Forge welding is said to be the oldest welding technique ever used by early blacksmiths, dating back to the Iron Age when ancient Egyptians and people from Eastern Mediterranean began to refine the craft of welding iron metals together.

Also known as “fire welding,” this method attempts to fasten together two or more metal components through a process of heating, hammering and striking. It is also the “simplest” solid-phase bonding method that utilizes heat and pressure to create the weld.

Being able to join a host of similar and dissimilar materials, forge welding is very versatile. Although this technology has been around for centuries, it was not until the first half of the second millennium A.D when forge welding was formalized upon the publication of Vannoccio Biringuccio’s book entitled “De la pirotechnia” in 1540. This book contains descriptions of early forge welding techniques. However, due to the advent of industrialization which gave birth to more sophisticated welding methods, this technique has been replaced.

There are two ways of doing forge welding. One way is through solid-state diffusion which is applied to bond two similar metal components. This results in a weld that contains only the welded metals with no bridging materials or fillers. This application requires tedious surface preparation because too much oxidation of the faying surfaces would lessen the joint strength significantly. Another method of forge welding is by the formation of a lower melting temperature eutectic. This is being done between dissimilar materials, allowing you to make weld that is stronger than individual metals.

One of the most popular applications of forge welding is the manufacturing of pattern-welded blades. In this process, steels are repetitively drawn out, folded back and welded upon itself. Another lesser known application is the production of shotgun barrels. In this method, metal wire is coiled onto a mandrel before forging it into a barrel.

For a forge welding job to be successful, 50-90% of the melting temperature is recommended. Take note that steel welds at a much lower temperature than iron. Utmost care must be taken to prevent overheating the metals.

Learn setting up the welding machine from an expert in arc, tig and mig welding in this free DIY video.

Expert: Malcolm MacDonald
Bio: Malcolm MacDonald graduated from Connestoga College in 1968 from the Fitter Welding Program. He currently teaches a welding apprenticeship program.
Filmmaker: Melissa Schenk

PORT SAINT LUCIE, FL -- Tommy and Sabrina Creel, Father and Daughter at Custom Welding Diversified, Inc., recently launched a new product known as the Boat Storage Stand.

This revolutionary product will aide and revitalize marinas and boat storage facilities. It will help reduce the costs that are involved when storing boats.

The Boat Storage Stands are SELF leveling, light weight, and made from a high quality aluminum alloy. The aluminum material gives the stand a long life span, and the ability to survive the brutality of salt water. The patented stand uses two movable arms to self level the boat as it is lowered onto the stand. When the boat is removed the arms automatically rise into position immediately ready for the next boat.

The company is impressed with the demand for the stands and will continue production.
Please visit the company's website at http://www.Customweldingdiv.com for more information.

About Custom Welding Diversified, Inc.

Custom Welding was founded in 1992 by Sherri and Tommy Creel. It is a family owned and operated business located in Port Saint Lucie, FL. They specialize in welding, structural steel fabrication and erection, gas cylinders, and trailer and welding supplies. They perform both shop and portable (on site) assistance. Custom Welding's vision and mission is to provide speed, efficiency, accuracy and quality. The owners strive to aide their customers and greatly appreciate the business. The welding and fabrication background was key in the success of the idea and production of the Boat Storage Stand.

Contact: Sabrina Creel, Business Administrator
Custom Welding Diversified, Inc- 772.879.6928

As an authorized agent of the American Welding Society (AWS) since 2005, SGS, the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company offers Certified Welding Inspectors (CWI) seminars and examinations on behalf of AWS, and trains welding inspectors in five Latin American countries.

The training program prepares candidates for the AWS Certified Welding Inspector examination. Participants receive comprehensive welding inspection education and practical experience in welding processes and procedures. This training includes, among other topics, welding inspection technology and visual inspection workshops.

The AWS/CWI course schedule for 2009 is as follows: Columbia - Bogota, 20-25 April, 6-11 July, 30 November to 5 December; Peru - Lima, 16-21 March; Ecuador - Quito, 25-30 May; Panama - Panama City, 11-17 May; Venezuela - Caracas, 2-8 March, 13-19 July, 9-13 November.

The AWS/CWI Certification is recognized and accepted worldwide in the welding industry as it represents the quality of skills and knowledge in the field of welding.

SGS not only provides AWS Certified Welding Inspector Training and Examination but also provides Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Training Courses and Certification Services as well as NDT Services. Non-Destructive Testing is a term used to describe the method of testing and inspecting materials or products for defects without damaging or destroying the items, for example with Time of Flight Diffraction (TOFD), which is a widely-used tool for flaw detection in welds, or with Dye-Penetrant Examination (PE) to detect welds.

The SGS Group is the global leader and innovator in inspection, verification, testing and certification services. Founded in 1878, SGS is recognized as the global benchmark in quality and integrity.

Tips on how to run a bead of weld to improve your welding techniques in this free DIY video for beginners.

Expert: Jon Olson
Bio: Jon Olson currently teaches multiple industrial technology classes at the high school level. In addition, he has worked in residential construction for several years.
Filmmaker: Jon Olson

Wallingford, CT- The Supply Chain Management team within the Kaman Precision Products Fuzing-Memory and Management department of Kaman Aerospace Corp. acknowledged CEI’s steady and consistent quality and on-time delivery. Kaman Aerospace Inc. bestows this recognition on the supplier who has maintained an exceptional supplier rating throughout a period of time and who is in a specific tier of annual sales. During the latest analyzed period, CEI upheld a 100% rating for product quality as well as a 100% rating for delivery performance. CEI is especially proud of this acknowledgment, as its entire team is dedicated to consistent quality, on-time delivery and customer service.

When asked about the recognition, Ron Hansen Jr., President and CEO of Component Engineers Inc., stated that he was very proud of the employees of CEI. “Their hard work and dedication optimizes what this certificate acknowledges. All departments have worked so hard to make this company what it is today.” –Ron Hansen Jr, CEO

Kaman Aerospace Corporation is a subsidiary of Kaman Corp. (NASDAQ-KAMAN). The corporation conducts business in the aerospace, industrial distribution and music markets. Kaman Aerospace, founded in the 1940’s, is a full-service innovator and supplier specifically to the global aerospace industry. Priding itself on creativity, innovation, and leadership, the corporation produces commercial and military helicopters; aircraft structures and components; safe, arm and fuzing devices for military, mass memory systems, precision measuring devices and electro-optic systems. The parts CEI manufactures for Kaman Aerospace are used for Untied States military programs.

CEI is a contract manufacturing, engineering, and development leader in the Northeast. CEI services companies throughout the world in the medical, aerospace, automotive, electronics, industrial, military, and other commercial industries. The company produces high precision metal components using methods such as Precision Metal Stamping, CNC Machining, CNC Turning, Wire EDM and Tubular Fabrication. Founded in 1980, CEI has remained focused on customers’ standards for consistent quality, on-time delivery, and customer service. By continuously investing in capital, technology, and the continuous training of its staff, CEI continues to meet its goal of being a one-stop solution. CEI operates in a 34,000 square foot facility with over 100 employees, and with a recently acquired 11,000 square foot facility in Meriden, CT. All of CEI’s processes are ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 13485:2003 certified. The company has grown to be one of the most trusted and respected metal fabricators in the region.

For additional information on Kaman Aerospace Corp., please visit their website at http://www.KamanAero.com.

For additional information on Component Engineers Inc., please visit their website at http://www.ComponentENG.com.

Engineering, Development & Manufacturing of Precision Metal Components. Metal Stamping, CNC Machining & Tube Fabrication. ISO Certified.

ATACO Steel Products is excited to announce the addition of two new machines – the 2500 watt Mazak 6-axis laser and the 275 ton Ermak press brake. With this new equipment, we’re able to offer improved, state-of-the-art and sheet metal bending services to our customers.
Mazak 6-axis Laser

The new 2500 watt Mazak 6-axis laser is capable of cutting up to .75” thick mild steel. An added rotary axis provides additional cutting flexibility. With this new equipment, we can now offer the services of cutting tube and structural components up to 11” diameter and 6” through feed capabilities. In addition to providing new capacity in this area, we can now offer a back up to our existing 5-axis laser.

The new 10 foot, 275 ton Ermak press brake comes complete with Cybelec Modeva 3D controller which allows us to draw and simulate the process before bending, eliminating operator guesswork and ultimately assuring the parts are formed correctly. The Servo driven hydraulic system allows us to hold tolerances to +/-.0004”, assuring parts in tolerance. CAD/CAM simulation software provides for timelier, accurate estimates. Also included is hydraulic clamping and sectionalized tooling, reducing set up times as well as the need for customer purchased specialized tooling.

ATACO Steel Products Corporation is privately owned with corporate headquarters located in Cedarburg, Wisconsin. We specialize in the manufacturing of complicated metal products, such as deep draws, unusual shapes, close tolerance and innovative comprehensive fabricating services. We invite you to explore how ATACO Steel Products can make these two new additions work for you and your company.