Welding Positioners

Some folks are having trouble finding love for their banks so possibly this story is for them:

Bankers are nervously peering over the shoulder of the guys who are wearing T shirts to the office and spinning pencils between their fingers while staring into their computer screens. These modern day Robin Hoods are figuring out how they will be taking a slice of the bankers’ business and profits using algorithms and the internet. They’re not worrying about their lack of knowledge in the banking business. They didn’t know much about music and video stores, either. So, how about lending? There are people who become unhappy when you start asking them about what kind of rate their getting from their savings. And another group, who are thinking they’re a good credit risk and possess the record to prove it; they’re asking for a better rate for their loan. Is there a way these 2 parties can be finding one another and making each other happy? Those IT guys are thinking they can make the app. What about credit cards? Are there better and more convenient ways to paying than having to use your credit card (think PayPal)? If they do find a way, it’s fewer fees for the banks. How about finding a better exchange rate for foreign funds? Or a better rate for sending money abroad. If they find a way so both parties are so happy they want to do it again, then it’ll be another set of shrinking fees. Are there any other functions banks are doing that they’re charging too much money and too much inconvenience for? The conclusion is: when inefficiencies and good money are dwelling together, it’s the same attraction as having blood in the water for sharks.

Not all welding jobs are created equal. Yet, every job will have the same goal: doing it correctly and efficiently. And those 2 things must be happening simultaneously if you don’t want to be losing money.

Deficiencies, the word no one wants to hear at the end of their job. The weld will be undergoing correction until it’s meeting the standard. And just hope the correction doesn’t start turning into an eternal nightmare.

Efficiency – no one (contractor or client) wants to be spending more time than necessary on the job. The cost of labor is the largest single component in any job. Simple math teaches us where to look for efficiency: 10% reduction on $1000 is an always a bigger amount than 50% reduction on $10. But, the best thing in creating a new efficiency is when it can be happily taken along to the next job. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.

One of the tools that will create new efficiencies in a welding environment is the welding positioner. The automatic pipe rollers (above photo) are a simple tool that demonstrates how a difficult job is being made simple. Without using pipe rollers, other solutions are going to have to be invented to weld the pipe. The pipe can be wrapped with wire rope slings, or flat webbing, or Grade 80 chain slings. Then lifting the pipe up to the desired height by an overhead crane. Enabling the welder to get good access to make his numerous welds: this method there’s going to be numerous stopping and starting. Or if there’s a desire to be Cro-Magnon, the welder can be dragging himself over and under the pipe. But once an automatic pipe roller is introduced, it makes all the other ideas cartoonish. The pipe is set on roller bearing wheels. The rubber tires will be giving friction and smooth pipe rotation. Set the desired speed. (Some even have forward and reverse). The welder with the MIG gun finds his comfortable zone and begins welding. With the pipe rotating at the set speed, the work piece is coming to him. The level of difficulty has been chopped at the knees. By making the job easier, it’s enabling a less experienced welder to a higher level
of success.

The big positioners (see above photo) demonstrate how safety is enhanced. In this scenario, a large structure is being welded. By putting the work piece in a positioner, the welds have been made easy, the number of people reduced and the competition for space eased. And even nicer, it’s safer. Every time a heavy awkward structure is being moved or turned, the safety risk shoots up. The use of cranes, clamps, etc. means each tool has a risk of failing or being misused. Then when the work piece is being moved or turned, workers in nearby areas have to become involved. By using one positioner in one place, the accounting of safety risks is made easier.

But maybe the positioners that are most easily over looked are the smaller ones. These smaller positioners can turn and some can even tilt. Using the photo above (a picture is worth a thousand words), it’s easy to grasp the benefits. It’s not hard to believe the welder being more able to concentrate on the quality of the weld. For jobs that need to be rotated or turned or moved, consider whether this a job for a positioner. It’s never a bad thing to make the job easier for the welder. Save his energy for more complicated tasks.

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