K-3 Welding and its ‘Windy City’ welding sculpture has been turning heads along the south side of Chicago since 1996 when Mike Kuper, 62, opened the business. Now Kuper is faced with a schedule full of welding work and notices that his lease has not been renewed. Even worse, Kuper has to move everything by December 1st when the wrecking balls come to take his current building down.
Kuper remains determined to prevail, partnering with Abbey Metal Services, INC and moving his operation to their large warehouse. Over the years Kuper was famous for pointing to his sculpture outside of his welding shop to tell his clients that there was no job too demanding for him. It looks like the same remains true as K-3 Welding faces its latest chapter in a new location.
Here’s the latest news in the world of welding:
Welding Industry
ESAB Releases Rebel Multi-Process Welder
ESAB today introduced the Rebel EMP 215ic, a 120V-230V, CC/CV welding system that offers true multi-process arc performance, location flexibility, lightweight portability and a groundbreaking operator interface. A unique sMIG (“smart MIG”) function enables users to begin MIG welding with “an extremely stable arc” just by setting metal thickness and wire diameter. Unlike competitive units, there is no need to enter information for shielding gas mix.
Welding Education
Growing Welding Program Needs a Larger Space
Enrollment in the college’s occupational trades programs has grown tremendously over the past four or five years, according to Brad Eldredge, college vice president of Instruction and Student Services.
We have several programs welding and fabrication that have really been growing. Other areas have taken off like industrial machining, Eldredge pointed out, to meet the demand of growing industries in the valley. We’re outgrowing our space which is a good thing.
Indiana Family Donates Welding Helmets in Memory of Son
Tecumseh High School now has more than $500 worth of welding supplies. The equipment was donated in honor of 19-year-old Garrett Ward who died in a boating accident last year.
Garrett was a welder at S and S Machine Shop in Boonville. His mother Tina Howton says donating the welding supplies will give other students a chance to do what Garrett loved to do.
Welding Jobs
Students Learn About Welding Job Options
David Dean, welding instructor at the Tennessee College of Applied Technology, described the art form of welding as that similar to a baseball player. In the beginning, you play all the positions on the field until you discover what position fits you best.
Dean said with the many types of welding available at the college, learning what style of welding fits his students best is similar to discovering what spot on the diamond fits you best. “Welding, you have to specialize in the field,” Dean said. “You learn the basics, then you pick what path you want to go. There are many, many different welding positions in the field.”
Steel Center Prepares Students for Open Job Positions
Through the sparks that fly off the metal as it fuses together, Clayton Coppola sees a profitable career in welding once he graduates from high school. “There’s money there and I also enjoy it,” said Coppola, 16, a sophomore at Steel Valley High School, who is enrolled in the new welding program at Steel Center for Career and Technical Education in Jefferson Hills.
The prospect of a lucrative career in the welding industry coupled with the need for people led about 40 students to sign up for the program in its first year at Steel Center.
Welding Events
FABTECH-Canada
FABTECH Canada will take place at the Toronto Congress Centre, March 22-24, 2016. The event is co-sponsored by SME, the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International (FMA), the American Welding Society (AWS), the Precision Metal-forming Association (PMA), and Chemical Coaters Association International. Companies specializing in fabricating, metal forming, welding, and finishing will have the opportunity to network, improve productivity, increase profits and discover innovative ways to expand in today’s competitive business environment.
9th International Seminar & Conference on Advances in Resistance Welding
Apr 12, 2016 – Apr 15, 2016, Miami, FL
AWS, RWMA, and Swantec have joined forces to bring this Seminar and Conference on Resistance Welding. Industry experts from leading institutes and companies in the Âfield of resistance welding will give a comprehensive overview on the latest in materials, welding equipment, innovations and industrial applications. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to network with the leaders in resistance welding.
Welding Gone Wrong
Man Flown to Hospital After Welding Blast
It is believed the man, who was admitted to the hospital’s burns unit, was working on a truck, when the fuel tank exploded. Six ambulance and fire units attended the Caramut-Minhamite Road property about 6.10pm on Friday and he was transported to Melbourne in the HEMS 4 air ambulance an hour later.
