One of the joys of working on the internet is that corrections can be made quickly.  You know what I’m talkin’ about:  typos, wrong part numbers, confusing images….

Print, however, is different.  An operations manual, for example, printed hundreds of thousands of times over– with an error–  could potentially cause confusion, and none of us are immune– not even the most respected manufacturers.

We recently ran across just such a case, when a manufacturing engineer contacted us via this very blog, in response to an article we’d posted about the installation of the ceramic electrode insulator/gas distributor on the Thermal Dynamics 3A Plasma Arc Welding Torch.

Allen wrote:

The article about Plasma Arc Welding Tips from June 2007 shows a particular way to install the insulator sleeves part # 9-2240 for a Thermal PAW 3A torch. This is opposite to what my Thermal factory manual says. The manual says the collar goes towards the tip and your article says the collar goes to the torch cap. I’m confused now.

I emailed a response that included a direct link to the manufacturer’s data sheet on the 3A PAW torch which correctly shows the direction of the installation of the part.

Imagine my surprise when Allen wrote back to tell me he had called the manufacturer himself and a service tech confirmed that the manual was incorrect!

Now I’m not saying we’re always right, but I am saying it is always a good idea to double check, and ask questions.  When you’re talking about Plasma Arc Welding, there are so many variables, and the last thing you want is for you an incorrectly installed part to cause a $500 torch failure.

At Arc-Zone.com we carry a complete line of performance proven no-OEM plasma arc welding torches and replacement parts for the Thermal Dynamics(R) torches, manufactured to exacting specifications to meet your production needs.

So give us call if you’re in need of plasma arc welding torch replacement parts, accessory kits, and be sure to ask about our blanket purchase order program.  We’ll make sure you not only have your parts installed correctly, we’ll make sure you have the parts you need when you need them.

Everyone’s talking about alternative energy, and the many opportunities for metal fabricators in that growing industry.  This article profiles SMF Inc. (Specialty Metal Fabricators in Minonk, Illinois)--  they were able to add wind components to its lineup fairly easily…   for others its been more difficult.

Local parts makers see potential in wind industry

MINONK — At the new 68-turbine Top Crop I wind farm in LaSalle County, a steel ring about 15 feet in diameter connects each turbine’s giant tower to its concrete foundation. Those rings came from a machine shop just down the road.

That shop, Specialty Metal Fabricators in Minonk, with 170 employees, first entered the wind business five years ago, when it made an emergency ring that saved a foundation at another Central Illinois wind farm under construction.

SMF made contacts in the industry, and today wind is about 5 percent of its business and growing, said Paul Halvorsen, co-owner and chief financial officer. SMF’s rings are used across the U.S. and Canada, and it opened a small facility in Texas to handle orders in the south.
In an industry often at the mercy of big players like Caterpillar — a major SMF customer that was hard-hit by the recession — wind is a welcome addition.

CONTINUE READING AT THE PANTAGRAPH ONLINE –>

How has YOUR company diversified to make it through this challenging economy?

I know, the question in the world of welding is usually Red or Blue?  but I couldn’t resist…  and if you can tell me the state where “Red or Green?” is the OFFICIAL state questions, we’ll send you a surprise gift from Arc-Zone.com.

Lincoln Electric is actively  engaged in initiatives to reduce the environmental impact of their manufacturing processes and products.

From reduced emissions for diesel-driven engine welders — that have met the enhanced 2011 EPA standards since Fall of 2008, to energy efficient inverter technology and the use of non-bleached, biodegradable packaging…  Lincoln is not just RED, but GREEN as well! You can get all the details about Lincoln’s Green Initiative online->

And speaking of Green initiatives, we don’t have an official program, but at Arc-Zone.com we’re pretty conscious of our environmental impact…

We did this video a while ago, but it’s pretty fun to watch, so check it out:

Finally catching up on my newsletter reading and came across this awesome article from Lincoln…

Two years ago, Ridler Award winner (and from the looks of this car, a master fabricator) Dan Webb set out to honor this iconic creation by building a low-sloping hotrod variation of the original, the iconic 1917 Golden Submarine Racecar.

The project, powered by Lincoln, is showcased over on the Lincoln website… check it out–>

And if you’re looking to create the kind of TIG welds Webb did, check out Arc-Zone.com’s line up of  TIG Torches. We feature  CK Worldwide and Weldcraft, two fine manufacturers of TIG Torches and replacement parts.

And, did you know Arc-Zone.com  now has CK TIG Torch replacement parts online?  You’ll find the replacement parts listed along side the torches we offer.

Check out this AWESOME opportunity from Miller…

Miller Electric Mfg. Co. has launched of its 5th annual Welding Project Contest: The Welding Showdown, a competition to showcase the welding skill and talent of anyone in the industry. Contestants will submit a project in one of three categories (easy, moderate, difficult). Judges will select two finalists from each category based on the project’s creativity, quality of presentation and craftsmanship. Each finalist wins an ArcStation™ 30SX welding workbench, an Arc Armor™ Welding Protection Package and an all-expense-paid trip to Miller’s headquarters in Appleton, Wis. Entries are due by August 10, 2010.

Finalists will receive a tour of Miller’s headquarters and compete head-to-head to build a project, selected by Miller, within a set time period. Miller will supply all materials and tools for the Welding Showdown.

The grand prize winner in each category wins their choice of a Millermatic® 211 Auto-Set™ with MVP™ MIG welder with a Spoolmate™ 100 spool gun, a Diversion™ 180 TIG welding package, or a Spectrum® 375 X-TREME™ plasma cutter. For information on contest rules and how to enter, visit MillerWelds.com/Showdown.

The new and improved Miller® Welding Helmet line-up is the ultimate in safety, Protection, Performance, and Comfort.

From basic hobby applications to working in an extreme heat, high-tech welding environment, these welding helmets will keep you safe and comfortable and with the variety of designs we offer, you will look cool while doing it.

Designed to protect your eyes and face in some of the most intense welding environments, Miller’s welding helmets meet ANSI Z87.1-2003 (High Impact) industry standards.  Hard hat adapters are available and most of the helmets come standard with an auto-darkening lens.  Miller’s passive welding helmets can be upgraded to an auto-darkening lens with the Digital Elite™ Upgrade kit.

BENEFITS:

The auto-darkening features are awesome, instead of having to stop what you’re doing to adjust your helmet, your helmet’s arc sensors will automatically darken to preset shades at lightning fast speed as soon as the arc is detected.

Highly sensitive Electromagnetic Digital Arc Sensing is also available for use when welding outdoors or at very low amperages.

Auto-darkening lenses can be preset to your shade preference in a variety of different standard shade options: (all lenses include light shade #3)

• MP-10™ Series – non auto-darkening, Passive Shade #10 lens
• Pro-Hobby™ Series FS#10 – fixed shade #10
• Pro-Hobby™ Series – variable shade #8 – #12
• Performance™ Series – variable shade #8 – #13
• Elite™ Series – variable shade #8 – #13
• Digital Elite™ Series – Electromagnetic digital arc sensing
  • Weld Mode – variable shade #8 – #13
  • Cut Mode – variable shade #5 – #8
  • Grind Mode – Light Shade #3
  • X-Mode – variable shade #8 – #13
• Titanium™ Series – used for extreme heat and industrial welding, can come equipped with most of the auto-darkening options available.

Auto-darkening viewing areas up to 3.85 x 2.38 in / 9.22 sq in.

Lithium Ion batteries are included and come pre-installed

Magnification lenses are available from 0.75 – 2.50 and all helmets come standard with a magnification lens holder

Most helmets are compatible with the Arc Armor™ Heat Stress products, including the CoolBelt™ and CoolBand™ which both help to increase air flow and lower the temperature under the helmet.

The welding accessory experts at Arc-Zone.com deliver a complete line of replacement parts and accessories to upgrade or maintain your Miller welding helmet.

I don’t know about you, but I sure get frustrated sometimes trying to get things done. You know how it goes: you call Company B, you get the run around, you get put on hold, no one can answer your question, your email goes unnoticed…. and you think to yourself, “the economy can’t be THAT bad, since Company B doesn’t seem to want my business!” They make it hard to buy from them.

I came across this great profile of a small business in Wisconsin (fact: Wisconsin is the home of Weldcraft).  One of the things that caught my attention, is that the company tasks every employee with Customer Service.  That’s how we roll at Arc-Zone.com! I also like their approach, that everyone learns from the shop floor on up. Check out the article from The Fabricator magazine:

The Wisconsin Family Robinson

Robinson Metal’s approach to fabricating has it growing when others weren’t

By Dan Davis
May 28, 2010

Anyone that works for Robinson Metal Inc. learns the business from the ground up. That approached has served it well as the De Pere, Wis., company has grown to become one of the largest fabricating jobs shops in the U.S.

CONTINUE READING ONLINE–>

And speaking of customer service, did you know that Arc-Zone.com offers LIVE CHAT on its website? It’s pretty trick, and we’ve got the lines covered from 6 am to 5 pm California Time. And if you’re not a great typist, don’t worry, we’re still available by phone at 800-944-2243 (USA) and 760-931-1500 (Worldwide). Or you can email sales@arc-zone.com.

Dario Franchitti

If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you know that I have a background in racing.  When I moved from racing to manufacturing, many of my friends and colleagues stayed in the racing industry:  The winning team Target Chip Ganassi, Team Penske, KV Racing Technology and many part suppliers like Howerton Racing Products, Reid Washbon Racing Exhaust, SS Tube Technology, and more. Not only do I count these folks among my friends, some of them have become customers of Arc-Zone.

In other words, I have strong ties to the industry.  And so in the spirit of celebrating those ties, and starting a new tradition for Arc-Zone, for this year’s Indy 500 Race we started  our own version of an office pool.  (for the record, no gambling was involved)

Our Operations Manager Scott Reiman came up with this plan, and to make sure no one (like me) with extensive knowledge of the racing teams would have an unfair advantage, we each  drew names and the person who’s driver came in First would get $25, Second  place driver qualified for $20, and so on.  And to make sure everyone got in on the fun, we even awarded prize money for First Crash, Driver who leads the most laps, Driver leading at the half, Last Finisher and even the Arc-Zone Employee  winning the fewest categories qualified for a $10 award.  I’m not sure everyone actually watched the race– not everyone is as into racing as I am, but it did give us something fun to talk about after the holiday weekend!

Arc-Zone is not the only company with strong ties in the racing industry–  Lincoln Electric is the exclusive provider of welding equipment to winning driver Dario Franchitti (pictured above) and his  Target Chip Ganassi Racing Team.  In fact, Lincoln Electric is the “Official Welder” of the Indy Racing League (IRL).  You can read all about it at the Lincoln website–>.

Crazy Germans and their sausage.  And I fully mean that as a compliment, because we here at Arc-Zone.com were all amazed and highly entertained by what happened next.

German welders + sausage + welding machine = Electric grill for men???

Adventurous Germans Grill Sausages with an Industrial Welder

“Eventually, the tube was so hot that the arc had to be shut down because the fat was on the verge of spontaneous combustion.”

By Vin Marshall  Posted 03.22.2010

Barbecue grills don’t typically require eye protection, but then, they’re typically not made from a giant TIG welder and an industrial sausage positioner either.

That’s something these Germans set out to change with the “Electric Grill For Men.”

What would you do if you needed to endurance-test a large industrial welding power supply?

You’d probably rig up something like the apparatus pictured here, in which a TIG welding torch draws a continuous arc along a slowly rotating piece of aluminum tubing mounted in a work positioner normally used for pipe welding.

As the long weld bead is laid down, the power supply is tested to verify that it can maintain its rated output and duty cycle without melting down. In the process, a great deal of heat is generated.

What would you do if you hated to see all of that heat going to waste? And furthermore, if you loved sausage?

CONTINUE READING ONLINE ->