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More from Tim Heston
- From The Fabricator
The business case for investing in high-powered laser cutting
- By Tim Heston
- Oct 13, 2023
- Laser Cutting
- Article
Tennessee-based Cupples’ J&J Co. has been pushing the limits of high-power fiber laser cutting for years. The strategy has helped the metal fabricator become a leader in rapidly growing markets.
- From The Fabricator
Capturing metal fabrication knowledge at FABTECH
- By Tim Heston
- Oct 12, 2023
- Automation and Robotics
- Blog Post
September’s FABTECH was the busiest in years. Discussions of autonomous operation, machine learning, and artificial intelligence had a common theme: making best use of a workforce that metal fabrication shops already have available.
- From The Fabricator
One metal fabricator’s advice to build a better shop culture
- By Tim Heston
- Oct 11, 2023
- Arc Welding
- Article
In 2012, this Wichita, Kan., operation had a limited customer base and a poor reputation. Today, the shop has won several quality and safety awards, and revenue has grown eight times over.
- From The Fabricator
3 steps to refreshing a metal fabrication shop's press brake department
- By Tim Heston
- Oct 2, 2023
- Bending and Forming
- Article
What happens to a metal fabrication shop when experienced skilled workers leave a forming department? If the process isn’t under control, chaos can reign.
- From The Fabricator
21-year-old breaks Gen Z stereotype with metal fabrication start-up
- By Tim Heston
- Sep 18, 2023
- Plasma Cutting
- Article
In 2018, Wyatt Braker launched Plasma Cutting Services, a fabricator in rural southwest Missouri. He's invested in a high-definition plasma, a press brake, and business is booming. Not bad for a 21-year-old.
- From The Fabricator
Metal fabricators need a dedicated automation champion
- By Tim Heston
- Sep 16, 2023
- Automation and Robotics
- Blog Post
Even at small metal fabrication businesses, managing the shop’s automation strategy really should be a full-time gig.
- From The Fabricator
Innovative weld positioning boosts throughput at Team Industries
- By Tim Heston
- Sep 11, 2023
- Arc Welding
- Article
Most pipe welds at Team Industries are made in 1G, thanks largely to innovative positioning techniques. The Wisconsin-based fabricator employs highly trained welders, but even the most talented welders get tired of welding out of position all day.
- From The Fabricator
Metal fabrication trends to watch at FABTECH 2023
- By Tim Heston
- Sep 11, 2023
- Manufacturing Software
- Blog Post
It’s show time for FABTECH 2023. Get ready for new levels of fabrication power and new levels of programming and planning simplicity, all driven by the almighty algorithm. The industry might be at the dawn of a new era—driven by data, machine learning, and AI.
- From The Fabricator
One metal fabricator’s holistic automation strategy
- By Tim Heston
- Sep 6, 2023
- Automation and Robotics
- Article
Taking a holistic approach to automation, Metalworks of Lincoln, Neb., doubled its size while maintaining a healthy shop culture.
- From The Fabricator
Metal fabrication quoting startup lowers the barrier to entry
- By Tim Heston
- Sep 4, 2023
- Manufacturing Software
- Article
At FABTECH 2023, Stella Source will launch a quoting and estimating platform for metal fabrication. The entry-level tier is free.
- From The Fabricator
How gainsharing differs from profit sharing and drives improvement
- By Tim Heston
- Aug 29, 2023
- Shop Management
- Article
When hourly employees work longer, they’re paid more. When they work smarter and accomplish more in fewer hours, they’re paid less. What gives? Gainsharing can help metal fabrication operations address the disconnect.
- From The Fabricator
Locker manufacturer embraces reshoring, stateside production opportunities
- By Tim Heston
- Aug 24, 2023
- Shop Management
- Article
A Mississippi locker maker designs and customizes its lockers with the entire value chain mind, from ease of manufacturability to shipping, installation, maintenance over the product life cycle, and a different take on reshoring.
- From The Fabricator
How AI could transform the metal fabrication supply chain
- By Tim Heston
- Aug 23, 2023
- Manufacturing Software
- Blog Post
Digital transformation efforts from Kloeckner Metals, as described during a presentation at this week's SMU Steel Summit in Atlanta, has come a long way in recent years as the service center and fabricator works toward a "zero touch" work flow.
- From The Fabricator
How digital twins add a new level of intelligence in metal fabrication
- By Tim Heston
- Aug 17, 2023
- Shop Management
- Article
Why was this part cut incorrectly? Why is that job late? Digital twins could give a new level of intelligence to production planners and, for that matter, everyone else in the organization, from sales personnel to shipping clerks.
- From The Fabricator
Perfecting automated processes, flow of information in the fabrication shop
- By Tim Heston
- Aug 14, 2023
- Shop Management
- Blog Post
Automation software and the almighty algorithm are making metal fabrication technologies more intelligent and flexible than ever. And FABTECH 2023 in Chicago is poised to have even more digital transformation on full display.
- Podcasting
- Podcast:
- The Fabricator Podcast
- Published:
- 04/16/2024
- Running Time:
- 63:29
In this episode of The Fabricator Podcast, Caleb Chamberlain, co-founder and CEO of OSH Cut, discusses his company’s...
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- June 25 - 27, 2024
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- Upcoming Webcasts
Nitrogen Generation for Laser Cutting: Navigating System Design for YOUR Operation
- April 24, 2024
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Navigating Change: The Manufacturer’s Guide to Change Management with ERP Implementation
- May 16, 2024
- Sponsored
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