At PTL, we know the importance of correct equipment alignment and what it means to your project installation

We know that poor installation can cause early failure of your equipment. Wear and tear on any moving part can cause failure, but 65% of failures can be traced back to improper installation. Of these failures, 36% can be traced back to misalignment and soft foot* conditions.

Soft foot occurs when all supporting members of the asset do not equally support the asset. Soft foot can be caused by poor machine supports, dirt or paint under the asset or the anchor bolts incorrectly torqued during grouting.

Misalignment is the condition when the centerlines of two co-axial shafts don’t form a straight line. Misalignment can reduce bearing life, coupling life, increase vibration and reduce seal life. There are two types of misalignment:

• Horizontal
• Vertical

And within each of these planes, there are two types of misalignment:

• Angular
• Offset

Angular misalignment indicates that the face of the shafts or couplings is not at right angles or parallel to each other.

Offset misalignment indicates that the centerlines are parallel, but not in line.

Horizontal angular misalignment is best corrected with jack screws or alignment screws to push the asset into alignment.

Vertical angular misalignment is corrected with the use of shims to lift and level the asset.

At PTL, we know about equipment installation and the importance of proper machine alignment. 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.

At PTL, we’ve been doing steel fabrication for over 30 years. But just what is it that we do?

To begin with, the Oxford dictionary defines fabrication as “the action or process of inventing or manufacturing something”. Steel fabrication includes manufacturing products from handrails to complex high-rise buildings.

Steel Fabrication is a sensitive task because it needs a skilled individual who can handle the process and work with care. At PTL, our trained professionals are able to take a steel fabrication job from design to finish.

There are many facets to fabrication:

• Cutting – with saws, plasma torches, water jets, and lasers.
• Machining – involves the removal of a piece of metal from a material.
• Folding – requires bending with the help of a press brake or making creases.
• Shearing – makes long cuts to a piece of metal.
• Welding – joins two pieces of metal.

In the fabrication process, many types of fabrication materials are used. The fabrication process is quite complex and the composition of materials used need to have some desired properties such as strength, hardness, resistance to corrosion and conductivity.

These fabrication material processes include:

• Casting – is the method of a liquid metal forced into a mold and then cooled.
• Flat metal – is a type of metal that has been rolled or pressed into thin flat pieces.
• Hardware – is defined as the many standardized parts such as handles, locks, latches, chains, etc.

At PTL, we know about metal. 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 makes 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.

At PTL, we work with all types of metal, but steel is still the most popular for construction.

Since the 1800s, when skyscrapers started going up, steel has been the major component in commercial building construction.

Builders used to use cast iron but found that steel was more fire resistant and more structurally sound.

Some new building materials are being tried as a replacement for steel:

• Engineered timber – touted as a durable, renewable source.
• Fiber Reinforced Plastics (FRP)
• Alternative metal alloys

The big drawback with these alternative materials is the cost. Since they are still relatively new, they are costlier to produce than steel components.

Residential Construction

Steel is gaining popularity in residential construction. The major drawback of framing a house with steel instead of wood is the cost. A steel home cost about 14% more to build and required more time to complete. However; steel has a higher strength to weight ratio than wood, which means it is stronger without adding much weight.

The pros and cons of a residential building with steel:

Cons:

• Humid areas and coastal regions, or even rooms like bathrooms have a problem with moisture causing the steel to corrode
• Steel conducts heat and cold, so it’s not ideal from an insulation standpoint. You would need additional insulation.

Pros:

• Unlike other recyclable materials such as plastic, steel doesn’t lose quality each time it is recycled.
  ● Less waste with steel compared to wood because you can weld small “offcuts” together to do smaller jobs.

Steel is still the preferred material for framing commercial buildings.

If you’re looking to build with steel, PTL provides highly trained and knowledgeable craftsmen and supervisors to build and complete steel buildings in a timely manner.

At PTL, we know about metal. If you have any questions, give us a call at (931) 647-0675 or contact us today.

PTL wants you to be aware of the importance of recycling

The world is constantly in need of metal, whether it’s aluminum, copper, lead, zinc or stainless steel. But there is only so much raw material in the ground and if we keep mining it, we will eventually run out.

That’s why it is so important that we continue to recycle the reusable metal that we already have. Recycling our metal not only helps lessen our consumption of raw materials, but it also reduces our usage of energy and the pollution of our air and water.

Metals can be recycled and used over and over again.

Dumping metal is a complete waste. Not to mention what it does for the environment.

Even if the metal is an alloy, the pure metal can be extracted and reused.

Here are 5 reasons to recycle:

• Preserving Resources
  • Not only will you be aiding in the reduction of natural resources but you will also use fewer resources within your home.
• Reducing Emissions
  • The steady increase in the number of carbon emissions that are being released each year is one of the main factors contributing to global warming.
• Managing Energy Consumption
  • By recycling more metal, you lessen the demand for natural resources such as ore. If we recycled all of our metal, we could save up to 92% of the energy that we currently use on mining.
• Economic Development
  • Recycling metal means the government can save money and spend it on improving various aspects of the economy.
• Price Adjustments
  • One of the best reasons to recycle your metal is because in the end, you could save money. If the majority of people recycled their metal it would reduce the cost of metal goods, such as canned foods.

Recycling is becoming more and more prevalent in our society as landfills everywhere begin to reach capacity. Both you and Mother Earth benefit when old metal is given a second life.

At PTL, we know about metal. If you have any questions, give us a call at (931) 647-0675 or contact us today.

PTL answers the questions you should be asking when searching for the right company to partner with.

By definition, metal fabrication is the creation of metal structures by cutting, bending, and assembling disparate metal pieces. Metal fabrication capabilities will inevitably differ from company to company.

Here are important questions to ask when searching for the right industrial metal fabricator and installer to fit your company’s needs.

What Can They Do?

• It’s important that you consider the fabricator’s potential ability to provide all your needs without the risk of problems during design and up to production.

At PTL, we have the capabilities to handle any job, large or small, from conception to final installation.

What Materials Do They Work With?

• There is a wide variety of different materials that can be fabricated, like steel and aluminum. It’s important to know what the company capabilities are concerning potential supply base and what their specialties are.

At PTL, we work with all types of raw materials including plate metal, formed or expanded metal, welding wire or rod, casting, etc.

Do They Have Design Capabilities?

• Can the company work based on a drawing and can they translate that to shop drawings? Can they start from scratch without help from initial designs?

At PTL, we can take your construction project from conceptual design to final landscaping.

What Types of Experience Do They Have?

• Experience is essential both on the individual and company level.

At PTL, We have over 30 years of industrial experience to tackle our industry’s toughest challenges with inventive solutions. Our employees are highly trained in multiple areas of service and are equally comfortable taking on a multitude of projects.

PTL can provide crews from 1 to 80, ready to take on any job. We employ experienced millwrights, riggers, iron-workers, welders, pipe fitters, pipe welders, and more, armed with a complete arsenal of specialized equipment. Call on us at PTL Fabricators if you’re in the need of experience for your project.  Give us a call at (931) 647-0675 or contact us today.

PTL explains.

Broaching is a machining process that uses a toothed tool, called a broach, to remove material. There are two main types of broaching: linear and rotary.

• In linear broaching, the broach is run linearly against a surface of the workpiece to effect the cut.
• In rotary broaching, the broach is rotated and pressed into the workpiece to cut an axisymmetric shape. A rotary broach is used in a lathe or screw machine. In both processes, the cut is performed in one pass of the broach, which makes it
  very efficient.

Broaching is used when precision machining is required, especially for odd shapes. Broaches are shaped similar to a saw, except the height of the teeth increases over the length of the tool. The broach is made of steel that has teeth, forming a series of cutting elements.

The broach contains three distinct sections:

• one for roughing
• another for semi-finishing
• and the final one for finishing

Broaching is an unusual machining process because it has the feed built into the tool. The rise per tooth or step determines the amount of material removed and the size of the chip. The broach can be moved relative to the workpiece or vice versa.

A broach is effectively a collection of single-point cutting tools arrayed in sequence, cutting one after the other; its cut is analogous to multiple passes of a shaper.

Many operations can be replaced by broaching, earning lots of time and requiring fewer tools.

Broaching works best on soft materials like:

• Aluminum
• Copper alloys
• Brass
• And even plastics

At PTL, we offer custom broaching for large and small parts. Call on us at PTL Fabricators if you’re in the need of custom broaching for your project. Give us a call at (931) 647-0675 or contact us today.

PTL explains the difference.

According to Wikipedia, ​Plumbing​ is any system that conveys fluids for a wide range  of applications. Plumbing uses pipes, valves, plumbing fixtures, tanks, and other  apparatuses to convey fluids. Heating and cooling systems, waste removal and  potable water delivery are among the most common uses for plumbing. 

Process piping​ means piping systems and their component parts, that are not building services or power piping systems, and that may be installed in petroleum refineries, chemical, pharmaceutical, textile, paper, semiconductor, and cryogenic plants, and related processing plants and terminals.

At PTL, we make ​piping systems that include but are not limited to:

• Welded
• Threaded
• SS/Copper press connected
• PVC/CPVC
• Compression
• Sweat/Braze copper
• Brass FRP
• As well as client specified upon request

A major difference between plumbing and process piping is the cost for permits. Plumbing has to adhere to a strict code where permits are required. Process piping does not. This could make a big difference in your budget when process piping is needed in your manufacturing plant or site. At PTL, we know how to install the right equipment for your project and know how and where to save you money.

In his article, ​Plumbing vs. Process Piping​, Julius Ballanco has a very good analogy for  the difference between the two. He says that one part is regulated by the plumbing code; the other is regulated by engineering design.

In either case, call on us at PTL Fabricators to know the difference and know what you  need.​ ​If you’re in the need of process piping, check with ​PTL Fabricators​. Give us a call at (931) 647-0675 or ​contact us​ today.

Source: https://global.ihs.com/piping.cfm

What is Plasma Cutting? PTL explains:

To fully understand what Plasma Cutting is, we need to start with the question – what is plasma? Simply put, plasma is the fourth state of matter. We usually think of matter having three states:

• Solid
• Liquid
• Gas

Matter changes from one state to the other through the introduction of energy, such as heat. With the introduction of heat, ice (solid) becomes water (liquid) and then steam (gas). Now if the heat level increases again, the gases that make the steam will become ionized and electrically conductive, becoming plasma.

A plasma cutter will use this electrically conductive gas to transfer energy from a power supply to any conductive material, making a cleaner, faster cutting process. The vast majority of plasma cutting systems today can be grouped into either conventional or precision categories.

A tidbit of history: The plasma cutter was invented in 1955 by ESAB company founded by Oscar Kjellberg, who developed the world’s first coated welding electrode in 1904.

Conventional – uses shop air as the plasma gas and the shape of the plasma arc is defined by the orifice of the nozzle.

Precision – (high current density) is designed to produce the sharpest, highest quality cuts that are achievable with plasma. The torch is more complex and additional pieces constrict and shape the arc.

If your job needs precision cutting, look to PTL Fabricators. It’s just one of the many areas of expertise our team has for your next project.  Give us a call at (931) 647-0675 or contact us today.

Why is it important?

To put it simply, metal fabrication is the process of building machines and structures from raw metal materials. This process includes cutting, burning, welding, and assembling material to create a final product.

If you’ve ever been in a skyscraper or held onto a handrail walking down the stairs, you’ve seen the product of just what a metal fabricator does. Whether it’s something simple or a high profile job, PTL Fabricators are the experts for any size project!

One-stop shop

PTL provides solutions for all metal fabrication needs, but that’s not our only specialty. Concrete, process piping, and conventional steel construction are also some of our areas of expertise. We centralize the many processes that are often required to be performed by a collection of vendors. Because of this, PTL is able to help contractors limit their need to work with multiple vendors to complete complicated projects.

How is metal fabrication performed?

The metal fabrication industry has broad applications across many industries and consumer products, including automotive, construction, commercial machinery, and more. Materials used include plate metal, fittings, castings, formed and expanded metal, sectional metal, flat metal, and welding wire, to name a few.

In order to accommodate our projects, we employ experts:

• Welders
• Ironworkers
• Pipefitters
• Crane operators
• Millwrights

The metal fabrication process involves taking the raw components and transforming them into marketable items. This can only be achieved by a skilled technician who has the proper training and experience because there is very little room for error. Industrial facilities use metal fabrication to create everything from vehicular parts to household appliances.

Why is PTL important?

Cars, appliances, buildings, and yes, even stair rails would not happen if companies like PTL did not exist. Not only would our everyday lives be affected, but so would the economy. Skilled trade jobs create some of the most valuable career paths, with exceptional pay rates.

If you have questions about metal fabrication or have a project you need help completing, contact PTL today! We have been providing manufacturing and fabrication for over 20 years. Give us a call at (931) 647-0675

Source:
thefabricator.com