No Tipping!

Here’s an interesting post from SecturaSOFT that discusses laser head crashes.  For those not in the metal fabrication industry, damage to laser cutting heads is expensive in terms of repair/replacement and downtime.  SecturaSOFT has some interesting posts like this on its Blog. Be sure to check it out.

Laser Head Crashes

During the cutting process the laser head is traversing to its next cut often very fast and close to the material surface. If a piece of material is protruding above the surface area (has tipped upward) , a collision is likely to occur.  Damage to the laser head is often considerable and costly.  Tipping is most common when processing thinner materials.

Fortunately, most crashes are avoidable. With a preview of the nest, an experienced operator can often recognize where there is potential for an issue. The operator can pay extra attention when the machine is cutting in that area and take steps to avoid trouble. This can include slowing the cutting process slightly. A few seconds lost in cutting speed is better than hours of machine down-time replacing a laser head.

In addition to reducing the cutting speed, part tip-ups can often be avoided by implementing micro-tabbing. Most laser programming software today offers an auto-tabbing feature where one or more small tabs (typically about 0.020 in.) are placed in the profile of the part to secure the part to the sheet skeleton.

Once the entire nest is complete and the skeleton is off-loaded, the parts can be easily released from the skeleton. With good quality, flat material and parts that are large enough to lay on two or three of the table grates, the need to tab parts is usually unnecessary. When in doubt, micro-tabbing is a smart approach to avoid laser head crashes, especially when lasers are automated and operating in a lights-out environment.

While you’re there be sure to check out the SecturaSOFT video library.

A New Global Paradigm?

We’ve all read countless articles on how business will never be the same once COVID19 is in the rear-view mirror.  I’m not sure I agree with that. In fact, I don’t.  Oh sure, the months following “normalization” will see a cautious approach by many.  Manufacturers will take a long hard look at their supply chain, consumers will sock a few more dollars away in savings accounts, investors will diversify to include more precious metals, and so on.

Soon enough, however, we’ll be back at it – even more furious than ever.  We’ll be spending our money, investing aggressively, and rigorously pursuing the dream.

Although it seems strange to say, I believe that by the summer of 2021 – as we’re all settling in to watch the Summer Olympics, soccer matches, and follow the baseball pennant races – things will be pretty much as they were in the ladder weeks of 2019.

People are resourceful and resilient.  And that which doesn’t kill us serves to make us stronger – right?

Look, your guess is as good as mine and who knows, maybe I’m way off base.  Maybe the world and business will never be the same. But I doubt it.

Leapin’ Lizzards!

Lifting Stabilization Tool Advances Offshore Wind Turbine Installation

The wind blows steadier at sea than on land, creating more reliable energy conditions for the generation of renewable energy—a major opportunity to combat climate change without disrupting the lives of those people it will benefit the most. While offshore wind turbines are effective sources of energy, the sheer scale of these massive structures presents significant engineering and installation challenges.

Offshore installation is generally performed by jack-up vessels, which stabilize themselves via extendable legs. However, their use is restricted to shallower water, and the process is time-consuming, slowing installation project schedules.

Read the article here

AmTech Manufacturing: An Interesting Story

After 15 years in software sales, operations, and other leadership positions, Kyle Cleaver was ready for a new challenge. So, naturally, he purchased a metal fabrication shop. That wouldn’t be particularly noteworthy, except that he had no previous experience in the industry whatsoever.

In 2019, Cleaver purchased AmTech Manufacturing in Fort Worth, Texas. With more than 30 years of combined experience in the metal fabrication industry, the company provides a variety of services, from fiber and CO2 laser cutting, bending, milling, welding, and painting to powder coating. It serves customers in such industries as industrial machinery, oil and gas, automotive/trucking, construction, health care, and warehouse/retail.

Read the article in The Fabricator here

Coronavirus

By now we’re all very much aware of the Coronavirus pandemic that seems to be surfacing in new parts of the world almost daily. But what do you know about this microscopic agent that is quickly grabbing global headlines?

Discovered in the 1960s, Coronaviruses are a group of viruses that can infect mammals and birds. In humans, the viruses generally cause mild to moderate respiratory infections such as the common cold. However, in some rare forms the Coronavirus can be lethal.

Throughout history the medical community has been challenged with new virus strains to conquer; and the Coronavirus is no different.  It’s just a matter of time before an effective vaccine is developed to eradicate the threat.  Until then, however, it is important to remember that we must all take part in the battle.  Take the extra precautions to ensure your health and the wellbeing of those around you to help prevent the spread of this latest health risk.

Read more here

Human in the Loop Becomes the Center of Design

If there’s one thing that manufacturers know they can bank on in the coming year, it’s that customer expectations—in terms of product performance, quality, and dependability— will continue to rise. Meeting these demands motivates manufacturers to continually scrutinize their processes and seek to enhance product development tools and methodologies. And while most industries have come to embrace simulation to ensure that customer requirements are validated well upstream and in advance of testing physical prototypes, some continue to lag.

Read more here

Collaborating to Advance Phase Change Management Technology

What allows food to be maintained at safe temperatures during transportation and storage? What protects the integrity of medicine, organs, blood, medical devices, therapies, and procedures? And what keeps hands and feet warm longer during these cold winter months? The simple answer is Phase Change Material (PCM). With seemingly endless applications, this versatile technology is turbocharging innovation for a growing number of product designers, manufacturers and industries.

So, what is Phase Change Material and why is it important? In a basic sense, Phase Change Material is the result of a process known as thermal cycling. In this process, phase change substances absorb and release thermal energy as they are transformed between solid and liquid states. Water and ice is an excellent example of Phase Change Material.

The technology offers numerous advantages to manufacturers and consumers alike. Product performance is enhanced measurably, new applications spawn innovative new products; and because it is often substituted for more expensive materials and processes, PCM is in many cases shown to reduce manufacturing costs.

Look Around You

From produce and medical to textile, computer, aerospace, automotive, and beyond, phase change technology is found in nearly all industries. As its use becomes even more widely embraced, it is important that the technology maintain the highest quality standards.

“Each day, it seems, industries are finding new applications for phase change technology. As usage and expectations continue to rise, it is imperative that raw material suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and other stakeholders deliver quality, consistency and reliability,” explained Tim Riazzi, President of Dayton, Ohio’s CAVU Group. “Our reputation as a supplier, and that of our customers, hinges on the successful and expanded application of this growing technology. We take our stewardship responsibility seriously and work to actively participate in the on-going development and management of PCM technology.”

CAVU is a vertically integrated family of brands driven to provide innovative thermal technologies. The company’s Thermal Solutions brands – American Thermal Instruments (Temperature monitoring solutions – www.americanthermal.com) and Microtek Laboratories (Temperature management solutions – www.microteklabs.com) – are leading providers of PCM raw materials, products, and related solutions.

Investing in Quality

Today organizations exist to help ensure the development and integrity of Phase Change Material. PCMIA (Phase Change Materials Industry Association) and RAL (Institute for Quality Assurance and Certification) are two such associations.

In 2004, several international companies founded the Quality Association PCM with the objective to develop minimum performance requirements and suitable procedures for quality assurance. In 2006, RAL, the Institute for Quality Assurance and Certification, accepted the Quality and Testing Specifications for PCM (RAL-GZ 896) and began awarding the RAL Quality Mark to deserving products.  Since its inception the program has gained popularity and today extends throughout Europe.

In North America there is a similar PCM initiative. Founded in 2018, PCMIA is an association of phase change materials industry leaders consisting of manufacturers and researchers with a common goal to move the industry and technology of PCM forward. While its primary goal is to Connect, Promote and Educate industries and the public with Phase Change Materials, the association is also driven to help improve, streamline and standardize the industry.

Contributing Resources

As a local thermal solutions manufacturer, CAVU is naturally supportive of global collaboration to advance PCM technology and promote its usage. The company has positioned several employees as board members on RAL and PCMIA.

“It is imperative that PCM suppliers lend their experience to advance industry-wide quality standards,” said Riazzi. “The ever-increasing commercial importance of the technology triggered the need for reliable quality assurance and its independent certification. We recognize our responsibility to play an active role to ensure the integrity of the technology; and are pledging our time and resources to organizations such as RAL and PCMIA.”

Riazzi sits on the Executive Board for RAL and is Chairman of the Government Relations Committee for PCMIA. The company’s VP of Sales and Business Development, Patti Blessing serves on the PCMIA Membership and Finance Committee; while Microtek Marketing Manager, David Haan, lends his expertise to the PCMIA Marketing Committee.

Who Benefits?

For CAVU participation not only allows the company to advance its PCM offerings and processes – but it also provides a platform to raise awareness of thermal management technologies. This, along with being recognized by potential new customers as a thermal management solutions subject-matter expert (which may include PCM) can have a measurable bottom-line impact. However, while supporting these organizations offers many advantages, it’s safe to say that the true beneficiaries are CAVU’s partners, customers, and ultimately the consumer.

“Participation in PCM organizations allows us to transfer this knowledge and provide guidance on this emerging technology,” concluded Riazzi. “Supporting current and potential partners with regard to the economic and sustainability benefits of thermal management is critical. In this way, manufacturers and distributors alike can achieve positive and sustained outcomes by ensuring consumers with brand safety, enhanced comfort, and consistent quality.”

PCM is Here to Stay

Phase Change Management is nothing new; the technology has been evolving for decades. What is worth noting are its progressive applications made possible by suppliers, such as CAVU Group, who make the technology more accessible, stable, and practical to new markets.

Those who develop, manufacture or leverage technologies must take a vested interest in their long-term applications and maturation. Today, responsible Phase Change Management (PCM) stakeholders are actively overseeing its ongoing development and safeguarding quality. This collaborative effort is the foundation for new levels of application and innovative new products.

Accelerating Growth Through Better Quoting

What keeps the lights on, sparks flying, and people working? The obvious answer is sales, of course. Sales is after all a company’s lifeblood, and quoting is at the heart of it all.

Unfortunately, what isn’t so obvious to many fabricators, job shops, and metal service centers is that if they are still using spreadsheets, the quoting module of their enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, or a semiautomated quoting system, they are waging a losing battle. These companies are handicapped by the very quoting processes and tools they relied on to grow their businesses.

Companies can double or even triple the number of quotes they’re sending out and do it faster without adding resources. They just need the right software tool.

Read the article here.

The Fabrication Industry’s Great Estimator Shortage

Today I’m giving the floor to Brad Stropes, COO of SecturaSOFT.  Brad has contributed today’s Blog post…

Today there is a shortage of estimators in the fabrication industry. More and more fab shops, job shops, and service centers are struggling to lure recent grads and others seeking work. The truth is that this is largely a perception problem. Because organizations are using outdated legacy systems, new employees (especially tech-savvy millennials) simply aren’t attracted to organizations who seem to be stuck in the past.

Because of this, SecturaSOFT is working toward a restructured user interface. We want SecturaFAB to be an intuitive tool that is attractive to both prospective new employees and the organization alike. The robust quoting technology can optimize the quoting process and be quickly learned and used.

SecturaSOFT now offers a 3D interface allowing estimators to immerse themselves in the design they are working with similar to the 3D CAD platforms they may be accustomed to. In addition, SecturaSOFT has implemented walk through software providing click through directions relative to creating quotes, even if the user has no estimating experience.

While this is helping to attract new talent to estimating positions, many companies remain hesitant to allow new employees to send out quote and estimates, in fear they may not be correct. To help with this, SecturaFAB recently implemented rules and process flows for approval. This means that certain individual may need to obtain approval before sending a quote. SecturaFAB alerts management (via email and text message) that a quote is awaiting review/approval.

Learn more here