SIX HUNDRED exhibitors — nearly 200 of them with new products — demonstrated the latest fabrication equipment at Fabtech International October 29-31, 2002 at the I-X Center in Cleveland, Ohio.
This year's conference schedule offered 25 two-hour sessions replacing half day and full day courses. John Ferriola, executive vice-president of Nucor Corporation, addressed the globalization of the steel industry. According to Ferriola, the impact of globalization and the tariff will be similar — steel consumers will see short-term turbulence resulting in long-term stability, putting an end to the “roller coaster ride” of the last 20 years. Ultimately, he expects that steel users will have dependable supplies of quality steel at better costs.
The next FABTECH will be held November 16-19, 2003 at McCormick Place in Chicago.
FABTECH is cosponsored by Fabricators and Manufacturers Association (FMA) and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, (SME). For information on FABTECH 2003, call 800-432-2832 or 815-399-8775.
Here are some of the products exhibited at the show:
Reduced “beam-on” time of the Trumpf Trumatic L 2530 Plus laser is the result of “Sprint Axis” motion technology that allows the laser to achieve rapid acceleration rates — up to 390 inches per second per second. It is available from Trumpf Inc, Farmington CT.
Laser combines modular material handling system. The Mitsubishi MSCII handling system offers standard shelf sizes with a capacity of 6,000 pounds per shelf. It also includes a built-in scheduling system. Mitsubishi Laser, Wood Dale IL (www.mitsubishi-world.com)
Byspeed laser-cutting system offers .0012" repositioning accuracy, the ability to cut .02-.787" mild steel or aluminum up to .4" thick. It is a product of Bystronic Inc, Hauppauge NY. (www.bystronic.com)
Flexible manufacturing system from Murata Machinery USA, Charlotte NC, features the Motorum-2048LT-T turret punch press. Electric power saves about half the operating costs of a hydraulic model, the company says. It punches at 350 hpm (hits per minute) and nibbles at a rate of 800 hpm. Turret can accommodate 46 tool stations. (www.muratawiedemann.com)
New eight-foot front gauge is pneumatically operated. Integrated control allows front gauge and back gauges to be operated from a single control, toggling between the two as needed. It is a product of Accupress America, Rapid City SD. (www.accurpress.com)
A 185-ton ironworker is now available from Comeq Inc, Baltimore MD. CNC punch table and plate-feeding system help reduce setup time, improve output, and accuracy. Comeq Inc, Baltimore MD. (www.comeq.com)
An ironworker with 125 tons of punching power is new from Uni-Hydro Inc, Cosmos MN. It is the largest of the company's series, which also includes the Pro 50 (shown), 80- and 105-ton models. (www.unihydro.com)
Miter cuts of 60° left and right are possible with the Marvel Series 2125 saw from Armstrong-Blum Mfg, Mount Prospect IL. When tilted 60°, the saw can cut a rectangle 20"×11.25". The 3° canted head improves cutting rates, while full CNC controls reduce setup time. (www.sawing.com)
Euro 85-ton ironworker can punch a 13/16" hole in 3/4" steel plate. Revolving turret accepts up to three pieces of tooling. It also includes angle shear and rectangular notcher. Options include 12" press brake, rod shear, square tube shear, and pipe notcher. Scotchman Industries, Philip SD. (www.scotchman.com).
Fully automatic miter machine automatically cuts 45° right or left. The Kaltenbach KKS 401 CNC sawing cells are programmed with Windows-based software via touch screen. Gripper feed drops parts and scrap in any of six places. Kaltenbach Inc, Columbus IN. (www.kaltenbachusa.com)
Angle adapter for the Uni-Bug II offers dual-side stiffener welding on 1" to 5" angles up to 1/2" thick, says Dale Keil with Bug-O-Systems, Pittsburgh PA. (www.bugo.com)
Motorized torch with automatic ignition is the latest Handy Auto Plus semi-automatic hand torch from Koike Aronson, Arcade NY. Set the preheat flame once, and re-adjustment is not necessary. Pressing the ignition lever lights the torch. Bob Johnson demonstrates. (www.koike.com)
Ergonomic band saw has all of the functions accessible from the front of the machine or at the operator's console. The articulating control panel also telescopes, enabling it to be placed in the most comfortable position for the operator. The VW-18 band saw can cut a rectangle 18" × 22". It is a product of Hyd-Mech Group Ltd, Woodstock, Ontario. (www.hydmech.com)
Automatic saw cuts 12" × 12" envelope. The material feed unit can accommodate 18-ft lengths of material. It is available from Behringer Saws Inc, Morgantown PA.
Spot welder from Japan gets into places where others can't. The reason is that the gun has only one electrode — the copper table on which the work rests serves as the other. The table also helps dissipate heat. The spot welder does not produce a spot on the back surface, making finishing unnecessary. Metal Forming Inc, Peachtree City GA, is the exclusive U S distributor of the manufacturer, Koyo Giken.
A 15% more powerful motor now drives the HMD 115 magnetic-base drill from Hougen Manufacturing Inc, Swartz Creek MI. Right-angle gears are larger to accommodate the increased power. Jared Milinarich demonstrates. (www.hougen.com)