PTL Fabricators - Custom Fabricators – Clarksville, Tennessee

PTL Fabricators knows metal so we also know about rust and how to prevent it.

First of all – what is rust? Rust is a form of iron oxide. It occurs when iron combines with the oxygen in the air causing it to corrode. Although iron and steel structures seem solid to the eye, water molecules are able to penetrate microscopic gaps in the metal. This starts the process of corrosion.

How to Prevent Rust?

Use rust-resistant alloys

• The most popular rust-resistant alloys are stainless steel and weathering steel.
  • Stainless steel contains a minimum of 11% chromium which allows the formation of a protective film of chromium oxide which acts as a shield against rust.
  • Weathering steel contains up to 21% of alloying elements such as chromium, copper, nickel, and phosphorus that form a protective rust patina that reduces corrosion.

Design 

• Proper planning during the design stage of a metal building can minimize water penetration and reduce the risk. The experienced design team at PTL Fabricators is well aware of the hazards of improper design which can lead to excessive rusting.

Galvanization

• Galvanization involves coating the surface with an external layer of metallic zinc. The zinc layer prevents corrosive substances from penetrating further into the metal.

Bluing

• Bluing is accomplished by immersing the steel into a solution of potassium nitrate, sodium hydroxide, and water.

Regular maintenance

• Regular maintenance is advised to stop rust forming and halt the progress of any that occurred. It’s essential to remove any rust that has formed.

These are just a few of the solutions for the prevention of rust. No matter what type of project you have, if it involves metal, we can help. Turn to the experts at PTL Fabricators. We utilize more than 30 years of industrial experience to tackle our industry’s toughest challenges with inventive solutions. Contact us today.

PTL Fabricators has some tips for keeping cool in a Metal building this summer

Tennessee and Kentucky are known for their hot weather during the summer months which makes for high temperatures in metal buildings. Here’s what can help:

Insulation

• By adding insulation, you can regulate the temperature inside your metal building. Insulation is especially important if you are housing valuable items that can crack or become damaged from excessive heat. Insulation also helps with keeping your building warm during winter.

Landscaping

• Help Mother Nature help your building. By planting deciduous trees and shrubs on the sides of the building that gets the most sunlight, you can create a good bit of shade in the summer.

Cross-ventilation

• When constructing your metal building, make sure that to add extra windows, doors, and even garage doors. When opened, these can improve ventilation and also help with air quality.

Choose a Lighter Roof Color

• Using a light color for your metal building will help reflect heat from the sun as opposed to a darker color which absorbs the heat, making it hotter.

Awnings

• Awnings or metal canopies added to the design of your building can help reduce the amount of sunlight that is directly hitting the exterior of the building.

If you are in the market for a steel building, you’ve come to the right place. Our PTL team is experienced in metalwork on jobs large or small. We are proud to be an official Butler Building® contractor. The benefits of using a Butler® building system are numerous and so are the advantages of working with PTL Fabricators as your turnkey provider of building construction.

Turn to the experts at PTL Fabricators. We utilize more than 30 years of industrial experience to tackle our industry’s toughest challenges with inventive solutions. Contact us today.

There is a difference between plumbing and process piping. PTL explains the difference.

While there may be physical similarities between plumbing and process piping they serve very different functions.

Process Piping

In industrial operations, process piping controls the movement of a wide variety of fluids and gases. 

• The piping system includes:
  • Pipes
  • Valves
  • Flow control instruments
  • Pressure control equipment
  • Temperature control instruments
  • Flanges & tubing
  • Nuts, bolts, and gaskets
• Process piping systems usage includes:
  • Oil and gas refineries
  • Chemical processing
  • Food and beverage
  • Power plants
  • Paper mills
  • Brewing plants
  • Wastewater treatment plants

Plumbing

Plumbing systems adhere to different codes and regulations.

• The most common uses for plumbing includes:
  • Distributing potable water
  • Waste removal
  • Heating
  • Cooling systems

The biggest difference between the two is:

• Plumbing systems bring water into a facility and provides safe drainage for water and wastewater as it exits a facility.
• Process piping moves chemicals, gases, water, and other fluids in support of an internal manufacturing or processing operation.

At PTL, our capabilities include design support and construction services for complex process piping systems. Since process piping doesn’t fall under municipal codes like plumbing, there are engineering standards that govern the design and construction of process piping which fall under the American Society of Civil and Mechanical Engineers (ASCME) guidelines.

Industrial operations rely on process piping as a critical component of daily operations. At PTL Fabricators, we can assist clients with all aspects of process piping, including:

• Installation by qualified welders and pipefitters
• Material selection
• Routing design and implementation
• Manual and control valves
• Testing
• Painting/labeling
• Insulation
• Heat tracing

PTL adheres to all OSHA standards for process piping and maintains up-to-date knowledge of state ordinances.

If your new project or construction calls for process piping give PTL a call. Turn to the experts at PTL Fabricators. We utilize more than 30 years of industrial experience to tackle our industry’s toughest challenges with inventive solutions. Contact us today.

Working with metal is the foundation of what we do at PTL fabricators. But, just where do we get our metal from?

Where does metal come from?

Most pure metals, like aluminum, silver, and copper, come from the Earth’s crust. They are found in ores of solid materials called minerals, usually occurring in rock from which the pure metal has to be extracted. The properties of pure metals can be improved by mixing them with other metals to make alloys.

Metals are divided into two groups:

• Ferrous metals – which have iron in them (i.e. mild steel, carbon steel, and cast iron)
• Non-ferrous metals – which do not have iron in them (i.e. copper, aluminum, tin, and lead)

Thousands of years ago, people discovered how to get copper from its ore and then they learned to make bronze by adding tin to the copper. They then discovered iron and by adding small amounts of carbon to the iron they could make steel. 

There is a wide range of properties to alloy. You’re most likely familiar with:

• Aluminum alloy
• Copper
• Brass
• Silver
• Mild steel
• Carbon steel

The first stage of making metals is to mine the ore-bearing rock. It is extracted from the rock using furnaces and electrolytic processes. Before the metal can be used, it often has to undergo further processing.

At PTL Fabricators, we have numerous raw materials at our disposal. The next step is what we do the best, metal fabrication.

Metal fabrication is the creation of metal parts, machinery, or components through forming, cutting and other processes. Fabrication techniques include welding, lathing, broaching, grinding, milling and honing. 

This information might be more than you need to know. But know this, the experts at PTL Fabricators have the experience with all types of metal and fabrication to match your job. Whatever your project, large or small, we can handle it at PTL Fabricators.

Turn to the experts at PTL Fabricators. We utilize more than 30 years of industrial experience to tackle our industry’s toughest challenges with inventive solutions. Contact us today.

One of the many processes used by PTL in metal fabrication is, broaching. Here’s the 411 on broaching.

What is a broach?

• A broach is a cutting tool with many rows of teeth, each slightly larger than its predecessor. As the broach moves past the workpiece, each tooth takes a shallow cut along the whole length of the part.
  • A typical broach consists of many rows of teeth that do roughing, then a few rows of teeth for semi-finishing and another few rows that finish-machine the surface.

Broaching

• Broaching can be quite simple in geometry or quite complex. You can broach internal or external surfaces to almost any shape imaginable, from simple flats and slots to gears to turbine blade hubs for aircraft engines.

Applications

• Almost any material can be broached, including ferrous and nonferrous metals and even some plastics.
• But broaching works best in materials with hardness in the rage of 26 to 28 Rockwell C.
• For precision parts that need to be heat-treated, such as gears, a part can be broached to near net shape before heat treating. Then a finish broaching operation is performed, removing just a small amount of the hardened material.

This information might be more than you need to know. But know this, the experts at PTL Fabricators have the experience with all types of equipment and tools to match the job. Whatever your project, large or small, we can handle it at PTL Fabricators.

Turn to the experts at PTL Fabricators. We utilize more than 30 years of industrial experience to tackle our industry’s toughest challenges with inventive solutions.
Contact us today.

Who are we?

PTL Fabricators is a family-owned and operated industrial metal fabricator and installer in Clarksville, Tennessee, serving customers all over the Midwest. With over 30 years of industrial experience, we take pride in fabricating and installing complete systems, custom equipment and components for air handling, material handling, piping, process systems, and safety protection needs.

Who do we employ?

• Millwrights
• Riggers
• Iron-workers
• Welders
• Pipefitters
• Pipe welders

What are our specialties?

Custom Fabrication

With CNC Milling centers, 500-ton brake presses, 10’-⅝” Plate Rolls, Angle Tube Rollers, CNC Plasma Cutters, our shop is built for the big stuff & the small stuff. From a simple stair railing to a large volume industrial HVAC system, we take on a variety of heavy industrial, stainless steel & aluminum projects, including metal forming & processing projects.

Millwright

Our millwrights can install, dismantle, repair, reassemble, and move machinery in factories, power plants, and construction sites. We maintain, build, and repair any type of industrial facility and are proficient in rebuilding power plants, chemical plants, steel mills, wastewater treatment facilities, industrial factories, as well as providing necessary structural maintenance and repairs. Our team of craftsmen are highly experienced in the areas of:

• Facility Maintenance
• Facility Relocation
• Steelwork
• Assembly & Equipment Installation
• Overhead Cranes
• Large Conveyors
• Large Motor & Gear Changes
• Erection of Silos
• Erection of Bunkers
• Heavy Rigging
• Heavy Lifting

Machining & Welding

PTL can handle any CNC Lathe, CNC Mill, broaching, drilling, or surface grinding needs. We offer custom CNC Machining for large & small parts. We have an Amera-Seiki CNC Machining Center which features a 24” x 40” table, as well as the Hwacheon CNC Turning Center, with a 72” length & 28” swing.

General Construction & Steel Building Erection

PTL provides highly trained and knowledgeable craftsmen and supervisors who utilize thorough pre-planning, phasing, documented erection plans, weight and load analysis, welding information, and project safety plans to build and complete steel buildings in a timely manner. We can also handle any concrete projects and do conventional steel construction as well.

Butler® Building

We are the area’s premier Butler Manufacturing Builder®, representing the world’s leading producer of steel building solutions. Whether our clients are looking for a simple building solution, a retrofit roof, or a multiple building complex, as your local Butler Builder®, we can offer:

• Budgeting and expert Butler building design consultation
• Preconstruction services
• Complete construction management services, from permitting to punch out

Process Piping

No matter the size or material, PTL is trained and ready to complete any process piping project. We can handle any piping systems including welded, threaded, SS/copper press connected, PVC/CPVC, compression, sweat/braze copper and brass FRP, and client-specified upon request.

If you have a project, turn to the experts at PTL Fabricators. We utilize more than 30 years of industrial experience to tackle our industry’s toughest challenges with inventive solutions. Contact us today.

If you’re looking for an inexpensive but expansive building, PTL Fabricators suggests looking at a pre-engineered structure.

A pre-engineered metal building is advantageous because it very economically allows for the creation of large column-free enclosures.

The general idea of the system consists of rigid frames that are fabricated from plate steel and “cold-formed” into an “I” shape through a manufacturing process that we do here at PTL.

These rigid frames consist of roof beams and columns that are field bolted together. These frames can span large distances without intermediate supporting columns. The frames are spaced at intervals between 15’ and 60’ and can span, column-free, up to 300’ across a building.

This type of building can be used for:

• Complex industrial facilities
• Warehouses
• Distribution centers
• Shopping centers
• Retail stores
• Motels
• Auto dealerships
• Office complexes
• Airplane hangars
• Churches
• Medical facilities
• And Government buildings

The pre-engineered metal building system has evolved over the years into assemblages of structural elements that work together to provide a very efficient system.

Systems construction offers significant cost and performance advantages over conventional construction methods, including lower life cycle costs for greater return on investment, unlimited design flexibility and sustainability attributes such as 100% recycled steel and superior thermal building envelopes.

To learn more about your options when building a PEMB, contact us today. At PTL, our reputation for customer satisfaction and quality, as well as competitive pricing, and experience makes us a trusted source for businesses of all sizes.

Plus, we are proud to be your local Butler Builder.

Turn to the experts at PTL Fabricators. We utilize more than 30 years of industrial experience to tackle our industry’s toughest challenges with inventive solutions. Contact us today.

Many jobs require heavy rigging or cranes to install or
remove large equipment. PTL Fabricators has the trained
crew for this service.

What is Rigging?

Rigging is a process used to secure materials to be moved by cranes, hoists or other lifting equipment. On a construction site, rigging provides the means to safely lift and move heavy beams or frames, or move equipment up multiple floors.

Equipment used for rigging can include a vast array of gear, including:

• Shackles,
• Chains
• Slings
• Anchors
• Spreader bars

In any operation that involves a crane to lift materials, rigging equipment is used to secure the load and attach it to the crane.

Rigging can be complicated and there are many variables to consider when setting up a rigging or hoisting operation. The rigging professionals at PTL Fabricators know all about the different ways to rig a load to be lifted and have an understanding of the types of rigging equipment needed to avoid accidents on a job site due to dropped loads or mishandled equipment.

They also know the proper procedures for inspecting equipment and can plan out lift operations, attain any required permits, manage risks and operate all machinery.

If your next project calls for heavy rigging, PTL has the crew that will fit any project no matter how big or small.

Turn to the experts at PTL Fabricators. We utilize more than 30 years of industrial experience to tackle our industry’s toughest challenges with inventive solutions. Contact us today.

At PTL, we have the education, experience and manpower necessary to maintain, build and repair any type of industrial facility

What does a Facilities Manager do?

Facility managers (FMs) can have many different titles and arrive in their profession through a variety of career paths. They’re responsible for making sure systems of the built environment, or facility, work harmoniously.

FMs contribute to the organization’s bottom line through their responsibility for maintaining what is often an organization’s largest and most valuable assets, such as property, buildings, equipment and other environments that house personnel, productivity, inventory and other important elements of the operation.

At PTL, armed with an impeccable safety record, our experienced management teams are equipped with the manpower, tools, and equipment tailored to your specific project.

We are proficient in:

• Rebuilding power plants
• Chemical plants
• Steel mills
• Wastewater treatment facilities
• Industrial factories

As well as providing structural maintenance and repairs necessary for daily production and manufacturing.

Our teams of craftsmen are highly experienced in the areas of:

• Steel Work
• Assembly and Equipment installation
• Overhead Cranes
• Large conveyors
• Large motor and gear changes
• Erection of silos
• Erection of bunkers
• Heavy rigging and lifting

If your next or existing facility needs proper management, turn to the experts at PTL Fabricators. We utilize more than 30 years of industrial experience to tackle our industry’s toughest challenges with inventive solutions. Contact us today.

At PTL, one of the many jobs performed by our crews is Pipefitting, but just what does a pipefitter do?

A pipefitter is a tradesperson trained in organizing, assembling, creating and maintaining mechanical piping systems that must withstand high pressure.

This position is often confused with a plumber. But plumbers work with low-pressure piping systems, such as utilities. Pipefitters work more in welding than in water or water sanitation.

Pipefitters work with metals like stainless steel or other alloy metals. These metals are shaped through welding and bending to fit specifications for industrial use. Fitters are involved in the process from planning to installation, and will work with tools such as levels, grinders, dies, and welding torches.

Often times, pipefitters will create a sketch or blueprint of pipe installation, or be called upon to interpret existing blueprints. The fitter is also responsible for selecting the type and size of the pipe. He will then manipulate the metal to form the pipes according to specifications.

Types of manipulation that a pipefitter will perform on pipes and metal include:

• Threading
• Grinding
• Welding
• Cutting
• Rigging
• Brazing
• Soldering
• Bending

When the pipes are ready, the fitter will transport them to the location site and install them. Tests are then made to check for leaks, support issues, and performance against high-pressure environments.

Pipefitters are also called up on to repair existing systems or replace pipes as needed.

If your project needs an experienced crew, call on PTL.

We utilize more than 30 years of industrial experience to tackle our industry’s toughest challenges with innovative solutions. Our reputation for customer satisfaction and quality, as well as competitive pricing, and experience make PTL a trusted source for businesses of all sizes. If you have any questions, give us a call at (931) 647-0675 or contact us today.