Submerged arc welding (SAW) has unique advantages over gas shielded welding processes. The blanket of slag protects the weld metal longer than a gas shield which results is less surface oxidation.

Many weld defects are traceable to oxide inclusions which is one of the reasons SAW is known for reliable weld quality.

Recently advances in motion control have been applied  to SAW. This has caused renewed interest in the process. Precise torch and part motion are difficult to achieve without computer control as the weld is not visible to the operator.

The use of a single computer to control all weld variables including voltage, amperage, wire speed and travel speed improves control of total weld heat input.

Once a system incorporates intelligent servo motion other features such as torch height control and oscillation are possible.

Oscillation allows the engineer to reduce weld thickness without having to resort to higher arc voltages. Lower arc voltages result in lower heat inputs which typically result in improved HAZ notch toughness and reduced grain size.

Modern controls technology applied to a 76 year old welding process will insure that submerged arc welding will continue to be a viable joining and overlay technique in the 21 century.

Nook Industries’ ball screw assemblies key to patent-pending petroleum corrosion technology.

The 21st century has presented a technological shift in oil field drilling as most of the easily accessible oil is tapped and well producers are forced to go deeper to procure highly corrosive sour crude oil (H2S).

Sour crude oil is a sulfurous mixture that corrodes the iron in the carbon steel pipe that extracts it and due to that fact, the petroleum industry has been determined to develop drilling technology that can overcome these corrosive effects to produce oil.

In an effort to provide protection from pipeline failure and allow for oil production in new deep water sour oil fields, leading custom automated and robotic equipment manufacturer ARC Specialties, Inc. (Houston, TX) has developed a new cladding technology that controls this corrosion to safely extract and process sour crude.

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Leaders in manufacturing are gearing up for Applied Automation: Robots in Manufacturing, the second installment in a series of technical seminars presented at ARC Specialties.  The seminar will be sponsored by ARC Specialties, ABB Robotics, and Lincoln Electric Automation Division.

ARC Specialties will discuss Cut-to-Fit Technology, Robotic Spray Applications, Thru-the-Arc tracking using ABB robots, and Vision Capabilities using a FANUC robot.  ABB will discuss Force Feedback Control, which ARC Specialties has successfully integrated into a Ball Valve Lapping System with an ABB robot.  Lincoln Electric Automation Division will discuss Adaptive Automation and Robotic Pipe Welding with FANUC robots.

The seminar is scheduled for December 9th 2009, and will repeat on December 10th 2009 to accomodate for additional attendees.  For an invite and registration please visit the seminar's registration webpage.

ARC Specialties' team is back from a successful visit to Europe.  Mike Henson of ARC's sales division co-exhibited with business associates Durum at the Schweissen & Schneiden show in Essen, Germany, and the Offshore Europe show in Aberdeen, Scotland.  Inbetween shows Henson touched based with new and existing clients across Europe.

ARC Specialties is dedicated in providing high-quality, dependable manufacturing systems, as well as a world-class level of service. 

Our commitment to excellence especially extends to ARC's customers in Europe, where currently ARC project managers are installing new systems in Romania and Italy.

Funny car driver Steve Burck is set to race against the best that the NHRA Nationals have to offer in Las Vegas and Pomona, the home of drag racing.  The two destinations are the final races for the 2009 season of NHRA Lucas Oil drag racing and will determine the new NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing World Champion.

Burck has successfully qualified for every race entered this year, and is coming off a top 10 finish in Dallas.  Burck also won 1^st place and received his first Wally trophy in the NHRA series at Houston Raceway Park in May.  The win was witnessed by ARC Specialties’ friends and customers at the ARC Specialties hospitality suite.

The recent streak of strong racing has Burck confident and more determined than ever before.

“These final races will have 24 of the best cars in the country and we ought to be right there in the hunt.” said Burck, “Our team is getting better every year.  With Tony Garanzuay as our crew chief, everything has really come together.  We have a great car and great parts thanks to our sponsors ARC Specialties and TIGERFLOW.  Track and weather conditions are going to be perfect and so I think you’re going to see some outstanding performances.”

Manufacturing the American Robot with Local Talent

The future can be made a place where young people dream of becoming science and technology heroes. That statement is the vision of US FIRST founder Dean Kamen, whose organization has excited youth across the nation into science and technology careers through FIRST Robotic Competitions. Kids start as young as 9 years old with LEGO robot leagues and progress to national competitions at the high school level, all the while receiving invaluable mentoring from manufacturing professionals.

The competitions have helped with one constant issue that concerns leaders in manufacturing, which is, "Where and how are we going to find tomorrow's talent?" Robotic competitions allow youth to innovate and develop skills alongside mentoring technology professionals. These robotic competitions have become a crossroad for upcoming talent, academia, and the manufacturing industry. Everyone involved sculpts tomorrow's workforce.

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President of ARC Specialties Dan Allford received a plaque of appreciation today for his continued sponsorship of the Fortbend Storm football team.  Presenting the plaque was Trey Hoover from ARC's sales team.  Hoover is the head coach for the Storm and will also play as starting quarterback in the 2010 season.

ARC Specialties Torch Builder Phil Oxley recently completed a 21 torch order for one of ARC's European customers.  Industry confidence in ARC torches is a true testament to our ability to build torches that last.  Ever since ARC's acquisition of BOG Torch in 2008, ARC's torches have steadily become a favorite amongst ARC customers. 

From adjustable heads, small bore designs, and various lengths,  ARC Torches can be customized to fit any project.  For more information about ARC Torches, contact ARC Specialties Product Manager Randy Ellington.

Applied Automation: Submerged Arc concluded last week with a great turnout.  Over 70 professionals from 32 companies converged at ARC Specialties to attend the technical seminar, many of whom are esteemed engineers and metallurgists.

ARC Specialties presenters included ARC Specialties President Dan Allford, Welding Engineer Jordan Smith, Project Manager Nick Augustine, and Project Manager Kevin Sevcik.  Presentations focused on Submerged Arc with topics ranging from New Narrow Gap Technologies and Robots to CNC Controls and Success Stories.  ESAB's Dave Hebble also gave presentations on Multi-Wire Applications and Welding Consumables.

Live submerged arc demos were conducted with an articulated robotics arm in ARC's Research & Development lab.  Another demo displayed the capabilites of an ARC-06S CNC System, which utilizes some of the latest technologies in manufacturing automation to weld the irregular shapes of a BOP.

Applied Automation: Submerged Arc was the first technical seminar of a potential series of seminars.  With such resounding interest from ARC Specialties' peers, ARC Specialties will most assuredly host more technical seminars in the near future.  Stay tuned for news on the next seminar.

ARC Specialties and Minarik Corporation joined forces with ABB to present in the Houston stop of Robotics on the Move, a road show that spotlights the latest innovations in robotic technologies.  

President of ARC Specialties Dan Allford led a seminar that presented robotic solutions and success stories with regards to automated welding.

ABB's prized road show bus was stationed outside.  The bus is stocked with actual ABB robots performing live demos and video screens showing more robots in action.

In addition to the bus, ARC Specialties sponsored drag racer Steve Burck was there to show his Lucas Oil Funny Car, which has a familiar, orange articulated arm painted on the front hood.  Burck will be racing soon in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series at Houston Raceway Park.  ARC Specialties welcomes all customers and Robotics on the Move attendees to visit ARC's Hospitality Suite during the race.

Click here for more information.