Page 44 - MetalForming April 2013

At one of several tube-finishing machines at Stripmatic, department supervisor Arvin Griffin (right) consults with operator Miguel Diaz.
Stripmatic’s previous 200-ton press capacity limited tube-forming diame- ter to 2.75 in.; with the servo press the shop will be able to form tubes to 6-in. diameter. “We can run that press with a 10-in. stroke on one job, and then quickly switch to a 4-in. stroke,” Adler says, describing the versatility that the innovative servo technology provides. Another benefit: “Press-stroke control is greatly refined,” Adler says, “so we achieve tighter fitup tolerances at the seam, allowing us to laser-weld the tubes.”
The firm’s new, innovative laser- welding cell replaces plasma welding and yields a 500-percent decrease in processing time. It features a rotary table with 18 stations and includes automated feed of the formed tubes, a fiber-laser welding station and four camera inspection stations.
PMA’s Role in Shaping the Industry’s Future
Adler’s thirst for innovation and knowledge has been quenched via numerous PMA functions—seminars, tradeshows, MetalForming and Fabri- cating Product News magazines and other products. During his time at the association’s helm, he pledges to encourage more.
“The association can help members identify the technology innovations
Sharing Knowledge
his networking group are significantly larger than Stripmatic, cites cost-reduc- tion requirements as one example. “I’ve learned of cost-down notifications from my networking-group peers three months ahead of when I might have if we were not PMA members,” he says. “That’s given us plenty of time to ‘soft- en the blow’ and minimize the impact on our company.
“In another instance,” Adler con- tinues, “we caught wind from the group of a new OSHA crackdown on noise and mist levels ahead of an audit. I called in the Ohio Industrial Commis- sion to work with us and preempt any OSHA action.”
Adler also cites the guidance and suggestions received from his net- working-group peers when Stripmatic underwent TS16949 registration pro- ceedings. “A couple of the group’s mem- bers led the pack with TS registration, and shared a lot of useful advice on best practices,” Adler says. “That saved us considerable time and money dur- ing the process.”
Innovation the Perfect Partner to Knowledge
Another benefit of PMA member- ship for Adler and Stripmatic, and in particular to belonging to a tight-knit networking group, has been the oppor- tunity to tour the manufacturing facil- ities of other member companies. “Those tours always offer useful
insights into how new innovative tech- nologies are impacting the metalform- ing industry,” Adler says. And innova- tion shines bright at Stripmatic, illuminating the path to future growth. Following the company’s move last year to its new home on Cleveland’s south side, Adler invested in a new 300-ton Aida servo-mechanical press, and in a 2-kW automated laser-welding cell from Lincoln Electric.
“Our business plan is focused on continued development of our wrapped-tube manufacturing process,” says Adler. “The servo press and laser- welding cell will greatly expand our capabilities there.”
42 MetalForming/April 2013
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Liz Adler (right) meets with Stripmatic CFO Brian Gorris and customer-service manager Karen Hecker. In 2012, Gorris was named CFO of the Year by Crain’s Cleveland Busi- ness magazine. He also serves on PMA’s audit and finance committees. Says Adler: “I find the PMA human-resources roundtable meetings and its online listserve to provide outstanding value.”