4 Game-Changing Products At Fabtech 2019

FABTECH is North America’s largest trade show, bringing together technology, equipment, and insights for the metal applications industry. Providing a convenient ‘one-stop-shop’ venue where attendees can meet with world-class suppliers, see the latest industry products and developments, discover new solutions, and find the tools to improve productivity and increase profits, FABTECH is the premier event for metal forming, fabricating, welding, and finishing,

And at FABTECH 2019, ARC Specialties will be showcasing four of our latest innovations, offering attendees the chance to see these systems live and in use.

Why FABTECH Matters to the Metals Industry

Co-sponsored by SME, the American Welding Society (AWS), the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International (FMA), the Precision Metalforming Association (PMA), and the Chemical Coaters Association International (CCAI), FABTECH is the industry show for any entity that utilizes metal products. Along with a vast exhibition hall, the event has educational sessions and presentations that provide the latest information on what’s happening in the industry. Innovations will be shared, new products will be launched, and attendees will take home a wealth of knowledge that can applied in their businesses.

Scheduled for November 11-14 in Chicago, FABTECH will host over 1,700 exhibitors and over 48,000 participants, making it the ideal opportunity for vendors like ARC Specialties to network with and educate end-users on the efficiencies and productivity that can be gained with our products.

Get a Preview of What to Expect from ARC Specialties at FABTECH 2019

ARC Specialties’ customers depend on us for the best in automated manufacturing systems and custom equipment for joining, cladding, and other applications. So, at FABTECH, we’ll be spotlighting four innovative products.

Surface Finishing Polisher

Robots have been in use for decades to move to fixed positions; however, some applications, such as surface finishing, require force control as well. We’ll be demonstrating our new approach to surface finishing at FABTECH, an inventive system which includes multiple components:

The Kuka LBR iiwa is a seven-axis force-controlled collaborative robot (cobot) that incorporates force sensors into each axis with a resolution of less than one pound of force. Combining superior 3M abrasives with Burr King belt sanders and polishing spindles, along with an experienced robot integrator that puts it all together and creates the code, the result is a cell that demonstrates force-controlled polishing on the belt sander slack side and wheel, with final finishing on a disk.

FlexFab™: Flexible Fabrication 3D Robotic Plasma Cutting Cell

ARC collaborated with KUKA, Hypertherm, and RobotMaster to create the FlexFab™: Flexible Fabrication 3D Robotic Plasma Cutting Cell, an integrated system that converts CAD models into a 3D plasma cut steel part, saving time and labor hours via precision control:

First, the RobotMaster CAD/CAM software generates the robot path. Then, cutting parameters are automatically generated based on part thickness via the Hypertherm Process Selection System. And with our proprietary touch work technique, part registration is accomplished before cutting. During the actual cutting, the ARC FlexFab software maintains the optimal torch to part distance, regardless of the torch angle, eliminating the need for a dedicated torch height control axis. And all robot axes use vector torch motion perpendicular to the part—a unique capability essential in the 3D cutting of complex parts. 

AI Pipe Welding System

Considered the most difficult welds to make, ARC Specialties previously declined jobs requiring full-penetration, single-sided, V-butt pipe welds since the joint fitup was never repeatable. A real challenge, these welds have traditionally only been completed by the most skilled human welders. However, labor such as this is depleting, so ARC decided to develop a product that could make these tricky welds, resulting in the Artificial Intelligence Pipe Welding System (AIPW):

Small enough to be portable while still allowing for full freedom of motion for both the laser scanner and welding torch, the AIPW incorporates the six-axis UR5 collaborative robot arm from Universal Robots A/S. Using a 2D laser, the AIPW pre-scans the root opening (gap), then uses the data to generate the robot path and welding parameters. Gap variations are compensated for with changes in oscillation, torch position, travel speed, and welding conditions. The UR5 positions the torch over a tack weld to start the arc, ensuring 100% root weld acceptance. Fill and cap pass programs are optimized to fill the groove using user-selectable weave or stringer bead welding techniques. Then, the AIPW uses the Miller Auto Continuum welding power supply to weld the root with Regulated Metal Deposition (RMD), and switches to pulsed spray for the fill and cap passes. This combination of Gas Metal Arc Welding techniques maximizes welding productivity while producing X-ray-quality, full-penetration pipe welds—all without the need for human labor. 

ARC 5 Infinity: Infinite Rotation Robotic Cladding System

If oil has a Sulphur content of 5%, it’s considered sour. Toxic to humans, this biodegradation produces hydrogen sulfide (H2S), generating atomic hydrogen than migrates into the steel matrix, causing sulfide stress cracking—a form of hydrogen embrittlement. The conventional solution has been to clad weld overlay all internal surfaces of valves and pipes with nickel-based alloys low in iron. Enter the ARC 5:

The ARC 5 Infinity is the next generation of ARC Specialties’ GTAW Hot Wire Systems, which can be found in hundreds of businesses around the world. While the first systems were simple turntables rotating the part while the welding torch clad the inner surface, as parts became bigger, we opted to leave the part stationary and rotate the torch instead. The ARC 5 combines our infinite rotation head with a Fanuc robot, resulting in a superior design purposely engineered to weld complex parts with intersecting bores.

Experience ARC Innovation at FABTECH

Be sure to visit ARC Specialties at FABTECH in booth B31019 where we’ll be demonstrating our Surface Finishing Polisher and Flex Fab 3D Robotic Plasma Cutting System, debuting the AI Pipe Welding System for the first time, and launching the next generation ARC 5. We look forward to seeing you in Chicago and ensuring you have the right equipment for all your metal needs. And if you’d like to learn more about ARC Specialties before the show, visit https://www.arcspecialties.com/about-us/ today.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

DXpedition
Icom Powers 3Y0K : Ham Radio’s Most Ambitious DXpedition to Remote Bouvet Island Part 1
July 11, 2025

Bouvet Island sits at the edge of the world. It is frozen, uninhabited, and almost impossible to access. Fewer people have set foot there than in space. That level of remoteness is exactly what makes it so valuable to amateur radio operators. The island ranks tenth on ClubLog’s list of Most Wanted DXCC entities,…

Read More
entrepreneurial success
The Hidden Key to Entrepreneurial Success: Build Momentum Through Personal Branding and Authentic Networking
July 10, 2025

What if the biggest pivot of your career started with a conversation?  In this episode of Professional Quotient, host Jason Winningham welcomes Fanny Dunagan, CEO and Content Strategist of PathLynks, LLC. Fanny shares her journey from high-pressure consulting in Singapore to founding her own media and branding company — and why learning to network…

Read More
Q2 2025
RM Q2 2025 Wrap Up
July 9, 2025

Rogue Marketing continues to lead with intention in a space often driven by noise. Q2 2025 reflected a strategic focus on substance, where each initiative supported long-term brand growth. The team transformed internal recognition efforts into enduring brand assets and refined event strategies through immersive, results-driven experiences. Website launches during the quarter balanced visual…

Read More
amateur radios
Hamvention Spotlight: Emergency Preparedness Led PrepHam Paul to Amateur Radios and a Rising Voice in the Field
July 9, 2025

PrepHam Paul (K5VLP) celebrated his first visit to Dayton Hamvention by marking a major channel milestone. He hosted a giveaway of the  IC-2370B mobile radio from Icom to thank viewers for helping him reach 10,000 subscribers. His passion for emergency preparedness, rooted in his experience as an Eagle Scout and later studies in emergency management,…

Read More