If you’re a detail-oriented individual with a strong mechanical aptitude and would enjoy working in a manufacturing or construction environment, then becoming a welder could be an ideal career choice. Welders use handheld or remotely controlled equipment to join metal components together. You can also earn a solid living as a welder. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual income for welders as of 2016 was nearly $40,000, while the top 10 percent earned more than $60,000 per year. However, welding demands a unique skill set that requires specialized training. In ad ..read more

Robotic welding automates the welding process to increase accuracy, enhance safety and reduce the time needed to complete each project. These benefits make the robotic welding process a popular alternative to manual metal joining. Several industries take advantage of this automated process to get the results they need as quickly as possible. Types of Robotic Welding Processes Welding requires a high level of education and skill. However, the number of professional welders does not meet the needs of the industry. According to the American Welding Society, by 2023, the industry will require ove ..read more

The welding industry has been facing a shortage of workers in the last few years, and this will continue in the near future. The American Welding Society predicts a deficit of 400,000 welders by 2024, showing a decreasing number of welders in the U.S. This decrease in demand is due to several different sources, which can be addressed with certain strategies like new educational technology and automated equipment. Let’s take a closer look at the welder shortage and how it’s affecting the way the industry works. What’s Causing the Shortage? There are several reasons for the welding operator sho ..read more

To meet the demands of the welding process, robotic welding has emerged as an important advancement. When it comes to robotic vs manual welding, each technique has specific pros and cons. So how does each process work, and what are their advantages? Here’s what you need to know. Robotic Welding So what is robotic welding? Like it sounds, robotic welding is when robots are used to automate the welding process. There are two types of robotic welding: fully-automated and semi-automated. With fully-automated robotic welding, the robots guide the metal through the entire process. With semi-automat ..read more

If you have a diverse supply base in traditional terms, you have a pool of suppliers manufacturing different things for you. The different pieces that make up the end product to your company all come together at some point in time. Think of the work, time, and money involved in making this happen; using five suppliers and the associated risk involved to insure everything comes together perfectly. An example of this process is below. I ask that you think of all of the work your company performs and cost incurred when doing business this way? You outsource the following pieces for your end prod ..read more

In 1837, a young blacksmith named John Deere revolutionized the agricultural world with his steel plow. He replaced the familiar cast iron with steel, noting that the rich soils of the Midwest didn’t stick to it. Plowing became faster and more manageable. Steel continues to be the best metal for farm implements today, though its usage differs based on the application. The Best Metal for Agriculture Equipment Most heavy equipment manufacturers still rely on steel for the primary construction of their machinery. Structural steel shells meet with solid steel frames on tractors, combines, tillers ..read more

Numerous metal manufacturing processes exist for fabricating and finishing parts. Some methods have withstood the test of time, while others are newer to the industry. Each parts manufacturing process has distinct advantages that make it ideal for specific project applications. Sheet Metal Sheet metal is one of the more prevalent production methods because it accommodates many different metals. Aluminum, nickel, tin, copper and steel are all good candidates for sheet metal. The base metal passes through a series of rollers designed to flatten the metal to a specified thickness or gauge. Fabric ..read more

From doorknobs and locks to cars and kitchen appliances, metal manufacturing produces many of the tools and products we use every day. Metal fabrication plays a significant role in the advancement of technology and innovation. As new machines and processes are implemented into metal manufacturing, fabricators can create more advanced products and increase efficiency. This innovation makes new products more affordable, giving more people access to them. Metal fabrication machinery speeds up the production rate, reduces operation costs and increases the accuracy of its processes. Metal Fabricati ..read more

Metal manufacturing is integral to modern society. Locks, chairs, utensils, light fixtures, cars and many more of the products and tools we use daily are made possible through metalworking. Metalworking throughout history has played a crucial role in society and the progression of technology. The history of metal fabrication extends to ancient civilizations that used metal to craft coins, weapons and art. From early metal fabrication processes to the production of modern, high-tech equipment today, metal manufacturing allows people to create innovative, time-saving products that improve t ..read more

Every great product begins as an idea. Researchers, engineers and manufacturers all play a part in transforming that idea into a viable product that improves the lives of those who use it. Moving your product through the stages from design to fabrication to product release is a complex process with many factors involved. Each idea flows through gradual stages that lead to the ultimate mass production of a successful new product. 1. Prototype Design The first step in the manufacturing process is to come up with a practical design. You will typically begin design fabrication with intense researc ..read more