Construction & Heavy Equipment

Precision is everything when it comes to manufacturing for the Oil and Gas industry. Gavin Schmitz and John Whitmore from WellHead Systems Inc. (WSI) take us behind the scenes on how their team, located in the small town of Hill City, Kansas, powers the industry with their products and Blowout Preventers (BOPs).

As a pioneer in friction stir welding (FSW) technology, Mazak MegaStir showcased its patented high-speed Instrumented Tool Holder (ITH) for friction stir welding (FSW) during Fabtech 2025. Mazak MegaStir takes the process to the next level with its fast-moving ITH that further boosts joint strength and provides practically zero part distortion.

From its next generation of water jets, the OMAX Maxiem 1530X, to its latest plasma jet cutter, the XPR460 mechanized plasma cutter, Jake Brown, Executive Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing, led a Fabtech tour showcasing the new products launched throughout the company's Hypertherm Associates and OMAX product portfolio. n

In an exhibit floor full of robots and robotic processes and accessories, Universal Robots made news during the Fabtech show with the addition of a collaborative robot that is fast and has a long reach. Jean-Pierre Hathout, president of Universal Robots, as well as parent company Teradyne, introduced at Fabtech the company's newest Cobot, the UR8L.

Steve Ulmer, director of sales for OMAX Corp., provided Cutting Tool Engineering with a look at two of OMAX's latest generations of equipment during September's Fabtech show. The machines included the new Maxiem 1530X water jet machine and the ProtoMax compact water jet.

Keeping a machine running can be a challenge. An expensive challenge. At Fabtech, Olis Robotics, specialists in remote control and error recovery systems for industrial robots, partnered with Mid-Atlantic Machinery to monitor a press brake being fed by a robot from Universal Robots.

The old adage is that if it "ain't broke, don't fix it." While this has been tried and true wisdom for ages, it might be a little suspect in today's modern age, when one technology advantage can make the difference between standing apart from the competition or falling behind.

From moving cobots to novel mobile automation solutions, Güdel Inc. highlighted two new technologies at FABTECH 2025. The equipment included the CoboMover, a 7th-axis linear track purpose-built for collaborative and lightweight robots. The CoboMover is designed to help integrators and end users expand the range of cobot and lightweight robot applications.

When surface finish, diameter, straightness, or roundness requirements are closer than traditional drilling operations can produce, it may be necessary to add a drill, endmill or single-point boring tool to the operation, often at the expense of poor chip control.

Achieve next-level precision in your turning applications with Tungaloy's Non-Ferrous Application Series. Engineered with ultra-fine-grained PCD-tipped inserts, this series delivers unmatched edge sharpness, exceptional wear resistance, and flawless surface finishes even at high cutting speeds. Its advanced 3D chipbreaker geometry ensures stable chip control from roughing to finishing.

Will, Aaron and Dennis sit down and enjoy a glass of bourbon while discussing the milling operations for the Vargus Pump Shaft Project.

The Grinding Doc resolves a debate over whether a shop should balance a wheel before grinding or dress a wheel before grinding.