VeriForm opened for business on August 1st, 1997 in the old Savage Shoes building on 1144 Industrial Road in Cambridge. Seven years later, we purchased our current 20 Lindsay Road site and in 2007 we expanded that site from 11,400 to 26,000 square feet.
Now we would not have been able to achieve these milestones, and survive over twenty years in business if it were not for the amazing relationships we’ve built with clients, suppliers, and many other good people in our community. In fact, while we serve our customers there are four core principles that are a key component of our business model:
Serving the Local Community,
Supporting Sustainability and the Environment
Developing and Providing Education for our Staff
Supporting the Education of Young People in Waterloo-Wellington Regions
TIG welding is the most versatile kind of welding. TIG welding is precise and can be used for most types of metal: aluminum, stainless steel, carbon, magnesium, titanium, cobalt, nickel, copper alloys, niobium, as well as tungsten.
Here are the most commonly asked questions involving TIG welding.
What Is Tig Welding?
TIG stands for Tungsten Inert Gas.
Technically it is called Gas Tungsten Arc Welding GTAW and also known as Heli-arc welding. Heli-arc welding historically is a nod to the Hobart “Heli-Arc” machine from the 1930s developed to weld magnesium.
Mechanically strong and visually appealing, TIG welding is becoming increasingly critical for industry and has attained new popularity in recent years.
In the automotive and aerospace industries the process has helped reconfigure components making them lights thereby reducing fuel consumption and savings on ever-higher fuel costs.
It is a particularly effective and economic way for welding light gauge metals (under 3mm thickness) and for welding metals difficult to weld with the conventional welding process.
How Does Tig Welding Work?
In TIG, metals are fused together by heating them with an electric arc established between a non-consumable (does not melt) tungsten electrode and the workpiece. The molten metal, tungsten electrode and the welding zone are protected from the atmosphere (the air around it) by a stream of inert gas through the welding torch. The resulting welds have the same chemical integrity as the original base metal.
TIG welding is similar to oxy-acetylene welding in that you use a filler material for build-up or reinforcement.
Can You TIG Weld Aluminum?
The process is well suited for aluminum and is most frequently associated with the process. However, the process can be used to weld almost all metals and metal alloys in use today.
Such metals include the following:
Aluminum and aluminum alloys
Magnesium and magnesium alloys
Low alloy steel and carbon steels
Copper and copper alloys
Nickel and nickel alloys
Joining carbon and alloy steels
Reactive materials (for example, titanium and tantalum)
Exotic alloys and aluminum are being used more than ever to build vehicles.
What Kind of Gas Do You Use With a Tig Welder?
Shielding gases are used to protect and cool the welding area from atmospheric gases, heat transfer, not to mention help start and maintain a stable arc.
Normally for TIG welding Aragon is used. Helium may also be added to increase penetration and fluidity of the weld pool.
What Kind of Gas Do You Use for Tig Welding Steel?
An argon/ hydrogen mixture is the preferred gas for manual TIG welding for stainless steel (of austenitic grades). The hydrogen helps to collect oxygen close to the weld pool for a cleaner weld surface and minimizes the need for a post-weld clean.
Where Is Tig Welding Used?
Gas Tungsten Arch Welding or TIG has found applications in the:
Aerospace industry – aircraft
Sheet Metal Works
Metal Furniture
Most Notably Automotive Transport Industry
for any vehicles including cars, trucks, hot rods, choppers, professional racing teams, as well as auto hobbyists and enthusiasts
VeriForm received its 6th brake press earlier this year, making VeriForm the largest bending shop in Ontario and possibly the Eastern USA. With over $1 million in brake press tooling, VeriForm can form practically anything your engineers can design.
Metal fabrication is the process of constructing structures from raw materials by processes like cutting, bending, and assembling. Metal fabricators (companies specializing in the process) are known as fab shops. Metal fabrication is a “value-added” process because the additional value is added through various stages of production.
Machine shops and fabricators are very similar with the expectation that fab shops concentrate on welding and forming metals.
Metal Fabrication Process
Processes
Metal fabrication begins at the planning stage. Fab shops employ many different experts, including ironworkers, welders, boilermakers, blacksmiths, and professionals that convert raw materials into their final products. Since metal fabrication is the overarching process, it involves many different processes, including specialty techniques, which can involve:
– punching, welding, forging, casting, brazing, shearing, drawing and spinning
as well as
– die-cutting, hydroforming, finishing, shrinking, roll forming, spinning, stretching and stamping
Even higher levels of specialization include electrical and hydraulics services
Materials
Standard raw materials used include metal, fittings, castings, formed and expanded metal, sectional metal, flat metal, and welding wire.
Future of Metal Fabrication
Where is the future of the metal fabrication industry headed?
The key to success in a volatile market in this industry is keeping up with the rapidly changing demands of customers while maintaining high output capability, with machinery that is becoming more sophisticated. It is about learning to balance capacity with variability.
For metal fabrication shops this means
continually optimizing machinery and the manufacturing process
keeping an eye on the customer base and economic trends
innovating new ways to support customer demands and variability
increasing streamline practices
focusing ability in reliably to product out-capacity output
VeriForm since the beginning has made modern investments, streamlining our manufacturing process from top to bottom, to meet the demands of our diverse customer base without cutting corners. All this while, trying to help preserve the environment. This has helped us cater to your needs at any given time.
VeriForm was recognized with a graduation certificate for its 10-year commitment to reducing energy consumption and becoming a Sustainable Waterloo Gold Pledging Partner. The company proudly attended the 8th Annual Evening of Recognition on Thursday, April 27th, 2017 at Maxwell’s 35 University Avenue East to
Left to right: Tova Davidson (Executive Director of Sustainable Waterloo), Gerry Cutting (Energy Manager at VeriForm, Emily Aria Rak (daughter of Paul Rak VeriForm’s owner), and Matthew Day (RCI Program Manager) Emily Rak received the diploma on stage that evening on behalf of VeriForm, for graduating from the 10-year commitment for sustainability. Photo Courtesy of Sustainable Waterloo
Reducing the amount of CO2 emissions via electricity and natural gas usage has always been a priority for us however since the year 2015, 100% of CO2 emissions were completely eliminated. Going from 245 tons of carbon emissions to an amazing 64 tons. On top of that, VeriForm has been growing and building by 145% since 2007.
Carbon Emissions Results Up Until 2016
See the acceptance speech below:
We are proud to say that it has been 12 years of CO2 awareness for the company and 2 years of being carbon neutral. These numbers highlight the true commitment and dedication of the VeriForm team with many more to come!
Now, in 2017 modern laser cutters have more innovative features, faster controls and powerful beams. Many industries are opting to outsource cutting for laser cutting services to other conventional alternatives.
Laser Cutting
Laser cutters work like printers, etching materials, using computer-directed high-powered laser beams at precise focal lengths. The lasers will melt the metal while an assisting gas blasts the molten metal out of the cut.
Laser Cutter Features & Advantages
Recommended for projects involving intricate detailing and precise dimensions.
Programs are automated to change parts not to mention require relatively inexpensive replacement parts contributing to shorter sets, and longer machine uptimes. Productivity is further improved with the following features:
Precise High-Quality Cutting
Most can achieve a precision of +/- 0.005 inches or +/- 0.13 millimetres and controlled by computer programs
Edge Quality
Metal is cleanly cut without deformation or blurs
Cuts exceptionally fine contours and virtually radius-free inner edges
Complex Shapes
More human input can be dedicated to design rather than production
Cuts Smaller Diameter Holes
With complex detail and good edge quality
No Contact Cutting
Eliminates tool wear problem
Low noise, vibration and pollution
Less Maintenance
Automation
Leading to time savings and allowing for smaller production runs to more competitive job costing
Bending is the process of deforming sheet metal into an angle. Sheet metal is forced by a press brake between an upper and lower tool. The punch being the upper component and the die being the lower tool. The press brake is what manipulates the punch and die to apple a press force.
This is a great method of creating 3D shapes from 2D sheets.
Cost Reduction Tips
Avoid
Odd angles
Complex bend combinations
Adding more bends than necessary
Using slots for a time, and bend the metal later on manually. This will help to lower shipping costs as well as takes up less storage room.
Design with packing in mind
Include straight edges that will run parallel to a bend
Metal Bending Services and Capabilities
VeriForms addition of a 20-foot CNC offers incredible handling for all types of complex bending projects. This CNC also features multiple workstations that ensure high uptimes and seamless productivity. Other functionalities include:
All In-House: All metal bending projects, regardless of shape and form, are completed under one roof thanks to extensive in-house capabilities.
Superior Technical precision: Accuracy and customer specifications are paramount.
Flexibility and Efficiency: All in all creative manufacturing and design solutions are achieved in part with the best fabrication and machining resources as well as service.
Superior Customer Service: Personalized service within 24 hours of contact
Quality Management Systems Certifications: For metal butting, bending, drilling, welding, stamping, using a pemserter, marking, shearing and other fabricating processes.
Having quality welds for any project that requires welding is paramount. From safety and liability reasons to something as simple as aesthetics, there are many definitions of a quality weld. So what makes a quality weld?
Three Contributing Factors to Welding Quality
Certified Welders
It’s no secret, quality welds start with professional, certified welders. The Canadian Stands Association requires companies that wish to be certified for fusion welding of steel, comply and follow guidelines the CSA has set in place, including providing documentation as requested. The certification is known as the CSA Standard w47.1.
Certified Weld Inspectors
To ensure quality in a weld, it’s critical that a professional weld inspector is present at all times during the process, and not simply inspecting the final product. A certified weld inspector ensures that everything in the pre-weld environment is correctly calibrated and set to ensure that the welding process is able to be completed correctly, including any clamps or specific joint positions. Once everything is ready for the certified welder to begin welding, the inspector will continue to monitor the process to ensure quality and compliance with welding standards. Finally, as expected, the welding inspector will inspect all finished welds, as the inspector is accountable for the final quality of the weld. If the inspector gives the weld a passing grade, you can guarantee the welds are of high quality.
Stress Relieving
During the welding, there is one specific process that can make or break a weld, literally; it’s called stress relieving of a weld. When welding, molten metal is used to fuse two pieces of metal together. During this process, the molten metal begins to cool quickly, too quickly in fact. As the weld begins to cool to room temperature, the weld shrinks and pulls the other metal pieces out of the optimal setting. To combat this type of shrinking, stress relieving of a weld is undertaken, where a weld is either treated by heated air or electricity. A benefit of this type of stress relieving is not only a strong and precise weld but also any discolouration or corrosion that may have occurred to the metal during the initial weld; this step is referred to as passivation.
Top left: Stainless 316 grade canopy for a city centre fully manufactured by VeriForm for Depco. Bottom left: Canoe made to celebrate Champlain’s landing in Ontario with the body made from Corten steel to prevent long-term rusting. The canoe was designed and welded on-site by Lafontaine Iron Werks. Right: Totem poles laser cut from aluminum and rolled for an award show in western North America.
As of January 4th, 2016, VeriForm has hired a new full-time machining and inspection person. The qualified person has come with an excellent history and background in both the automotive and automation sectors. This means he will be instrumental in creating proper quality and inspection reports and doing the correct level of inspection which matches the work that we now do for the nuclear, aerospace and nautical sectors. With the Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) experience this new employee brings to VeriForm, we can program our drilling-tapping-machining center faster and with a focus on automotive-grade quality that our customers need.
VeriForm has added in the last 4 months four experienced staff with multi-decade experience in bending, Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB) certified welding and rolling. As the owner of VeriForm, I want to personally thank our customers in 2015 for helping us be successful partners to your businesses. You have enabled us to create at least 6 new jobs at VeriForm in a time when the economy has contracted while giving us the ability to grow and prosper with you.
Really productive and time-saving chuck head showing CNC drilling of round pipe and structurals all in one setup.
VeriForm’s CNC machines (computer numerical control) are used for high precision level jobs or very repetitive tasks. The process is widely preferred in place of traditional manual machines.
If your machining operation is growing, or if it’s time to replace one of your traditional machines, you might be wondering if a CNC machine is a right choice for your business. In order to answer that question, you’ll want to better understand the benefits of CNC machines.
Four CNC Machine Advantages for Productivity
Timing
Traditional machines such as lathes, mills routers and grinders that are normally operated by a trained engineer could be replaced with Computer Numerical Machines that operate unmanned. This means the machines can run 24 hours a day every day of the year. CNC machines will only need to be stopped for routine maintenance, which means less downtime in your operations.
CNC machines do not require skilled engineers as operators. Training for operators can be done through the use of software that allows the trainee to virtually operate the machines, learning on a computer screen. One person can oversee the running of several CNC machines at one time as the machines can typically be left to run on their own with only the need for supervision or perhaps the replacement of cutting tools.
Accuracy
Even with the most highly skilled of engineers, as a manned machine produces the same item, again and again, it is likely that slight differences or errors will occur in production due simply to the fact that the engineer will not produce the item in exactly the same way each time. CNC machines remove this margin for error as each item is produced in exactly the same way each and every time. In addition, advanced CNC design software can allow for the manufacturing of products that could not otherwise be made by traditional machines.
Versatility
With traditional machines, if you require a change in manufacturing a piece, this could mean a costly change to your machining, prototypes and trials. With CNC machines, changing the function of your machine is done by simply updating or adjusting its customized instructions. Design software has removed the need for design prototypes altogether, as ideas can be simulated to save time and money. In addition, trial runs of new designs can be run without the need for actual pieces to be created. This allows for the controls, such as speed and velocity, to be considered without the risk of damage to machines, or the cost of building unusable parts.
CNC machines have allowed many machining companies to improve their operations and cut their bottom line. If you’re considering a change in your production and would like more information about CNC machines, contact us today.