Professional Documents
Culture Documents
SO08 Connections
SO08 Connections
October 2008
1-3 Rollforming for the Metal
Construction Industry -
Conference Sessions
Baltimore, Md. Race car driver Brennan Palmiter will be at FMA’s booth #1080 with his car on display.
6-8 Conference at FABTECH This is an exciting year for the FABTECH no exception. Beside the hundreds of pieces
International & AWS Welding Show
® International & AWS Welding Show which of new equipment up and running at the
Las Vegas, Nev. takes place October 6-8. For the first time exhibitors’ booths, visitors can check the
the show heads to Las Vegas, extending latest innovations at the New Product
21 Steel Purchasing Fundamentals its reach to include the west in the show’s Theater. Conveniently located on the show
for Buyers current rotation between Chicago and floor, the New Product Theater will
Nashville, Tenn. Atlanta. To date, more than 900 exhibiting showcase free, 30-minute, exhibitor-led new
21 FabCast–Budgets and Metrics In companies will be on hand at the Las Vegas product and technology demonstrations
Convention Center offering the most throughout each day of the show.
The Fab Shop: They Need Not Be
comprehensive array of metal forming, More Education
‘Four-Letter’ Words fabricating, tube and pipe, and welding
10 - 11:30 a.m. CDT Learn from 75 industry experts in one or
equipment and technology. More than 100 more of the 46 practical educational sessions
of these exhibitors will be part of the show offered in the FABTECH conference. This
Details at fmanet.org for the first time. year the program is refreshed and infused
More Technology with 25 all-new sessions to keep you
In addition to the new location, up-to-date on the emerging techniques,
attendees will find an addition to the issues, and trends facing the metal
show name. Earlier this year, the Precision forming and fabricating industry. Several
Metalform Association was announced as unique sessions include Tech Tours, where
a co-sponsor for the event. This expansion attendees can advance their knowledge in the
FABTECH....................................... 1 brings even more to the show floor with the classroom and then experience the
member profile................................. 4 new METALFORM pavilion, highlighting technology operating in designated booths.
the latest innovations in stamping From process, design, and production
education......................................... 6 technology. engineers to plant managers, job shop
scholarship winners ......................... 8 The FABTECH International & owners, and corporate management, the
AWS Welding Show is known for its FABTECH sessions provide a valuable
board of directors ballot..................11 ability to bring together the newest learning experience for every member
technology in the industry, and this year is cont. on page 2
1
2008 FABTECH International & AWS Welding Show
Brings More to the Show Floor cont.
Conference Schedule Excerpt
Monday, October 6 Tuesday, October 7 Wednesday, October 8
Roll Forming— Fundamentals (F10) New Productive Robotics 101 for Fabricators Plasma Plate & Structural Cutting (F60)
Roll Forming Tooling (F20) with Tech Tour (F30) Press Brakes with Tech Tour (F61)
New Laser 101 with Tech Tour (F11) Automated Non-contact & Vision with Tech New Troubleshooting Press Brakes (F70)
Tour (F40)
New Laser System Considerations for Optimizing High Variation Operations:
First-time Buyers (F21) Comparative Cutting with Tech Tour (F31) Lessons for Fabricators and Specialty
Lean 101 – Principles of Lean Laser Cutting Technology (F41) Manufacturers (F62)
Manufacturing (F12) Waterjet Cutting Advancements (F50) New Cost Estimating for Job Shops (F71)
Lean 202 – Advanced Value Stream New Coil Slitting with Tech Tour (F32) New Lean Leadership (F63)
Mapping (F22) New Coil Leveling with Tech Tour (F42) Lean Accounting and Metrics: Scorecards
New Driving Up Productivity – The Key is New Punch Presses with Tech Tour (F51) for High Performance (F72)
Increasing Employee Commitment & New Fabricating of HSS (High Strength
Engagement (F13) Lean 203 – 5S Workplace Organization and
Standardization (F33) Steels) (F64)
Strategic Planning for Job Shop Owners
(F23) Demand Pull in the Fabrication Job Shop (F43) New Press Maintenance (F65)
Total Productive Maintenance for the New Die Maintenance (F73)
R&D Tax Credit (F24)
Fabrication Job Shop (F52) New Cost Effective Hydroforming
Adding Powder Coating Capabilities to the Applications (F66)
Job Shop (F14) New Machine Safeguarding with Tech Tour
(F53)
Adding Liquid Paint Capabilities to the Job
Shop (F25) New Why Lean Manufacturing is Green
Manufacturing (F34)
New What’s New in Stamping with Tech Tour
(F26) New Economist Playbook for Growing your
Accounts (F35)
New Market Warfare: Tactics to Increase
Leads, Sales & Margins (F44)
New Seven Deadly Mistakes Manufacturers
Make and How to Avoid Them (F54)
Fabricating of Stainless Steel (F45)
Introduction to Metal Formability (F36)
New Evaluating to Purchase New or Used
Equipment (F46)
Solutions for Stamping Press Operations &
Set-up (F55)
New Tube & Pipe Production with Tech Tour
(F37)
of your metal fabricating operation. The information presented is It’s not too late to register to attend North America’s largest metal
designed to benefit you. forming, fabricating and welding event. Free advance registration is
Tracks are dedicated to automation, cutting, fabricating/forming, still available in addition to special discounts offered to all FMA/TPA
lasers, lean/operations, management, materials, processes, stamping, members for conference registration. Session prices for members start
and tube and pipe. at $165 if you register by September 12. After September 12, the
Your time is valuable, so why not take advantage of the additional price increases in each category. To register to attend the show and
8 - 10 a.m. time slot Tuesday and Wednesday to start your day before educational programs or to find the latest updates on featured special
the show even opens? events, hotel reservations, exhibiting companies, and more log on to
A timetable of educational sessions with complete descriptions is fmafabtech.com.
available at fmafabtech.com, but check out the list of topics by day The FABTECH® International & AWS Welding Show introducing Metalform is proud
located above. to be sponsored by Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International (FMA), Society of
Manufacturing Engineers (SME), American Welding Society (AWS) and the Precision
Metalform Association (PMA).
2
Member Profile:
AICON 3D Systems, Braunschweig, Germany
Company background
AICON 3D Systems focuses on the development and distribution of
optical 3D measurement technologies. Our flagship product is TubeInspect,
an optical tube measuring system. I founded AICON in 1990 with my
fellow student Carl-Thomas Schneider after we had gathered deep knowl-
edge in optical camera-based 3D metrology at Volkswagen. We clearly saw
the potential of this technology that was still in its infancy at that time due
to the limited performance of digital cameras and computers. AICON’s
first tube measuring system was launched in the mid-nineties. Today,
thanks to our long-time experience in tube bending and sheet metal form-
ing, and profiting from technological progress, we offer an elaborate system
for the high precision measurement of tube geometries.
6
Fall Programs to Advance Your Operations
As summer vacations come to
Program Date Fee Location
an end and students are readying
themselves for the start of a new Sept. 16-17, Doubletree Alsip
Coil Processing Workshop & Exposition $495
2008 Alsip (Chicago), Ill.
school year don’t miss the
opportunity to increase your Sept. 17, 2008
knowledge and skills too. With FabCast–Roll Forming Basics 8-10:30 a.m. $195
CDT
more than 25 years of experience
developing educational programs FabCast–Budgets and Metrics in the Fab
Oct. 21, 2008 $99
FMA has built a reputation as the Shop: They Need Not Be "Four-Letter" Words
foremost resource for technical
training in the metal processing, Hotel Preston
Steel Purchasing Fundamentals for Buyers Oct. 21, 2008 $495
forming and fabricating industry. Nashville, Tenn.
Whether public seminars, custom
Oct. 21-22, Hotel Preston
on-site programs, or on-demand Cutting and Forming High Strength Materials $595
2008 Nashville, Tenn.
web-based training makes the most
sense, you can choose. Our goal is to FANUC
help you hire and maintain the Robotics America
Robotics for Fabricating Oct. 28, 2008 $395
highest quality skilled work force Midwest Smart Center
possible. The chart to the right reflects Hoffman Estates (Chicago), Ill.
upcoming programs for which your
Mitsubishi Laser/MC
FMA/TPA membership entitles you to Machine Safeguarding for Fabricators Nov. 5, 2008 $395 Machinery Systems Inc.
discounted prices. Wood Dale (Chicago), Ill.
Can’t make it on these dates?
We’ll come to you! Customizable Wilson Tool International
Cutting, Punching, Trimming, and Blanking Nov. 6, 2008 $395
White Bear Lake (St. Paul), Minn.
training is available addressing an array
of topics. Your organization can realize Fundamentals of Roll Forming, an
Hilton Atlanta/Marietta Hotel &
an immediate return on its Nov. 6, 2008 $395 Confernce Center
Engineering Perspective
investment as your employees put Marietta (Atlanta), Ga.
their training to the test right away Hilton Atlanta/Marietta Hotel &
at their own workstations. Training Advanced Concepts for the Roll Form
Nov. 7, 2008 $395 Confernce Center
Engineer
from FMA’s experts can help you Marietta (Atlanta), Ga.
increase productivity, improve quality, Nov. 7, 2008
and reduce scrap and rework. Contact FabCast–Introduction to Sheet Metal
10 AM-12:30 $195
Stamping 101
Jim Warren at jimw@fmanet.org or PM CST
815-227-8213 for more details.
Education Announcements
Mark Your Calendars for Toll Processing ’09: The Power of ‘E’
Metal Matters 2009! Don’t miss FMA’s 13th Annual Toll Processing Conference March
4-6, 2009 at Disney’s Contemporary Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
This world-class conference will focus on the issues of top priority to
metal processors, producers, and distributors:
• Economics photo courtesy of Herr-Voss Stamco
• Employees
• Education
• E-commerce
Save the date for Metal Matters: The Metal Fabricator’s • Equipment
Management Summit, FMA’s fourth annual conference. Join us March
Highlights include
25-27, 2009 at Carefree Resort & Villas just outside of Phoenix.
compelling presentations
The 2009 conference will deliver even more opportunities for
on economic trends,
you to find solutions to your most pressing business concerns. With
work force challenges,
expanded peer-to-peer roundtable discussions scheduled to address:
and developments in new
economic issues, government regulations, leadership, productivity,
technology. Excellent networking opportunities include a welcome
work force development, and more, Metal Matters 2009 is a must
reception, dinner and entertainment at Pat O’Brien’s in Universal
attend for those working to move ahead in today’s competitive market.
CityWalk, and a golf outing at Disney’s Osprey Ridge.
For further details on any of these events visit fmanet.org/Conferences or call 888-394-4362.
7
2008
FMA & FMA Foundation
Scholarship Recipients
A record 31 students received scholarships totaling $110,500 from FMA and the FMA Foundation
for the 2008-2009 academic school year.
$5,000 Donor Sponsored Scholarships $2,500 Donor Sponsored Scholarship
William Charvat IV Michael Fagan* John Piotrowski*
Elk Grove Village, Ill. Los Altos, Calif. Mount Laurel, N.J.
Don & Andree Begneaud College The Steel Family Charitable Fund Thomas Mallan
Scholarship College Scholarship Major: Memorial Scholarship
Major: Mechanical Engineering Mechanical Engineering Major: Engineering
University of Illinois Worcester Polytechnic Institute Drexel University
A: You are not alone. Most companies are receiving higher Another reason for the increase in costs is the increased demand
electric bills, even those that are using less electricity. This fact is for electricity. As other countries industrialize, they need more
documented in the 2006 Annual Survey of Manufacturers, the electricity, which increases the demand for coal. The United States
most recent survey available. The chart below is taken from the has an abundance of coal and is supplying much of the demand.
survey and shows the figures for U.S. manufacturing industries Total U.S. coal exports in 2007 were 59.2 million short tons, a
(NAICS codes 31-33) and metal fabrication’s portion (NAICS level higher than any since 1998, according to the Department
codes 332) for the years 2003 through 2006, to show trends in of Energy. The amount is likely to be higher this year, because
usage and costs: the recent winter impacted other countries’ abilities to produce
coal. Snowstorms in China cut its coal production this year while
Year Quantity Cost of Quantity Cost of Australia, the world’s largest coal exporter, experienced heavy
electricity purchased electricity purchased rains which flooded coal mines. These natural disasters and the
purchased electricity purchased electricity increased global demand for electricity have forced other countries
(in billions kWh) (in $billions) (in billions kWh) (in $billions) to import coal from the United States. The increased demand
31-33 31-33 332 332 produces increased prices.
How can you manage these higher rates? Consider an energy
2006 892.1 49.7 52.5 3.2 audit by a qualified expert outside of your company. An expert
can help you find methods to conserve energy, and find the best
2005 901.4 46.3 52.9 2.9 rates available to you from utility providers.
2004 868.0 41.8 49.7 2.6 To help you find an expert, FMA offers the APPI Savings
Solutions Program to its Advantage and AdvantagePlus members.
2003 821.4 40.6 42.3 2.6 Managed by Affiliated Power Purchases International (APPI), an
independent consulting firm, the program helps FMA members
identify possible methods to reduce utility costs such as electric
The year between 2004 and 2005 shows that the amount of bills. APPI services include finding and negotiating better rates,
electricity purchased by the entire manufacturing sector increased and recuperating any overcharges. The process is risk free; you pay
by nearly 4 percent, and the amount paid was approximately 9 nothing until APPI outlines a cost savings plan and you decide to
percent higher. Between the years 2005 and 2006, however, the implement the recommendations.
amount of electricity purchased decreased about 1 percent, but More information about this benefit is found on the
the costincreased nearly 6 percent. Members Only section at fmanet.org. FMA recently used this
Fabricated metal products followed the same trend. Between service and saved several thousands of dollars. One Advantage
2004 and 2005, the usage went up by about 6 percent, but the member recently used this service and saved over $80,000 just
cost increased approximately 10 percent. Between 2005 and in rebates from previous charges!
2006, usage decreased slightly, but the cost increased about Keep thinking green. It’s worth it.
10 percent.
Why the increase in cost? The reason largely lies in the way that
electricity is produced. At this time, utility companies use coal
As a member, you have access to the largest and most extensive library devoted to
to produce nearly 50 percent of the country’s electricity. Coal is the metal forming and fabricating industry—a benefit reserved exclusively for
burned to drive the steam turbines that generate electricity. members. FMA’s Research Assistance Center is the most efficient source for the
Currently coal is preferred because it costs less than alternative information you need to optimize your operation. Advantage and AdvantagePlus
sources such as solar or wind power. These sources are being Members enjoy unlimited FREE research, while Basic Members receive one hour
experimented with, but building and operating renewable energy of FREE research assistance per month. Get your research questions answered
plants are more expensive than the plants currently in use, when you call the Research Assistance Center at 1-815-399-8700 or
according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Also, many e-mail researchassistance@fmanet.org.
renewable energy plants, such as wind farms, are built in rural
areas and require expensive means to transport electricity to the
urban areas.
9
BTD Manufacturing Inc. announced it 2008 Salary & Benefits Survey: Executives & Professionals
acquired Miller Welding & Iron Works Be sure to reserve your copy of the 2008 Salary & Benefits Survey for Professionals & Executives
of Washington, Ill. for the metal forming and fabricating industry. Members who completed the survey will receive
DeWys Manufacturing announced it is the results for free. Nonparticipants may purchase the results for $75. To order or request sample
expanding in equipment and capacity. pages, please contact customer service at 888-394-4362 or e-mail karlal@fmanet.org.
The company purchased a Show Ticket Enclosed
PERformER+ ABT® compact panel A free show ticket has been included with this issue of Connections. Pass the ticket on to a
bender from Salvagnini Group. colleague or use the ticket yourself at the FABTECH International & AWS Welding Show,
Huot Manufacturing Co. has October 6-8 in Las Vegas. The ticket includes a reference to FMA’s booth (#1080) and entitles
introduced new safety tool covers reduce the holder to receive free entry into the show, a $50 value.
industrial espionage of CNC tooling Dallas-area Members
and manufacturing protocol. The new FMA is continuing its mission to get young people involved in the industry and is coming
CNC tooling covers are built for use to the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. Bring your skilled young professionals for an evening of
with many models of Huot’s popular networking, food, and a tour of Texas Pro-Fab.
Tool Scoot®. When: September 17, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
J.L. Clark teamed up with PGA pro Where: Texas ProFab Corp. • 2151 Hutton Drive • Carrollton, Texas 75006 • Texasprofab.com
Robert Gamez to come in third at the Tour the shop, meet new people, enjoy great food and an after-work beer while getting to
Rockford Pro-Am 2008. know your young professionals better, and meet lots of other folks who, just like you, are
Voss Industries has been recognized for involved in the metal fabricating industry. Who knows, your next customer or supplier could
its three-year 271 percent increase in be there, giving you a chance to jumpstart a new business relationship! This event is sponsored
exports with the 2008 Presidential by Main Steel. To RSVP, contact Kimberly Pollard at 815-227-8284 or visit fmanet.org/
Export “E” Award - the highest honor YPevent to register online.
the U.S. Government can give to “Fabrinomics” Free Trial for Basic Members
firms that have made a significant If you are a Basic member, you’re missing out on a valuable new benefit. Commentary
contribution to the increase of on--and summaries of--recent relevant business and economic stories are brought to
American exports. Advantage-level members via “Fabrinomics,” a monthly e-newsletter by Dr. Chris Kuehl,
FMA’s economic analyst. Visit fmanet.org/fabrinomics to sign up for a 6-issue trial.
see m
detai ore
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pg. 5 n
10
Fax Ballot
2008-2011 FMA Board of Directors
The annual membership meeting takes place at 8:00 a.m. (CDT) Oct. 30, 2008, at FMA
headquarters in Rockford, Illinois. During the meeting, members will elect three directors to
serve on the FMA’s Board of Directors. If you will not be able to attend the meeting, your vote is
important. Please check yes or no for each nomination of the candidates below for 3-year terms.
YES NO CANDIDATE
_________________________________________________________
Company Name
_________________________________________________________
Signature Date
11
Connections
member newsletter
september/october 2008
Connections Staff
Editor
Kimberly Pollard
kimp@fmanet.org
Contributing Writers
D’Ann Hamilton, Dena Mattausch
Member Services & Research Director
Nancy Olson
Membership Operations &
Customer Service Manager
Jill Klug
Graphic Designer
Sarah Currie
Contact us
Customer service: 888-394-4362 or
815-399-8775
Fax: 815-381-1371
FMA e-mail: info@fmanet.org
FMA Website: www.fmanet.org
TPA e-mail: info@tpatube.org
TPA Website: www.tpatube.org
FMA Connections is
published bimonthly by:
Fabricators & Manufacturers Associa-
tion, International®
Tube & Pipe Association, International®
833 Featherstone Rd.
Rockford, IL 61107-6302 USA