The robot—Unimation 001—was developed by George Devol and Joseph Engelberger in 1962 to perform welding tasks deemed hazardous for manual operators. However, robotic welding did not gain momentum until the 1980s. At that time, manufacturers influenced by General Motors began to realize the potential of automation. The path was followed…
One of the basic, yet critical operations that permeate most industries is thermal manipulation. The ability to generate, convert, and distribute heat as a gas or through a fluid is essential for activities ranging from food processing to power generation. Heat exchangers are the most common type of pressure vessel…
Tungsten is a robust metal with unique properties commonly used for the manufacturing of welding electrodes. It has the highest tensile strength of any metal and can retain it even at a high melting point of all at 3422° C (6192° F). This makes it an excellent choice for Gas…
The 1979 Oil Crisis was one of the most trying economic crises of the twentieth century. The crisis was caused by instability and decreased oil production in Iran; its effects doubled crude oil prices and ignited panic buying by oil companies. Gasoline shortages and long lines at the pumps followed….
A popular series entitled “The Men Who Built America” airs periodically on the History Channel. Its episodes laud the influence of industrial pioneers like John Rockefeller, J. P. Morgan, Andrew Carnegie, Cornelius Vanderbilt, and Henry Ford who helped transform the US from a mostly agrarian country into an industrial giant…
“Which is better, concrete or steel?” is a popular question around architectural firms and construction sites. The answers you hear are likely to change with each person you ask. While concrete has traditionally been preferred, steel is gaining popularity because its flexibility and lighter weight enable faster erection times and…
It is no secret that traditional manual welding is not for the faint of heart. In fact, welding can be physically demanding work. For example, it may be necessary to create welds on assemblies in tight spaces or where the equipment must be held overhead for extended periods. Welders often…
It seems as though the older I get, the more I long for my childhood days. I especially miss those cartoons and stories that always ended with a moral lesson. Without a doubt, my favorite is the one about the tortoise and the hare—I never have figured out the difference…
I cannot imagine the hardships that our ancestors endured before they discovered fire—especially in colder climes. While warmer seasons might have provided reprieves, instant heat had to seem like magic during colder months. However, our ability to control temperature wouldn’t be complete until we were also able to cool things…
Pipe welders are required to weld in multiple positions—flat, vertical, and overhead—as they work their way around the pipe. Transitioning through these various positions tests the welder’s skill, and it is one reason pipe welding is a highly skilled task. After overhead pipe welding, vertical pipe welding is the second…
© 2021 Arc Machines.
