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Will the Real Collaborative Robot (aka Cobot) Please Stand Up?
A robotic system is ‘collaborative’ only if all elements – robot, tooling, workpiece, and work area – meet international safety standards. Depending on application, you may be able to turn a standard industrial robot into a cobot and comply.
For Digitization in Manufacturing, the Show Will Go On
Not even a pandemic can interfere with metalworking’s inexorable technological progress. Blowing way past automation, entrepreneurs are harnessing digital know-how to solve analog problems — wherever they find them.
Laser Cutter That Thinks for Itself Opens the Door to a Fully Automated Process
Trumpf’s Active Speed Control uses artificial intelligence to completely eliminate the need for an operator to monitor cutting and, if necessary, tweak parameters. The technology automatically adjusts feed rate to ensure part quality when cutting plate with chemistry, thickness, or surface condition variations.
Easy Wins: Adapting to a New Manufacturing Reality
As many fabricating and metalworking companies seek to revitalize production in these trying times, a new sense of urgency is prompting creative approaches to automation. While each shop will forge a unique path to its own new reality, they’ll share common challenges and solutions.
Auto Racing-World Manufacturer Cuts New Path to Profitability with Automated Metal Cutting
The world’s top engine builders and auto enthusiasts rely on Borla Performance Industries exhaust systems, but parts were taking too long to program and produce. Switching from CNC machining to automated plasma cutting is drastically reducing cycle times.
How to Optimize Sawing Operations
A sawing specialist asks and answers four basic questions about feed rate and feed pressure, blade life, determining cutting feed and cutting speed, and optimizing tooth selection.
Where There’s a Mill There’s a Way – Online Marketplace Reboots Machinist’s Career
Todd White started to do a couple jobs a month with one Tormach machine in his garage. After qualifying to become a Xometry manufacturing partner, he’s become a full-fledged shop with multiple machines and work for a wide variety of customers.
How Safe Use of Cutting and Grinding Abrasives Benefits Productivity
Some operators learn as they go or get advice from coworkers who may (or may not) have received appropriate training. Unfortunately, learning about abrasives through trial and error can cause unnecessary accidents and injuries while negatively impacting productivity and costs.
Four Tips for Developing an Effective In-House Welder Training Program
Even seasoned welders don’t always remember – if they ever learned – all the basics regarding techniques and materials. Optimize fabricating operations and help plug your future skilled-labor gap by instilling good habits from the start.
5 Ways to Calculate Your Actual Welding Costs
Tracking equipment purchases, labor hours, filler metal, and consumables is obvious and relatively straightforward. If you’re like many fabricators, though, you’re probably also budgeting for expenses you shouldn’t have to incur.
Busted: 5 Myths About Metal-Cored Welding Wire
Metal-cored wire isn’t new, but there are often misconceptions about applications, cost, performance, strength, and workability compared to solid wire. Read on to learn how you might be missing opportunities to increase welding operation productivity for less cost.
Meet the Juggling Juggernauts
Overwhelmed about where and how to start digitizing? Relax. Rome wasn’t built in a day, either.
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