Cleveland The Cleveland Section of the American Welding Society (AWS) and Lincoln Electric™s Automation Division teamed up to sponsor a Welding and Safety Productivity Tour to address ways to increase safety measures and develop an action plan to keep manufacturing competitive.
More than 90 individuals, including AWS members, Lincoln customers and other guests gathered for the presentation, AWS™ business and award recognition on Tuesday, April 21, 2009 at Lincoln Electric™s new automation center.
AWS section chairman, Larry Boros kicked off the meeting with introductions and officer elections. The business portion of the meeting was followed by a public service project presentation from the students at Willoughby Eastlake Technical Center under the direction of welding instructor, Ryan Eubank.
Chris Bailey, general manager of Lincoln Electric Automation, spoke about opportunities for manufacturers to keep business here in the United States by implementing more productive and competitive operations.
“If you™ve feared a dwindling job market for welders, you™ve missed the mark, said Bailey. America is losing jobs in the global economy to low-cost labor and we need to retain and regain our manufacturing foothold.
According to Bailey, the United States must compete on a different level using automation as a tool for leaner, better quality manufacturing in a competitive global manufacturing environment. Automated solutions level the playing field and it”s our responsibility to communicate, educate and execute programs to the fabricators in North America, Bailey said.
Following Bailey™s presentation, Lincoln Electric Automation Operations Manager, Geoff Lipnevicius, discussed key tools designed to advance welding and robotic training. This included the Virtual Simulation (VRSIM) system, Robotic Welding Education Cell, software solutions for robotic simulation and off-line robotic programming as well as advanced welding software options that customers can use to increase quality and productivity.
Lipnevicius also discussed solutions for improving the safety of a welder™s working environment, such as weld fume extraction equipment and other tools.
The presentation and meeting concluded with a pasta dinner and 50/50 raffle provided by the AWS. A business card drawing was held for autographed Chip Foose® Hemisphere welding helmets, Lincoln Electric logo merchandise and restaurant gift cards, all courtesy of The Lincoln Electric Company.
Chris Bailey and his staff provided excellent presentations and demonstrations, noted Richard Harris, director AWS district 10. Because of the high number of attendees the event attracted, we plan to include the topic at the District Conference.
AWS award recipients recognized at the event included:
– Ryan Eubank, welding instructor for Willoughby Eastlake Technical Center (AWS District 10 Welding Educator in a Private School Award)
– Bob Gardner, retired welding instructor, Willoughby Eastlake Technical Center (District 10 Welding Educator in a Private School Award)
– Mark Demchek, Total Quality Testing (District 10 CWI of the Year)
– Harry Sadler, Lincoln Electric (District 10 Meritorious)
The Lincoln Electric Company, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, is the world leader in the design, development and manufacture of arc welding products, robotic arc welding systems, fume extraction equipment and plasma and oxyfuel cutting equipment. The company holds a leading global position in the brazing and soldering alloys market. For more information, visit www.lincolnelectric.com.
