Why Plasma and Oxyfuel Complement Each Other

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Plasma and oxyfuel are known to be a productive combination. They have remained to be industry workhorses. Overtime, plasma and oxyfuel machines have become simpler and easier to use. They also require less operator intervention. Both oxyfuel and plasma have advanced in the past decade. Having both plasma and oxyfuel on the same machine allows the shop to take advantage of the strengths of each process. The shop achieves the required part accuracy at a far lower cost than if it used the high-accuracy plasma process to cut the entire part.

Image from thefabricator.com

Using both mechanized oxyfuel and plasma cutting can make plate fabrication far more efficient and flexible. As these technologies advance, fabricators can produce their parts smarter, faster, with the highest quality, and at lower cost. Regardless, the choice to use these technologies on separate machines or on one system is as individual as the application requirements.

Read the full article on this combination here.

Welding System Perfect for Joining Dissimilar Materials

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Automation Alternatives recently introduced a fiber laser welding system called RubyLaser that is perfect for joining dissimilar materials. Its spot size is as small as 0.001 to 0.002 in. and fast weld speeds allow the system to deliver high power density. These characteristics make it perfect for welding together materials that are not identical.

Typical materials include stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, nitinol and more.

Read the full article on RubyLaser here.

Using SPOT to Ensure Safety on the Job

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The acronym SPOT stands for four factors that play a huge role in keeping metalworkers safe while on the job. Here at Sullivan Precision, safety is our first priority. We introduce those four factors here. Continue reading Using SPOT to Ensure Safety on the Job

Ancient Metalworking

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Metalworking hasn’t always looked like it does now. Continue reading Ancient Metalworking

Best Practices for Wheel Cutting

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Remembering to keep pressure, friction and vibration in mind when using a wheel cutter can help cut back on costs, extend the life of your wheel and create a great cut. Continue reading Best Practices for Wheel Cutting

Different Gases Used in Oxyfuel Cutting

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Continue reading Different Gases Used in Oxyfuel Cutting

The Fourth State of Matter

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One of the flame cutting services we offer at Sullivan Precision Plate is High Definition Plasma. Over the next few weeks, we’re going to dive into the complex process of plasma cutting (with the help of our friends from How Stuff Works).

This week, we’re going to take a quick chemistry lesson. Most of us know the three states of matter: solid, liquid and gas. Many of us forget, however, the fourth state of matter: plasma. Plasma is what happens when you heat a gas to an extremely high temperature.

Image from GRINP.

The energy begins to break apart the gas molecules, and the atoms begin to split. Normal atoms are made up of protons and neutrons in the nucleus surrounded by a cloud of electrons. In plasma, the electrons separate from the nucleus and begin to move around quickly, leaving behind their positively charged nuclei. These positively charged nuclei are known as ions. When the fast-moving electrons collide with other electrons and ions, they release vast amounts of energy. This energy is what gives plasma its unique status and unbelievable cutting power.

Next week: Inside a plasma cutter.

Tips to Improve Plasma Torch Use

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Continue reading Tips to Improve Plasma Torch Use

Plasma Cutting Since the 1950s

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Plasma cutting was first developed in 1957, and has seen many changes since then. The first plasma cutter was developed by engineers at Union Carbide Corporation and was used primarily for cutting stainless steel and aluminum plate. Throughout the 1960s, the cut quality and life of the consumable nozzles and electrodes in the cutting torch were improved. Continue reading Plasma Cutting Since the 1950s

Top Manufacturing Trends of 2016

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For several years now, the manufacturing industry has seen revolutionary changes within the field thanks to new technology, strong innovation, and ever-changing consumer needs. This past year has been no different, as we have seen exiting new trends that have taken place among companies all over the country, and world. Here are just a few influential movements that we have seen in 2016.

Internet of Things (IoT)
The concept of the ‘connected factory’ has been evolving throughout the past few years. Internet of Things is the growing capability of the Worldwide Web to connect machine, sensors, computers, and humans in order to enable new levels of information retrieval, processing, and examining. Essentially these devices allow for more specifics and can convert data that you collect into business-problem solutions that will boost your productivity, efficiency and overall bottom line. For example, Stanley Black and Decker have adopted Internet of Things at one of their plants in Mexico to manage their production operations in real-time via mobile and computer devices. As a direct result, their “equipment effectiveness has increased by 24 percent, labor utilization by 10 percent, and throughput by 10 percent.” In the future, next generations of IoT should go further than just real-time monitoring, as we expect it to connect platforms using the data retrieved to deliver superior, and more durable products to the consumer.

Augmented Reality
Thanks to advances in computer science, informational technology, and engineering, manufacturing has been able to give real-time information and help at the point of use. It starts at the factory floor where the user simply follows text, audio, graphics, and other visuals that are shown through goggles or real assemblies as they conduct a particular duty at the business. This technology can then allow you to analyze the accuracy, timeliness, and other reports, which all can be sent to a supervisor. Today, manufacturing companies use augmented reality in order to provide detailed training, track products, and improve safety. In the future, we see the technology being sold as additional add-ons to the manufacturer’s product, which would in return create greater revenue. In addition, augmented reality will soon be used as a detailed instructional manual, where it will eliminate employee mistakes.

3D Printing
This technology, which is also called additive manufacturing, produces physical objects from online designs by building thin layers of plastic, resin, metal or other materials that would help create the shape. Currently, 3D printing is being used to build product prototypes, shrink manufacturing times, and alter the economics of a product. The technology though, is limited due to a limited design of products it capable of producing. Even with its limitations, companies have embraced this technology. While they use it for prototypes today, many are looking to 3D printing in the future as a way to make cost-effective specialized products for specific uses.

We have seen the field of manufacturing innovated substantially in this past year alone, and everyone at the Sullivan Corp is looking forward to seeing what exiting new trends 2017 will bring! Click HERE to read more.