August 2021
August 2021 A more accessible range of tube bending machines from Unison Unison launches new range of tube bending machines to make its quality and reliability even more accessible
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nison Ltd, the leading name in all-electric tube bending machines, has launched a brand-new range of hybrid models to make its uncompromising levels of quality, reliability and support available to an even wider range of companies involved in tube manipulation. Called Synergy HBM (hybrid, multi-stack), the new machines will be available in 50mm and 80mm (maximum tube diameter) versions initially and will feature the company’s latest Unibend Lite control system. “In developing the Synergy HBM range, our objective was simple: to offer all the values associated with the Unison brand to a greater number of tube manipulation businesses,” comments Unison Ltd managing director, Alan Pickering. “The new Unison Synergy HBM range
The new Unison Synergy HBM (hybrid, multi-stack) tube bending machine. is the result of an extensive development programme and will provide a lower cost entry point for businesses that do not require the extensive capabilities of our all-electric premium range of Unison Breeze machines.”
Since the introduction of its infinitely controllable Unison Breeze range in 1994, Unison Ltd has become the brand of choice for numerous organisations and specialist subcontractors involved
in small production runs of ultra-precise tubular components for shipbuilding, aerospace, performance automotive and other sectors. “Our new Synergy HBM range is the direct result4
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of enquiries from prospective customers whose tube bending requirements wouldn’t typically demand the high levels of flexibility and rapid setup times associated with our industry-leading Breeze models,” adds Alan Pickering. “They have been in touch because they are crying out for the quality, reliability and global support that is standard with Unison Breeze tube benders, but in a machine designed for less complex, repeat applications. “All too frequently, lower cost tube bending machines seem to be equipped with less sophisticated, less intuitive levels of control,” adds Alan Pickering. “That, however, isn’t something that can be said about the new Unison Synergy HBM range. In line with our core values, Synergy buyers will benefit from exceptional levels of control, with functionality and user-friendly features as close as possible to those enjoyed by users of Unison Breeze machines. Synergy HBM tube benders may be lower priced, but that’s not at the expense of quality. They are the perfect solution for companies that aspire to own a Unison Breeze machine.” As hybrid machines, Unison’s new Synergy HBM range combines electric and hydraulic operation. Just like Unison Breeze machines, each model benefits from exceptional power and rigid mechanical design. As with Breeze models, bend arm, carriage, plane of bend and carriage side shift are servo driven, while mandrel, pressure die and clamping system are hydraulically controlled. This makes Synergy HBM machines well suited to high volume, repetitive tube manipulation operations that don’t necessitate the rapid setup times and all-electric control provided by Unison Breeze machines for right-first-time repeat sub-contract work. “Although our new Synergy HBM range has a lower price point than our all-electric Breeze machines, that certainly isn’t reflected in the build specification,” continues Alan Pickering. “Each Synergy HBM machine is equipped with our user-friendly Unibend Lite control system, with touch screen, 3D component simulation and measuring machine interfaces. “We have used Eaton hydraulics, Yaskawa motors and drives and our own, tried and tested, Unison tooling mounts. Additionally, the Bendpro CNC control system can be specified as an optional extra by customers in the USA. Thanks to the extremely high residual values associated with previously owned Unison Breeze machines, we also anticipate that purchasing a Synergy HBM tube bender
will prove a sound investment, with exceptionally good, retained value for any customer wishing to upgrade to an all-electric Breeze model at a later date.”
The Unison Synergy HBM range at-a-glance • 50 mm or 80 mm collet capacity • Three-stack, multi-stack design • Clockwise (right hand) bend arm rotation • 4000 mm tube length in to stopped collet • Fixed platen • Servo driven degree of bend • Servo driven rack and pinion carriage • Servo driven plane of bend • Servo driven carriage side shift • Hydraulic drop away clamping system • Hydraulic pressure die assist • Hydraulic mandrel with retraction function • Unison Unibend Lite control system • Colour touch screen • Foot pedal program control • Optional Bendpro CNC control system For more product information, please contact: Alan Pickering – managing director, Unison Ltd T: +44 (0) 1723 582 868 E: sales@unisonltd.com
Unison Ltd: intelligent tube technology Established in 1973, Unison Ltd is the UK’s leading manufacturer of tube and pipe bending machines, offering the largest range of all-electric benders for diameters from 4 mm (5/32”) to 275 mm (10” schedule pipe). With a reputation for building highly powerful, highly robust machines that deliver uncompromising levels of accuracy and repeatability, Unison Ltd continually innovates the tube and pipe bending marketplace. The company manufactured the world’s first all-electric tube bender in 1994, followed by the world’s first all-electric multi-stack tube bender, then the world’s largest all-electric tube bender for the shipbuilding industry. Available in single-stack, multi-stack and right/left varieties, Unison machines are delivered to more than 20 countries globally. Unison’s tube bending software is recognised as the most user-friendly control system for tube bending machines. The software is written and supported by Unison, ensuring complete control of its evolution, with no need for third party support. www.unisonltd.com
August 2021
Measures Rebar like Never Before Even at highest rolling speeds
High Tech light section measurement
Family owned since 1957, Zumbach is a global leader in the industry. Driven by innovation and experience. We are here for you and ready to build the future together.
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August 2021
Vast majority of metalworkers keen to innovate with new tech Research commisioned by FEIN finds that most metalworkers would welcome new technology and new methods to enhance their productivity and working practices
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esearch recently commissioned by leading power tools manufacturer, FEIN, has revealed more than two-thirds of metalworkers would like to advance their current ways of working by introducing new technology into their role, improving the overall productivity of the sector. While 37% admit their company isn’t doing anything to plan for a successful future. The data also uncovered 29% believe new technology would improve the efficiency of the industry, with more streamlined processes likely to inform the decision-making process of new business for years to come. While 60% believe it’s important their company is investing significant amounts into digitalisation and half say it’s imperative their company has software-enabled intelligent machines rather than stand-alone hardware. “Technology and innovation have been causing a buzz across the
production sector for several years now. Traditionally slow to adapt compared to other industries, there has been a great period of change emerging in the metalworking indus-
try when it comes to innovation and transformation recently,” comments Andy Mills, managing director, FEIN UK. “However, it’s clear there still needs to be strong investment in this
August 2021 area, with one-in-six stating there isn’t enough focus on the introduction of technology in their business.” On evolving and adapting to change, the research found that: c7 9% say it’s important to adapt to the latest technology quickly with the talent and projects which can come off the back of these adaptions, signalling it’s not just investment in new technology that needs focus from the metalworking sector c 64% claim they want the specialists who supply machines or tools to provide ongoing training and support into how to effectively use any new solution which is brought into the business c 65% would like better training to improve their company’s overall efficiency c 63% admit they don’t know what their company is doing to plan for a successful future
tegrating any new technology needs to be accompanied by significant training before they can be properly adopted. Without this, the level of time and budget wasted without proper insight into the way it works will heavily impact the return on investment. For this very reason, we recently adapted our global strategy to provide more hands on training for our tools, ensuring end users are utilising them as effectively as possible,” concludes Andy.
The research further outlined that over half of those surveyed believe companies in the metalworking sector had to be seen to be moving quickly, adapting to change and transformation, in order to gain the advantage over their competitors. “It’s clear digital methods and technology will play a pivotal role in futureproofing the metalworking sector and will be integral if the UK is to remain a global industry leader in the space. Those who are embracing new technology will have
the upper-hand when it comes to recruiting the best talent and securing the best work. “There does however need to be increased awareness that in-
To find out more and to download the full ‘future of the metalworking sector’ report, visit https://www. fein.com/en_uk/knowledge/metalworking-sector-report/.
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August 2021
T.D.Williamson completes first-line inspection
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.D. Williamson (TDW), the global pipeline solutions provider, completed its first in-line inspection (ILI) in Kenya using TDW multiple dataset (MDS) technology. The MDS platform incorporates a variety of inspection technologies on a single platform. It is widely accepted as the most comprehensive system on the market to identify integrity threats through a single in-line inspection run. TDW performed the inspection on a new, 20-inch diameter refined multi-product transmission pipeline that runs 450 km (279 mi) from Mombasa to Nairobi. The pipeline is owned and operated by the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC). The goal of the operation was to provide a baseline measurement to determine any threats that may impact future integrity, including mechanical damage, illegal hot taps, selective seam weld corrosion and material property changes such as hard spots.
Prior to the MDS inspection, TDW and its Egyptian Channel Partner Engineering Petroleum Services (EPS) cleaned the pipeline to avoid potential ILI tool performance issues that can degrade inspection data. They performed 12 cleaning and gauging runs on the 450 km (279 mi) of pipeline, totaling 3,600 km (2,237 mi) of cleaning. TDW Project Manager Jamie Bull oversaw the cleaning, gauging and inspection operations. Each achieved 100% success.
According to TDW Sales Manager Mohamed Hesham, the inspection prepared the pipeline to meet demand for petroleum products in Kenya and the region for years to come. More information: Corporate Communications T.D. Williamson Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.A. Phone: 918-447-5000 Email: corporate-communications@ tdwilliamson.com Web: www.tdwilliamson.com
About T.D. Williamson T.D. Williamson (TDW) draws upon more than 100 years of industry leadership to help operators of pressurized pipeline systems keep the world’s energy lifelines running safely and reliably. TDW delivers a comprehensive portfolio of safe integrity pipeline system solutions for onshore and offshore applications, including advanced isolation and intervention, integrated pigging and integrity assessment solutions.
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August 2021
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CEO of Magnitogorsk takes part in the launch of Turkish electric steel making shop
uring a scheduled trip to Iskenderun (Turkey), Pavel Shilyaev, CEO of Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works (MMK), took part in the launch of an electric steelmaking shop with a foundry and rolling module at MMK Metalurji (MMK’s Turkish asset). MMK Metalurji also set a record monthly production volume for hot-dip galvanized rolled products, exceeding 86 thousand tonnes. As already reported in July 2021, MMK Metalurji started hot testing of the electric steelmaking shop with a casting and rolling module at the Iskenderun site. At the moment, hot tests of technological equipment have been fully completed at the production facility, which was halted in 2012 due to unfavourable economic conditions on the Turkish market. The electric steelmaking shop with a casting and rolling module, designed for the production of hot-rolled coils, has resumed its work and is now ramping up production. According to Denis Kvasov, CEO of MMK Metalurji, “Another important event took place during the MMK CEO’s visit to MMK Metalurji. Two hot-dip galvanizing units at the MMK Metalurji sites in Iskenderun and Istanbul set another record for monthly production of hot-dip galvanized rolled products. As such, in Iskenderun the production level reached 45.219 thousand tonnes, while at the site in Istanbul it amounted to 41.221 thousand tonnes. In total, the Company produced 86.440 thousand tonnes of premium-class finished products in July. The previous record had been set in January of this year, when the corresponding production volume amounted to 78.613 thousand tonnes of hot-dip galvanized rolled products.”
Pavel Shilyaev, CEO of MMK, noted: “The reopening of our electric steelmaking shop in Iskenderun and the beginning of its build-up to full capacity marks the end of an important stage in the Company’s activities aimed at restoring fullscale production at our Turkish asset. In less than a month of hot line operation in Iskenderun, 5.800 thousand tonnes of rolled products were produced. These hot-rolled coils have already proven their high quality and were used in July’s production, which set a monthly record in terms of volume, over 86 thousand tonnes of hot-dip galvanized rolled products. This is an excellent indicator that inspires reasonable optimism in the prospects for further effective development of MMK’s Turkish asset.” The company notes that the launch of an electric steelmaking shop with a casting and rolling module at the MMK Metalurji industrial site in Iskenderun should lead to a gradual increase in production volumes. In 2021, a total production volume of 200-260 thousand tonnes of hot-rolled steel is planned, with the plant due to reach full capacity in 2022. MMK Metalurji (part of MMK Group) is a modern metallurgical complex on the territory of the Republic of Turkey. The complex includes an electric steel shop with a casting and rolling unit, a cold-rolling mill, and a metals service centre with a hot dip galvanizing unit and two polymer coating units in Iskenderun, in addition to a metals service centre with a hot dip galvanizing unit and two polymer coating units in Istanbul. The complex in Iskenderun also includes a seaport capable of receiving vessels with a displace of up to 100 thousand tonnes.
August 2021
Enhansed Super Duplex from Fine Tubes now available Super Duplex tubing from Fine Tubes now available with enhanced strength and improved corrosion resistance for oil and gas and chemical process applications
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ine Tubes is pleased to announce that specialist metal tubing product, Super Duplex, is now available. Demonstrated capabilities include high strength and corrosion resistance for demanding applications. The tubing is NORSOK M-650 approved and made to order in specialist non-standard sizes for bespoke orders in the oil and gas and chemical process sectors. This enables it to meet very precise customer specifications, as well as offer high-quality, extremely reliable product performance. The Super Duplex tubing can be produced with very short lead
times and in small batch sizes for optimum versatility. It is available in straight lengths that can be seamless cold redrawn and annealed to suit customer specifications. Typical tubing sizes range from 3mm (0.040 inches) to 31mm (1.25 inches) outer diameter in seamless form. Hostile working environments require optimum operating efficiency, excellent strength and corrosion resistant properties and complete product reliability. Super Duplex from Fine Tubes is ideal for use across multiple critical applications in the oil and gas and chemical process sectors. These applications include heat
exchangers, flow meters, downhole pressure housings and smart wells, subsea Xmas trees and manifolds, injection and ballast water, and other critical subsea, downhole, and offshore oil and gas instrumentation. Nick Head, Tube Product Manager at Fine Tubes says of the product: “We have a proven track record of supplying key tubing products like Super Duplex that meet the strict requirements of
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the oil and gas and chemical process sectors. Smaller batch capabilities ensure flexibility in the range of volumes we can produce. The ability to manufacture Super Duplex in non-standard sizes also enables us to meet the very precise requirements of our customers.” Fine Tubes has a long and successful history of operating in the oil and gas and chemical process sectors. The company delivers a wide range of precision tubes that deliver extended product
life, as well as reducing downtime and maintenance costs. Tubing products from Fine Tubes are made from high pressure stainless steel and nickel alloys. The high-quality materials used enable the tubes to perform without failure, time and time again, for maximum corrosion and pressure resistance up to 100,000psi. The company is one of five business units that make up AMETEK Specialty Metal Products (SMP), alongside Hamilton Precision Metals, Superior Tube, AMETEK
Eighty Four and AMETEK Wallingford. Each of these business units manufacture metal products for the oil and gas and chemical process industries. These other products include hard-facing powder coatings used in thermal spray, spray and fuse applications, plus metal strip and engineered components for drill bits and shaped charges for well perforations. In addition, clad metal plate products are used for pressure vessels and transition plates.
About Fine Tubes Operating out of Plymouth in the UK, Fine Tubes manufactures precision metal tubing products in a range of specialty alloys at its highly integrated tubing mill. As well as the chemical process and oil and gas and industrial sectors, tubes produced by Fine Tubes are used in numerous critical applications across many global sectors, including energy, medical, aerospace and defence.
August 2021
New £2m specialist welding machine now fully operational at Brighouse welded mesh manufacturer With funding help from ABN AMRO and supported by £100,000 of grant from Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership, Siddall and Hilton have invested in a new LGR102 welding machine from EVG in Austria
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iddall and Hilton Products, one of Brighouse’s longest-established manufacturers and largest employers, has announced that its new £2m specialist welding machine is now fully operational after an extensive three month-long commissioning programme. Running over 40% faster than any of the company’s existing machines and producing up to 70% less process scrap, it will increase capacity and efficiency at the business which manufactures welded steel mesh for high-security fencing, general fencing and industrial mesh panels.
In March 2021, the new LGR102 welding machine travelled from Austria, having been manufactured by EVG in Graz, to its new home in West Yorkshire where it joined the welded steel mesh manufacturer’s existing fleet of four EVG machines. Utilising the latest medium frequency welding technology, the new machine will focus on the production of industrial mesh, freeing up capacity on the other machines and enabling the business to increase through-put as it continues to grow. This year, it has add-
L to R: Tom Clark and Tony Jones, mesh operatives at Siddall & Hilton Products, with Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin
ed a further nine trainee mesh operators, including two apprentices to its now 59-strong team, and the 126-year-old company is currently seeking another three recruits. The latest EVG machine marks Siddall and Hilton Products’ most significant investment for 12 years and was funded by the business’s primary lenders, ABN AMRO, supported by £100,000 of grant fund-
August 2021 ing from Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (the LEP). It was officially ‘launched’ on Friday 23rd July when guests including the newly-elected Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin; Sir Roger Marsh OBE DL, Chair of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership and NP11; and Andy Pascoe, relationship director at ABN AMRO Lease, joined chief executive Ian Thurley and the team on site in Foundry Street to see the new machine in action. Ian Thurley commented: “The business is going from strength to strength and we’re proud of this, our biggest single achievement just two Covid-interrupted years since the MBO. This latest investment marks a major milestone in our world class journey as we continue to invest not only in the best machinery on the market, but also in building our workforce and developing our people to ensure we have the best skilled team for the future. ”Thanks to ABN AMRO’s continued belief in and commitment to our company, bolstered by the confidence shown by the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership through investing £100,000 of taxpayers’ money in our latest development, I have been amazed by the level of excitement, energy and enthusiasm it has injected into our business. There’s a real buzz on the shop floor and this energy will be equally as important as the productivity gains we make with the new machine in driving the business to further growth and success.” Dating back to 1895, Siddall and Hilton processes over 1,500 tonnes of wire a month and now employs
L to R: Charlotte Peterson, customer relations manager at Siddall & Hilton Products; Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin; and Andy Dawson, operations director
L to R: Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, and Charlotte Peterson, customer relations manager at Siddall & Hilton Products (Customer Relations Manager - SHP)
L to R: Ian Thurley, chief executive of Siddall & Hilton Products, and Sir Roger Marsh OBE DL, chair of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership and NP11
59 people. Following an MBO in August 2019, the management team, led by Ian Thurley, has undertaken
a programme of operational improvements and the company is seeing sustained growth.
August 2021
Make sure you select the right hydraulic tube-fitting system for marine applications
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hen it comes to specifying a hydraulic piping connection system for marine applications there are a number of critical factors to keep in mind. Firstly, the system must carry approval in accordance with the relevant agency specification. Only then can a design engineer begin to scrutinise system capabilities such as reliable, leak-free performance. There is also the issue of the corrosive marine environment, which demands a tubing
connection system – and fittings – manufactured from stainless steel. For these reasons, the Eaton Walterscheid WALFORMplus ® tube connector system is proving increasingly popular across the industry as it answers many of the questions posed by design engineers seeking an optimised solution to their hydraulic piping requirements.
Seek approval Type approvals form the backbone of the marine industry. Originally a requirement of ship insurance compa-
nies, many different agencies (with different type approvals) operate in this sector, including DNV GL, Bureau Veritas and ABS, to name only a few. Although the relevant approval usually relates to geographic area, all agencies fall under the umbrella of IACS (International Association of Classification Societies). By fulfilling the type approvals, components used for marine projects are confirming a minimum performance level in terms of mechanical resistance and fatigue life. This performance is re-
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quired to ensure the functionality of safety-critical systems, as well as behaviour in the event of fire or mechanical exposure. Of course, products that meet the marine sector’s rigorous type approvals can also serve other industries. These approvals provide third-party confirmation that the products meet a wide range of test requirements according to their defined operating pressure. Assuming the system carries the required approval, the design engineer can begin his or her assess-
ment of other selection factors, such as pressure resistance, vibration resistance and safety. For defence applications, designers must also think about the potential for a hydraulic tube-fitting system to retain its functionality after a torpedo strike, for example. Ease-of-installation, soft sealing and resistance to pull-out forces are further considerations.
with tube-cutting systems. There are many reasons for this trend. For instance, the cold forming of materials increases stress resistance at the most crucial points of the tube. Combined with no sharp ends, this effect creates outstanding vibration resistance. In addition, as a dry, non-cutting forming process, cold forming produces no waste or mess.
Forming, not cutting
WALFORMplus ® represents a reliable, easy-to-install forming system that uses minimal components. The system also provides4
A cold-forming technology system such as WALFORMplus ® is proving particularly popular in comparison
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ultra-high pressure resistance and the option of a soft seal. Another key factor is process stability, which comes from the machine that forms the tube connection. Any cold tube-forming machine should produce assemblies with the same quality time-after-time, independent of the tolerance influences imparted by the tube or fitting. With such a robust machine, the worker can do nothing wrong, thus providing a significant benefit over cutting-ring systems, which rely on operator skill. Having this process assurance also brings a level of safety with regard to creating a correct, leak-free connection.
Rapid set-up and cycle times Some machines, such as the Eaton Walterscheid M-WF385Xplus for WALFORMplus ®, provide advantages such as fast cycle times and quick set-ups thanks to easy changeovers with colour-coded tools. The M-WF385Xplus, which accommodates tube from 6-42 mm diameter, also offers forming pressure control to minimise energy consumption, as well as quiet operation to reduce noise levels in the shop. Of particular note, there is no requirement to set-up any machine parameters, thus minimising the risk of failure. Due to the tube shape produced, WALFORMplus ® assemblies ensure extremely high resistance against pull-out forces, significantly more than a cutting-ring assembly. In fact, pull-out torque tests show that, depending on the system selected, a WALFORMplus ® assembly has circa 57% more resistance to
pull-out forces than a cutting-ring assembly of the same diameter and wall thickness. This impressive result is largely because the locked-in retaining tube removes any risk of disconnection, thus enabling its use in safety-critical applications. It is also worth noting that a large investment in a forming machine is not necessarily required for those looking to adopt the WALFORMplus ® system. Some suppliers offer a rental service that enables an OEM or subcontractor to hire a machine for the duration of the project.
Avoid failures Ultimately, not selecting the optimum tube-fitting system can lead to a number of issues, including failure. In most marine applications, failures are traceable to a lack of worker assembly skills. Of course, this issue presents a challenge for manufacturers of tube-fitting systems, who must ensure their systems allow the creation of easy and reliable tube connections, without compromising the necessary resistance to pressure peaks and vibration. These objectives are exactly what the Eaton team has achieved with ® WALFORMplus . The failure of a hydraulic piping system can prove costly in both downtime and repairs, and possibly present a safety hazard.
Above-deck hydraulic systems for vessels include those supporting cranes, lifting gear and winches, so the danger is clear, while below deck, hydraulics serve equally critical systems such as propulsion and steering. For military or defence vessels, hydraulics are also present on the turret machinery that manoeuvres the guns, for example. Today, almost all vessel types take advantage of WALFORMplus ®, everything from military aircraft carriers, frigates, corvettes and exploration ships, to cruise liners, ferries and superyachts. Among the many factors at work here is Eaton’s ability to provide both the piping connection system and the fittings. Moreover, the company can offer the system and fittings in stainless steel for above-deck applications, which are subject to saltwater
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spray. Carbon steel is suitable for below-deck applications. As a further point of note, WALFORMplus® is also proving popular in the marine sector for water-mist fire extinguisher solutions, particularly for large cruise liners where a lot of piping is required. Water-mist systems operate at high pressure, typically 140-160 bar, which makes WALFORMplus ® ideal for this application, even though the media is water rather than hydraulic oil. Often, the preference is to use the system in conjunction with a welded stainless steel tube, which is more cost-effective than the seamless tubes used for hydraulics.
Testing the water Fundamentally, test results identify the leading contend-
ers when it comes to selecting a hydraulic piping connection system. Alongside tests in accordance with DIN EN ISO 19879 and IACS, special tests under extreme loads will confirm the safety and leak-proof capabilities of a tube-fitting system. For WALFORMplus ®, results are available (according to appropriate test institutes) for tests that include combined pressure-impulse and reverse bending tests, as well as tensile and fire resistance tests, to list but a few. WALFORMplus ® has also proven it is resistant to shock loads equivalent to 700 g-force in tests that simulate the effects of a torpedo strike. This outstanding re-
sult highlights the system’s impressive resilience. Of course, achieving these approvals and test results demands enormous effort and input from Eaton’s engineering department. However, the outcome is an extremely attractive offer for sectors such as marine, namely a reliable, easy-to-use, fully certified hydraulic tube-fitting system that adds genuine value. For more information about WALFORMplus and Eaton’s Walterscheid tube fitting portfolio, visit our website.
August 2021
FABTECH 2021 to provide first look at 400+ new products for the metal fabrication industry
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ABTECH, North America’s largest metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing event, will return to Chicago Sept.13-16, providing attendees with a long-awaited opportunity to see the latest trends and products in person. As the first large-scale manufacturing trade show to be held at Chicago’s McCormick Place since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, FABTECH 2021 will bring two years’ worth of groundbreaking innovations to the global fabrication community.
every facet of the industry, from high-speed fiber laser cutting machines, stamping presses and 3D metal printers to automated robotic welding systems, tube bending machines and new software solutions. Featured technology-focused pavilions at FABTECH include the 3D/Additive Manufacturing Pavilion, one of the fastest-growing technologies of the 21st century, and the Robotics & Industrial Automation Pavilion that will introduce new technologies to fill workforce gaps and increase productivity and profitability.
“We’re thrilled to be able to provide our attendees and exhibitors with a way to reconnect,” said John Catalano, SME senior director, FABTECH. “This is a pivotal moment for our industry and it’s important that we come together to explore the products that are transforming the way we work, as well as the topics that are top of mind for us all, like steel prices, supply chain shortages, and workforce challenges. FABTECH gives us the chance to do that—to discuss what’s changing, see the newest advancements in action and work together to move the metal fabrication industry forward.”
Catalano added, “With its focus on technology and the breadth of innovation displayed, FABTECH is the ideal forum for manufacturing professionals to see live equipment demonstrations, build strategic partnerships and network with industry peers.” To learn more and register for FABTECH, visit fabtechexpo.com. Show floor admission is complimentary for those who register by Sept. 9, 2021.
With more than 1,100 exhibitors (including 93 new exhibitors) demonstrating their products, processes and manufacturing solutions, FABTECH presents the best opportunity for buyers to engage with and invest in the latest technology. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore three halls filled with cutting-edge technology and emerging trends that are advancing the industry in the areas of fabricating, stamping, tube and pipe, welding, finishing, additive manufacturing, and robotics and industrial automation. The expansive show floor will include an impressive display of over 400 new products and technologiesacross
About FABTECH FABTECH is North America’s largest metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing event. The event provides a convenient venue where you can meet with world-class suppliers, see the latest industry products and developments and find the tools to improve productivity and increase profits. FABTECH is made possible by its five event partners, all of whom represent the varied and diverse makeup of the manufacturing industry. They include the American Welding Society, the Chemical Coaters Association International, the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association International, the Precision Metalforming Association and SME. Read more about FABTECH’s event partners here.