Stitch Welding vs. Seam Welding

Many engineers and welders find themselves confused with the difference between stitch welding and seam welding since they are often used interchangeably, but there is a definite difference between the two types of welds. In the welding fabrication world, it is important to distinguish the two because both welds are have different strength properties and are used for different purposes. Below are photos of each type of weld and a description describing the two. Continue reading

Deviations and Exceptions

At Vista Industrial Products, we always fabricate to print. If a part cannot be fabricated to print, we note deviations during the quote process and list them as exceptions and or conditions on the quote letter. This means we can fabricate to print with some approval of these exceptions; otherwise, we will no bid. These exceptions are also known as deviations after approval. We review prints thoroughly by confirming all materials are available. This includes material types, hardware and finishes to keep things simple. This is basic information has to be defined to allow for any company to quote.

A common mistake is calling out the correct material type. For a Formed Aluminum Sheet Metal Part, an example of this mistake is calling 6061-T6 as the material type. This material will always crack and some engineers do not know this. We would by default deviate from this material and provide the following exception.

“Quoting this part using Al 5052-H32.”

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How To Read Lines on a Drawing

Before learning how to read a manufacturing drawing, be sure you know the different parts of a print. Once there is an understanding of the different components of a print and where everything is located, the next step is to be able to read the lines on a print. Reading a print means to understand what the graphic of a part is showing. Therefore, you must understand how lines work on a print. For engineers and manufacturers, lines are their communicators or even their alphabet which convey information. Below is a chart of the various lines that are used on a print and their descriptions. Continue reading

How to Read a Manufacturing Drawing

When learning how to read a manufacturing drawing, it can seem quite daunting because there is so much information to take in. This blog post will break down a drawing and make it easier to understand. But, first thing is first! What is the purpose of a manufacturing drawing if there are 3D models? Manufacturing drawings show numerous features of a part that a 3D model doesn’t. For instance, drawings show the material type, the finish, dimensions, hardware, company information, and other specific requirements. The sole purpose of a drawing is to show all the details of a part. Imagine if you were looking at a single part in your hand, a drawing would essentially describe and illustrate all the details of how to place the part in your hand.

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First Articles Explained

When a company submits a Request For Quote, we always ask if they require First Articles. In many instances, purchasing agents and engineers don’t know what it is and how we handle First Articles here at VIP. So this blog post will describe First Articles in more detail. Continue reading