Laser Welding
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| Northern has recently developed a laser welding process that we are excited to share with our customers. Welding at speeds up to 200 in./min, this process produces welds with high weld strength, in many cases exceeding the material strength. Additionally, the welds have great aesthetic appeal and the laser creates a smaller heat affected zone, causing little weld distortion. Learn more about this laser welding process, or contact us to get more information. |
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Automated Laser Cutting and Punching- Sheet Metal |
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| Laser cutting has many advantages. It quickly produces flat parts of shape with high accuracy and consistency. We have built our business around these traits, and have designed a laser cell that is efficient, flexible, and can run production even when everyone has left the building. Learn more about the advantages of our automated laser cutting cell. |
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3D Laser Cutting |
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| 3D laser cutting gives our customers the ability to laser cut sheet metal after it has been formed or assembled. Cutting holes at various angles out of a dome shaped part (pictured on the right) was difficult or impossible before. This technology can replace expensive boring mill processes and gives our customers the dimensional accuracy they desire. |
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Complex Bending/Forming |
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Complex press brake forming continues to be the most challenging operation in sheet metal fabrication. Our experience and technology allow us to form sheet metal in ways our competitors would never attempt. Our capabilities often allow our engineers to replace welds with additional bends. This improves strength and reduces welding costs.
Learn more about our bending and forming capabilities. |
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Material Optimization |
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| Our part nesting technology allows us to make your parts on what would be our competitors scrap! Our material resource planning software and CAM software work together to fit as many parts as possible on a single piece of sheet metal. In an industry where material is a significant portion of the manufacturing costs, this is a significant cost savings. This system is especially advantageous for customers with smaller parts (< 10"x10") cut from sheet metal. |
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Precision Fixturing |
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| Northern's commitment to quality and precision manufacturing go beyond mission statements and certifications. Our significant investment in Bluco fixturing allows us to consistently meet tight welding tolerances. Additionally, the modular fixturing saves our engineers time and money as it eliminates dedicated fixtures and therefore reduces the resources required for fixture development. |
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Robotic Welding |
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| If you have medium to large production runs, or if you require several small productions runs over a period of time, our robotic welding cells will help reduce your welding costs. Robotic welding is ideal for repeat business with hundreds of inches of welds, and improves weld consistency across parts. |
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Shop Floor Computing |
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| Our shop floor computing system has improved part quality and reduced lead times for our customers. Using ProfitKey's Rapid Response Manufacturing software, our operators can use the computers to find the highest priority job in their work cell, review customer requirements, view 3D CAD models of the part, and look at pictures of past fixturing and setups for repeat business. Northern has the factory of the future, today! |
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