Don DeCorte Bio: With a 37-plus year career in the resistance welding industry, Don DeCorte is responsible for overseeing RoMan’s Automotive and Industrial Resistance Welding products. At RoMan he has held positions in sales, applications, product development, and COO of one of RoMan’s divisions. Prior to joining RoMan, he held technical, product development, and sales management positions, with various resistance welding companies. Don is a lifetime member of the American Welding Society, a See map on page 2 • Meals will be provided in the training area of R&E. During the meal, Don DeCorte will give a 15-20-minute overview of what is new at RoMan Mfg. (i.e. IRCO Automation, current trends in the automotive and industrial portion of Resistance Welding, an update on new technologies at RoMan including Fast Rise Time and Reversing DC). • Bob Carrier will give a 5-10-minute overview of R&E and explain what will be occurring during the technical presentation and tour (laser, prototype, hemming, lab) • Don DeCorte will give a presentation on ““Extremes of Resistance Welding for Lightweight and Aluminum Applications” • Following Don’s Presentation, the group will be split in half. o Don DeCorte will demonstrate the Reversing DC equipment currently in the R&E lab with half of the group. o Brian Turner will demonstrate the Fast Rise Time equipment at the R&E lab to the other half of the group. o The groups will then switch. • Don Maatz will conduct tours of the facility including the laser booth, prototyping, hemming and the lab. February Technical Night Thursday, February 9, 2017 Extremes of Resistance Welding for Lightweight and Aluminum Applications Hosted by R & E Automated Systems 17500 23 Mile Road, Macomb, MI 48044 Map/Directions This will be a great evening to network, enhance your knowledge of aluminum weld applications and give you an opportunity to tour the facility and view some of the latest technology. RSVP Amanda Davis (248) 512-1803 or email [email protected]AGENDA 5:30 - 6:00pm Welcome Reception & Networking 6:00 - 6:45pm Opening Remarks & Meal 6:45 - 7:00pm AWS Patrons Awards 7:00 - 7:30pm RoMan Technical Presentation 7:30 - 8:00pm Facility Tour 8:00pm Adjourn 1 FEBRUARY TECHNICAL MEETING 2 COMMITTEE CHAIRS 2 CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE 2 MEETING MAP 3 LADIES’ NIGHT REGISTRATION FORM 5 FEBRUARY HOTLINE 7 JANUARY TECH NIGHT RECAP 7 COMING EVENTS 8 ASK THE WELDING ENGINEER 10 THANK YOU TO OUR PATRONS 10 EDITOR’S NOTE 12 MEET OUR MEMBERS 12 WELDING SCHOLARSHIPS February 2017 Inside This Issue Follow Us awsdetroit.org Affiliated With AWS Technical Nights are open to everyone! We encourage that members bring students and non- members to learn more about our organization and industry. Featured Speaker: Don DeCorte continued on page 2
Transcript
Don DeCorte Bio: With a 37-plus year career in the resistance welding industry, Don DeCorte is responsiblefor overseeing RoMan’s Automotive and Industrial Resistance Welding products. At RoMan he has heldpositions in sales, applications, product development, and COO of one of RoMan’s divisions. Prior tojoining RoMan, he held technical, product development, and sales management positions, withvarious resistance welding companies. Don is a lifetime member of the American Welding Society, a
See map on page 2
• Meals will be provided in the training area of R&E. During the meal, Don DeCorte will givea 15-20-minute overview of what is new at RoMan Mfg. (i.e. IRCO Automation, current trendsin the automotive and industrial portion of Resistance Welding, an update on new technologiesat RoMan including Fast Rise Time and Reversing DC).
• Bob Carrier will give a 5-10-minute overview of R&E and explain what will be occurring duringthe technical presentation and tour (laser, prototype, hemming, lab)
• Don DeCorte will give a presentation on ““Extremes of Resistance Welding for Lightweightand Aluminum Applications”
• Following Don’s Presentation, the group will be split in half.o Don DeCorte will demonstrate the Reversing DC equipmentcurrently in the R&E lab with half of the group.
o Brian Turner will demonstrate the Fast Rise Time equipment atthe R&E lab to the other half of the group.
o The groups will then switch.• Don Maatz will conduct tours of the facility including the laser booth,prototyping, hemming and the lab.
February Technical NightThursday, February 9, 2017
Extremes of Resistance Welding forLightweight and Aluminum Applications
Hosted byR & E Automated Systems
17500 23 Mile Road, Macomb, MI 48044Map/Directions
This will be a great evening to network, enhance your knowledge of aluminum weld applicationsand give you an opportunity to tour the facility and view some of the latest technology.
awsdetroit.orgFebruary marks the wrap up of our annual Patrons
campaign. This year we will be recognizing 20 Patronsat the monthly Technical event that will be held at theR&E Automated facility in Macomb. Technical contentfor the evening will be provided by Don DeCorte ofRoMan Manufacturing. Detroit Section Patrons contribute
a very significant sum to our yearly collection of funds that are reserved forscholarships, grants and other educational endeavors within the State ofMichigan. For those unfamiliar with the Detroit Section Patrons program, thiscampaign was launched many years ago for the express purpose of securingfunding to support the students and educational programs that are consideredimportant to our Section. A Patron is recognized as a company, organizationor individual that has made a significant contribution to the AWS-Detroit SectionPatrons’ Fund ($100 or more). Patrons are acknowledged on the AWS DetroitSection website, in the Detroit Section monthly bulletin and at our annual socialfunctions. Much of the good work we accomplish in our section would not bepossible were it not for these contributions. The Section continuously strivesto provide good value for every dollar donated to ensure that our Patrons considertheir support as money that is well invested. I would like to take this opportunityto thank all of our 2016/2017 Patrons for their assistance to this year’scampaign. If you or your organization would like to become a Patron or if youwould like more information on this program, please feel free to contact medirectly or contact our Patrons’ Chair, Eric Lichtfusz ([email protected]).
Next month we have two great events to look forward to. Our MarchTechnical Night will be held at Paslin on Thursday, March 9and our AnnualLadies Night Gala, one of our premier social events for the year being held atthe Royal Park Hotel on Saturday, March 25. Hope to see all of you at thesegreat events. For those that choose not to attend, I welcome any productivefeedback that might help us to encourage your attendance in the future.
lifetime Counselor of the AWS, and currently Chairman of the Education Committee of theRWMA, (Resistance Welding Manufacturing Alliance), a recipient of the American WeldingSociety’s National Meritorious award, and the 2015 recipient of the Elihu Thomson ResistanceWelding Award from AWS/RWMA for his outstanding contributions to the technology andapplication of resistance welding. He is a graduate of the Industrial Electronics program ofRETS Electronic Schools Detroit, MI.
The Detroit Section’s LadiesNight is an annual affair dat-ing back to May of 1941. Sincethat auspicious beginning, LadiesNight has been held every year.Over the years the event hasevolved from an end of year gettogether to introduce the PastChairman and the newly electedofficers of the section (now occurson Spouses Night) to its presentday role as a social event to pro-mote networking on a couplesbasis and as a fundraiser.
As one of the Section’s pri-mary fundraisers, proceeds fromthe event support our scholar-ship program, professionaldevelopment activities, and newfor 2017 the Detroit Sectionis working to create a SectionGrant program allowing us toprovide financial support tolocal schools offering weldingclasses.
The 2017 AWS Detroit Sec-tion’s Ladies Night venue is theRoyal Park Hotel located inRochester, Michigan. For thosenot familiar with this facility,located approximately 30 milesnorth of Detroit, it’s one of only15 hotels in Michigan to earnthe AAA Four-Diamond Rat-ing. In addition, the boutiquehotel has also been recognizedthe last two years by Worldhotels for the Best “ExperienceCreator.”
The Ladies Night Commit-tee has arranged for a discountroom rate for those wishing tospend the night. Guests need tocall the Royal Park Hotel at(800) 339-2761 and identify theevent (AWS Ladies Night) toreserve rooms at the block rate.
Please see the Events Page onthe Detroit Section website foradditional detailswww.awsdetroit.org/events
Calling All Candidates For The 2017/2018 ExecutiveCommittee Election!Each winter the AWS Detroit Section NominatingCommittee assembles a list of Candidates toprepare a ballot for an election that occurs inearly April. To prepare for the election, theNominating committee is charged withassembling a roster listing a minimum of 8candidates who represent the various segmentsof the welding industry.
Why Is This Process Important? Quality Nominees are essential to the continuedsuccess of AWS-Detroit, which was charteredon February 3, 1925. With more than 1,000members, AWS-Detroit continues to thrive andhost several nationally recognized activities,including Ladies Night and the Sheet MetalWelding Conference. The objectives of theAWS-Detroit Section include:- The advancement of the science, technologyand application of welding and allied joiningand cutting processes, including brazing,soldering and thermal spraying;- Support for, and provision of, educationalopportunities related to welding and alliedjoining and cutting processes;- Encouragement of the interaction of thelocal community of welding professionals,students, and users; and,- Advancement of the image of welding.Please contact Tyler Alexander (519) 734-8868(x4476) or [email protected] formore information. This is your opportunityto advance your involvement in one of theoldest and largest sections in the USA.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJanuary 15, 2017
Matt Post Joins T. J. SnowCompany as Regional SalesManager in MichiganChattanooga, Tennessee—T. J.Snow Company has recentlyhired industry veteran Matt Postas a Regional Sales Manager.
In his new role, Post will beresponsible for T. J. Snow’sresistance welding machineryand supply sales in the state of Michigan.
Post was employed at Apex Controls for 11years, where he focused on sales, service andsupport for resistance welding components.
Based in Holland, MI, Post will continue tooffer prompt and personal service in the region.With over 25 years of resistance welding appli -ca tion engineering and process ex per ience,Post is well known in the industry, havingpreviously worked for RoMan Manufacturing,Tuffaloy Products and TG Systems.
He serves on AWS Western Michigan’s Boardand is a member of the Executive Committeeof the Resistance Welding ManufacturingAlliance (RWMA).
Post will host one of T.J. Snow’s popular ResistanceWelding Regional Seminars on June 21, 2017in Grand Rapids, Michigan. For more informationor to register, please go to http://tjsnow.com/seminars/training-regional-seminars/.
About T. J. Snow CompanyT.J. Snow Company is recognized as a full-serviceleader in the resistance welding industry. Locatedin Chattanooga, Tennessee, the business continuesto be family owned and operated. T.J. SnowCompany is committed to helping customerssucceed with the resistance welding process bydelivering superior service, technical expertise,quality and value on resistance welding mach -inery, parts and accessories, and service. For moreinformation, contact: Catherine Bentley,[email protected]; (423) 894- 6234; tjsnow.com
R&E EngineeringServices hasdonated steel toWashtenaw Community College’sWeldingDepartment to help support their new roboticwelding and resistance welding courses. WCCWelding Department has recently revampedtheir courses to include advanced weldingprocesses. R&E Engineering Services is proudto help support the advancement of the weldingindustry in the greater Detroit area.
LINCOLN ELECTRIC ANNOUNCEMENT January 12, 2017
In Memory Omer W. BlodgettIt is with great sadness that we announce thepassing of Omer W. Blodgett, P.E., Sc.D, whopassed away yesterday at the age of 99. He wasa world renowned authority on the design ofwelded connections and was with LincolnElectric for more than 60 years, retiring as aSenior Design Consultant and Lincoln Electric’s“Employee of the Century.” During his tenure,he authored numerous manuals and textbooksfor the arc welding industry and his seminarson welding were known throughout the weldingindustry.
Mr. Blodgett became involved in welding atthe age of ten when he struck his first arc withhis father’s Lincoln Stable-Arc welding machine
in Minnesota. Through his high school years,he worked as a welder at his father’s companyand became certified as a welder for highpressure applications in 1938. After obtaininga Bachelor of Science in metallurgical engineeringand a Master’s degree in mechanical engineeringfrom the University of Minnesota, Mr. Blodgettbecame a welding superintendent at the GlobeShipbuilding Company. Under demandingwar-time production conditions, Mr. Blodgettlearned firsthand how to solve welding-relatedproblems such as distortion and cracking andmet James F. (“JF”) Lincoln, with whom hewould share a lifetime friendship.
Following World War II, he joined LincolnElectric at the urging of “JF” and served as atechnical representative and later as a designconsultant - working in both the mechanicaland structural fields. In this role, he becamethe primary presenter of the Lincoln ElectricWelding Design Seminars which continuetoday and are named in his honor. Additionally,he was a frequent speaker on welding designat the American Welding Society (AWS) sectionaland national meetings and conducted weldingdesign seminars all over the world.
During his career he authored numeroustechnical articles and handbooks on design,including Design of Weldments and Designof Welded Structures. He was a licensedprofessional engineer in the State of Ohio, afellow of the ASCE (American Society of CivilEngineers, ASME (American Society of MechanicalEngineers) and the AWS. Other affiliationsinclude Tau Beta Pi and Sigma Xi.
Mr. Blodgett was a long time member andcontributor to a number of organizationsincluding the AWS D1 Structural WeldingCommittee, the American Institute of SteelConstruction (AISC) Committee on Specifications,and the Welding Research Council (WRC) TaskGroup on Beam to Column Connections. Hiscontributions were recognized by AWS in 1962,1973, 1980 and 1983, when he was awardedthe A. F. Davis Silver Medal for his work instructural design. From the AISC, he receivedthe T.R. Higgins Lectureship Award in 1983,the Engineering Luminary Award in 1997 andAISC’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999.In 1995, LeTourneau University awarded Mr.Blodgett an honorary Doctor of Science degree,in addition to naming the Welding Engineeringchair in his honor. In 1999, he was named byEngineering News-Record as one of theconstruction industry’s top 125 innovatorsover the past 125 years, a distinction also givento John Roebling, Buckminster Fuller, ThomasEdison, Frank Lloyd Wright and R.G. LeTourneau.
We are indebted to Omer who was a mentorto many, left a lasting legacy in our industry,and who will be fondly remembered with greathonor. We extend our heartfelt condolencesto his family.
February 9AWS Detroit Techmeeting – Patrons NightHosted by R&EAutomated Macomb MI
March 9AWS Detroit Techmeeting – Old Timer’sNight. Hosted by Paslin(location TBD)
March 25AWS Detroit SectionLadies NightRoyal Park Hotel,Rochester, MI
April 1AWS Detroit ScholarshipDeadline!
April 2 – 7AWS CWI, CAWI, CWEWelding Inspector/EducatorHosted by AWSDetroit SectionLocation: Detroit MetroAirport, Marriott
Coming Events: February – April 2017
January Technical Meeting Re-capThe AWS-Detroit section hosted its January Technical
meeting at Easom Automation in Madison Heights, Michigan.Mr. Mark Schnee, the General Manager of Lincoln ElectricAutomation Solutions at EasomAutomation Division, gave apresentation on Modular Arc WeldingCell Innovations. His presentationdetailed how Lincoln Electric Auto -mation Solutions innovatively designedthe arc welding cell in a modularfashion for less maintenance effort,short down time, and flexibleupgrade/interexchange of someportion of the cell for multiple weldingapplications. There were about 30attendees at the meeting. A shop tourof Easom automation was given afterMr. Schnee’s presentation.
Arrangements will be handled by Chambers Funeral Home in NorthOlmsted, Ohio and details will be made available at:www.chambersfuneral.com. We ask our member to you share yourstories of Mr. Blodgett with us.
“Omer lived for a while in the same retirement community as my motherand she knew him and his wife. One day when I paid a visit she saidshe wanted me to meet someone. My mother had told Omer about whatI did and he was interested in meeting me. I learned from my motherthat the person we were meeting was also in welding. I said soundsgood and off we went to have lunch together. We were sitting downalready and in walks Omer Blodgett. Good thing I was sitting down.”
“We have a current meter that isnot displaying correctly. It isreading 9.3�9.4 kA when we think
it should be displaying 10.0�10.1 kA. Arewe in need of calibration, or perhapsa repair? It is not due for calibrationfor 6 months.”
“To date we have discussed severalaspects of our initial question. TheDecember-2016 column touched
on the idea of measurement accuracyand then detailed a few questions oneshould consider when you have a currentmeter that is reading differently thanexpected. With the January-2017 columnwe presented a few options to consider ifyour current meter (or other measuringinstrument) is not reading in an accuratemanner. These options ranged fromdiscarding and replacing it to thoughts onrepair and calibration. Now it is time totalk about what was doneto address the specific issuethat initiated this missive.As is often the case, whenissues related to calibrationand meter accuracy comeup, the answers are acombination of exper ienceand some engineeringthoughtfulness. Also, a bitof luck never hurts.Regardless of themethodology, it is helpful toprovide the customer/userwith any insight as to what might beoccurring. That being said, I should alsostate that while we are very experiencedwith these meters and have a good feelfor their nuances, we are not OEMElectrical Engineers. So it is very possiblethat what may be occurring with yourmeter is beyond the scope of this column(and our abilities). But to attempt to helpall concerned to better comprehend whatmight be occurring, we hope the followingis helpful as we illustrate how this meterwas brought back into cal. To begin with, we typically do not seeissues with the actual meter itself. Ofcourse something can go wrong with thecomponents inside the physicalinstrument, but much more often thannot, whenever that event occurs the meterno longer functions (e.g. does not turn on),or on the rare instance when it does, it
reads in a very inaccurate and erraticmanner. As a very wise IT person once toldme with regards to computers, if it turnson and boots up ok, much more oftenthan not you are good to go. The sameholds true with current meters. Of course,when the meter comes to you forcalibration due to it not reading correctly,but appears to have been run over by afork truck (Not kidding – this has happen -ed) you typically have a good feeling outof the gate what might be wrong.Where we have seen variability occur iswith the current sensing coil (CSC). Thesetend to have the highest failure rate of anyportion of the meter, and also have alarge impact on the resultant readings thatare displayed. The high failure rate makessense as the CSC is in a much betterposition to be in the line of fire shouldanything go wrong. While most coils arefairly robust, we have yet to see one that
can withstand being caughtbetween electrodes under900# of force.When a current verificationcheck is performed it shouldbe in a method that iscompatible with Reference-1. This helps to ensure thatthe variability inherentwith any CSC is minimized.For this example, a customshaped wooden insert(see Figure-1 for therepresen tation of a
round coil) is utilized to center theCSC on the secondary loop. Thecurrent checks are then con duct ed atvarious levels with each current levelbeing done in the eight (8) positionsshown. A ‘hanging’ test is alsorecommended that utilizes at leastfour (4) positions. This test attemptsto mimic how a facility uses theirmeters on the factory floor. For our example, after all of theabove testing, the meter was readingwithin acceptable limits. What wethink was occurring is that when theCSC was inserted into the woodenholder, or secured for the hangingtest, it was placed in a position thatappeared to have minimized theeffect of an issue with its internalcomponents. Ex amples of CSC issues
include broken internal wires, orconnections, that are only made on anintermittent basis. But when the meter wasused as intended and the CSC is no longerconstrained, the readings changed. Theinitial attempt at a fix was to install a newCSC. Once the new CSC was installed, themeter read just fine on both the calibrationstand and more importantly, at thecustomer’s facility. As I said, a bit of luckis always helpful.”A special thanks to Eric Pakalnins,calibration coordinator, and Bernard“Reggie” Scales, calibration technician, forR&E Engineering Services.If you have more questions about thistopic, Don can be reached at:R&E Engineering ServicesA subsidiary of R&E AutomatedSystems, LLC17500 23 Mile Road – Suite B, Macomb,MI 48044(586) 228-1900 – Office(734) 793-2304 – [email protected]
References:1) AWS A10.1M:2007 (Specification forCalibration and Performance Testing ofSecondary Current Sensing Coils and WeldCurrent Monitors used in Single-Phase ACResistance Welding)Figure-1 - Current Sensing Coil (CSC) Positions:Taken from AWS A10.1M:2007, Figure 5
s
Ask the Welding EngineerBy Donald F. Maatz, Jr.
A:
Q:
This article is a continuation of the Jan. 2017‘Ask the Welding Engineer.’
Editor’s NotesWelcome to February! Typically, one of the coldest
and most brutal winter months in Michigan, but we’ll seewhat mother nature has in store for us this year. There’sbeen quite a bit of activity already this year within the AWSDetroit section, and great things are coming! We have quitea few events and technical meetings to finish out theseason. There are always opportunities to get involved andto volunteer to “Make America Great Again” through oursection. Activities, like the High School Welding competition,mentoring one of our student chapters, or jumping in toassist in some of our new endeavors with local weldinggroups within our community. Maybe, it’s talking to a groupof students at one of our local high schools about theopportunities that are available in welding, donating
materials or time to one of the many groups we support.Perhaps it’s talking to your coworkers, friends and neighborsabout what we do and inviting them out to a meeting orevent. You just never know who you might send on a newadventure in life by opening up their mind to opportunitiesthey may not be familiar with.
We’d love to see you at one of our technical meetings!Check out the upcoming events in this bulletin, or on ourwebsite, www.awsdetroit.org for dates, times andlocations!
As always, until next month,Keep on Welding!Robin Michoneditor
I would like to take thisopportunity to personally wisheveryone a Happy New Year!
On behalf of the AWS-DetroitSection and myself, I would liketo thank each and everycompany and individual whochose to support us as a Patronthis year. With your help andgenerous support, we were able toraise $9,505.00 during thisseason’s email campaign. Welldone!
As you may already know, the American WeldingSociety Detroit Section sponsors many students withthese funds, and you, the Patrons are a large part of that.Last year we awarded 37 welding scholarships totaling$60,000 to students who attend Ferris State University,Lansing Community College, LeTourneau University,Madonna University, Monroe Community College,Oakland Community College, Schoolcraft CommunityCollege, Siena Heights University, Washtenaw CommunityCollege and Wayne County Community College District.This year we hope to accomplish even greater things.
Please join us on February 9, 2017 where we will behonoring our Patron’s at the AWS-Detroit TechnicalMeeting/Patron’s Award Night. This event is presentedby AWS-Detroit, RoMan Manufacturing and R&EAutomated Systems, located at 17500, 23 Mile Rd,Macomb, MI., 48044. The event begins at 5:30. You canget more information on this event by following the linkbelow and clicking on the events tab.
http://www.awsdetroit.org/events.html
For those companies or individuals interested inbecoming a Patron of the American Welding SocietyDetroit Section, all it takes is a minimum $100contribution. Patrons are made known to the membershipin the monthly technical bulletin, on the AWS website,and are further acknowledged by listing them in theannual Ladies Night Program.
Please visit our website often for news and informationregarding any of our events throughout the year, and feelfree to contact me directly with any questions that youmay have regarding the Patron’s.
Post Secondary Training,Associate or Bachelor Degree
inWelding Engineering,Welding Engineering
Technologyor
Related Fields With WeldingContent
For students pursuing Post-secondary training or anAssociate/Bachelor Degree in Welding Engineeringor Welding Engineering Technology. These scholarshipsprovide money to be used for the student’s tuition,books, or lab fees for one year. To be eligible for thesescholarships, you must be enrolled in a certification-based program or two (2) or four (4) year engineeringdegree program in Welding, Welding Technology, ora related field. The program supports students attendingschools in the state of Michigan and the followingcounties in the province of Ontario; Essex, Chatham-Kent, and Sarnia-Lambton.
An on-line application form (with supplementalinstructions) is now available on the AWS DetroitSection website, under the ‘Scholarship’ tab.
www.awsdetroit.orgApplication deadline for the 2017-18 academic year
is April 1, 2017.Scholarship CommitteeAWS Detroit Section
P.O. Box 32952Detroit, MI 48232-0952
For 2016/17 the section was able to award 37scholarships totaling $60,000 to students from 9different schools.
We Want YOU to be featured in our column. If you are anAWS Detroit Section member, we want YOU to be featuredin one of our articles!
It’s a great way for all of us to learn a little about ourmembers, and the diversity that is out there in our group.Consider this, we have members that are in various fieldsbut all have something to do with welding. You may bea welder for the automotive industry, or perhaps a welderof pipe for the construction industry. We have welders thatwork in the petroleum industry, aerospace industry, primaryand secondary welding educators and even artists that usetheir welding skills as a way to depict art. Perhaps you aren’ta “welder” by trade, but a weld engineer or an integratorof welding equipment, if you deal with welding in any way,shape or form, this is your chance to shine!Dan Galiher makes this process as simple as possible.
There’s a short interview that he emails to you. Questionson the interview sheet are answered as you would like, soif you don’t want to answer all the questions, you can pickand choose. Once you’re done, email the document backto him, with any pictures you’d want to include, and we’lltake care of the rest.Contact Dan Galiher: [email protected] to requestan interview form and become one of our featuredmembers!
