FABTECH 2018: METALFORM, Fabricating, Welding (Part One)

FABTECH 2018 is North America’s largest collaboration of technology, equipment and knowledge in the metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing industry. This event takes place November 6-8 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, where more than 1,500 exhibitors and 35,000 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, discussions on key industry issues that influence manufacturing, and more. You don’t want to miss this!

Here are technical reviews of some of the metal forming and fabrication, welding, and tube and pipe machinery, tooling, systems and accessories that will be exhibited to help you navigate the show floor and manage your time while you’re there:

Servo Presses Increase Productivity, Improve Part Quality in Near-Fine Blanking and HSLA Blanking
The DSF-C1-1100 110 ton gap frame servo press and DSF-N2-3000 300 ton two-point straightside servo press from AIDA-America provide more flexibility to the press room than traditional fine blanking presses and a much more efficient, economical stamping process.

Small Parts Handling on Automated or Semi-Automated Systems
The AirPacer system from Automatic Tool Co. provides fixed precision pick-and-place motions controlled via a precision cam and powered by a pneumatic rotary actuator.

Point-Of-Use Indicators Increase Responsiveness, Repeatability and Reliability
SmartLight visual indicators from Balluff can direct, instruct and guide operators in nearly any manufacturing task to increase productivity and minimize workforce errors by providing innovative personnel guidance in pick-to-light systems, part placement, part positions, format change guidance and many other applications.

Upgraded Feed Line for Progressive Die Operations
The UnderLoop SpaceSaver from Dallas Industries is a reconfigured threading system featuring a servo-driven synthetic tension roll, UnderLoop lower threading table and rocker arm, and de-bending assembly.

ERP with Data Analytics for Machine Trending
The OEE KPIs Dashboard for EDA Mattec Content shows how the combination of ERP and MES content in the same EDA solution from Epicor gives shops a complete, affordable, and easy-to-use system.

Electronic Tapping Units Increase Stamping Productivity
Electronic Tapping Units from Fibro incorporate advanced servo technology and process control to increase stamping productivity and efficiency with a thread range of M0.8 to M24 and production speeds exceeding 140 SPM.

Laser Technology for Gearmaking, Powertrain, Off-Highway Applications
Available with CO2 or solid-state lasers with onboard loading and powerful CNC programming capabilities of the machine, the Arnold Ravensburg CNC workcell from GMTA is suitable for mass production or smaller batches.

Bladderless Fluid Forming of Large Prototypes or Oversized High Run Parts
The FormBalancer FB42 from FluidForming Americas can create complex parts at lower costs in titanium, aluminum, stainless steel, copper and other metals without the use of trouble-prone bladders.

How to Achieve Huge Energy Savings on Hydraulic Systems
To reduce the carbon footprint, Green Hydraulic Power units from MJC increase machine yield, reduce noise emissions, generate less heat, shorten machine cycle times and involve less oil volume, saving up 70 percent in energy costs.

Innovative Hydraulic Press Systems
Hydraulic presses from Greenerd range from gap frame and straight-side to die-spotting and forging presses, with unlimited size and tonnage capabilities and integration of FANUC robots.