Tag: metalwork

how is powder coating important in metal fabrication?

Metal fabricators are a pillar that supports the nation’s infrastructure and economy. Countless aspects of our day-to-day life depends on some form of product fabricated from metal, whether its household appliances or critical medical technology. In short, fabricated metal products are invaluable in society, if they’ve been properly finished by a trained professional.

Why is Metal Finishing Important?

Taken on its own, raw metal has some distinct problems; without proper finishing, exposed metals can eventually corrode and tarnish. Depending on the intended use, unfinished metal-fabricated parts can be eroded by salts, weakened by ultraviolet light or rusted by rain. However, the metal fabrication industry realized many years ago that properly finishing components is essential for enhancing durability and the product’s life span.

Beyond that, correctly finishing metal-fabricated products greatly enhances aesthetics, which in turn, makes the products more valuable and pleasing to the end-user. In other words, metal finishing done right is a win for both the metal fabricator and the customer.

Powder Coating’s Impact on Fabrication

Metal fabricators didn’t always have powder coating as an option, though. In the past, fabricators opted for liquid paint; yet, this process took time, required proper conditions and performed poorly unless professionally applied.

In the 1960s, scientists perfected powder-coating, which was a new finishing process that revolutionized the metal product industry. Powder coating provided immediate advantages over previous finishing methods, giving metal fabricators and product manufacturers a leading edge.

Powder coating improves durability, while offering a premium appearance and lowering environmental impact. Over the years, powder coating has allowed metal fabricators to improve production time while increasing functional protective product properties.

How Does Powder Coating Work?

It’s crucial to understand exactly how powder coating works to fully appreciate its unique advantages. While conventional liquid paint has color pigments suspended in liquid, powder coating operates in a completely dry environment— this is an important aspect in finishing custom fabrication and coatings done through powder coating.

Here’s a brief overview of how powder coating works: dry powder receives a positive electric charge and gets sprayed under pressure to the unfinished metal object that’s grounded with a negative charge. This, in turn, creates an electrochemical change allowing molecules from the powder to attach to the metal. There’s a wide variety of powder bases including acrylic, polyester, epoxy, polyurethane or a blend of the aforementioned. The electric polarization inherent to the process allows entirely uniform coating without runs or sags.

After the fabricated metal parts have a uniform powder coating, they’re then placed in a high-temperature environment— the duration will ultimately depend on powder materials, and temperatures can range up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Powder-coated products are fully cured when they’re removed from the oven and can be used immediately.

Powder coating allows for complex geometric shapes to be easily coated with uniform coverage. Upon completion, powder-coated pieces have a solid, molecularly-dense, protective outer layer.

Unique Benefits of Powder Coating

Powder coating finish has a multitude of benefits over other available finishing options. Powder coating, performed by a professional, makes finished surfaces resistant to scratching, fading, wearing, and chipping. Beyond that, powder-coated metal products won’t corrode or rust, maintaining a new appearance throughout the product lifecycle. Powder coating also helps to make products nearly maintenance-free under normal usage, as there isn’t a need for repainting.

Powder-coated metal finishes stack up well when compared to other finish techniques. Since powder coating uses less equipment, requires less application time and takes up fewer raw materials, it’s a less expensive process than alternatives like plating and conventional painting. Powder coating is indeed a reliable process, reducing the amount of rejected work. It’s a cleaner, smoother and superior process than other finishing methods. Powder coating is environmentally-friendly, safe and cost-effective finishing. It’s no surprise that powder coating has such a superior advantage in the metal finishing industry.

It’s crucial to do your research when choosing a metal fabrication expert, as not all companies are capable of completing the same quality of work. Yarbrough Industries has years of experience here in Springfield, honing our skills across the board to deliver a quality product and measurable bottom-line value to our customers.

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metal fabrication, metal fabrication shop, metal finishing, metalwork, powder coating

Laser Cutting For Sheet Metal Fabrication

There are many different methods that metal fabricators use to cut metal, but laser cutting is one of the most advanced techniques. A laser cutter’s ability to make precise cuts at speeds unmatched by other flat sheet cutting methods makes it one of the best sheet metal fabrication choices. There are several benefits to this method of cutting, including:

Competitive Pricing

Laser cutting is a highly automated process, making labor costs minimal when compared to hand-operated machinery. Since costs associated with sheet metal fabrication include labor, operation and machine expenses, this is an important factor to consider. The operating costs and machine costs are fairly average compared to other cutting techniques.

Generally, companies will find that outsourcing laser cutting for their sheet metal fabrication is the most effective option for most projects. Laser-cutting machines can be quite expensive, and most companies find that it is easier and less expensive to outsource this aspect of their fabrication process. 

One of the great things about laser cutters is that there are no dull or worn blades to worry about, making die changeovers a thing of the past. This also means that by placing larger orders, you can reduce costs tremendously, as the automated system does the mapping and planning for each additional piece. 

Although laser cutting isn’t the cheapest cutting technology available, it’s more than affordable for most projects. It has some major benefits over other cutting forms, such as water jet cutting or hand cutting processes.

Unrivaled Speed, Efficiency & Automation

A laser cutting machine can move as quickly as 1,000 holes per minute. Of course, the exact speed will vary depending on the tolerances and intricacy of the parts.

CNC controls typically run laser cutting. The formulas entered into the computer mean each part and product is identically fabricated, leading to fewer defects per batch.

Quality Precision

Laser cutting can create tiny cuts at tight tolerances. However, that’s the tradeoff: the more precision you want, the slower the laser will move. Yet, this highly detailed capability is unique to laser cutting. So, laser cutting is the only type of cutting that will get the job done well if you require intricate cuts.

Beyond that, all laser-cut edges and curves are smooth, sharp, and clean, which means there is very little, if any, burring because the laser melts rather than physically cuts the metal.

The only thing to consider is if your project requires very thick sheets of metal – thicker metals affect the cut’s quality, and a laser will leave some dross (melted metal scum) behind on thick metals. Aside from this dross, there is little to no clean-up involved in the majority of laser cutting projects.

Versatility

The combination of cost, speed, automation, and precision makes laser cutting a great choice for any size product or project. This makes many routine tasks/projects easy, including prototypes, industrial orders, delicate designs, and larger cutouts. Lasers are capable of making holes, slots, tabs, and other cut fabrications with no interruption of the cutting process. The incredible precision allows for tight tolerances on intricately detailed designs. If your project doesn’t require tight tolerances, the laser can move quickly and produce parts at incredible speeds. This makes laser cutting a fantastic choice for a wide spectrum of projects.

Yarbrough Industries is proud to offer laser cutting services for your next fabrication product. We can fabricate any order, whether it includes prototypes, components, or final assemblies. We adhere to the belief that high-quality results can only be achieved through the use of high-quality equipment. Laser cutting offers the ability to cut through various materials and thicknesses at high speeds, producing extremely precise and accurate cuts.

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choosing a metal fabricator, fabrication, metal fabrication, metal fabrication shop, metal projects, metalwork

Metal Fabrication Basics

Metal fabrication is a small part of the metal manufacturing industry. There are many different types of manufacturing processes, including:

  • Forging
  • Smelting
  • Blacksmithing
  • Casting
  • Stamping
  • Painting
  • Roll Forming
  • Heat Treating
  • Structural Fabrication
  • Machining
  • Metal Fabrication

As you can imagine, the wide variety involved in metal manufacturing can be overwhelming. Metal fabrication, by itself, has many subcategories and niches that would be impossible to comprehensively list. Some different categories of metal fabrication you might encounter are heavy industrial plate metal, light industrial sheet metal, heavy structural steel, and light structural steel fabrication.  

Heavy Industrial Plate Metal Fabrication

This type of fabrication might include enormous plate steel, sometimes 1”-4” thick (even heavier) and fabrication processes like plasma cutting, rolling, welding, heat treating, and finishing. Finished products that involve heavy industrial plate metal fabrication might include mining equipment, pressure vessels, and tanks.

Light Industrial Sheet Metal Fabrication

This type could include smaller weighted metal-like materials ranging from 1/32” – 1/2” and fabrication processes like Laser Cutting, Brake Forming, Welding, Anodizing, and Painting. The products produced using this type of fabrication might be Computer Enclosures, Cases, and OEM Parts.

Heavy Structural Steel Fabrication

These fabrication processes are done with sawing cutting, plasma cutting, drilling, welding, sandblasting, and painting. This process deals with structural iron and beams that weigh several hundred pounds or more per foot. You can see the results of heavy structural steel fabrication, check out skyscrapers, large bridges and tunnel supports. 

Light Structural Steel Fabrication

This can include structural tube, angle and beams that weigh less than a hundred pounds per foot.  Fabrication processes would typically be similar to heavy structural steel processes, but the products created would be Small Buildings, Small Bridges, Platforms, and Supports.

Metal Fabrication Versus Machining

Metal fabrication is a term that typically refers to manufacturing that includes cutting, forming, rolling, sawing and welding metal. However, it is not to be confused with machining. There is a bit of crossover with the two, but machining usually includes more detailed work such as milling, lathing, routing, and polishing and is typically a part of the manufacturing industry. 

In addition, fabrication usually works with manufacturing tolerances at .010” – .030” whereas machining works with tolerances all the way down to .005” (and even smaller in many cases). 

Advancements in Metal Fabrication

Metal fabrication, like all manufacturing industries, has transformed over the years as technology has become more advanced. This began with the Computer Numerically Controlled, CNC, machines. These types of machines, combined with Computer Aided Drafting, CAD, revolutionized the metal fabrication industry.

Prior to the invention of CNC and CAD, hand layouts and calculator math were the tools used by craftsmen to layout and calculate fabricated parts. Machines had manual gauges that would be fine-tuned by hand as the technician moved stops, dialed back gauges and tweaked settings.

However, those days are long gone and programs are now generated automatically from CAD drawings and sent, via computer and code, directly to the various machines. Lasers can cut metal like butter, brake forming machines can tell you which order to sequence your bends and robotic welders can weld endless amounts of wire throughout the night. Metal fabrication is still an enormous part of everyday life and most of us see it, or use it, without even knowing as much. Light rail transit cars, automobiles, snowblowers, electrical panels, guardrails, signs, etc. Metal fabrication is everywhere!

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fabrication, manufacturing, metal fabrication, metal fabrication shop, metal projects, metalwork

What Is Machining?

Yarbrough Industries offers a variety of machining processes to ensure success with various types of projects and help your company successfully create the workpiece you need. But what exactly is machining?

The term machining encompasses a broad range of technologies and techniques. A high-level definition might be removing material from a workpiece using power-driven machine tools to shape it into an intended design. Almost all metal components and parts require some form of machining during the manufacturing process. Other materials, such as plastics, rubbers, and paper goods, are also commonly fabricated through machining processes.

Machining Tools

Machining tools may be used alone or in conjunction with other tools. There are many types of tools that can be used for various manufacturing processes, and all are important to achieve the intended part geometry. You will typically hear the following terms when referring to different machining tools:

Boring tools – These tools enlarge holes previously cut into the material and are typically used as finishing equipment.

Cutting tools – Saws, shears and other sharp instruments are basic examples of cutting implements. These can be used to cut material with predetermined dimensions, such as sheet metal, into the desired shape.

Drilling tools – These are similar to boring tools, but they are used to create holes with two-edged rotating devices. The round holes typically run parallel to the axis of rotation.

Grinding tools – These instruments apply a rotating wheel to grind down rough edges and achieve a fine finish or make light cuts on a workpiece.

Milling tools – A milling tool employs a rotating cutting surface with several blades to create non-circular holes or cut unique designs out of the material.

Turning tools: Lathes are the most commonly recognized turning tool, but these tools can be anything that rotates a workpiece on its axis while a cutting tool shapes it to form.

Machining Technologies

There are two primary types of technology that are used to shape your workpiece. Burning machine technology uses heat, such as welding, while erosion machine technology uses water or electricity to erode material off the workpiece. You can find more in-depth information on types of cutting in this article.

The most common types of welding and burning technologies include laser cutting, oxy-fuel cutting and plasma cutting.

Laser cutting machines emit a narrow, high-energy beam of light that effectively melts, vaporizes, or burns material. CO2 and Nd: YAG lasers are the most common types used in machining. Laser cutting is a great choice for shaping steel or etching patterns into a piece of material. Its benefits include high-quality surface finishes and extreme cutting precision.

Oxy-fuel cutting is also known as gas cutting. This method employs a mixture of fuel gases and oxygen to melt and cut away material. Acetylene, gasoline, hydrogen, and propane are frequently used due to their high flammability. This method’s benefits include high portability, low dependence on primary power sources, and the ability to cut thick or hard materials, such as sturdy steel grades. It’s a great option for on-the-go machining.

Plasma cutting torches fire an electrical arc to transform inert gas into plasma. This plasma reaches extremely elevated temperatures and is applied to the workpiece at high speed to melt away unwanted material. The process is often used on electrically conductive metals that require a precise cut width and minimal prep time. 

Erosion machining tools differ from burning tools by doing exactly what it sounds like; they erode the workpiece to shape it, rather than melting the excess stock. The two main types of erosion technologies are water jet cutting and electric discharge machining (EDM).

Water jet cutting uses a high-pressurized stream of water to cut through the material. Sometimes abrasive powder is facilitating more efficient erosion. Water jet cutting is typically used on materials that can suffer damage or deformation from a heat-affected zone.

Electric discharge machining is also known as spark machining because it uses electric arcing discharges to create micro-craters that rapidly result in complete cuts. EDM is used in applications requiring complex geometrical shapes in hard materials and at close tolerances. EDM requires the base material to be electrically conductive, which limits its use to ferrous alloys.

CNC Machining

Computer numerical control machining (CNC machining) can be used in conjunction with a broad range of technologies and tools. It is a computer-aided technique that requires software and programming, usually in the G-code language, to guide a tool in shaping the workpiece according to preset parameters. As opposed to manually guided methods, CNC machining is an automated process. CNC machining has many benefits, including high production cycles, low manufacturing costs, and uniform production. Once a CNC machine has been properly coded, it usually needs minimal maintenance or downtime, allowing for a faster production rate. Due to its turnover speed and low manual labor requirements, CNC can be a cost-efficient process, particularly for high-volume production runs. CNC machining is typically precise and yields a high level of design consistency among its products.

Precision Machining

Precision machining is any machining process that requires unusually small cutting tolerances (between 0.013 mm and 0.0005 mm, as a rule of thumb) or surface finishes finer than 32T. Like CNC, precision machining can be applied to a wide number of fabrication methods and tools. Factors such as stiffness, damping, and geometric accuracy can influence the exactness of a precision tool’s cut. Motion control and the machine’s ability to respond at rapid feed rates are also important in precision machining applications.

If you are looking for a machining expert for your next project, be sure to look for someone who offers the full range of tools and technologies. Yarbrough Industries can help determine what you need for a successful outcome. 

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Laser Cutting Or Waterjet Cutting?

Manufacturers typically use one of two major cutting processes when cutting material for a project. These are known as laser cutting and water jet cutting. The choice of one or the other may be better depending on the type of material used and the desired end result. This article explains some of the basic differences between these fabrication processes and the materials and types of projects that they work well with.

Laser Cutting

A laser cutter relies on gas, typically CO2, for energy. The CO2 is transmitted through a beam, guided by mirrors, and directed at the material that will be cut. With CO2 lasers, the laser source is located inside the machine, and the beam can output between 1500 and 2600 Watts, which makes safety a primary concern and can occasionally increase the price point on a laser cutting job. Materials and applications, as well as precision and safety, are important factors to think about when considering laser cutting.

Materials and Applications

Laser cutters work well with a wide variety of materials, making them an easy choice for plastic, glass, wood, and most metals. It is important to note that laser cutters cannot be used on reflective metals. It can also work on material combinations as long as that combination consists of materials with similar melting points. If the materials have different melting points, it can be rather difficult to cut. Sandwich structures with cavities cannot be cut at all using a laser, and materials with limited access prove difficult as well. 3D material cutting is also hard to manage because of the rigid beam guidance with the mirrors. 

Laser cutters do well with materials that range between 0.12 in and 0.4 in thickness and are commonly used to cut flat sheets of medium thickness steel. Typically, a laser cutter performs cutting, welding, drilling, engraving, ablation, and structuring.           

Precision and Safety

Lasers are great when you want precision. The minimum size of a laser cutting slit can reach 0.006 in, depending on the speed of the laser. It is good to note that thinner workpieces may suffer from gas pressure if the proper distance cannot be maintained, and partial burring does occur frequently. Deformation and minor structural changes can occur as a result of thermal stress, and the cut material will appear striated. 

Laser cutting produces smoke and dust, and some plastics and metals may produce toxic fumes, so being aware that those could impact time and cost is important. The overall risk involved in working with laser cutting machines is very low, however, and your time and budget can benefit from the minimal amount of waste produced and subsequent ease of cleanup. 

Waterjet Cutting

Waterjet cutters use pressurized water to cut materials. There are often abrasives such as garnets and aluminum oxide added to increase cutting ability.  The overall process mimics erosion in nature, just at a much higher speed and concentration: a high-pressure pump drives the water through rigid hoses, resulting in a forceful water jet—a typical water jet can output between 4 to 7 kilowatts. Unlike a laser cutter, where the laser source is located inside the machine, the work area and pump are often separate.     

Material and Applications

Water jets can cut virtually any material including combination materials—with combination materials. However, water jets pose the threat of delamination. They can sometimes handle 3D material cutting, and exhibit limited ability with sandwich structures and cavities. Cutting materials with limited access is possible but difficult. 

Water jets usually perform cutting, ablation, and structuring, specifically with materials like stone, ceramics, and thick metals. Materials that range in thickness from 0.4 to 2 inch benefit from water jet cutting.

Precision and Safety

Waterjet cutting is not quite as precise as laser cutting, with a minimum cut size slit of .02”. Because of the high level of force used, thin, small, parts do not fare well and must be handled carefully. Although thermal stress is not an issue and burring doesn’t occur in the cut, the surface of the material will appear sand-blasted as a result of the added abrasive to the waterjet. The waterjet cutting process is quite noisy, and requires a significant amount of clean up, which could mean a bit more labor cost. There is also a large amount of waste that occurs as a result of the mixed water and abrasive. 

 

At Yarbrough industries, we specialize in laser and waterjet cutting. Learn more about our services and how we can help you with your next project.

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Tips To Improve Manufacturing Efficiency

Every manufacturer dreams of ways to increase productivity, reduce costs, and maximize profits. Every one of those goals can be achieved by increasing efficiency at your manufacturing plant.

Although there is a common idea that increasing efficiency means cutting costs as much as possible, that isn’t always the case. Cutting corners often contributes to a reduction in product quality. However, there are several things any company can do to improve efficiency out in the plant without sacrificing the quality of your products. Check out these methods you can implement to improve efficiency at your manufacturing plant.

1. Evaluation

The first step in any progress is to evaluate and determine what is working or what isn’t. Obviously, you will have a hard time identifying areas that need improvement if you don’t first examine your current workflow. Three main areas can typically determine what changes are needed in your workflow:

Labor

  • Do your employees have the skills to perform the tasks they need to do efficiently and effectively?
  • Have they been achieving your determined objectives?
  • What is the time cost to complete certain jobs?
  • Are there any potential ways to speed up completion time?

Processes

Once you’ve analyzed your labor needs, it’s good to investigate if your processes are the most efficient. This process involves finding out whether the stages in your production typically go as planned. More importantly, looking at your processes can help you discover where the pain points and bottlenecks prevent you from being as efficient as possible. 

Equipment and Technology

The third area you need to evaluate is your equipment and technology. Does all your equipment work properly? Is your technology the most optimal for your current business needs? How easily can you make changes to production? Is there anything you can do to increase efficiency through technology? (Pallet Dispensers are a great investment for this.)

Let’s explore a little more in-depth ways to use your evaluation to improve efficiency in your industry. 

2. Labor

In manufacturing as well as other industries, employee training is an essential and ongoing process. Obviously, training employees on new equipment and technology is the best way to ensure you are enhancing your value in them. Employee training is also an excellent retention tactic because every employee wants to have the opportunity to develop their abilities and reach their full potential. 

That’s why it is important not to limit training and education to only the equipment and technology. Your manufacturing business process will run more smoothly if everyone can understand the company’s policies and the right way to communicate with each other.

3. Processes

Streamlining your processes and ensuring that you are effectively organized can gain you an incredible amount of efficiency. The organization is the key to an efficient workspace. Pay attention to your manufacturing plant, the layout, the spaces for workers and heavy equipment to get in and out, and how each area is used.

A few things you need to check:

  • Are all the tools easy to find?
  • Are staff able to easily pick up all the raw materials or finished goods?
  • Is the packing and shipping area close to where the finished goods are placed?
  • Are the forklifts able to easily move around your manufacturing plant?

Another area to look at when evaluating processes is how much material waste you have. One of the biggest issues and most expensive areas in manufacturing plants is material waste. Here are some ways to reduce it:

  • Decrease materials while packing your products.
  • Recycle, or if you can’t do it yourself, resell the scraps to a recycling center.
  • Utilize all available materials for creating new products

Supply chain management is another zone that is often forgotten when looking at ways to improve efficiency, but it can make an incredible difference. There is no easier way to improve efficiency than automating your business processes. Supply chain management is one of the most important segments in the manufacturing business. However, if the process is still run manually, then optimized efficiency will be difficult to achieve. With sophisticated supply chain management software, you can automate various processes, from tracking inventory across multiple manufacturing plants, setting up inventory levels, ordering raw materials to suppliers, to shipping orders to customers.

4. Equipment

You can have the very best employees, but if your equipment is outdated or doesn’t work properly, it will be a challenge to improve your workplace efficiency. Therefore, it is crucial to invest in modern equipment that allows your processes to run better. Advanced equipment also helps you reduce costs for repairing damage and increasing the productivity of your employees. There are also options for equipment that specifically address efficiency hang-ups, like pallet dispensers.

Obviously, having efficient, modern equipment is a huge way to improve efficiency, but it is also important to keep it maintained. Some equipment may still be used for a longer period of time if treated properly. The new equipment also needs to be maintained so that it can be used to the fullest.  And as you already know, maintaining equipment is far cheaper than replacing it. So, never wait to care for a piece of equipment until it is damaged. A better idea is to conduct preventive maintenance according to the type of equipment regularly. 

Yarbrough Industries is here to help you with that maintenance on hydraulic equipment and more. Contact Us today to see how we can help your company operate more efficiently.

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Saving Money On Metal Fabrication

In every area of life, we are all looking for ways to save money, cut costs, and squeeze out every penny when it comes to our budget. No matter if it’s a trip to the grocery store, buying a car, or looking to repurpose an abandoned warehouse for something new, we all want the best quality at the best price possible. There are situations where the best price isn’t necessarily the lowest, but knowing the difference will give you the confidence you need to make an informed decision.

This is especially true when it comes to metal fabrication. Although there may not be coupons or weekly ads to compare prices, when you begin getting the bids for a job, it becomes a heavy task to sift through the facts and figures to try to ensure you are hiring the right fabricator or welder for the job. Every job has many different factors that have to be considered, but typically the bid’s total dollar amount is one of the most things you can look at.

When you are getting ready to request bids on an upcoming project, here are a few tips that can help keep estimates low and lead times short. Keep in mind, these are suggestions and you can alter each of them to fit your specifications and needs at any particular time.

Provide shop-ready drawings.

By providing your own drawings, you can eliminate the engineering process that many fabrication companies spend additional money on while forming their estimated bid.

Provide a completion date. 

Every fabrication company has a different workload based on multiple factors. This means that your desired delivery date will impact their bid price and ability to fit the project into their schedule.

Provide addresses and contacts.

It is not uncommon for fabricators to do a majority of the work on-site, which can help shorten lead times considerably. By having this information upfront, you allow each metal shop to determine a closer estimate of their costs based on the specifications of the job site.

Provide load specifications if possible. 

These include specs for tension, environmental loads, equipment limitations or restrictions, or even equipment cut sheets. This can provide them with valuable information on how they will be pricing your bid and if they will need to custom order anything.

Provide engineering drawings

Provide engineering drawings or basic arrangement drawings if possible. Once again, these small things allow estimators to have a clearer picture of the project in its entirety. That enables them to provide a more realistic bid total. Plus, their bid total won’t need to include costs related to this prep work.

Provide any plans and profiles available.

To reiterate for the third time, the more information you can provide prior to getting the bid, the more realistic and accurate that bid will be.

If you are ever in doubt about what you should provide, always err on the side of too much. Communication is key to more precise bids and the more detail you include, the closer to a factual total you will end up with. As an interested customer, the more information you can provide upfront, the better.

Another thing it is important to remember when you are considering a fabrication job is that if you need to make any major changes to these pre-stated specifications AFTER a job begins, it can extend the completion date out beyond the deadline and tack on extra costs that weren’t accounted for in the contingency figures. By being prepared in advance and knowing what you want from the start, your metal fabricator can actually get to work and complete the project as efficiently as possible.

Need to Request for Quote from Yarbrough Industries? Contact us anytime!

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What Are Welding Procedure Specifications And Why Are They Important?

High-quality welds are the best way to ensure a successful metal fabrication project. Every single weld is important as they build on each other to ensure the final product’s structural integrity and longevity. Without sufficient welding quality control, mistakes can compromise the entire custom metal fabrication.

There are many ways that welding mistakes can cause disastrous and costly consequences. Even minuscule holes can invite rust, and poorly-fused welds can lead to breaks, eventually causing things like product failure or failure to meet OSHA industrial access regulations or industry-specific requirements.

Properly trained welders, along with a well-documented WPS program, can prevent project mishaps and delays.

Finding a Company

Finding a company that you can trust could be a challenge if you don’t know what to look for. Welding Procedure Specifications are a great way to determine the quality of the work you will receive. Having Welding Procedure Specifications is essential for every welding company because it maintains quality standards across every weld. It isn’t just a nice guide to follow. Under various international standards, a WPS is required to ensure a stable weld.

No matter how experienced your welding company appears to be, you shouldn’t rely on them to simply guess the best way to accomplish a specific weld. They should provide you with a list of specifications that guarantee their welders can execute an excellent weld in any situation. To maintain consistently high standards, you should look for a Welding Procedure Specification for every type of weld you require for your project.

What is a Welding Procedure Specification?

A Welding Procedure Specification, or WPS, is a formal written document describing standard welding procedures.

Like a recipe for welders, these procedures provide clear direction for welders to make quality products up to code and industry standards. They will include any details and information that are required to make the desired weld.

These are proven and tested procedures that include but are not limited to information such as the materials needed, the tools required, the processes to follow, the techniques they employ and finally, confirmation of the desired outcome.

A WPS goes beyond knowing you will get a great weld. Although a WPS will ensure the welded components meet design requirements, it can also help you determine what company you should go with when hiring someone to create your product. Knowing a company’s welders have skills that are in line with a particular WPS can give you peace of mind and ensure your product will pass inspection and do exactly what it should.

Why You Need Welding Procedure Specification

A company that has an established process to ensure their welders follow Welding Procedure Specifications means you know what you will get without having to see the finished product. Because the WPS should record all pertinent welding information, such as plate dimensions, material type, and welder and operator identifications, it is easy to guarantee the quality of the work.

Here at Yarbrough Industries, we hold our welders to the highest standard. We can provide Welding Procedure Specifications for the most common welding types, including MIG, TIG, welding of carbon steels, stud welding, and welding stainless steels for structural purposes. We are also willing to create a custom WPS for your product when the basics aren’t enough.

At Yarbrough Industries, we only employ certified, safety-conscious welders as part of our documented quality control program. Our Quality Control program adheres to industry-specific safety standards, such as material thickness, in each custom metal fabrication. We provide our clients with documentation for every fabrication, including quality inspection and detailed photographs. Our dedicated manager ensures every metal fabrication meets or exceeds safety and quality standards.

If you’re ready to work with a custom metal fabricator that practices what they preach when it comes to welding quality, give us a chance to say, “Yes, we can do that!” by contacting us today.

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This industry moves fast, but you can move even faster if you’re up to date on trends, technical developments, and best practices. The Yarbrough Industries blog is a go-to source for valuable, timely and detailed information. Sign up to ensure that you don’t miss a single post.

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choosing a metal fabricator, expert welder, metal fabrication shop, metalwork, questions, Springfield MO, welder, welding

How To Choose The Right Metal Fabricator

 

There are many choices when you are looking for a metal fabricator that has the capabilities and services you need for your next project. But how do you determine which one will be the best fit for you? What is important to look for? What sets one company apart from the rest?

These are the characteristics that will help you distinguish between a competent fabricator and an exceptional metal fabrication partner.

1. Experience Matters

A company with years of experience under their belts will have the knowledge to help you make strategic decisions regarding product design and fabrication needs. When you partner with an experienced company, you will be backed by the knowledge and expertise of people who can make the best recommendations while keeping them realistic. They can guide you in everything from structural aesthetics to functionality.

2. Invested in Your Success

When choosing a partner for your metal fabrication needs, you should look for someone who is personally invested in your success, beginning to end.  When you have a partner who has watched your product evolve and helped refine your designs, they will be far more invested in creating an effective product. Effectual product design begins with an expert partner who can guide you through the entire product development cycle.

3. Innovation is Imperative

The way a company approaches a new project can set them apart when you are looking for the right fit. A company with an innovative approach to projects will stand out from the commoditized competition by differentiating itself through value-driven fabrication. No matter if you are looking for a simple consultation on product development or needing full metal fabrication project management, the partner you choose should constantly evaluate the product’s functionality, cost-effectiveness and structural integrity. 

4. Cost-Consciousness

The company you choose to partner with should have a proactive cost avoidance approach. Avoiding unseen costs due to scope creep is important as you work through your project. It is a common occurrence for metal fabrication products, so identifying a fabrication partner that will help you reduce material, assembly and shipping costs, as well as holding and handling costs, a ballooning scope—and bill—can be avoided. To be successful, it is critical that your fabrication partner commits to understanding all aspects of your supply chain operations.

5. Multiple Material Suppliers

When a metal fabricator buys from multiple suppliers, they are able to negotiate for material prices and products on your behalf and to your benefit. Having multiple suppliers also means they can buy, ship, store and process the steel in-house, which helps considerably when you need high-volume projects and achieving economies of scale. multiple suppliers, they are able to source materials that best suit your application. The flexibility to purchase large quantities at reduced prices OR specialty material for your non-typical project means you will get exactly what you need at the best possible rate.  

Choosing the best metal fabrication partner is critical to the overall strength of your business. By taking the time to identify and partner with a strategic, useful, all-in-one metal fabricator, you’ll notice a difference in production cost, effectiveness and efficiency. Don’t settle for anything short of first-class service and reliability.

Yarbrough Industries is here to provide the experience and service you need to ensure your project’s success. 

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Get direct access to industry-leading content

This industry moves fast, but you can move even faster if you’re up to date on trends, technical developments, and best practices. The Yarbrough Industries blog is a go-to source for valuable, timely and detailed information. Sign up to ensure that you don’t miss a single post.

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fabrication, metal fabrication, metal fabrication shop, metalwork, Mobile Hydraulic Services

New Cincinnati Press Brake

Yarbrough Industries had a new Cincinnati press brake “flown in” to provide even higher quality bent parts at competitive prices.  This new machine is the perfect complement to their laser, water jet, welding and other fabrication equipment.  Now is a great time to contact Yarbrough for a quote on your parts or assemblies.

Get direct access to industry-leading content

This industry moves fast, but you can move even faster if you’re up to date on trends, technical developments, and best practices. The Yarbrough Industries blog is a go-to source for valuable, timely and detailed information. Sign up to ensure that you don’t miss a single post.

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featured, metal fabrication shop, metal projects, metalwork, Yarbrough Industries

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