In this episode of The Fabricator Podcast, sponsored by Salvagnini America and part of the Automation Talk series, Tim Heston interviews Clay Case and Matt Humerick of Salvagnini about the role of software automation in modern precision sheet metal fabrication.

They discuss the challenges and bottlenecks in the fabrication process, the importance of data flow and communication between design, engineering, and manufacturing, and the benefits of software in streamlining production and improving efficiency. They also touch on the future of software in the industry, including the potential for AI and machine learning to further automate processes and increase efficiency.

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Watch first and second episodes of the Automation Talk video series.

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In this episode, Christian Streu, CFO of The Partner Companies, and Charles Cohen, President of FotoFab, join The Fabricator Podcast to talk about the growing trend of mergers and acquisitions in manufacturing. They discuss the evolution of Chicago-based The Partner Companies and how smaller manufacturing and fabrication businesses can benefit from being part of a larger organization.

The Partner Companies was formed in 1997 by founders Dan Brumlik and Scott Bekemeyer with a focus to bring together a strategic network of specialty manufacturers serving the aerospace, defense, energy, medical, technology, automotive, and telecom industries.

They also touch on the challenges of running multiple companies within one fold, the importance of near-shoring, and the future of manufacturing in North America. The episode concludes with a discussion on the recruitment of young talent into the industry and the exciting opportunities in the clean energy sector.

At the top, a mention of a Yugo leads to a conversation about first cars, from a 1966 Ford Galaxy to a 1989 Chevy Nova to the ultimate latch-key kid car, a 1987 Chevy Beretta.

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On this episode of The Fabricator Podcast, Philadelphia-based welder and trades advocate Pa'Trice Frazier joins host Dan Davis and Josh Welton at SEMA, in partnership with Miller Electric.

Pa'Trice chats about how she got her start as a welder and working Atlanta projects like the Mercedes Benz Stadium, Spanx Headquarters, Marta Buckhead Bridge, and, in Philadelphia, the River Alive Exhibit at the Independence Seaport Museum. She also talks about appearing on the NBC show Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge and fabricating a 1969 Dodge Charger called "Power Charged" and using her Weldjointed platform to encourage more diversity in the welding trade as well as teaching others how to weld.

At the top, Dan and Josh talk about Josh participating in the Hot Wheels Legends Tour in Detroit.

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Emma Sauve of Mobsteel and Detroit Steel Wheel brings the energy as she joins host Dan Davis and Josh Welton on this episode of The Fabricator Podcast, in partnership with Miller Electric at SEMA 2023 in Las Vegas. Emma talks about the history of Mobsteel and how its focus on customizing Lincoln Continentals from the 1960s led to the creation of Detroit Steel Wheel in 2012, which specializes in fabricating and designing custom wheels for big-body styled cars.

Emma also talks about her job as the digital creative force behind both efforts and her love of telling the stories of customers in the aftermarket industry. She also discusses the importance of creating American-made products in Detroit, her favorite Mobsteel/Detroit Steel Wheel builds (including the 1966 Motorcity Vice Lincoln Continental), and working with business co-founders Pam and Adam Genei and lead fabricator Steve Ryan.

At the top, Emma joins Dan and Josh to talk about the SEMA afterparty at the Sosa Metalworks shop, lowriders, and a metal sculpture of a skull by Luis Varela-Rico.

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Ryan Fielding of Ringbrothers joins hosts Dan Davis and Josh Welton on this episode of The Fabricator Podcast, in partnership with Miller Electric at SEMA 2023 in Las Vegas. Ryan goes into detail about the three builds that Wisconsin-based Ringbrothers displayed at SEMA: a 1965 Ford Mustang Convertible called “Uncaged”, a 1961 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II called “Paramount”, and a 1969 Dodge Charger called “Tusk”.

Ryan also talks about how his family's background influenced his career as a fabricator, how he learned to weld when he was 8 years old, and his grandfather's stint as a stunt car performer with Jimmie Lynch and The Death Dodgers. He also talks about starting his own hotrod/motorcycle fabrication business, Paragon Customs, and how he was subsequently convinced to join Ringbrothers.

He also discusses Ringbrothers winning the SEMA's 2022 Battle of Builders with its 1948 Chevy Loadmaster, his love of pinstriping, and creating goalie mask artwork for the Wisconsin Badgers men's ice hockey team.

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In this episode of The Fabricator Podcast, and in partnership with Miller Electric, Andy Weyenberg from Miller's motorsports division and Real Garage with Andy, joins us live at SEMA 2023 in Las Vegas to discuss the welding industry and its applications in the performance racing industry.

Andy talks about his love of motorsports, the science behind the various types of welding, what SEMA means for Miller, how race cars influence different welding techniques, the famous car builders at SEMA, and the future of the aftermarket sector. He also discusses building a '69 Trans Am with 800 horsepower that is designed for road courses, autocrossing, and drag racing.

At the top, Dan and Josh talk about their journeys to Las Vegas for SEMA, including Josh's epic road trip in a 2024 Jeep 392 Wrangler from Detroit through Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Wisconsin, Minnesota, the Dakotas, and Utah, as well as stops in Yellowstone, the Grand Tetons, and the Bonneville Salt Flats.

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Learn more about Miller's new MIG welder: Millermatic 142.

Brothers Anthony and Rob DiVito, the founders of custom furniture shop iRcustom, make their return to The Fabricator Podcast to offer more transparent insight into small business ownership in the metal fabrication industry. This time, they brought with them a coffee table for our revamped studio.

We chat about the fabrication details of that project and what's new with their Chicago-area business. The discussion covers how they've gone away from relying too much on vertical integration, exploring more outsourcing opportunities with partners like @PrecisionTubeLaser , implementing more 3D-printed prototyping and fixtures, technology advancements in the fabrication industry, the growing pains of running a small shop, and more.

At the top, the guys talk about @ahrendtdirk , a Germany-based fabricator and tool maker. Dirk, who goes by The Metalist, has created an awesome line of hammers shaped like a fist and axes shaped like an open hand.

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Joe Clark, CEO and founder of Architectural Elements, joins The Fabricator Podcast to talk custom fabrication, business ownership, video production, and more.

He discusses the early days of his career and how he took his Seattle-area business from a garage shop to what Clark calls a multi disciplined organization that focuses design, production and installation of art, signage, architectural components and furnishings.

Clark, who produces a series called “Made With Metals” with Online Metals , also talks about the the importance of storytelling in video production and why it's important to the perception of metalworking industry.

Along the way, he also touches on the nuances of custom architectural fabrication, the metal fabrication scene in the Pacific Northwest, and various Architectural Elements projects.

At the top, the guys talk about Chicago architecture and pop cultural references to Marina City, like Wilco's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot album cover and Steve McQueen's last film, The Hunter.

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Staci Martinez joins The Fabricator Podcast to talk about starting her own small business in Sioux Falls, S.D. called 605 Shield Maiden, which focuses on creating metal art sculptures, fabricating handrails, and combing wood and metal to make furniture.

She discusses how working briefly as a production welder and seeing all the potential in the scrap metal bin inspired her to pursue metal art. Staci eventually created her first sculpture, a gnome, and was chosen to have it on display at SculptureWalk, an exhibit of outdoor sculptures displayed year-round in downtown Sioux Falls.

She also talks about her involvement with The Hooded Heroes Foundation, which serves to help provide welding equipment and PPE to those who can't afford.

At the top, hosts Dan Davis and Josh Welton talk about unfortunate metal sculptures, including the infamous Cristiano Ronaldo bust at an airport in Portugal.

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Tom Patsis of Cold Hard Art joins the podcast to talk about the never-ending business of designing, fabricating, and building trophies for motorsports events.

Tom sits down with hosts Josh Welton and Dan Davis at FABTECH 2023 in Chicago, and opens up about how he left his job at Don Schumacher Racing as a fabricator to start his own business, as well as the pros and cons of starting a small business.

He also talks about winning the first season of Metal Shop Masters on Netflix and partnering with companies like Miller Electric, Starrett, FastCut CNC, PFERD North America, Trick-Tools, and others.

Tom also discusses running a business with his wife, being father, the rewards of being a metal artist, and how he would fabricate an alien space craft.

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