Weld Revolution Makes Appointment
Weld Revolution appointed Bryan George director of business development covering the United States and Canada. George will be responsible for identifying and leading strategic business development and implementing commercial strategies and strategic alliance opportunities. His 30-plus years of experience in the welding and lean manufacturing industries provide a sound background in process analysis.
RoboVent Clean Air Educational Initiative
RoboVent announced a new program to help industry leaders and plant managers better understand and address air-quality issues in manufacturing facilities. The RoboVent Clean Air Initiative will include a suite of free and paid educational and training resources focused on air-quality regulations, health and safety concerns, and remedy options. The initial focus will be on the automotive industry with additional sectors rolling out later in the year. The first sessions took place at the company’s Michigan offices March 1-2.
Coldwater Machine Appoints Account Manager
Coldwater Machine Co. appointed Chris Zollinger account manager covering western Ohio, northern Indiana and Illinois. He will cover existing accounts and help develop new accounts in these regions. Zollinger has more than18 years of sales and marketing experience in the automation and machine tool industries. Prior to joining Coldwater, he was business development manager at an automation systems manufacturer for the automotive industry.
Miller Electric Sweepstakes Announced
Miller Electric Mfg. Co. announced a ‘New Year – New Build’ sweepstakes with 23 winners receiving new welding equipment and gear. Prizes include a Millermatic 211 MIG welder and Spectrum 375 X-Treme plasma cutter with an XT30 torch and storage case, Weld-Mask auto-darkening goggles and Slag black-frame safety goggles. Participants can enter the sweepstakes once a month until April 30. For further rules and regulations visit www.millerwelds.com.
Bug-O Systems’ Distribution Agreement
Bug-O Systems announced an exclusive OEM and distribution relationship with Weld Revolution for its SpinArc welding torches that will cover the United States and Mexico. Weld Revolution also appointed the company as a global distributor for its product line. Bug-O provides mechanized welding systems that are fully integrated with Weld Revolution’s SpinArc welding torches. The integration of the two systems provides a complete solution that aims to reduce costs, increase productivity, and improve quality of work for fabricators and manufacturing companies.
Robotic Market Sets New Record
The Robotic Industries Association announced that this year’s North American robot orders and shipments set new records. A total of 31,464 robots valued at $1.8 billion were ordered from North American companies during 2015, an increase of 14 percent in units and 11 percent in dollars. Robot shipments also grew with 28,049 robots valued at $1.6 billion. The automotive industry was the primary driver of growth, while semiconductors and electronics lead the non-automotive industry. RIA estimates that some 260,000 robots are now in use in North American factories, third only to Japan and China.
ARC Magazine to Feature Nick Offerman
The spring issue of The Lincoln Electric Co.’s ARC Magazine will feature a cover story and interview with actor Nick Offerman. His book Gumption: Relighting the Torch of Freedom with America’s Gutsiest Troublemakers, advocates for a change in the way people think about the trades, cautioning that if there isn’t a shift the country runs the risk of losing its ability to make and fix things; a topic that the publication continually addresses. In addition to being an actor, Offerman owns and operates his own woodworking business, Offerman Woodshop.
Fanuc Breaks Production Record
Fanuc America Corp. broke a world record with its recent production of more than 400,000 robots. The surge in production is attributed to the popularity of the company’s industrial Fanuc R-2000iC series, the LR Mate 200iD series of minis and the new CR-35iA green robot. The company’s cost-effective robotic offerings provide manufacturers with machines that work alongside humans and are equipped to manage a variety of materials and welding payload applications.
Welding and Shielding Gas Market Report
Research and Markets announced the addition of the “Welding Gas/Shielding Gas Market – Global Forecast to 2020” report to its offering. The report projects market growth from $7.17 billion to $9.46 billion by 2020. Construction development across residential as well as commercial sectors is expected to be the key driving force. Increased governmental investments on infrastructural developments in developing nations and rising construction and mining activities are also expected to boost the demand for welding gas/shielding gas.
Pferd Steps into Performance Racing
Pferd brought its broad range of metalworking solutions to the racing world during the Performance Racing Industry Trade Show in December. Pferd identified the expansive automotive racing industry as a prime market for several of its grinding, cutting and surface-finishing tools. Its Polifan-Curve radial flap discs, Polistar Tube abrasive spiral bands and Policap abrasive cups provide versatility and portability, good for racing pits and trailers.
UA Tip Tig Welding Day
UA local 393 will be hosting a class for the new Tip Tig USA welding process March 22-24 at its training center in San Jose, Calif. The complimentary, 20-hour train-the-trainer class is for current UA welding instructors. The process lowers weld sensitivity and provides superior weld quality and higher wire-feed rates than many automated hot-wire TIG welds. The process is proven on all schedules of carbon and stainless steel, tested on Inconel 625 and other alloys. Signatory contractors and customers are invited to a demonstration on March 24.
