Automation

Talk

In this episode of The Fabricator Podcast, sponsored by Salvagnini America and part of the Automation Talk series, Tim Heston interviews Clay Case and Matt Humerick of Salvagnini about the role of software automation in modern precision sheet metal fabrication.

Automation Talk, Season 2, Episode 2

Rob Colman, editor of Canadian Fabricating & Welding magazine, talks with Brad Shykitka of Custom Metal Contracting (CMC) about the company’s automation transformation. The fabricator of architectural metal cladding systems has fully automated one of its lines, and advanced software was a big part of the implementation. Also in this episode, Tim Heston of The Fabricator magazine talks with Matt Humerick of Salvagnini America about automated order processing, IIoT, and just how integral software will be for the next generation of fabricators.

Automation Talk, Season 2, Episode 1

Tim Heston talks with Joe Wheatley of Trane Technologies’ commercial division and Matt Humerick of Salvagnini America about the importance of software, especially when it comes to the seamless flow of information throughout an organization. Considering all the minutiae—from tooling arrangements on the panel bender or press brakes to the effects of slat positions and blank orientation in laser cutting and punching; to specific machine loading, uptime, and performance information—modern software has helped transform the modern precision sheet metal operation.

Automation Talk, Season 1, Episode 6

In this final episode of Automation Talk, The FABRICATOR Senior Editor Tim Heston and Canadian Fabricating & Welding Editor Rob Colman talk with Salvagnini America's Derrick Clark, senior product and technology engineer, and Nate Gevedon, product and technology engineer, at FABTECH 2022 in Atlanta. These experts talk about how automation isn’t just for one process, one department, or even one value stream.

Automation Talk, Season 1, Episode 5

In this fifth episode of Automation Talk, presented by Salvagnini America, The FABRICATOR’s Senior Editor Tim Heston talks with Matt Klopfenstein, vice president of sales and marketing; Doug Johnson, CEO; and Giovanni Piccolo, vice president of project management at Salvagnini America. Recorded at FABTECH 2022 in Atlanta, the panel discusses automation’s past, present, and potential in sheet metal fabrication.

Automation Talk, Season 1, Episode 4

In the fourth episode of Automation Talk presented by Salvagnini, The FABRICATOR Senior Editor Tim Heston speaks with Senior Manufacturing Engineer Eric Tomecek about how Schindler has increased throughput, streamlined inventory management, and even changed manufacturing career paths.

Automation Talk, Season 1, Episode 3

In the third episode of Automation Talk presented by Salvagnini, Canadian Fabricating & Welding Editor Rob Colman talks with Cyrell AMP’s Julien Bergeron, who explains how it has helped the specialized architectural panel fabricator create product and job opportunities at the company’s Beloeil, Quebec, facility.

Automation Talk, Season 1, Episode 2

As manufacturing consultant for Acuity Insurance, Mike Schlagenhafer, an industry veteran whose career began in 1979, helps manufacturers who want to start their automation transformation. In his experience, success starts with asking the right questions.

Automation Talk, Season 1, Episode 1

Automation doesn’t just change the way manufacturing happens on the floor. It also opens the door to new business models, like the one behind Kendall Howard, a unique fabricator northeast of Minneapolis. Founder Randy Herreid describes how his vision for a new kind of manufacturing business came to fruition.

Bakery equipment manufacturer Casasanta ramped up its investment in sheet metal manufacturing automation, all tailored for the high-product-mix environment. The result: More product lines and diversified revenue streams.

Learn how automation helps transform Silicon Valley’s Vander-Bend, once a small job shop into one of the most successful contract metal manufacturers in North America—all while operating in one of the most expensive places in the United States.

Why do metal fabricators turn to automation—really? It’s not just about labor costs. A recent study that takes a holistic view of the precision sheet metal fabrication business. Manufacturers still need talent to succeed. But they also need the ability to respond extraordinarily quickly. Well-integrated automation makes that happen.

Automation isn't just about filling the skilled-labor gap. Fabricators automate to achieve greater throughput and gain the ability to truly scale the enterprise. In short, automation is changing how metal fabricators grow their business. To find out more, check out Automation Talk, a series from the Fabricators and Manufacturers Association (FMA) and presented by Salvagnini America.