answers — but in welding education, the diversity, size, culture, economic constraints/ cycles, and technology advancements require the diligence of continuous improvement. To provide for a bright future, welding education must combine sound curriculum development utilizing advancements in learning theory and modern content delivery; incorporate welding technology advancements; listen to input from local and national industry; and ensure accountability through evaluating competency, including nationally recognized qualification testing (AWS). Polanin concluded by explaining the application of HEAT — Honesty (providing students with an honest assessment of job availability, earning potential, working conditions), Enthusiasm (teachers need to impart an enthusiasm for learning to students at all levels), Attitude (the general public’s attitude about manufacturing jobs and specifically welding jobs has to change), and Teaching (teachers remain the key to success of the American education system and welding education). Product News Following are just a few of the products that drew the attention of the Welding Journal editors at this year’s show. Ensitech demonstrated its TIG Brush (Fig. 4) for removing heat tint stains on stainless steel. The system combines electricity, chemistry, and heat to clean the weld surface. A conductive brush attached to a 40-A electrical motor applies a cleaning fluid that is heated up to 200°C. The electrochemical reaction that occurs cleans and passivates the stainless steel. The company offers a choice of fluids depending on whether a satin or mirror finish is desired as well as whether a heavy or medium stain must be removed. The company exports to 12 different countries, but this is the first introduction of this product in the United States. Ensitech, www.tigbrush.com The Norzon Plus grinding wheel by Norton was reformulated to reduce grinding time. The ceramic and zirconia grit works well on stainless and high-alloy steels (Fig. 5) and, in fact, is more suited for tougher-to-grind steels. The wheel is claimed to be durable in difficult grinding applications and can be used with high-horsepower grinders. This particular product is new, having been introduced to the market this past October. Norton, www.nortonabrasives.com ITW Muller demonstrated its Yellow Jacket Orbital Stretch Wrap Machine— Fig. 6. The machine accepts a standard pallet of heavy parts or fabrications placed inside its cylinder. The machine is then activated and a roll of polyethylene wrap is rotated around the palette tightly securing the parts. The whole operation takes one person about 90 seconds to complete. The wrapped pallet requires no other means of securing its load for shipping. This unit costs approximately $25,000, accepts objects 118 in. in diameter, and operates on 110 AC power. Muller, www.yellowjacket110.com TRUMPF used FABTECH to introduce its TruLaser 5030 fiber laser for cutting operations — Fig. 7. This 5-kW solidstate laser is touted to produce cut quality very similar to a CO2 laser with the speed of a fiber laser. It reaches maximum efficiency when cutting thin material, but can cut mild steel up to 25 mm thick. The unit can handle nonferrous metals such as copper and brass, as well as stainless steel and aluminum. It has a working range of 3000 mm, X axis; 1500 mm, Y axis; and 115 mm, Z axis. TRUMPF, www.us.trumpf.com The Trans Process Solution (TPS/i) welding platform provides a more accurate and stable arc, better penetration, and less spatter — Fig. 8. Available models include 300, 400, and 500 A. The product offers a 7-in., plain-text, touch-sensitive display and a user interface that allows welders/maintenance technicians to organize system settings. Internal communications include job memory and wire regulation with penetration stabilization to automatically change wire feed speed. The process control system routes arc feedback and control at 100 Mb/s. Additional benefits are the diptransfer arc process low spatter control and pulse multi control. Fronius USA, LLC, www.fronius-usa.com Fig. 4 — Heat tint is removed from a weld through an electrochemical reaction. 46 JANUARY 2014 Fig. 6 — This orbital wrap machine secures loose parts in seconds. Fig. 8 — The touch-screen interface on the TPS/i, as simple to use as operating a smart phone, can be used even while wearing gloves. Fig. 5 — A reformulated grinding wheel takes on hard-to-finish steels. Fig. 7 — A fiber laser cuts steel up to 25- mm thick.
Welding Journal | January 2014
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