Black River Falls, Wis. — Joe Lane, Continuous Improvement Manager of D&S Manufacturing, and John Gulso, Operations Manager, will both serve as presenters at the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International PlateFab Workshop to be held at the Thomas Nelson Community College, Hampton, VA May 6-7. The focus of the workshop is to provide up to date information on plate fabrication operations through technical presentations, case studies and plant tours.

Lane's presentation, "Case Study - Integrating Robotic Welding in the Job Shop" will highlight D&S' experience with the integration of robotic welding into a low volume high mix production environment. As a part of D&S' ongoing continuous improvement initiative, a team was challenged with the task of successfully integrating robotics for less traditional low volume applications. They researched the best platform offering the most flexibility and have been successful at integrating robotic welding equipment into the facility. Their results included reducing project lead times and production costs.

Gulso's presentation, "Case Study - Tracking Material Remnants for Maximum Utilization" will highlight the use of SigmaNEST to maximize remnant material usage. "With SigmaNest we are able to create a library of remnants by providing a unique name and label for each remnant" Gulso explained. To optimize utilization, the partial plates are always on the top of the nest. The library records also maintain traceability for each plate, including partial plates, to its mill of origin. By optimizing this process, D&S achieves the highest possible plate utilization.

Since 1965, ISO 9001:2008 certified D&S Manufacturing has served as a custom manufacturer of exceptional quality large scale components, assemblies and complete weldments for a broad cross section of well-respected corporations that include Caterpillar, Oshkosh Corporation, Parkson, The Trane Company and CNH. The company's extensive capabilities include technologically superior machining, laser, high definition plasma and oxy-fuel cutting, as well as manual and robotic welding. These resources are complemented by diverse value-added services ranging from liquid spray painting, powder coating and shot blasting to assembly and testing. A dedicated and highly skilled workforce lives a commitment to superior project management, exceptional quality, accountability, teamwork and continuous improvement, which empowers the company to live its slogan, D&S …. Solid™.

For more information, please contact John Barkley, General Manager, D&S Manufacturing, P. O. Box 279, Black River Falls, WI, 54615, 715-284-5376, ext. 307 or fax 715-284-4084. Send e-mail to jbarkley@dsmfg.com, and visit D&S Manufacturing's Web site at www.dsmfg.com.