Tooling & Production - March/April 2009 - (Page 17) industry revival Quinn said. “And it’s not quite there yet. I think it’s a matter of timing and a matter of confidence before the renaissance is really here for the U.S.” Preparing fabricators Nate Ames doesn’t dirty his hands with the gritty details of political and business debates. Instead, Ames, energy business development manager of the Edison Welding Institute, concentrates on the technical hurdles — which are many — facing the industry as it prepares to build nuclear power plants. The EWI recently formed the Nuclear Fabrication Consortium, a group consisting of stakeholders covering the spectrum of the nuclear fabrication industry, from R&D to field work. “A lot of fabrication companies, utility companies, and component fabricators said there was a need out there for somebody to help the nuclear industry get their hands around new technologies, improve fabrication, and reduce demand on resources and personnel,” Ames said. One of the chief changes is the technology. Thirty years ago, no one could have envisioned the role that automation is now playing, lowering fabrication costs and improving quality. Ames pointed out that previously, shielded metal arc welding was the joining method of choice. That holds true today, as well, he said, but not quite as exclusively as it was a generation ago, when hundreds of workers stick-welded components using heavy amounts of filler metal. Today’s technology could significantly reduce those labor and material costs. The consortium hopes to allow engineering and other technical personnel to discuss technology hurdles in the commercial nuclear sector. “What we’re hearing today is the industry is going to have to retrain everybody,” Ames said. “Well, why not start with a clean slate and focus on newer technology?” Laying the groundwork Generating momentum in the United States rarely comes with speed — or ease. Continued on page 18 www.ToolingAndProduction.com Precision Powerhouse Precision is at the core of performance, and machining centers from Hermle are precision powerhouses. Proven leadership in 5-axis and automation technology, coupled with reliable service, make us the ideal partner for your manufacturing applications. www.hermlemachine.com Hermle Machine Company · 5100 West Franklin Drive · Franklin · WI 53132 Phone 414-421-9770 · info@hermlemachine.com March/April 2009 tooling& production 17 http://www.hermlemachine.com http://www.hermlemachine.com http://www.ToolingAndProduction.com
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