DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS FOR ROBOTIC WELDING CELL SAFETY

Sergio Aguilar of Omron STI explores the inherent differences in robotic welding cells that make it important to develop a safety strategy for each cell and select the optimal technologies to match that strategy.

WHAT YOU MUST KNOW ABOUT MACHINE TOOL PROBES

Sharad Munda of Marposs walks through some of the basic decision points to consider when choosing between contact and non-contact sensors, different wireless communication methods, and systems that deliver everything from simple presence detection to sophisticated precision dimensional and geometric measurement of tools and workpieces.

THE LOWDOWN ON WELDING POWER SOURCE

Jeff Herb of Miller Electric explains why no welding power source solution can fit all needs, then shows how an understanding of your application, your future needs and your environment will help you pick the right power source.

FLEXIBLE AUTOMATION FOR GLOBAL COMPETITION

The MMC2 flexible manufacturing system from Makino helps shops reduce costs, increase throughput and improve quality while adapting quickly to a constantly shifting production schedule.

INCREASE PRESS BRAKE PRODUCTIVITY WHEN BENDING PLATE MATERIALS

The new HD line from Wila USA is targeted at applications bending 5/16 in to 1 in (8 mm to 25 mm) thick plate and for those who have highly concentrated load applications such as bending high tensile strength materials in smaller than normal V-die openings.

FLEXIBLE AND PRODUCTIVE PRESS BRAKE BENDING

The TruBend 5130 press brake from TRUMPF offers flexibility for fabricators looking to bend a variety of parts. Whether the parts are large or small, complex or simple, the patented ACB measuring technique ensures that the bending angles are correct, right from the start.

  • METAL FORMING & FABRICATING

  • The 1000 ton 22 ft Pacific Press K Series press brake uses the latest in optional fabricating equipment numerical controls with a rigid, interlocked design and pre-crowned beds.(Click on photo to enlarge it)

    PRESS BRAKE FOR FOR LARGE STEEL FABRICATION

    Northeastern Manufacturing and Sales was able to grow its large fabrication business by investing in a rugged 1000 ton, 22 ft K Series press brake from Pacific Press Technologies that uses the latest in optional fabricating equipment numerical controls to increase reliability and capacity and reduce operating costs.

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  • EMERGING TRENDS IN PRESS BRAKE AUTOMATION

    EMERGING TRENDS IN PRESS BRAKE AUTOMATION

    Paul LeTang of LVD Strippit explains how press brake automation is moving toward the eventual outcome of a system where piece cost is the same, no matter how large the batch size, and setup up time is effectively eliminated.

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  • THOSE WHO HAVE THE GOLD

    THOSE WHO HAVE THE GOLD

    Thoughts and Observations On Borrowing from Banks: Steve LeFever of Business Resource Services explains how the “Five Cs of Credit” can help shops improve their relationship with bankers by increasing their “bankability.”

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  • WELDING

  • MIG welding of high-horsepower wheeled tractor components in the Jackson, MN facility of AGCO Corporation. Two primary factors that determine output power are material thickness and the diameter of the wire or electrode used for welding.(Click on photo to enlarge it)

    THE LOWDOWN ON WELDING POWER SOURCE

    Jeff Herb of Miller Electric explains why no welding power source solution can fit all needs, then shows how an understanding of your application, your future needs and your environment will help you pick the right power source.

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  • Welding “out of position” is welding against gravity and is much more limited to the size of the molten puddle being carried. How fast the weld metal solidifies and the support of a fast freezing slag system, if present, are keys to successful out-of-position welding.(Photo courtesy of Chevy Hard Core; click on photo to enlarge it)

    LARGEST DIAMETER FCAW WIRE FOR OUT-OF-POSITION WELDING

    Tom Myers of Lincoln Electric examines the size and type of wire needed to weld out of position with a mild-steel, flux-cored wire as fast as possible.

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  • Dr. Ryan Anderson utilizes the VRTEX® 360 virtual reality arc welding trainer to introduce future teachers to the fundamentals of the welding trade.(Click on photo to enlarge it)

    TEACH YOUR CHILDREN WELL

    Virtual reality welding technology from Lincoln Electric not only helps future Ag-Ed teachers at Iowa State University train and prepare for upcoming careers, it serves as a recruiting tool to advance the proud ISU tradition of producing the nation’s next generation of skilled Ag-Ed teachers.

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