Recently, Matt Sonnhalter, Vision Architect and President at Sonnhalter, discussed our 15th Annual Tool Drive on the “And So It Flows” podcast. Hosted by PM Editor-In-Chief, Nicole Krawcke, Matt tells all of the ins-and-outs of what our Tool Drive encompasses. They converse about how the Tool Drive started with Habitat for Humanity, why we decided to implement it as a crucial part of who we are, our milestones thus far, and more!
Check out this podcast to hear more about our Annual Tool Drive and visit our website to read more about this month-long event.
In this guest blog written by Catherine Williams, she compiles a glossary of terms and jargon commonly used in the field of manufacturing that might seem foreign to those who aren’t within the profession. When going into this field, it’s important to know these certain terms and names, so that you feel comfortable and confident in your knowledge and abilities. Click here to read more from the author and other blogs that have been written. See below for the guest blog:
Manufacturing offers career endless opportunities to individuals with any skillset or level. However, the language and tools commonly used in manufacturing can be intimidating and hard to understand for those who are just learning about the industry.
Compiled below is a manufacturing glossary of processes and tools that are commonly mentioned when describing industry jobs and the responsibilities of individuals who work in the field.
Check out our index of terms, and then learn in which role you might be most interested in applying them.
3D printing: A type of additive manufacturing in which a 3D part is constructed by a material being melted, cured and sintered. The most common types of 3D printing are FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling), where melted material is extruded, SLA (stereolithography), where liquid resin is cured using UV light, and SLS (Selective Laser Sintering), where a powder is sintered layer by layer.
Additive Manufacturing: A type of manufacturing in which the part is created by adding material as opposed to removing material. The most common example is 3D printing.
Arc Welding: A welding process that uses an electric arc to melt and join metals. This type of welding is commonly used for quick repairs of metal parts because it creates less sparks and smoke, while using higher heat.
Axis Milling: A cutting process in which the workpiece remains still while the cutting tool moves along the axes to mill the part. These machines can make everyday metal furniture to jet engine rotors for the aerospace industry.
Bellows: These pumps circulate air and are used in manufacturing to keep fires burning and workspaces and machinery clear of debris. Bellows can be found on the manufacturing floor blowing debris off machinery and speeding up combustion on an iron worker’s forge.
Brazing: Brazing is joining two or more metal pieces together with a metal that has a lower melting point, so you can attach the workpieces without melting them. This method is often used when the product’s base metals are too difficult to melt precisely.
CAD: Stands for Computer-Aided-Design and refers to the use of a wide range of computer-based tools. that assist engineers, architects and other design professionals in their projects.
CNC: CNC = Computer Numerical Control. This term is often used to refer to a machine that is controlled by a computer instead of manually. CNC machines are useful when producing large quantities of a product to ensure its exact specifications.
Die: A specialized machine tool used in manufacturing industries to cut and/or form material to a desired shape or profile. Die machines are generally customized for each product that they are used to produce.
EDM: Electrical Discharge Machinery (EDM) is a metal fabrication process where metal is shaped by electrical charges. This method of metal forming is most commonly used when working with heavy, dense metals and is extremely precise.
Flame-Cutting: A method of cutting in which the appropriate part if the material to be cut is risen to ignition temperature, using an oxy-fuel gas flame. This process is most commonly used to separate or shape steel components.
Forge: A type of hearth used for heating metals. A forge is used to heat a piece of metal to a temperature at which it becomes easier to shape and the workpiece stops hardening.
Forging: a manufacturing process that shapes metal using localized compressive forces. The blows are usually delivered with a hammer or die.
Lathe: A machining tool used primarily for shaping metal or wood. The lathe rotates the workpiece around a stationary cutting tool until the piece is the proper shape. Lathes are mainly used to remove unwanted parts of the workpiece, leaving behind a specifically and cleanly shaped product.
Machining: A process in which a material is cut to a desired final shape and size by a controlled removal process. There are several machines that carry out this process, and it can be done with almost any type of material including metals, plastics, and wood.
OEM: Stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer and refers to a company who produces components in the product of another company, which then sells the finished product to consumers. Most Northeast Ohio manufacturers are OEMs.
Shearing: Cutting any material to the required specifications. Shearing is used in almost every department of manufacturing, and several machines are used specifically for shearing.
Subtractive Manufacturing: The most common type of manufacturing in which material is removed from a part to make it (examples include drilling, milling, cutting and sanding)
Stamping: Also referred to as pressing, stamping involves placing flat sheets of material into a stamping press where a tool and die surface form and cut the material into the desired shape. Stamping is used to create countless products but is most commonly used to shape metal. Punching, blanking, bending, coining, embossing and flagging are all stamping techniques used to shape materials.
Soldering: A way to join two or more metal pieces using a type of metal that melts at low temperatures. Different from brazing, soldering uses lower flame temperatures to join pieces of metal together. It is most commonly seen in electronics and plumbing.
Threading: The process of creating a screw thread, either by cutting away at the material to create grooves or adding threads onto the material via 3-D printing.
In the world of trades – from construction and manufacturing to plumbing and electrical work – safety isn’t just a priority, but a necessity. That’s why National Safety Month holds special significance for those who work with their hands, often in high-risk environments where hazards prosper. In this blog, we’ll delve into why National Safety Month is essential for tradespeople and promoting safety on the job site.
Safety
In the trades, safety is a core value that guides every aspect of their work. National Safety Month provides an opportunity to evaluate your safety efforts and create a safer work environment. By prioritizing safety, we not only can protect ourselves from harm but also uphold the well-being of our teams and the integrity of our industry.
Identifying Hazards
On job sites, hazards can be around every corner – from exposed wires and heavy machinery to slippery surfaces and dangerous heights. During National Safety Month, tradespeople should take the time to identify potential hazards and implement measures to minimize risks. This may include conducting regular safety inspections, providing appropriate protective equipment and implementing safety protocols and procedures.
Training and Education
Knowledge is power when it comes to safety in the trades. National Safety Month is an opportunity to invest in training and education. Attend safety seminars, participate in hands-on training sessions and stay up-to-date on industry best practices and regulations to ensure safety on the job. By arming yourself with knowledge and skills, you can better protect tradespeople from accidents and injuries on the job.
Promoting Safety
Safety is everyone’s responsibility on the job site, from seasoned professionals to apprentices just starting their careers. During National Safety Month, tradespeople should strive to promote a culture of safety where every team member feels empowered to speak up about safety concerns and take proactive measures to prevent accidents.
Embracing Technology and Innovation
Today, innovations are transforming safety practices in the trades. Tradespeople have access to a wide range of tools and technologies that can enhance safety on the job site. During National Safety Month, consider exploring new technologies and innovations that can help you work smarter, safer and more efficiently.
National Safety Month is a time for tradespeople to reaffirm their commitment to safety, invest in training and education, promote a culture of safety, and embrace new technologies. By prioritizing safety in all aspects of work, we can create safer job sites, reduce accidents and injuries and build a brighter future for the trades. So, let’s celebrate National Safety Month by rededicating ourselves to the principles of safety and working together to build a safer tomorrow.
Did you know that “Hug a Plumber Day” takes place on April 25? Every year, this day is a reminder to celebrate plumbers as they typically don’t receive enough credit for their work.
From late-night emergencies to routine maintenance, these professionals handle it with dedication and expertise. From tackling over-flowing toilets to stubborn clogs, they spare us from inconvenience and frustration.
Without plumbers, our world wouldn’t be sanitary or operating. At Sonnhalter, we are thankful for the hard work and commitment that plumbers have. We’ve had the opportunity to see plumbers at work and have heard their stories. Plumbers do so much more than unclog drains and fix leaky faucets. It’s plumbers who install the miles of piping that make hot, cold and process water and gas utilities possible.
As we celebrate Hug a Plumber Day, let’s remember that our appreciation extends beyond a single day. Let’s strive to recognize and honor the vital role plumbers play in our lives. To all the plumbers out there–Thank you. Together we shower you with gratitude.
Today we have a guest blog post on behalf of WIA (Welding Industries of Australia) on four trades that are crucial for the construction industry.
Whether you live in a small town or a large city, you rely on the construction industry to provide infrastructure. From large corporations to modest family households, the construction industry is responsible for creating buildings that shelter you. But while we may depend on this industry for many things, the industry itself relies on several specialized trades. Here are four of the trades that are vital to the field of construction.
1. Electricians
Reading at night, keeping cool in the summer, using computers at work or cooking a meal, there’s a seemingly endless list of day-to-day activities that are made possible by electricians. In our modern society, there’s no doubt that any building without electrical wiring would be virtually useless; the construction industry wouldn’t get very far without the skills of electricians. And while these tradespeople generally get paid well (U.S. News puts the average salary for electricians at around $55,000), there are certainly drawbacks to this profession. Aside from limited promotion opportunities and a lack of flexibility, electricians also face the very real risk of injury or death on a daily basis. According to Electrical Contractor magazine, 143 or so construction workers die due to electrocution each year, with about 34 percent of these individuals being electrical workers. It’s little wonder electricians experience above-average stress levels on the job.
2. Carpenters
Most of the wooden furniture you use, timber floors you walk on and wooden walls and beams that support the roof over your head are the handiwork of carpenters. When you consider that the majority of homes in the U.S. are constructed with timber frames, the importance of carpentry becomes even more obvious. With more than 1 million carpenters in the country and projections for this number to rapidly grow, this trade is clearly an important part of the construction industry. Fortunately, the decent working conditions and respectable average salary of about $48,000 should see this trade continue to flourish in the future.
3. Welders
Welders, often categorized together with cutters, solderers and brazers, are essentially the metal equivalent of carpenters. From manufacturing household appliances, to building race cars, there is a uniquely diverse range of projects that a skilled welder can find themselves working on. While less known than other trades, welding is an extremely valuable element of the construction industry.
Welders require thorough training and often need to earn credentials before landing their first job. Sometimes, they also have to invest in their own equipment from a specialist provider like WIA. These factors may contribute to the fact that welding is the only trade on this list that the Bureau of Labor Statistics has predicted a slower growth than the average for other occupations through 2028. According to this Forbes article, welding is one of the main fields in which an older average population of workers could lead to a shortage in the near future. This means that welding is not just a crucial trade for the construction industry, it’s also a worthwhile career path for young aspiring tradespeople.
4. Plumbers
Similar to electricians, plumbers are essential in the construction of any contemporary building. They also become vital tradespeople when you want to renovate a bathroom, decide to add an en suite to your home or have any toilet issues. The task of keeping our pipes and water systems functioning smoothly employs about 500,000 plumbers in the U.S., and this number is expected to grow much faster than the average profession this decade, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This steady growth is likely due to the construction industry’s (and society’s) consistent demand for plumbing work, combined with the healthy average salary of around $53,000 and the job satisfaction that comes from regularly making a difference to the lives of other people.
There are many trades that form integral parts of the construction industry – these are just four of the most crucial ones. Reflecting on the important role these tradespeople play can help us appreciate and understand why pursuing a trade can be a lucrative and very fulfilling path.
ng at night, keeping cool in the summer, using computers at work or cooking a meal, there’s a seemingly endless list of day-to-day activities that are made possible by electricians. In our modern society, there’s no doubt that any building without electrical wiring would be virtually useless; the construction industry wouldn’t get very far without the skills of electricians. And while these tradespeople generally get paid well (
ture you use, timber floors you walk on and wooden walls and beams that support the roof over your head are the handiwork of carpenters. When you consider that the majority of homes in the U.S. are constructed with timber frames, the importance of carpentry becomes even more obvious. 
The task of keeping our pipes and water systems functioning smoothly employs about 500,000 plumbers in the U.S., and this number is expected to grow much faster than the average profession this decade,