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Show Me the Money: Costing and Quoting in the Metal Fabrication Industry
Few factors have a bigger impact on the sales, health, and bottom line of your business than costing and quoting. Most of us realize that if we set our prices too high then our products and services will not sell, but the problem is often the opposite: we price too low. How do we set prices?
Tool Measuring Systems and RFID Working: A Powerful Combination
Efficiently moving information around your shop floor is more important than ever. Connected through RFID, a shop can now use a tool presetter to monitor things never monitored before and use that data to fine-tune processes, reduce inefficient costs like scrap and waste, and make the factory floor smarter, streamlined, far more efficient and competitive.
Prevent Slug Pulling with the Right Die Clearance
Proper die clearance allows for upper and lower fracture lines to connect. The typical stamping industry rule of thumb is to use 10 percent material thickness as clearance between the punch and die button, but this guideline does not take into account variable material types. What is the optimal die clearance?
What Does “Collaborative” Really Mean?
Human-robot collaboration is changing manufacturing operations by helping shops deal with competitive pressures and a lack of skilled labor, but it is not a “one size fits all” solution. Before you invest, consider the different forms of robotic collaboration and how they apply to your entire application.
How to Clean Welds Faster With a Wire Brush
Saving even a few minutes with each weld cleaning can add up over time in the welding operation. Here’s how to choose the right wheel for the job and the best practices to follow that will optimize performance and efficiency when using wire brushes.
Switching Polarity in Welding Applications
When competing for time-critical jobs, saving even a few minutes with each changeover can make a significant difference and reduce operator exposure to trip and fall hazards. Investing in technology that allows welders to easily change processes with the push of a button at the weld joint can save substantial time, increase weld quality and improve operator safety.
How to Effectively Manage Multi-Operation Assemblies
These difficult jobs are increasingly more customized, with shorter lead times and tougher pricing pressure. Any change in the process or machinery can cause huge setbacks in production and eat into your profits. What is the answer to managing this type of work?
Meeting the Challenges of Sawing Exotic Materials
Are you having problems with these tough materials? New and better blades are increasing blade productivity while maintaining or improving both blade life and cut tolerance – they are even being used to cut parts to a final size, without the necessity of additional machining.
No Job Too Small
The use of smaller abrasives and supporting tools is growing in shops that are less concerned about stock removal and heavy deburring but need to produce parts with fine finishes, want more control for less gouging of parts, and desire improved ergonomics.
Manufacturing vs. Fabrication: How to Make the Distinction
Is your operation highly repeatable or do you require more equipment and personnel flexibility for a wider range of work? Knowing the difference is important in selecting the right equipment and process optimization needed to maximize productivity, save time and money.
More Than One Way to Skin a Part: Where Fabrication and Machining Overlap
Don’t take the “hard limits” between machining and fabrication for granted. Their areas of overlap offer tremendous potential for savings. If you manufacture parts using both processes, take a second look at some of them to evaluate whether they could be produced more economically with a little sheet metal know-how and some outside-the-box thinking.
Need More Punching Capacity? Turn Your Press Brake Into a Punch Press
Does limited punching capacity and outsourcing lead times cause production delays in your shop? Here is a simple, affordable and effective system that can expand the capabilities of your press brakes, help streamline operations and eliminate the need for outsourcing or purchasing new equipment.
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