When Consolidated Precision Products looked for trained welders for their Selmet factory in Oregon, they saw a need for new welding machines at Linn-Benton Community College. In fact, current instructor Marc Rose learned his trade at the same school in the mid-1970’s on machines that were still in the shop as of last semester.
Thanks to an estimated donation of $135,000 from Selmet, the welding program has 18 brand new XMT 350 Miller Electric welding machines. When classes start at the end of September, students will have better welding machines on hand to prepare them for the next step of their careers–careers that donors hope will begin at Selmet.
Welding Jobs
West Virginia Woman Follows Her Father’s Footsteps in Welding
“Miller works at Gorbel Inc., which makes work stations and material handling cranes and fall-protection products. The company has only a few female welders at its 50,740-square-foot Goodyear facility, she said.
‘I’m all for girls who go against the grain, against the norm, who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty or work hard,” Miller said. “It makes me proud to be one of them because there’s not a lot of us. I take pride in it.’”
Student Promoted to New Welding Apprenticeship
“ALM Positioners, Rock Island, Ill., a manufacturer of headstock/tailstock positioner lifts, has announced the addition of Blake Linz as a welding apprentice.
Linz, a senior at Davenport West High School, is part of the Davenport Community School’s High School Welding Registered Apprentice program, new this year. Students in the program complete prerequisite courses through their respective high schools. Upon application and acceptance, they can take advanced courses through Eastern Iowa Community Colleges’ Blong Technology Center while working at local companies to become a licensed apprentice.”
Welding Industry
New Ceramic Welding Process Holds Promise
“Now, researchers have developed a way to weld ceramics together using tightly focused, ultrafast laser pulses. Melting pieces of ceramics together is no easy task. The lasers target the seam of the material only, creating a sharp temperature gradient that can cause the ceramic to crack and shatter, like pouring hot water into a cold mug.”
Bot-X Welder Offers Innovative Welding Solution
“Nowhere in manufacturing is the shortage of labor felt as urgently as in the welding sector, which is now facing an acute shortage of welders nationwide. The industry’s hiring challenge, combined with the struggle metal fabrication companies experience in producing quality parts quickly and in small runs, prompted Hirebotics to develop the BotX Welder.
The BotX Welder comes with the UR10e cobot arm, cloud connector, welder, wire feeder, MIG welding gun, weld table, and configurable user-input touch buttons. The customer provides wire, gas, and parts. Customers can teach BotX the required welds simply via an app on any smartphone or tablet using welding libraries created in world-class welding labs. A cloud connection enables 24/7 support by Hirebotics.”
Welding Education
Iowa Governor Visits Welding Program
“Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds is never at a loss for words when she’s talking about vocational apprenticeship programs in Iowa schools.
Reynolds commended the Clinton School District during a visit Wednesday, calling it a real leader in the state for offering a work-based welding program this year.
Clinton is the 11th district in the state to start such a program, Reynolds said. ‘They are exceptional. A game changer.’”
Iowa Community College Adds New Welding Space
“A major building renovation project at Northwest Iowa Community College has been completed. A roughly 6,000-square-foot area located inside Building C on the Sheldon-based college’s campus was remodeled during the spring and summer to become the new home of NCC’s welding program.”
Welding Events
FABTECH, November 11-14 in Chicago
“FABTECH brings a wealth of innovation and technology solutions to Chicago November 11-14, 2019. More than 48,000 attendees and over 1,700 exhibiting companies are expected to gather once again to celebrate metal manufacturing at its best. The event also provides educational sessions and expert-led presentations covering the latest trends and technology in the metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing industries.”
Welding Gone Wrong
Company Fined Over Welder’s Death
“A North Dakota oilfield company was ordered to pay $2.1 million in fines and victim restitution after a welder died while working on an uncleaned tanker trailer five years ago, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Wednesday, Aug. 28.”
Welding Supplies and Safety Gear
Get started on your next welding project or stock up for the next semester of welding classes by checking out the latest deals at Baker’s Gas and Welding. We have Baker’s Bundles that help welders get started on projects right away by providing all of the consumables and accessories each welding machine will need. You’ll find welders of all sizes by Miller, ESAB, Fronius, and more at the best prices available online.