FABTECH 2011: Metalworking in Chicago
Leave a CommentLast week, FABTECH, the largest North American metal forming and fabricating expo, returned to Chicago. The conference is always a fantastic showcase for metal manufacturers and equipment suppliers, as well as a great opportunity to learn about the best ways of managing procurement, personnel, and other business aspects of the industry. FABTECH’s site provides a […]
Demand Issues Affect Steel Prices
Leave a CommentWorldwide production and economic issues have joined to produce some unfortunate side effects for steel manufacturers and metalworkers. As described in this article, ArcelorMittal, the world’s biggest steelmaker, is dealing with the aftereffects of a global recession, facing lowered demand and higher raw material pricing. This convergence of events, with market competition pushing commodity pricing […]
A Question of Industry: Are Four-Slide Machines Obsolete?
Leave a CommentReading some LinkedIn posts recently, we came across a discussion that we couldn’t help but jump into. A fellow engineer asked whether the reliable and versatile four-slide machine had become obsolete. You can probably guess our answer! Although four-slide machines were originally invented to fabricate springs and wire forms (and continue to do so today), […]
Circuit Breakers and the Environment: Two New Products
Leave a CommentOne of the many diverse uses for metal stampings is in circuit breakers, which prevent electrical circuits from blowing out or short circuiting. Two new circuit breaker products that we’ve learned about are used in cutting-edge environmental technology that provide a great look at the continually evolving nature of the industry: Siemens’ electric car charging […]
An International Outlook: Metal Manufacturing in Mexico
Leave a CommentAs discussed in this article, Mexico is now the largest supplier of metal automobile parts to the United States. In addition, 11% of cars sold in the U.S. are manufactured in Mexico. Although a large number of car manufacturing jobs are moving back to the U.S. from Mexico, it’s apparent that automotive manufacturing there is […]