Steel Fabricators Review V34 - Special Edition

A PEDDINGHAUS PUBLICATION FOR FABRICATORS MAKING TODAY’S SKYLINE POSSIBLE

FabArc Steel

Structural Fabrication in the Fast Lane PAGE 6

Kansas City Structural Steel Grupo Coninte

LEEDing the Industry

by Thriving in a “Slow” Economy PAGE 8

A Testament to Peddinghaus Service PAGE 10

Making The Machine — The Advantage 2

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3 New Peddinghaus Machines In Operation at NASCC Show

PAGES 12-19

Service Tips for Success

PAGE 20

Getting to Know John Wayne DeHay

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NASCC Event — Orlando, Florida

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STEEL FABRICATORS’ REVIEW

SPECIAL EDITION

Peddinghaus Corporation wishes to acknowledge the foresight and industry acumen of the show organizers at the AISC. They maintained the focus to continually enhance each successive conference.

Congratulations to Roger Ferch and Scott Melnick for their organizational leadership. But also congratulations to the conference planners – Katey Preston – and her staff which includes Elizabeth Robelet and Ashley Melvin…

Lyle Menke

What Do You Like Best About the NASCC? • Is it the opportunity to learn from cutting edge presentations?

• Is it investigating the many exhibits on the show floor?

• Is it enjoying the opportunity to renew acquaintances with industry friends?

WELL DONE! LEED Certification + Gaylord Palms = First Class Fabricators Two diverse fabricators are included in this issue.

Each has a significant story that affects this year’s NASCC conference.

Kansas City Structural built a new structural steel fabrication facility this past year in Kansas City, Missouri. What makes it unique? It is one of the first fabrication shop buildings that is LEED Certified and totally environmentally friendly. From the reusable rain water to radiant heating systems and ambient lighting, Tim Olah and the crew at Kansas City Structural were thinking green when they designed, fabricated, and erected their new shop facility.

Architects See Activity Improvement The February 2010 report from the American Institute of Architects (www.aia.org) bears some heartening news: “Business conditions at U.S. architecture firms showed modest improvement in February as the AIA’s Architecture Billings Index (ABI) moved up more than two points to a reading of 44.8.

However, some signs indicate that certain sectors served by architects may be seeing early signs of a spring thaw. Regionally, firms in the Midwest are seeing more positive signs, with index readings over 49 for the second straight month. No regional index has been as high as 49 since January 2008.

To me, it is all of the above – and more.

I remember attending one of the first NASCC meetings in 1990 at the Convention Center in Kansas City. This was one of the first conferences where machines were exhibited under power – a truly exciting event for those of us who manufacture equipment. I recall accompanying three bus loads of attendees to visit the facility of one of our customers (formerly Havens Steel – now Schuff Steel) where the attendees witnessed their fabrication processes first hand.

The North American Steel Construction Conference has grown exponentially from year to year. And in 2010, the NASCC welcomes the Structures Congress, which further broadens the scope of the industry.

Gaylord Palms Resort, Orlando — A project of FabArc Steel.

Everyone agrees that the beautiful Gaylord Palms is the perfect place for this years’ NASCC conference. What better testament to the beauty and cost efficiency of structural steel than this 2,200 ton project fabricated by FabArc Steel of Oxford, AL. Huge trusses support over 4 acres of glass atrium – perfect for the “Sunshine State”.

Yes, Peddinghaus is very pleased that these two firms use Peddinghaus equipment in their fabrication shops and are proud to be partners with two such innovative companies.

If current trends continue, firms in the Midwest (which includes Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, and the Dakotas) would be the first to emerge from the national recession in design activity.”

Continued on page 5

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FROM THE CEO Dear NASCC Attendees,

Welcome to this year’s conference at the beautiful Gaylord Palms Resort here in Orlando, FL. I’m sure you will agree with me that the staff and management of the AISC - especially Scott Melnick and Katey Preston - have performed another magnificent job in preparation. My personal thanks to Roger Ferch for his input which has also contributed to the show’s success!

Choosing the Gaylord Palms as this year’s site is pure genius. This beautiful structure is a jewel in the crown of structural steel royalty. We are pleased to note that FabArc Steel fabricated the 2,200 tons of trusses and structural steel members – on Peddinghaus equipment. As I often say, we are very proud of

Anton Peddinghaus

Nobody Does the NASCC Like Peddinghaus! Here’s Why:

our partners in the world of structural steel and their achievements.

Peddinghaus: At the Forefront of Technology!

Peddinghaus Corporation is keenly aware that you have multiple choices to spend your time during this event. We hope that you spend some of your time with us.

In summary, following are the highlights of what Peddinghaus is offering to you at this year’s NASCC, and as you can see, it is all done Peddinghaus Style: • After the NASCC cocktail hour on the show floor, join us as we parade to our Customer Appreciation Event here at the Gaylord • Unique beverages, hoers d’ouevres and delectable dinner entrées • The unique Blue Collar Comedy styling of Ron White • The opportunity to win a custom built Peddinghaus motorcycle, but you have to be present – so fill out your invitation now!

Note: I have to warn you that this event is for mature audiences, but if you enjoy Blue Collar Comedy, great food and beverage, and the opportunity for a “photo op” with Miss Florida, this event is for you! We will all have a great time.

• Three New Machines Seen for the First Time!

New Advantage II carbide drill New DG 1250 high speed band saw New Revolution 833 angle/plate detail processor n n n

• Tomorrow’s Software Today – see our new machine software: Peddiflex Pro 3D PeddiPlate n n

Some People Dream of a “Perfect Fabrication World”…

On another note, during the past couple of months, I find myself in many discussions about fabrication equipment where one machine can supposedly “do it all”… A lot of noise has been made lately about robots taking over all fabrication processes. Since this topic is asked of me frequently, I feel it is necessary for me to give my opinion.

In a “Perfect Fabrication World”, there would be one machine – with one operator that would perform all shop fabrication functions: blast/saw/drill/cope and then move automatically to a fixture. At this point, the fixture would clamp the lead and trail end of the profile and rotate 360 degrees to accommodate the base plate.

Robot #1 would weld the base plate.

Robot #2 would gather all of the connection plates (wing plates, shear tabs, stiffeners, etc) and tack weld them in the exact position. Robot #1 would then go back and finish welding all plate components in the accurate location.

The fabricated section is then moved automatically by a crane or mobile device to the blast system. Upon completion, it moves without hesitation to the automated painting system for the proper coating with the CNC drying furnace completing the process.

Without touching the floor, the fabricated profile is automatically marked/identified and loaded onto the waiting truck trailer for shipment to the job site.

The Best Part of our Perfect Fabrication World is that the General Contractor is automatically invoiced – and his bank wire transfers the funds to your account that afternoon!!

Continued on page 4

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SPECIAL EDITION

FROM THE CEO Continued from page 3

Back to Reality!

Get the Media Involved!

Peddinghaus’ reputation in the industry is quite simple – we build rugged, innovative machines that work well in typical fabrication shop conditions, and are able to be easily maintained. We guarantee customer service and support – via our communication call center or by on-site technician visits – in the shortest amount of time of any competitor in the industry.

The popularity of today’s reality shows on cable channels like Discovery, History, and TLC clearly reveal the impact on young people in career selections. Until the past couple of years, did you know that being a Chef or a Carpenter or a Crab Fisherman was such a fulfilling occupation? I bet not.

Of course we are dedicated to the dream of the Perfect Fabrication Shop.

But in reality, the concepts described above require multiple companies – each with their specific functions. For example, you engage a robotic company, a plasma/torch supplier; a manufacturing company for the structure, a robotic specific software company, an electronics firm, a hydraulics supplier, the list is endless.

Why don’t we mobilize the industry to add steel construction to that selection list? Every person on earth is dazzled by a spectacular skyline, and everyone can identify awe-inspiring structures like the Empire State Building, the Golden Gate Bridge, the John Hancock Building or the Las Vegas Strip.

When Perfection Stops…Finger Pointing Starts Thus in the construction of our Perfect Fabrication Shop, the biggest problem is the age old business conundrum – Communication, Responsibility, and Service/Support. As you know, at Peddinghaus we strive for service visits within 48 hours, but in the “Perfect Shop”, this simply would not happen as fingers would point in many different directions.

An example of this scenario was vividly portrayed to me late last year. This company had their “part of the vision” of the Perfect Fabrication Shop machine. They were very proud, and invited me for a visit. They had sold a couple of their “solutions” for a figure far in excess of $1,000,000.

I asked them for permission to visit the customer installations for a first hand look; they politely declined and were reluctant to even give me the customer names. When I asked how/when they would have a 100% functional system, they advised us to invest $1,800,000 and they could make it happen. Unfortunately, not very workable, wouldn’t you say?

In conclusion, Peddinghaus does not – and will not – give up on designing and manufacturing equipment for the “Perfect Fabrication Shop”. That is why we staff many, many engineers with scores of patents and Research & Development awards.

You Will Never Make a Machine to Replace People Yes, it seems that many manufacturers want to replace human beings with robots. But the simple fact remains that Human Beings are equipped with the brainpower to perform complex tasks that machines will never be able to do on their own.

In the Spring, 2008 issue of the STEEL FABRICATORS’ REVIEW magazine, I floated an idea in conjunction with the NASCC Conference in Nashville, TN. A career in structural steel fabrication leads to a wonderful, fulfilling life – isn’t that why we all participate in it? I know that our average shop employee makes a good wage, so why don’t we start an industry wide initiative to train more people to work in the steel fabrication industry!

As an industry, let’s work together to spread the word to our young people about the benefits of a life-long profession in the steel construction industry.

In attendance at the NASCC, you will find the entire spectrum of careers: educators, engineers, contractors, architects, manufacturers, programmers, the list goes on.

Join us to spread the word about steel construction!

Work with the AISC! Promote SteelDay 2010!

Let’s take our message to our young people: Working in Steel Construction is Pretty Cool!

An NASCC Guarantee for You I guarantee one thing to each NASCC attendee: when you visit Peddinghaus’ Booth 400, you will witness new machine tool technologies that work, are super productive, and are heavily supported by the entire Peddinghaus Team.

Take a first hand look at our new Advantage II carbide drill with tool changer, our new high speed DG 1250 band saw, or the patented Revolution 833 angle/plate detail system. You will be impressed with the best in new technologies for tomorrow’s fabrication demands.

Stop by Booth 400, we will have plenty of refreshments, and experience Peddinghaus networking hospitality for yourself.

Remember my glass is ALWAYS HALF FULL!

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LYLE MENKE Continued from page 2 As we all know, the project pipeline needs to start filling up, and the architects are the key to future business. This AIA report is solid data that things may be “looking up”.

Survey Says: Global Manufacturers Upgraded Shops During Recession – Did You? A survey of 1,300 plant engineers, plant managers and manufacturing and maintenance professionals was conducted worldwide by IBM, Hannover Messe, and Plant Engineering magazine. What were the results?

The survey says…

1. Over 60% of U.S. plant facilities and 70% of international facilities HAVE NO maintenance strategy in place 2. More than half of the global manufacturers used the recent economic slump to upgrade equipment and employee training

What does this mean to you? It could be that your competitors have been quietly improving their fabrication production methods with new equipment, software, and training during this time. Many firms chose to “pull in their horns” and go into survival mode. But things are improving, and as I learned in my high school economics class, “He who hesitates is lost”…

Now is the Time to Invest If your business is located in the USA, the Section 179 expense allowances are restored again up to $250,000!! That means you can deduct your purchase off your taxes – Details are inside under Industry News!

See page 11 to save $$$!

THANK YOU!

A huge Peddinghaus Thank You to our fabricator hosts for the Peddinghaus Fabricators’ Motorcycle Tour: n

Dixie Southern Steel – Polk City, FL

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Schuff Steel – Atlantic Division – Orlando, FL

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Met-Con, Inc. – Cocoa, FL

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FABARC STEEL

Structural Fabrication in the Fast Lane When You Carve Out a Market Niche – Keep Cutting FabArc has a long history of providing superior fabrication to many market areas. These include industrial, commercial, manufacturing, bridges, – any area where AISC certified fabrication is needed.

When the automotive world began exploring the Southeastern USA for new manufacturing facilities, they knew they had an expert in FabArc Steel.

Steve Vinyard, President (L) and Tony Pugh, Executive Vice President of FabArc Steel, Oxford, AL.

Q. Why do you like Peddinghaus as your business partner?

A. I like doing business face to face, and Peddinghaus always comes here to visit – whether it’s good or bad – we sit down and talk. I like the way they “Man Up” to any issue”.

Some other notable jobs for this fabricator include the largest cement processing facility in North America at the Holcim Cement Company in St. Genevieve, MO. By the way, FabArc also fabricated the Presidential Helicopter Hanger located in Pax River, MD, near Washington, DC. Some cool stuff.

What’s on the books now?

FabArc’s resume of providing steelwork for industrial automotive facilities reads like a “Who’s Who” of the car world for the past decade:

In fabrication now is the new Boeing Aircraft manufacturing facility in North Charleston, SC where the new ultramodern “Boeing Dreamliner” passenger plane will be manufactured.

• BMW • Honda • Hyundai • KIA • Mercedes • Nissan • Toyota • Volkswagen

The Global Foundaries electronic microchip facility in Malta, NY is also a FabArc project in process.

Greenville/Spartanburg SC Lincoln, AL & Tallapoosa, GA Montgomery, AL West Point, GA Tuscaloosa, AL Smyrna, TN & Decherd, TN Hunstville, AL Chattanooga, TN

Don’t get us wrong, FabArc’s work isn’t limited to automotive factories. They have fabricated over 300 medical related projects – ranging from complete hospitals to medical centers to trauma units to university buildings.

Editors’ Note: When you are in Orlando, take a ride on the Rock ‘n Roller Coaster – also fabricated by FabArc.

“We Couldn’t Have Done It Without Peddinghaus” Some comments from Steve Vinyard, President, concerning Peddinghaus.

Steve Vinyard President, FabArc Steel, Oxford, AL

A visit to Oxford Alabama means only one thing to NASCAR racing fans – the famed Talladega Motor Speedway is only a few short miles away. Talladega is where speed is King in the automotive world. At FabArc Steel, the world of automobiles and structural steel fabrication come together.

Boeing Corporation has employed FabArc to build the manufacturing facility for their new “Dreamliner model aircraft”… to accommodate this huge airliner, some trusses are 600 feet long and weigh up to 400 tons.

Why? FabArc Steel is a world class steel fabricator, who use Peddinghaus equipment to deliver the most complex fabrications ahead of schedule to their customers. Additionally, one of their top industrial markets has been the automotive industry: they have fabricated steel for multiple automobile manufacturing facilities.

FabArc Steel started in 1979 with 3 employees welding under a tarpaulin at this current site in Oxford, AL.

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“Best decision we ever made! The machine paid for itself many times over, and we then learned the future of fabrication lay with automated equipment!”

Some Textbook Advice from 30 year Veterans in Steel Construction: 1. You need good people to succeed: We are very proud of our 290 employees and the contributions that each has made to our success. They are hardworking and resourceful.

The Peddinghaus ABCM 1250 is one of sixteen (16) Peddinghaus machines installed at FabArc… “automated coping of beams has increased our productivity tenfold…”

Peddinghaus is the perfect partner for FabArc for many reasons: • Strong, Innovative equipment • Extraordinary Service and Support • Always there when you need them – a partner you can depend on We have sixteen Peddinghaus machines (4 drills, 4 saws, 3 plate machines, 2 Anglemasters, and an ABCM 1250 coper.) The oldest has been in service for 20 + years.

We tackle huge fabrications projects with confidence because our Peddinghaus machines are always running to meet the tightest of deadlines. We get a job from our detailers, download it and start fabricating. The whole process is fast and efficient.

technology. “It gave us a chance to meet all the Peddinghaus people ‘face to face’, as well”.

They had their eye on a new Anglemaster – because all of their clip and bracing angles were done manually. Most importantly, they had a job in hand for a new textile mill, and it would pay off handsomely.

Well, the mill job got put on hold, but Gene, David, and Cary proceeded with the Anglemaster purchase anyway.

“On the big Holcim Cement job, we had to specially order a huge W14x503 lb/ft rolled section from Europe. It received some damage during the on-site erection process and was rendered useless. Because of the tight schedule, we had 3 days to find a solution.

Oh yes, it was a Friday afternoon when it happened…”

We spoke to our engineers and shop people and came up with a plan. The guys fabricated a totally new girder beam in Oxford, and trucked it overnight to St. Genevieve, MO. It was in place on Tuesday morning to meet the deadline.”

Only dedicated, experienced people can make those things happen.

2. Support new technology in your firm We learned about technology when we bought our first Anglemaster from Peddinghaus. It is fast and accurate. You can loose money fast when things don’t fit-up properly, especially at the erection site.

Continued on page 11

“We have capacity for 40,000 tons per year – Only Peddinghaus can provide that – solid machines that work and solid support from people who care”

FabArc is AISC Certified FabArc is AISC certified representing the various fields of expertise that they bring to a structural steel project. Some of their certifications include: • Standard for Steel Building Structures • Simple Steel Bridges • Fracture Critical Endorsement • Sophisticated Paint Coating Endorsement – Covered

Oktoberfest 1986 in Bradley, IL was when FabArc invested in their first Peddinghaus machine – an Anglemaster AFPS 623.

The Peddinghaus 1250 saw/PCD drill tandem installation meets the heaviest production demand, and is a versatile addition to FabArc’s shop production.

For plate/angle fabrication, the Peddinghaus 823 Anglemaster meets FabArc’s requirements for shop detail – quickly and accurately.

Mr. Buddy Carden, Plant Manager in the West Shop, relies on Peddinghaus to meet any project with a “hot deadline”.

The AISC certification is routinely updated with regular inspections.

A True Oktoberfest Story from 1986 In 1986, the three original principals at FabArc – Gene Heathcock, David Pugh, and Cary Lewis – visited the Peddinghaus Oktoberfest in Bradley, IL. With no CNC equipment, this was their chance to explore automated fabrication

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STEEL FABRICATORS’ REVIEW

SPECIAL EDITION

KANSAS CITY STRUCTURAL STEEL – KANSAS CITY, MO

LEEDing the Industry By Thriving In A Slow Economy The PCD 1100 drill line has proven to be a smart choice for this LEED certified, environmentally conscious fabricator.

New Building, New Machines, Nothing But Peddinghaus Much like many fabricators at the end of the last decade the team at KC Structural outgrew their original shop space in 2008. Their old facility was equipped with a wide array of equipment from a multitude of different manufacturers including: cold saws, punch lines, a plate punch/plasma system, homemade cambering machine and much more.

The skilled workers at Kansas City Structural enjoy a safer, greener work environment due to low fume emitting weld wire, and paint.

Tim Olah of Kansas City Structural Steel is your quintessential ironworker.

Having struck out on his own in 1995 after ten years of being a union ironworker; Tim has always had a little “steel in his blood”. A self proclaimed “poor kid from Independence” Tim with the help of his brother Chris grew Kansas City Structural Steel from the ground up into the industry leading fabricator it is today – not to mention, the very first LEED Gold Certified structural steel fabricator in the world.

The group at KC Structural is a tight-knit group of true experts. From the team of detailers and administrators in the front office to the painters, welders, and machine operators that work in the shop “passionate” is definitely a way to describe the group. They are the kind of people that give you the feeling that no matter what they set out to do, they find a way to be good at it.

To ensure a smooth transition from old building to new Tim, Chris, and the team at KC Structural knew that it was about time to replace much of the existing equipment. Once the new building across the street was completed a whole set of new equipment was installed and the older machines were the last items to be moved – never missing a beat in production.

When Tim and his team chose the new equipment they had examined many options but mainly went off of their own personal experiences – “We’ve tried all of the major manufacturers of equipment including Peddinghaus.

I knew how the companies treated their customers and how the machines worked so I had a good idea of what I was looking for when I bought the new equipment; when it came to software we definitely preferred the Peddinghaus' because it's easy to learn and simple to use. We've had the software on multiple machines and our employees have never had any issues picking up on how to use it. If it’s one thing I’ve learned – to be the best you have to buy the best. In the end we chose Peddinghaus."

“Here we really don’t keep track of titles, we’re all here to get the job done right and that’s all that matters.

We are a team and we work together for a common goal. I have some of the best workers in the industry.”

– Tim Olah

SPRING 2010 SPECIAL EDITION

STEEL FABRICATORS’ REVIEW

2 Peddinghaus drill and saw tandem systems are the focal point of KC Structural’s production.

The eco-friendly vegetable oil based minimum quantity lubrication system on the 1100DG band saw is the perfect fit for this environmentally conscious fabricator.

In KC Structural’s new building they installed the PCD-1100/3B multispindle drill line in tandem with a DG-1100 double miter band saw.

The resident LEED Expert, Tab White, led the way for creating a greener facility at KC Structural. Everything within the new facility takes Mother Nature into account. From the composting toilets that may surprise a first time visitor and the radiant heat flooring in the shop that keeps the employees at KC structural comfortable 12 months out of the year, down to the special low residue low fume emitting welding wire used.

“The PCD 1100/3B has been a good machine to us at KC Structural. We can get 64 parts through that machine in only 1 shift. Now that’s impressive!”

Having added a BDL-1250/9B drill line and 1250 straight cut band saw to accommodate their heaviest sections the boys in Kansas City are ready to tackle any project that comes their way.

Where Does KC Structural Stand in Today's World of Fabrication?

Covering a wide array of projects Kansas City Structural has scarcely felt the economic slowdown.

“Our shop is full, our backlog is long, and we see no end in sight.”

Currently processing stadiums, banks, military complexes, and airport hangers, KC Structural relies on their Peddinghaus equipment to meet tight deadlines and compete in today's aggressive marketplace.

One recent industry trend has a lot of fabricators looking to put slots in their beam profiles. Having recently replaced two beam punch lines with drills it was interesting to hear Tim’s take on slots in beams – “We don’t use slots in beams – our parts are designed to fit! Although all of our connections are bolted connections (they rarely weld moment connections) there are too many opportunities to use slots in all of your detail components to worry about putting slots in beams. Round holes are the only holes we use and we stand by our level of accuracy and quality. Our drilled holes have never let us down.”

There are more than enough opportunities to put slots in your detail. KC Structural sticks to round holes in beams.

Is this the secret to KC Structural’s success? Well, it certainly isn’t the only reason, but it sure doesn’t hurt according to Tim – “We constantly have visitors and potential customers coming here to see our facilities.

Just the other day we had 100 visitors with the local builders association here to see our shop, our machines, and our capabilities. People are definitely taking notice.”

Kansas City Structural – A Solid Business Partner in Today’s Marketplace Samuel Goldwyn once said “The harder I work the luckier I get.” Tim, Chris and their team of experts are proof that hard work truly does pay off.

Boasting a sizeable backlog, powerful machinery, skilled employees, and satisfied customers the ecologically minded mixture of quality and service has proven to be a combination for success.

For more information on Kansas City Structural Steel visit www.kcstructural.com.

A floor height loading area makes loading trucks an easier operation for employees and truckers alike.

The Structural Steel Industry’s First LEED GOLD RATED FABRICATOR Possibly the most unique thing about Kansas City Structural is their new building – a completely green facility designed to be the most ecologically sound manufacturing environment possible.

For those not familiar with the LEED rating system it is the ecological certification of a facility that takes into account many aspects of operation – how much water is used, how efficiently heat is generated, how much electricity is utilized, everything that has an effect on the environment.

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Even while running full production you can see that the shop at KC Structural doesn’t have the hazy environment caused by weld smoke and paint vapor commonly seen in other enclosed shops.

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A Customer Writes to Peddinghaus…

Editor’s Note: Peddinghaus Corporation receives a quantity of email correspondence concerning our products, our people, and business in general.

Peddinghaus President, Mr. Michael Sharp, would like to share this recent email with you from one of our customers located in Chiapas province in far southern Mexico. It accurately depicts the experience (and thought process) of fabricators making their initial purchase of CNC equipment.

Dear Mr. Sharp, It has been on my mind since the installation of our Peddinghaus machinery was completed a few weeks ago to send this e-mail. We run a small operation in Southern Mexico of 2,000 tons/year that we expect to grow to 5,000 tons/year over the next four years. We are based in a region where industry itself is practically still wearing diapers, labor education levels are very low with low expectations for a change and local vendor support is non-existent. We practically need to bring even screws from other parts of Mexico, yet we decided on going from a manual labor intensive operation onto a CNC and automated environment in a record time of three months, day 1 being my visit to Chicago’s fabtech in November and day 90 when we needed to have all equipment successfully installed, up and running, pieces produced with this equipment shipped to the client and first columns erected on site by midFebruary (CNC equipment included purchase and installation of: 1 plasma cutting table, 2 submerged arc welding machines, 1 beam line with band saw and 1 automated hole puncher). Needless to say only three of our operators were not actually afraid of working with computers. After attending Fabtech and having visited your facility in Bradley back in November, and having a lot of questions answered by Jose Cavazos and Adrian Nuño we came to the conclusion that with our background Peddinghaus was the smart choice for us due to the service offered and tech support provided and that a FPD 1120 and a tandem PCD 1100 and 1100 DG were the way to go.

I understand this machinery traveled more than 5,000 kms by truck and received some damage in route. I could see this as being part of a problem, but I knew the Peddinghaus installation team would assist. I then made a few calls to our vendor ACAT’s Adrian Nuño and to your tech support in Mexico, Manuel Salinas, both of them quickly reassured me of Peddinghaus’ commitment to quality and service and how everything would be checked, adjusted and replaced as needed.

(L–R) Mr. Rodrigo Lopez Martin, Director Estructuras Metalicas, Mr. Arutro Lopez Chavarria, and Mr. Marcos Santiago Martinez of Grupo Coninte, S.A. de C.V. in Chiapas Province in far southern Mexico.

The FPD 1120 required work from your team both in our facility and from tech support in Bradley.

This issue kept pushing back the date for the installation on the PCD-1100 and the 1100-DG. I was beginning to worry because of the installation delay which affected the production schedule accordingly. My concerns at this point were at their highest peak. Did I make a good decision buying this machinery? Will it do the work I was told? Will they be able to get rid of all the bugs? Will I meet my client’s schedule?

I can not tell you how glad and confident it made me when Peddinghaus sent additional installation technicians. The minute Robert Liverant set foot on our production floor he grabbed this bull by the horns and made things happen. His experience and insight accelerated the installation process, he checked all the work done up until this point, fixed what was wrong, made sure all the faulty parts were properly replaced and continued to train our operators and our engineering team. He was very thorough on making sure not only that the machinery run smoothly and that our employees would know how to use it, but specially that they know what to do when things go wrong, and this is the part that I appreciate the most since this is why we decided to buy Peddinghaus equipment.

The first project (Cafesca) that was processed on the new Peddinghaus equipment at Grupo Coninte: “Mag drills and torches would never have pulled it off!” says Mr. Martin.

Why did I not send this e-mail before? Because I wanted to see how things would work once Robert had departed from Chiapas. So far we have had some issues as I expected, however our engineering team has found its way through thanks to the proper training they received and when things have gotten tough they have received great service and support from Manuel Salinas and Chip Moore.

My concerns have cleared and I am very confident that the decision we made was right, we look at Peddinghaus not only as a provider of the technology required for our future growth but more importantly as a partner in Grupo CONINTE’s journey. Please pass along my congratulations to everyone involved in this sale: from the sales department for being clear and helping us design a line that was right for our needs, to your production department for building strong and reliable equipment, to your tech support team and especially to Robert Liverant for a job well done!!!

Best regards,

Ing. Rodrigo López Martín Director Estructuras Metálicas Grupo CONINTE 14 Pte Sur #115 2° Piso Tuxtla Gtz, Chiapas The Peddinghaus equipment at Grupo Coninte in Mexico consists of a PCD 1000 structural drill, DG 1100 miter band saw, and an FPD 1120 plate punch/drill processing system.

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STEEL FABRICATORS’ REVIEW

FABARC STEEL Continued from page 7 Learning about new equipment, new software, new shop techniques keeps you competitive – even in today’s crazy economy.

3. Stick to your core business practices If you specialize in certain type of fabrication, use that to your advantage; especially in a tough market. But don’t box yourself in – good fabrication practices always lead to projects in peripheral markets. That helps your business grow.

What Two Items Have Had the Biggest Impact on the Industry in Your 30 years?

• The evolution of automated equipment for steel fabrication We marvel at how Peddinghaus engineers continually create new equipment that has improved our fabrication practices; Look back at the past 30 years – from manual technology to nano technology • The electronic transfer of information We now email project drawings around the world and have them finished and delivered in hours, not days. n

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Accelerate Your Fabrication Just like in NASCAR, to get to the Winner’s Circle in the Steel Construction Cup, you need to maintain maximum speed for the entire distance. For that you need a high quality, durable piece of equipment.

You also need the latest technology for a competitive edge and a solid pit crew that is there to meet every issue during the race.

FabArc is a premier fabricator in North America, and they have a good partner in Peddinghaus – both ready to compete for steel construction.

INDUSTRY NEWS – SECTION 179

Good News for Customers in USA!!

Section 179 rates are BACK!! With the signing of the HIRE jobs in Washington DC, the Section 179 expense allowance is back up to $250,000!!!

What Does This Mean for You? • On 1/1/2010, the cap was reduced to $134,000 by the ARRA (American Recovery & Reinvestment Act) • The recent bill signing raised it to $250,000 – an additional $116,000 of potential saving for your customer!

Does This Apply to New and Remanufactured Machinery As Well?

Absolutely! New and remanufactured machinery is included.

How Long Does it Last?

Machines must be ordered – and installed – by December 31, 2010

What If I Postpone My Purchase Decision Until 2011?

Under current tax law, Section 179 will reduce to only $25,000 Take advantage now and contact Peddinghaus for details! Remember, you may need to check with your CPA to see if you are eligible.

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ADVANTAGE 2 The original Advantage drill line was introduced for the very first time at the NASCC in San Antonio in 2005, where it turned heads and changed how fabricators of all sizes viewed the opportunities of automation. Today, over 200 PCD-1100 drill lines later, the next generation of this industry benchmark is ready to emerge. The Advantage 2 drill line will be on display at the 2010 NASCC and Structures congress for the first time before a live audience. A diverse mix of technology both new and

MULTI-AXIS CARBIDE SCRIBING • An available scribing tool is placed

into the automatic tool changer and selected by the machine when scribing is used in a program.

• The ADVANTAGE 2 is capable of scribing any character or shape in multiple orientations and depths.

• Scribing is possible in each of the three spindle axes.

familiar to the Peddinghaus lineup of machinery was utilized in the development of this game changing piece of equipment.

ONBOARD HYDRAULIC UNIT • The footprint of the ADVANTAGE 2

is further minimized by using an onboard hydraulic unit.

• The limited use of hydraulics on the ADVANTAGE 2 drill line allow for a lighter and smaller 3 HP (2.2 kW) power unit than on previous versions of the PCD-1100 drill series.

NEW VERTICAL HOLD DOWN DESIGN

• The new vertical hold downs on the

DUAL HORIZONTAL CLAMPS

• The independently operating horizontal

clamps on the ADTANTAGE 2 allow for more direct and rigid clamping than ever before.

ADVANTAGE 2 drill line are designed to firmly hold thin flanges rigid for drilling with carbide tipped tooling and eliminate unwanted vibration.

ROLLERMEASUREMENT MATERIAL HANDLING • Roller measurement with automatic height

control makes for paramount accuracy and unmatched versatility.

• Start your conveyors outside unprotected in any climate to free shop space for other processes such as welding and fit-up.

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ADVANTAGE 2 MATERIAL CAPACITIES POWERFUL SIEMENS SPINDLE MOTORS • High Speed 25 HP / 18.6 kW

Siemens spindle specific motors power each of the drill spindles of the ADVANTAGE 2.

• The direct drive mechanism of each motor allows for drilling at break-neck speeds of up to 2500 RPM.

Maximum Profile Width Maximum Profile Height Number of Spindles Spindle Horse Power Maximum Spindle Speed Signoscript Part Marking and Layout Scribing BEAMS

INCH METRIC 44" 1100mm 18" 460mm 3 Drill Heads each with a Single Spindle and 5 Station Automatic Tool Changer 25 Hp (S6-40%) 18.5 kW (S6-40%) 2250 rpm 2250 rpm Carbide Marking Tools Available for Each Spindle Axis

CHANNEL

SQUARE TUBING

ANGLE

FLAT STOCK

FIXED LEAD SCREW SPINDLE MOTION

• Siemens servo motors paired with a

robust fixed led screw make for a powerful combination on the ADVANTAGE 2 • Rotating positioning nuts on each of the spindles are the source of movement for each spindle axis.

THROUGH THE TOOL MINIMUM QUANTITY LUBRICATION SYSTEM • Ecologically friendly minimum quantity lubrication is implemented on

the new ADVANTAGE 2 drill line.

• This vegetable oil based lubricant can utilize as little as 5% solution

to 95% air when drilling. Parts come off the machine nearly dry and ready for the next operation whether it is welding or painting without the need for excessive cleanup operations.

5 STATION TOOL CHANGERS • Each of the three spindle axes on the

ADVANTAGE 2 come fully equipped with 5 station automatic tool changers.

• Automatic tool changing on the ADVANTAGE 2 minimizes the need to manually switch tool sizes or enter the machine operating area.

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MAKING THE MACHINE:

The ADVANTAGE 2 How is a Peddinghaus machine developed? If you have attended the NASCC before you may have seen finished products performing many functions and using a wide array of features– but where did these ideas come from?

What does it take to create a Peddinghaus machine? Let’s take a trip through the design and production process with the latest Peddinghaus innovation – THE ADVANTAGE 2 DRILL LINE. You might be surprised at what went into the development of this latest piece innovation in fabrication technology.

THE CONCEPT

the USA and Germany developed the ADVANTAGE 2 design. The two offices worked together closely to ensure the machine was designed with a global market in mind. Months of development were invested into every aspect of the machine ensuring that quality was never compromised.

THE INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERS Once the mechanical and electrical design concept was finalized the ideas in the Solid works model were sent to Peddinghaus’ Industrial Engineering department to be programmed for the machine shop.

At this stage modifications are made that ensure efficient assembly and creation of the parts involved. Every single piece that makes a Peddinghaus machine is reviewed to find ways to reduce manufacturing costs before it is created in the machine shop

MACHINING THE PARTS Where do ideas come from at Peddinghaus? Sometimes they are the brainchild of the Peddinghaus Research and Development team and sometimes they are a modified solution to an age old problem. The Advantage 2 drill line takes it one step further – the concept of the ADVANTAGE 2 DRILL LINE came from none other than Peddinghaus Customers.

Long before announcing their plans to design a new drill line Peddinghaus kept their eyes and ears open to the needs of Peddinghaus users all over the globe.

Peddinghaus representatives from around the world met at the beginning of the design process to create a “wish list” of features that help users in their territory. All parts of the world were represented from the USA, to Europe, to Russia, to Latin America. The wish list included a smaller footprint, environmentally friendly features, the versatility to use carbide & twist drill tooling, and affordability.

THE DEVELOPMENT After the sales, customer service, and engineering staff had all decided on the list of features for the new machine Peddinghaus’ “Drill Group” of Engineers from both

After the Industrial Engineers create the programs for the individual machine parts they are run in Peddinghaus’ machine shop on a variety of precision machine tools.

Prototype parts such as on the Advantage 2 are examined closely and given extra care to ensure they pass rigid inspection requirements

QUALITY CONTROL The next step in the creation process is in the quality control department.

All machined parts are inspected in order to meet stringent quality criteria. A Peddinghaus Quality Control technician will use precision instruments to determine if the part is acceptable by Peddinghaus standards.

If the part requires welding it is then taken to our fabrication facilities.

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WELDING AND FABRICATION When parts are received at the fabrication shop they are assembled and welded by a team of AWS certified welding experts. Once the components for the ADVANTAGE 2 are welded they are once again inspected to verify that they meet quality standards and accuracy.

Extensive testing of all operations of the machine is undergone examining longevity and consistency of all parts and operations.

Thousands of holes are drilled before the concept is released to the market ensuring that every drill released – prototype or not -– meets stringent quality standards. Peddinghaus prides themselves on releasing new machines only after they have been thoroughly examined and perfected.

The next step is off to the assembly and painting facilities.

FINAL CHECKOUT When the engineers have completed their testing and final modifications of the prototype a thorough inspection of the machine occurs.

An 8 hour “dry cycle” of the machine is implemented to simulate a heavy production situation and test if any parts could potentially loosen after installation. Accuracy of the machine as well as repetition of that accuracy is also tested in detail before the machine is signed off to be shipped. The machine is ready to be installed and run production when it leaves the shop floor in Bradley.

PAINTING OF THE PARTS After passing quality control at the weld shop parts are sent to one of three paint booths where they receive a coat of primer and two coats of their distinctive Peddinghaus Green and Orange paint.

ASSEMBLY

SHIPMENT TO CUSTOMER After passing quality standards and checkout protocol the machine is released and packed for shipment to its final destination.

AFTER SALE SERVICE AND SUPPORT Just like all other Peddinghaus Machines the new ADVANTAGE 2 drill line comes with a full one year warranty on parts and labor.

Long after the machine has left Peddinghaus’ facility in Bradley, IL Peddinghaus stands behind the design and manufacture of the machine.

Peddinghaus offers remote web diagnostics, and the most powerful field service workforce in the industry to ensure that machines are running for customers when they need it.

Once the machine project is called to the assembly floor all parts are compiled and a team of trained Peddinghaus machine tool experts begin the building process.

The assembly of the new machine is closely monitored by the mechanical, and electrical engineering staff throughout the production process. This ensures a smooth build of the new machine.

FINAL ENGINEERING OF THE NEW MACHINE As assembly nears completion the Engineering staff takes over again to test and refine electrical components, control logic, and programming software of the new machine.

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DG1250 BAND SAW The all new DG1250 band saw is designed to offer

POWERFUL 20 HP / 14.5 KW BLADE MOTOR

MINIMUM QUANTITY LUBRICATION SYSTEM

• The robust design of the DG1250 band saw is

• Water based flood coolant is a thing of the past on

unmatched mitering capability and high speed cutting versatility to the modern steel fabricator. Further eliminating the band saw bottleneck the DG1250 band saw utilizes a robust 20 HP / 14.5 kW blade motor, advanced material frictionless support system, and rugged Peddicat blade with minimum quantity lubrication system. The DG1250 is the perfect stand alone or tandem combination band saw for any metal

emphasized by the powerful 20HP / 14.5 kW blade motor.

• Cutting speeds on the DG1250 reach as fast as 500 FPM / 150 MPM.

cutting application.

PROCESS THE LARGEST PROFILES

• The DG1250 Band Saw is capable of cutting sections as

large as 50" / 1250 mm wide with ease.

FRICTIONLESS MATERIAL TRANSPORT

AUTOMATICALLY ADJUSTING SUPPORT ROLLERS • The horizontal clamps on the DG1250 double miter band

saw open to allow the material to move freely without dragging or wearing fixed parts of the saw system.

• The automatically adjusting support rollers on the

DG1250 band saw allow for superior material support even on shorter sections being processed.

• The support rollers automatically move in conjunction with the saw head to allow for mitering.

the DG1250 band saw. By using the vegetable oil based ecologically friendly lubricant “Peddicool”, nearly dry lubrication is achieved. A mixture of 95% air and 5% lubricant is commonly used minimizing the need for costly additional cleanup and maintenance processes.

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DG 1250 BAND SAW SPECIFICATIONS MAXIMUM PROFILE 30° Left 45° Left 90° 45° Right 30° Right Drive Motor Saw Blade Speed

INCH 21" x 20" or 20" diameter 31" x 20" or 22" diameter 49" x 20" or 24" diameter 31" x 20" or 22" diameter 21" x 20" or 20" diameter 20 HP 394" x 2.64" x 0.063" 49 - 492 ft/min

METRIC 550mm x 520mm 520mm 800mm x 520mm 560mm 1250mm x 520mm 620mm 800mm x 520mm 560mm 550mm x 520mm 520mm 14.5 kW 10000mm x 67mm x 1.6mm 15 - 150m/min

WIDE MITERING CAPACITY • The DG1250 band saw is fully capable of mitering 60º

and 45º in both the right hand and left hand directions for maximum cutting versatility.

SIMPLE INTEGRATION IN TANDEM WITH DRILL LINE SYSTEMS

• To increase tonnage and save on floor space fabricators

commonly place their drill line in tandem with a band saw.

• The drill line takes on the task of automatically

measuring the material to be cut and controls the band saw with the Siemens CNC control panel. Semi-automatic sawing of the profile is still available when in tandem with a drill line.

• A DG1250 double miter band saw is the perfect complement to the BDL 1250 drill line series of machines.

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THE REVOLUTION The patented Peddinghaus AFCPS-833 REVOLUTION offers new and groundbreaking technology for the fabrication of angle, channel, and plate components. Designed to be the perfect multifunctional detail machine for fabricators

TRIPLE TOOL PUNCHING AND SIGOPLATE HARD STAMPING MARKER

of all sizes the REVOLUTION can process a large amount of universal plate and angle parts for familiar structural projects. The REVOLUTION is commonly capable of running around 90% of plate and angle detail parts for projects such as schools, office complexes, industrial pipe racks, and more. The AFCPS-833 is not just an Angle Line, it’s a REVOLUTION!

PRECISE POSITIONING USING PEDDINGHAUS ROLLER MEASUREMENT

UNMATCHED CLAMPING FOR A RIGID WORKPIECE THROUGHOUT PRODUCTION • A Single 144 ton (130 Metric ton) punch press rotates to

process both near and far legs of angle – eliminating the X-axis motion required in standard angle lines to process holes on each leg of material.

• Three tooling stations– eliminates unnecessary tool change in parts with multiple hole sizes.

• Tool change is simplified when needed as the rotating punch press returns to a vertical 0º “home position” for easy access to the punch assembly.

• The all new SignoPlate hard stamping system allows for the use of 44 different characters and is capable of stamping on either leg of angle.

• The rugged measuring system on the 833 utilizes a

• 5 entry and 5 exit clamps keep the work piece rigid

set of precision encoders attached to the drive rollers to measure material travel.

• Roller measurement eliminates the time consuming and cumbersome use of loading a measuring truck.

• The elimination of a rack and pinion driven measuring system allows material to be transferred from both sides of conveyor and is not limited by stock length.

throughout production. This quality clamping system is critical to tooling life and overall accuracy.

INNOVATIVE ROTATING PUNCH PRESS FOR SUPREME VERSATILITY

• The unique rotation of the punch press is driven by two

hydraulic cylinders for unmatched efficiency.

• Rotating of the cylinder is easily comparable to the X-

axis advancement of material in a dual press Angle line.

• The rotation of the press allows for part stamping on

BOTH legs of angle.

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THE REVOLUTION - AFCPS-833/A SPECIFICATIONS MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS Maximum Angle Capacity Maximum Flat Stock Capacity Acceptable Channel Sizes PUNCH SPECIFICATIONS Number of Punches Capacity Maximum Hole Size

INCH 8 x 8 x 1" 12 x 1" 12" wide maximum INCH 3 Sizes 144 Tons 1-1/2"

METRIC 200 x 200x 25mm 300 x 25mm 300mm wide maximum METRIC 3 Sizes 130 Metric Tons 38mm

Capable of punching using 1, 2, or 3 punch stations in a single stroke simultaneously

SIGNOPLATE MARKING SYSTEM Number of Characters SHEAR CAPACITIES Shear Style

INCH 44 Characters INCH Single or Double Cut

METRIC 44 Characters METRIC Single or Double Cut

Capacity

169 Tons

153 Tons

SINGLE OR DOUBLE CUT SHEAR TOOLING FOR A WIDE ARRAY OF PROFILE SIZES

AVAILABLE CNC AND PC WORKSTATION TO ACCOMMODATE ANY PRODUCTION DEMAND • The CNC workstation and access to a full PC workstation

is granted on the AFCPS-833 REVOLUTION for maximum versatility.

• The AFCPS-833 REVOLUTION boasts a 169 ton (153

Metric ton) shear that is available with both single and double cut tooling.

• Single cut tooling allows for shearing without the creation of a shear “slug”.

• Double cut tooling is capable of processing larger profile sizes at the allocated tonnage with a cleaner cut quality.

POWERFUL SHEAR AND PUNCH PRESS DESIGN FOR DIRECT PRESSURE AND UNPARALELLED SHOCK ABSORPTION • The design of the punch and shear press on the AFCPS-833 REVOLUTION absorbs shock by using four individual high tension

springs. When compared to rigid c-frame punches on traditional angle lines, the REVOLUTION press mechanism is unmatched for shock absorption especially on high tensile materials.

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SERVICE TIPS FOR SUCCESS…

Help! When Should I Change My Plasma Consumables?

Many maintenance and operations people have always battled the question of when is the proper time to change consumables – or a bigger issue is when problems develop with any of the consumable components.

Thanks to our friends at Hypertherm, Inc., Hanover, NH, we have depicted a few pertinent service tips on “Troubleshooting Plasma Cutting Consumables” to assist you when your cut quality is starting to deteriorate or consumable life decreases. These ten examples will give you a “head start” on troubleshooting these typical problems.

As you know, we poll our readers on topics they would like to see in each issue of the STEEL FABRICATORS’ REVIEW magazine. One of the most requested responses was “How about some service tips or ideas for our maintenance and operations people?”

We are pleased to introduce the latest section of the SFR to you – “Service Tips for Success”. This new feature will be in two separate sections for you: 1. A section from our Service and Training departments on topics to assist you in normal daily activities 2. A “Maintenance Mailbag” where you can email the SFR directly with questions that will be answered in the next magazine.

EMAIL your questions to mailbag@peddinghaus.com FAX your question to 815. 937. 4003 or give us a CALL at 815. 937. 3800 We look forward to your feedback, and answering your questions in future editions!

PROBLEM Nozzle orifice is distorted or enlarged. External face of nozzle shows depression surrounding orifice.

PROBLEM Excessive build-up of material being cut is present and attached to the shield

What is causing it?

• Excessive pilot arcing

What is causing it?

• Double-arcing or piercing too close to the plate

SOLUTION • Verify proper pierce height • Ensure good contact between the plate being cut and work cable

SOLUTION • Verify proper pierce height • Verify proper cut speed & gas flows • Verify that the pierce delay is not too long

PROBLEM A severe gouge in the nozzle may be visible near the orifice. Usually poor cut quality is evident shortly after replacing consumables.

PROBLEM Darkened area around the internal region of the orifice, also visible on exterior face, shows an even erosion of the copper surrounding the orifice.

What is causing it?

• Low plasma gas flow

What is causing it?

• Plasma gas restriction

SOLUTION • Verify proper gas flows • Inspect all gas lines & fittings for leaks • Verify that no gas lines are pinched or kinked

SOLUTION • Verify proper gas flows • Verify that no gas lines are pinched or kinked

PROBLEM Internal side of the nozzle shows pitting or erosion of the copper, usually in a swirling pattern. External face of nozzle may also show some erosion of copper.

What is causing it?

• Double arcing or piercing too close to the plate

PROBLEM The torch displays a pitted current ring or nozzle seat.

What is causing it?

• Dirty torch or consumables SOLUTION • Always clean torch when changing consumables • Ensure that new consumables are clean • Ensure the retaining cap is properly tightened

SOLUTION • Verify proper height • Verify proper settings for gas flows • Verify machine motion delay is not too long

PROBLEM This torch displays signs of plasma gas starvation. The internal Vespel is burned and the worst damage is directed toward the plasma gas inlet to the torch body.

PROBLEM Nozzle orifice is enlarged or distorted. External face of nozzle shows depression surrounding orifice.

What is causing it?

• Insufficient gas flow

What is causing it?

• Low injection flow SOLUTION • Verify proper pierce height • Ensure good contact

SOLUTION • Verify proper gas settings at gas console • Check for flow restriction in gas system or supply PROBLEM Nozzle orifice is distorted or enlarged at tip. Orifice may be tapered from the outside toward the inside of the nozzle.

What is causing it?

• Excessive pilot arcing SOLUTION • Verify proper pierce height • Ensure good contact

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WEST COAST IRON: TECHNOLOGY LEADER West Coast Iron is a leader in fabrication technologies for the west coast steel construction market.

Based in Spring Valley, CA, the firm serves many customers throughout the region.

Under the guidance of Mr. Herman Kopf with operations directed by Mr. Ruben Barrios, WCI has grown steadily in the industry. Among the Peddinghaus equipment used in their fabrication facility: • Ring of Fire BRF 500 thermal fabricator

• BDL 1250/9 drill line

• FDB 2500 plasma plate drilling/processing center

• ABCM 1250 CNC coping system

• FPB 500 plasma plate punching/processing center

• DGP 1270-610 band saw

Herman Kopf (L) and Ruben Barrios (R) of West Coast Iron, with their Peddinghaus Ring of Fire Thermal Fabricator.

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GETTING TO KNOW…

John Wayne DeHay Peddinghaus Machine Preventative Maintenance With a name like John Wayne DeHay, you naturally develop a “larger than life” character, and like the “Duke”, you become a problem solver. Someone you can depend on to provide superior on-site service and trouble shooting.

Wayne is now bringing his expertise to a new Peddinghaus program – machine preventative maintenance. In today’s era of controlling shop and labor costs, this new program will deliver what you need: a profitable solution to your maintenance questions.

Wayne, when did you first come to Peddinghaus?

I joined the Peddinghaus team in August, 1997 bringing 27 years of experience with Automated Machinery from Relay logic, to tape readers, to PLCs and CNCs. I have been around machine automation since my senior year in high school. Prior to joining Peddinghaus, I worked for the Robert Bosch Corp. in the Fuel injector and ABS division. I started as a Senior Electrician and was later promoted to the Engineering Dept. I was responsible for doing Time Management Studies on the machines and I would design/modify the software to make the machines more efficient. My job was also troubleshooting machines at the Charleston, SC and Anderson, SC plants.

What roles have you played since joining the Peddinghaus family of employees?

I started at Peddinghaus as a Field Service Technician traveling worldwide to install new machinery and train the operators. Later, I was promoted to Field Service Manager where I would troubleshoot issues and to give extensive training on the machines. Presently, I am Senior Service Technician/Technical Sales.

In your time at Peddinghaus what changes have you seen in the technology and the way fabricators approach automation?

Lightening fast changes and innovations are happening at Peddinghaus. We went from customers supplying their own computers to CNCs. Now the CNCs can multi task; operate as stand-alone units; or program, download a part program all while monitoring the machine. They can also network and except Peddinghaus’ remote assistance with troubleshooting or software updates.

Can you tell us about the preventative maintenance program you do at Peddinghaus?

Yes! I’m very excited about this program!

The maintenance program is designed to catch potential problems before they happen and to save the customer unnecessary downtime and expense.

Do you see existing users purchasing preventative maintenance programs on multiple machines?

Absolutely! Preventative Maintenance will assure peak performance out of all of their machines, new and old, for many years. Older machines must perform as well as new machine for continuity. Our Preventative Maintenance Program assesses older machines to see if a retrofit would benefit them. Electronics get difficult to repair/replace so updated retrofits are a very good solution.

Why is a preventative maintenance program so important to the success of a fabrication shop?

To our customers, everything is about Time Management. How our customers bid on jobs is based on “Man Hours”. Shorter fabrication time means more profit. Scheduling a Preventative Maintenance Program will keep their machines at top performance which will keep “down time” to a minimum.

Do you see an increased ability to learn CNC machine tools with the modern generation of labor? Are operators more apt to learn CNC technology than ever before?

The younger generation is adept at accepting the new technology. It’s exciting to them since they were born in this modern age. The older generation is old school and it’s a paradigm to them but they come around and are just as excited when they see and learn how simple the Peddinghaus machines are.

How fast does an operator generally pick up the use of the machine?

Operators are often intimidated when they first see a new machine. I explain to the operator that this is only a drill, angle punching or plating machine. Each machine just moves the material, drills or punches a hole or cuts a part out.

I show them in detail each block of instruction in the CNC program and the commands the machine is doing. In less than a day, they are running their new machine like second nature!

What do you feel is Peddinghaus customer service’s strongest quality, and the most important thing it offers fabricators?

Our staff! We have a great team that is dedicated to our customer’s needs!

And we have the rest of the Peddinghaus family to assist us in getting the information/help needed to our customers ASAP!

What should someone do if they want to pursue the purchase of a preventative maintenance program?

Getting a PM plan in place is a very simple process. Simply call the customer service department at Peddinghaus and ask for Jeff Reilly or Duane Bates. They will arrange a proposal visit for me. At that point, I will assess your overall needs and give you a written proposal.

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VOLUME 34

STEEL FABRICATORS’ REVIEW

SPECIAL EDITION

STEEL FABRICATORS’ REVIEW Washington and Grove Street Bradley, IL 60915 815. 937. 3800 www.steelfabreview.com

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE

PAID PERMIT NO. 157 Joliet, IL

Top ten reasons YOU should attend our Special Event, on-site at the Gaylord Palms: 10.

9.

8.

7.

6.

5.

4.

3.

2.

1.

Don’t just go back to your hotel after the AISC cocktail hour! Get a firsthand look at what people mean by the phrase “Peddinghaus Hospitality”!

It’s only a 5 minute walk from the show floor to the grand entrance for our event. Join the parade!

Have your picture taken with one of the 3 custom motorcycles on display by our professional photographers. These machines are truly one-of-a-kind.

Network with other industry professionals and converse with colleagues both new and old.

There's no better place to do it.

Meet the people behind the technology in a relaxed environment! Everyone from Peddinghaus and their industry partners will be in attendance.

Top shelf refreshments will be served throughout the evening – no glass will be left unfilled!

5 star cuisine will be served for dinner – no guest will go hungry!

See how Peddinghaus is scoring a perfect 10 out of 10 in 2010 with the industry and our customers.

Be entered for a chance to win a customized Peddinghaus motorcycle – the PEDDI-CHOPPER! Enjoy a performance of world class comedic brilliance: RON WHITE of the famed Blue Collar Comedy Tour!

Date: Wednesday, May 12th Time: 7:30 PM Place: The Gaylord Palms Resort, just steps from the show floor!

Printed with soy based inks on recyclable paper.

For more information come to and ask any one of our booth attendants about our 2010 NASCC Special Evemt!

Booth 400