technology can build the competitive value of its workforce.
FROM TRAINING TO PRODUCTION: NOW YOU SEE IT, NOW YOU DO IT
An offline personal computer can be used to train the operators, who then run the program on a virtual control to prove it out, all before running it on a costly machine tool . . . Randy Pearson of Siemens Industry explains how this evolution of the quasi-CAM system brings so many advantages to the shop.
USING 1 PERCENT NICKEL ELECTRODES FOR HIGHLY RESTRAINED WELDS, HIGHLY HARDENABLE STEELS
Circumstances exist in which the selection of low-hydrogen, mild steel electrodes such as ER70S-6 solid wire or E7018 stick electrode is not enough to prevent weld cracking. Regis Geisler of Lincoln Electric explores the reasons for this and offer possible alternatives to these filler materials.
JUST CULTURE
Does the overall culture of a company have at least as powerful an influence on worker safety as the actions of the workers themselves? In exploring this controversial safety philosophy, Phil La Duke of Rockford Greene investigates whether an environment where people feel comfortable making and reporting mistakes is better equipped to determine the root cause of a problem and implement counter measures to prevent recurrence.
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