FABTECH 2018: Fabricating, Finishing, Additive Manufacturing (Part Two)

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 equipment, finishing tools and systems, additive manufacturing systems and more that will be exhibited to help you navigate the show floor and manage your time while you’re there:

Portable Morse Taper Magnetic Drill Can Tackle More Job Operations
The HMD2MT portable magnetic drill from Hougen features a #2 Morse Taper arbor system for increased versatility, giving steel fabricators the flexibility to tackle more job operations with one tool.

Zero Discharge Spray Washer Process
The Zero Discharge Spray Washer Process from Houghton eliminates all process water discharge from the washing process, resulting in the elimination of waste water permitting, notice of effluent violations, and all costs related to excessive water usage.

New Cutting Systems and Software Advance Shop Fabrication Operations
Hypertherm offers their new X-Definition class plasma cutting system, HyPrecision Waterjet pump with advanced predictive maintenance capabilities, new versions of their ProNest and Robotmaster software, and an extensive line-up of specialty torches and consumables.

How to Safely Transfer Metal Blanks, Stampings and Parts in Automated Applications and Press Operations
Transporters from Industrial Magnetics transfer metal blanks, stampings, perforated and odd-shaped parts in automated station-to-station, press-to-press transfer or robotic pick-and-place applications.

Double-Miter Bandsaw for Cut-To-Size Parts Used in Heavy Fabrication
For cut-to-size pieces in the steel industry, iron and steel trade, plant construction and special machine building, the KASTOmiwin double-miter bandsaw from KASTO makes cut-to-length and miter cuts between -45 deg and +60 deg.

New Waterjet Pump Technology Reduces Cutting Times by Up to Half
PRO-III 125 hp and 60 hp pumps from KMT Waterjet can cut metal, aluminum, steel, stainless steel, titanium, rubber, plastic, glass and other materials in up to half the time, including 5-axis three-dimensional cutting operations, with significant savings in abrasive consumption usage.

Faster Processing of Aluminum, High Strength Steel and Brass Parts
The TLH 5-axis fiber laser system from Komatsu provides faster processing of aluminum, high strength steel or brass parts, and excellent cut quality on hot stamped parts.

Deslag Line for Metal Service Centers
The Deslag Line from LISSMAC uses Power Pin Belts on top and bottom that chip away the slag formed from plasma or oxy-fuel cutting systems, then two grinding belts on the top and bottom complete a final grind of any slag left on the part, and two sand block belts on the top and bottom round the edges on the part.

Jig Magnets for Precise Positioning and Unbeatable Holding Strength
Neodymium On/Off Magnetic Welding Squares from Master Magnetics allow fast set-ups, accurate and powerful holding, and come with pre-tapped holes on all sides for versatile mounting on both flat and round stock.

Faster Turret Press and Press Brake Setups, Improved Slitting of Thick Materials, and Fiber and CO2 Laser Cutting
Mate Precision offers QCT Metric quick change tool-less tooling, the Versadie HD clamp clearing system that uses unique design features to improve slitting thick materials, and Laser Accessories to help shops improve their fabricating efficiency.

Game-Changing Direct Diode Laser Cutting Technology
The Optiplex 3015 DDL 6 kW direct diode laser cutting system from Mazak Optonics utilizes flying optics, a two-pallet changer and a high performance digital drive package.

Industry 4.0 Fiber Laser Cutting System
In line with Industry 4.0 real-time process, consumption and service monitoring, the Advanced 800 eX-F fiber laser cutting system from MC Machinery incorporates an all-new M800 control with enhanced industry-leading functionality.

Advanced Plasma Cutting Systems that Meet Modern Fabrication Demands
Messer Cutting Systems offers the MetalMaster Xcel plasma cutting machine with traverse speeds of 3,000 ipm and high acceleration drives, the MetalMaster 2.0 unitized cutting machine and the MetalMaster Evolution unitized cutting machine.

Efficiency-Driven Fiber Laser Cutting, Turret Punch Press Operations
The Muratec LS3015GC fiber laser from Murata Machinery cuts through steel, stainless steel, aluminum, brass, bronze and other ferrous and nonferrous metals, while their Motorum M2044TS turret punch press uses a servo-electric punch drive system that incorporates the latest ram drive design.

Ultra-High Purity Nitrogen Gas Generators for Laser Cutting Applications
Nano GEN2 nitrogen gas generators from Nano-Purification Solutions provide operating pressures of 145 psig and 232 psig and boost pressures to 5,000 psig for flow rates with purities from 95 percent to 99.999 percent.

Larger Pump for Economical Abrasive Waterjet Operations
For educators, job shops, fabricators, and manufacturers who need an economical abrasive waterjet, the GlobalMAX 10 hp pump from OMAX delivers 30,000 psi pressure to the cutting nozzle of a GlobalMAX JetMachining Center.