February 2018
Digital Issue
The success of shale gas has quietly reshaped the energy business and positioned the U.S. to become the world’s largest liquified natural gas exporter. This is great news for fabricators that supply parts and assemblies to the oil and gas industry, because greater gas exports mean an increase in the construction of drilling equipment, storage units and infrastructure improvements that include natural gas pipelines and facilities for liquefying natural gas for export.
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From foundries to fabrication shops and final finishing, all areas of metalworking are looking to increase profitability through process efficiencies. Pneumatic tools that are appropriate for material removal can enable users to improve their productivity significantly. Here is a review of the latest air tools and how they are best suited to particular applications, along with considerations to take when specifying tools.
Resistance welding is a sub-specialty in the world of metal joining that was often ignored and taken for granted in the past, but not anymore: so many exciting new process technology developments are now taking place in this field that shops are trying to keep up so they can capitalize on the new business opportunities being created.
When it comes to flexible sheet metal fabrication, the punch machine might be a very old dog, but it has shown time and again that it has no problem learning new tricks with modular and interchangeable tooling.
The world’s most powerful all-electric pipe bending machine swings into action at a Norwegian shipyard, precision bending of 10 in diameter thick-walled carbon steel pipes.
The success of shale gas has positioned the U.S. to become the world’s largest liquified natural gas exporter. This is great news for fabricators that supply parts and assemblies to the oil and gas industry, because greater gas exports mean an increase in production of storage units and infrastructure improvements that include natural gas pipelines and facilities for liquefying natural gas for export.
When it comes to flexible sheet metal fabrication, the punch machine might be a very old dog, but it has shown time and again that it has no problem learning new tricks with modular and interchangeable tooling.
Realistic simulation of the entire hybrid process enables users to verify that the part will be built correctly, without causing damage to the part, machine, or expensive laser equipment. This enables shops to gain a competitive edge by choosing the best manufacturing strategies for creating, customizing and/or repairing products – all while redefining their current production technology to create new possibilities.
Site downtime can costs millions due to a multitude of factors that cause delays and deviations away from the original specification and have large impacts on the timescale of a project and, more significantly, on the budget. This is why oilfield service companies and their parts suppliers must be able to respond quickly and deliver jobs fast.
To replace some outdated equipment and upgrade their manufacturing capabilities, this machine shop invested in a universal turning center that gave them the opportunity to bid for larger work at a competitive cost. Now it provides the capacity they need to absorb the increasing workload they are experiencing through winning more business.
Their ambitious growth plans include investing $3.8 million in machine tools and automation for rapid 10-day turnaround of orders.
From foundries to fabrication shops and final finishing, all areas of metalworking are looking to increase profitability through process efficiencies. Pneumatic tools that are appropriate for material removal can enable users to improve their productivity significantly. Here is a review of the latest air tools and how they are best suited to particular applications, along with considerations to take when specifying tools.
Realistic simulation of the entire hybrid process enables users to verify that the part will be built correctly, without causing damage to the part, machine, or expensive laser equipment. This enables shops to gain a competitive edge by choosing the best manufacturing strategies for creating, customizing and/or repairing products – all while redefining their current production technology to create new possibilities.
Critical for medical device microwelding that requires a focused spot of light with a well-defined, narrow, and reproducible bandwidth and intensity profile, the Ophir Focal Spot Analyzer from MKS Instruments is so accurate that the distance to the camera array is NIST-traceable.
Increasing consumption of oil and gas resources is opening a pipeline of new opportunities for oilfield services companies and their parts suppliers that manufacture, repair and maintain the equipment used in setting up oil and gas wells, oil extraction and transport.
To achieve the perfect weld, operators must be able to clearly see their work. This new lens technology from Miller Electric optimizes contrast and clarity in both welding and light states so that operators see natural color tones and get a crisp, high-definition view of the workpiece.
Take a closer look at how a welding process conversion and equipment standardization in their Brittmoore pipe shop in Houston helped to significantly increase productivity and improve on already-high weld passage rates in only a few months.
Resistance welding is a sub-specialty in the world of metal joining that was often ignored and taken for granted in the past, but not anymore: so many exciting new process technology developments are now taking place in this field that shops are trying to keep up so they can capitalize on the new business opportunities being created.
For handling oily and wet surfaces in pressrooms, the GEN II Flex Spray Oiler system from Atlas Technologies provides a cleaner, safer and more cost efficient operation that doesn’t sacrifice quality.
If a spindle breaks down, what is your shop’s plan of action? Is it the most practical and efficient way to deal with a down spindle?
Correct set-up of the padded reamer is critical to successful reaming, but proper selection of a metalworking fluid is also crucial for sufficient lubrication and emulsion properties that efficiently carry fines, help minimize defects, maximize throughput and increase tool life.
The patented EdgeAlert Open Gate Alarm System from Wildeck will signal an open gate condition with a highly visible flashing light and a loud audible alarm to prevent employees from falling and sustaining severe injuries.
Take a closer look at some of the tooling and workholding that oilfield service companies and their parts suppliers can use to respond to jobs quicker and deliver faster turnarounds of parts and assemblies for maintenance, repair or replacement of oil and gas assets in the field that keep the pipelines flowing.
Users of lower-end abrasive brushes in oil and gas and pipe construction work sometimes change out their tools five times a day. They don’t have to anymore: new high performance brushes last long without sacrificing superior cut and removal in heavy or radial deburring jobs such as weld cleanup, root and hot pass, surface preparation, pipe joining and other jobs.
Cutting large structural beams and tubing can be a demanding application for metal fabricators. New innovations in bi-metal band saw blades can provide the cost-effective solutions they need to meet a range of specialty cutting applications.
Want to make the most out of your investment in punch press tooling and also help ensure the longevity of your machines? Here are a few simple maintenance recommendations to follow.
Critical for medical device microwelding that requires a focused spot of light with a well-defined, narrow, and reproducible bandwidth and intensity profile, the Ophir Focal Spot Analyzer from MKS Instruments is so accurate that the distance to the camera array is NIST-traceable.
