75 Years of Shaping the Sheet Metal Fabrication Industry

HICKORY, NC - In an era dominated by constant technological and economic change, it is rare to find a technologically based company that has been around for 75 years, much less one that has been a leader in innovation the entire time. But Murata Machinery USA, Inc., located in Charlotte, NC, has been a world leader in forming machinery technology, specializing in sheet metal fabrication applications, service and sales of turret punch presses and material handling equipment.

For 75 years, Murata has been a pioneer in the sheet metal fabrication industry, with innovations dating back to the first turret punch press without a center post, the R2. The R2 was designed in 1932 and manufactured for production in 1934 by Theodore Wiedemann.

Wiedemann was a master machinist from Germany who first set foot on American soil in 1888. By 1916, Theodore and his brother launched Wiedemann Machine Company in Philadelphia, which made machines that were ahead of their time, designing and producing devices ranging from automatic meat slicers to paint filling machines.
In the 1930's the company narrowed its focus to the precision fabrication industry with the turret punch press.

By World War II, demand for aviation parts fueled a period of explosive growth for the Wiedemann Machine Company. After the war, the company continued its flair for innovation by unveiling the first numerically controlled machine, the A15, at the IMTS show in Chicago in 1955. By 1958, Wiedemann Machine employed 280 craftsmen and a line of turret punch presses that were renowned throughout the sheet metal fabrication industry for their durability and accuracy.

In 1964, the Wiedemann Machine Company was purchased from the Wiedemann family by the Warner & Swasey Company, which introduced the first CNC turret punch press, the Wiedematic W2040, at IMTS in 1970. That same year, the Warner-Swasey Company launched a joint venture with Murata Machinery Ltd., located in Kyoto, Japan. Blank sheet production was raised to new levels with the introduction of the first CNC Right Angle Shear in 1976, the RAS 412. Murata Warner Swasey also unveiled the world's first Flexible Manufacturing System (FMS) at Mitsubishi Switchgear and the first compact, numerically controlled turret punch press, the Centrum-1000, in 1983.

After recognizing the future potential and value of the Wiedemann Division, Murata Machinery Limited purchased the entire Wiedemann line from Warner-Swasey in 1989. In 1990, the two companies merged, forming equipment lines branded under the Murata Wiedemann name. Eventually, the Wiedemann name was phased out but not forgotten. Today, Murata Machinery continues to offer a wide array of machine tools marketed under the parent company of Muratec. Each machine also features the Wiedemann name.

In 1994, Murata Machinery changed the evolution of the turret punch with the introduction of the first electric servo punch drive — the Motorum 2034 design — which has since become a standard in the industry. Murata also launched revolutionary changes in productivity with the introduction of the first turret punch featuring a turret changer, the NPS-01, and the Motorum 2558 Hybrid, which combines electric turret punch capabilities with laser contour cutting.

That same spirit of innovation, durability and accuracy live on in Murata Machinery USA. "We always listen to the needs of our customers and react with products that push them ahead of the competition," explained Lloyd Keller, National Sales Manager, Murata Machinery USA. "Our products are designed as a solution to the user's requirements for the future that addresses improving efficiency, profits and the environment."

Today, Murata Machinery USA remains committed to the traditional values of craftsmanship with engineered products for the future. The company's sheet metal forming division produces and markets a wide range of machines, with punching capacities ranging from 22 to 45 U.S. tons. The machine configurations range from hydro-mechanical to the new servo electric drive with contouring options of plasma and laser, as well as a full line of stockers, loaders, and sorting equipment.

Murata Machinery USA's Motorum line also offers the latest in sheet metal fabrication technology and reliability, with automation options that take unmanned productivity to new heights with exceptional returns on investment. The division's equipment is distributed throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico by the Muratec dealer network, which also provides service support.

Murata Machinery USA, Inc. is a subsidiary of Murata Machinery Ltd., located in Kyoto, Japan. The machine tool division produces a variety of metalworking machines for the metal-forming and metal-cutting industries and continues to be a world leader in the manufacture and design of high-productivity metal working machines.

For more information, visit http://www.muratec-usa.com or call 800-428-8469.

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Various types of welding processes

There are various types of welding processes and each has its own advantages and disadvantages, including:

1. Arc welding is a technique that uses the power supply and create an electric arc between the electrode and the base material.
2. Forge welding is a process that joins metals by heating them to high temperatures.
3. Tig tungsten electrode to produce weld and it is another name for gas tungsten arc welding of metals and used for thin sections of stainless steel and non ferrous metals.
4. Mig welding is automated arc welding process for its versatility and speed and the welding of aluminum and non ferrous materials.
5. Spot welding is a process in which metal surfaces are joined with the heat obtained from resistance of current flow.
6. Gas welding is also referred to as oxy-fuel welding and gas used for welding and cutting metals.
7. Stick or shielded metal arc welding is a process that uses manual arc consumable electrode.
8. Arc plasma using a plasma gas and has a narrow penetration with a greater concentration of energy.

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How to Make the Best Use of Aluminium Welder

The same techniques aren't accustomed weld totally different metals. Thus, one should fathom the various aspects of the metals, before fastening identical. Al is that the metal that has low freezing point and high thermal conduction, that arise careful fastening of identical. Al welders ar best equipments, if used rigorously to weld Al.


An improvement can be seen in almost every sphere of life. Whether it is communication or transport, the advancements have been brought and have helped people in numerous of ways. Likewise, there are much changes brought about in the field of welding. There are different types of welder available in the market today that make it easy to cut and weld metal with different thickness without bringing about any deformation in them.

One such welder is aluminium welder that is especially designed to cut and weld aluminium precisely. It performs the repairs easily and quickly to allow easy aluminium fabrication and part repairs. The need of these welders arise because of the meticulous attention and concentration needed to work with this metal. It best suits the needs of a person looking for the equipment to weld aluminium.

The most important step in welding of aluminium is to apply the suitable technique that could perform the task successfully. It is must to know about the metal in order to have better results. It is beyond doubt that welding of aluminium is a challenging task, because of low melting point and high thermal conductivity of the metal. It can lead to burn, if the due care is not taken while welding. While using gas-arc welder, it is not easy to feed aluminium wire, as it has low column strength and it interweaves easily.

While working with aluminium welder or welding aluminium, there are certain points to be pondered over. The base metal should be properly cleaned so that there is no hydrocarbon or aluminium oxide pollution from cutting oils. The aluminium piece should be pre-heated to avoid weld cracking. Pressing on the gun, instead of pulling it will lead to clean and condensed weld. It would also cause better shielding-gas exposure. The high thermal conductivity of aluminium causes hotter amperage, voltage settings and superior welds.

Argon is the suitable gas to be used for its high quality clear out action. It is the most protected gas used in welding of aluminium. The cable feed technique should be appropriate to avoid the related hassles. The push and pull is the best of all techniques.

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Constraints on Underwater Welding

The reluctance of the industry to use underwater welding technique is understandable considering the following things:

1. Class, either DNV or have not received LR technique for permanent repairs. There are weld defects which almost always accompanies (porosity, lack of fusion, cracking) these burdensome welding technique for permanent improvement purposes. On improving elements that can be said to be less important, the class was able to accept it as a conditional permanent which can be considered as a permanent home in the next inspection found no significant reduction of quality welding.
2. AWS D3.6 refers to: 1999 Specification for underwater welding, namely, the best results can be obtained from this technique is a new Class B. Results like this can only be acceptable if only for the purpose welding applications that are less important / critical where lower ductility, porosity is more, the discontinuities are relatively more acceptable. If welding is used usually only applied for purposes that are 'fit for purpose' only.
3. The high risk of hydrogen cracking in the HAZ area, especially for material that has higher levels of carbon equivalent of 0.4%. Especially in the North Sea, offshore structures used to use this material.
4. Based on existing experience in the industry, welding technique is only performed up into no more than 30 meters.
5. Shielded metal process performance arc (SMA) of ferritic electrodes deteriorate with advancing into. Commercial producers also limit the use of electrodes to a depth of 100 meters.
6. The nature of the welding results also deteriorated with increasing depth, especially for small ductility and toughness (Charpy impact).
7. Due to direct contact with water, the water around the welding area to boil and becomes ionized hydrogen gas and oxygen. Most of the gas is fused into the HAZ area but most of the others will flow into the air. When the flow is retained, there will be a risk of explosion is usually harmful to divers.

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The Need and Significance of Metal Fabrication Welding

The process of metal fabrication attachment is the maximum amount AN art because it may be a science. This method entails connection 2 metal items into one piece with the employment of warmth. In most cases, {the 2|the 2} items of metal to be joined along square measure liquid at the targeted joint and that they square measure additional secure by employing a filler material that firmly holds these two materials along. whereas the employment of warmth (usually within the kind of a flame) has been the traditional attachment methodology, these days you shall notice lasers, electrical arcs and even ultrasound to hold out this method.

This method is also used for prototype machining, in which an archetype of a machine is made and tested for feasibility before the final product can be made. Since both these techniques require a considerable amount of skill, one needs to partner with a reputable firm for such services.

A firm that boasts of metal fabrication welding as their core competency is more likely to offer you a better service. Since these services are used for the high end manufacturing of large and small industrial machinery or components, one cannot take a chance with quality.

So whether you need a unique product or a batch of components, you can outsource these requirements to a machining firm. This process begins with a design--so a lot depends on the accuracy of the design that is being created for you.

These services are required by several industries including but not limited to aerospace, tooling and fixtures, assemblies, composites, energy sector, wind, hydro power, nuclear power, pipelines, marine industry, infrastructure construction and many others.

Now let's discuss some of the salient features of Metal Fabrication Welding:

This technique of joining two metals endows the final part with strength and stability.

Parts or components such as valves can be made according to tight tolerances and in adherence to industry codes.

It is possible to create machines and components that can offer you different work patterns and outputs.

Welding can be performed on different shapes and sizes of welds. It can help join metal pieces at different angles.

Once the welding process is executed, its strength can be ascertained with the help of several tests. This helps to check defects such as cracks, incomplete fusion, distortion, undercutting etc at an early stage. The errors can then be rectified suitably. Testing errors is an important aspect of Prototype machining.

When the process of welding is carried out, the risk of distortion exists. Only an expert machinist can help control such risks. In addition, if you need to procure highly complex or intricate parts with difficult metals and geometrical shapes, it is advisable to enlist the services of a reputable Metal Fabrication Welding firm.

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