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Thom Burns

Thom Burns is the Technical Services Director for AlcoTec Wire Corporation, 2750 Aero Park Drive, Traverse City, MI 49686, 231-922-1218, tburns@alcotec.com. AlcoTec is a member of the ESAB Group of companies, www.esabna.com.

Articles by Thom Burns

Characteristics of Heat Treatable vs. Non Heat Treatable Aluminum Alloys

There are certainly differences in strengths for aluminum alloys, whether they are heat-treatable or not. These different characteristics impact the final strength of the weld because these alloys differ in their chemical and metallurgical structure and in how they react during the welding process.

How to Avoid Cracking in Aluminum Alloys

Thom Burns of AlcoTec Wire shares some tricks of the trade on some deeper insights into potential problems associated with cracking and the various characteristics of many different aluminum alloys.

Improving Feedability in Aluminum Welding

Due to the poor column strength of aluminum, the wire easily bends or twists when pushed through a typical GMAW wire feeder and gun system, causing “bird-nesting.” Thom Burns of AltoTec shares some ways to prevent this problem.

Industry News

Hainbuch America, Hainbuch, workholding automation.transformed workholding, true seamless integration, direct measurement, clamping device, right on the machine itself, no more wasted steps or lost time, September 10th, Booth W-431636, HAINBUCH Booth W-431636
The Next Big Thing in Workholding Automation is Here

The pieces will come together at IMTS 2024!
Sandvik Coromant, Jeff Rizzie, IMTS 2024, “The Cutting Edge of Connectivity: How Sensorized Tooling is Driving Manufacturing into the Future," machining, tooling, Veronica Messersmith
Sandvik Coromant to Present “The Cutting Edge of Connectivity” at IMTS 2024

Industry expert Jeff Rizzie looks at the future of machining with sensorized tooling in educational session at the 2024 International Manufacturing Technology Show.
BLM GROUP USA, Mauro Corno, expansion, metal fabrication machines, bending technologies
BLM GROUP USA Breaks Ground on Office Expansion in Novi, Mich.

BLM GROUP USA has announced today plans to expand the Novi headquarters for North America during their groundbreaking ceremony. This nearly 65,000 square-foot expansion is a key advancement to support the organization’s plans for nurturing the unprecedented growth of their…
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