Welding Technology

  A resistance weld process monitoring 1. How can I find the cause of inconsistent resistance welding results? Process consistency is a common challenge in resistance welding. A number of things can go wrong, all caused by variations in one or more of these areas: equipment performance, material properties, and process settings. To find the culprit, start by recording weld process parameters with a weld monitor and examining the results. An experienced, well-trained operator can detect welding problems and make educated guesses about their causes, but without the data from a weld monitor, that operator is largely running blind. 2. What process parameters can be measured by a weld monitor? A resistance weld monitor can measure electric current during the weld, voltage between electrodes, electrode force, and electrode movement. Basic models output a numeric aggregated value (minimum or maximum) for one or more parameters. More advanced monitors can capture and analyze the entire hig...

  How to attract a new generation of welders with advanced technologies The welder shortage has plagued manufacturers and fabricators for years. A global pandemic, a shifting job market, and generational trends only have exacerbated the matter. On the one hand, many experienced welders—those tried-and-true pros who have seen it all—edge increasingly closer to retirement or, because of burnout or disenchantment, embark on entirely new careers. On the other hand, as the manufacturing sector knows all too well, millennials and Generation Z (and even Generation Alpha) have an entirely different perspective on working in production or manual jobs. Despite the staffing doom and gloom, strategies exist that can help any welding or manufacturing team looking to hire skilled welders or the few-and-far-between newcomers to the art of welding. It starts with technology. Needless to say, it takes a multipronged approach to attract and retain top talent, regardless of a candidate’s age. However...

  Jim's Cover Pass: A look ahead in the welding industry In my last column, I revealed one of the most interesting and frequently asked questions I receive. As for the second most frequently asked question I receive:  What do you see for the future of the welding industry? This is a tough one. None of us has a crystal ball that lets us see into the future. However, there are a few things on the horizon that may cause some major changes in our industry. The first is education. After many years of talking about it, I think we are starting to make some headway in career and technical education becoming an acceptable alternative to the four-year university track. With continued emphasis on this in the secondary schools and a deeper understanding of the career potential by both counselors and parents, we could see growth in the potential workforce. In this same manner, the welding industry as a whole should see a major increase in earning potential. The mindset of industry ma...

  Additive Manufacturing is Propelling the Next Generation of Space Exploration What do I think about space exploration? If you ask me that question and get me started on that topic, I probably won’t be able to stop. Since the new space race has begun, we are starting to see “new space” companies pop up that are basically tech startups: highly motivated, enthusiastic, driven individuals who are committed to their mission and will do “what’s right” to achieve their goals. Additive manufacturing (AM), or 3D printing, is a tool they can use to help achieve their goals. For metallic components on spacecraft or even on the launch pad, AM is, simply put, propelling the next generation of space exploration. In the last few years, we have seen tremendous success in the public and private space exploration industry. The legendary William Shatner (Captain Kirk of “Star Trek” fame) took a ride on Blue Origin’s New Shepard vehicle when he was 90, becoming the oldest person to go to space. Spac...

  Deadshot Welding and Repair offers craftmanship to region Matt Craycraft comes from a long line of craftsmen. Today, the 24-year-old Coleman man owns and operates his own welding business. Deadshot Welding and Repair is located at 9505 N. East Isabella County Line Road, Coleman. Deadshot provides metal welding and repair services throughout the central Michigan area, from Mount Pleasant and Lake to Gladwin and Freeland. Craycraft worked at Iron Workers Local 25 for two years before operating Deadshot in a full-time capacity. There were difficulties at first for the business, especially starting during the pandemic in 2020. Craycraft began the business in his dad’s woodshop before building a 10x12-foot shed on his dad’s property in Coleman. Craycraft’s father, Tom Craycraft II, was a carpenter for 24 years and his grandfather, Tom Craycraft, was a building inspector down state for 15 years. Growing up in a family of woodworkers, Matt is recognized as the metal worker of the f...

China Factory Fire That Killed 38 Caused By "Illegal Welding" Beijing:  Thirty-eight people were killed and two were injured in a fire at a factory in central China, state media said Tuesday, with authorities blaming workers for illegal welding. The fire broke out at a plant in Anyang City in Henan Province on Monday afternoon, news agency Xinhua reported. Rescue services first received reports of a fire at 4:22 pm (0822 GMT) at Anyang Kaixinda Trading Co., Ltd, according to state media. "After receiving the alarm, the municipal fire rescue detachment immediately dispatched forces to the scene," state broadcaster CCTV said. It added that the fire was extinguished by around 11 pm local time. Footage from the scene shared by CCTV showed thick plumes of black smoke from the fire, with at least two trucks in position to battle the flames. In addition to the dead, two were sent to hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening, the state-run People's Daily sai...

  American Friction Welding expands capacity with new 50-ton friction welding center   American Friction Welding has installed a new Thompson 50-ton rotary friction welding center at its facility in Waukesha, Wis., to expand capacity and provide manufacturing redundancy and scheduling flexibility. The center features enhanced technology with rate control and forge collapse capability to help ensure weld repeatability and maintain length tolerances. The new equipment, the company’s 17th high-precision friction welding center, will primarily serve the automotive and electric vehicle market. AFW provides bi-metallic friction welding of dissimilar metals and near-net-shape parts using direct-drive rotary friction welding.     International Conference on Welding Technology Visit Our Website: https://welding-conferences.sciencefather.com/  More Details: Abstract Submission - https://x-i.me/wtcvish1 Award Nomination - https://x-i.me/wtavish2...