This post is about something new and exciting on thefabricator.com, but before I discuss the Video Vault and Multimedia Center, I want to update you on a story that began in last week's post Steel is real. That post described my husband David"s efforts to train after a long hiatus from cycling for a two-day ride to benefit multiple sclerosis research. He chose a steel-frame bike over the more popular aluminum and carbon composite models, and the steel frame proved very durable when he fell over at the end of a practice ride on Virginia's Blue Ridge Parkway.
I'm proud to announce that David completed the two-day ride and made impressive showings both days. (He was happy just to survive the heat and the mountainous terrain.) He already is looking forward to repeating this event and taking part in even more rides next year with his steel-frame bike.
I wish I had captured David crossing the finish line both days on video. Guess I'll have to rely on the images stored in my mind, which will never be as sharp as good video. Which brings me to the topic of this post—thefabricator.com's Video Vault and Multimedia Center, a video showcase of the latest technologies from metal manufacturing industry suppliers—sort of a YouTube for metal manufacturing, minus the cheesy celebrity spoofs.
Launched just this month (September 2007), the Video Vault currently features short videos (30 seconds to 6 minutes) about laser processing, punching, flaw detection, finishing, blast cleaning, welding and cutting automation, press brakes, and other metal fabricating processes.
Among the companies represented are Amada America Inc., Automec Inc., BLM GROUP USA Corp., Bug-O Systems, Bystronic Inc., Centricut LLC, Cold Jet, CS Unitec Inc., Durma/SCA, Exact JobBOSS, Fein Power tools, Gasparini North America Inc., II-VI Inc., Industrial Magnetics Inc., Kooima Co., Laser Mechanisms Inc., Olympus NDT, Peddinghaus Corp., Salvagnini America Inc., Strippit/LVD, TRUMPF Inc., UniPunch Products Inc., Weiler Corp., and Wilson Tool International® Inc.
Unlike YouTube, there's no star-rating system in the Video Vault. However, for entertainment purposes only, I'm bestowing some of my highly subjective awards to a few of the videos in the Vault.
Winner of the Mr. Wizard Award—A tie between Centricut LLC"s "Plasma and How It Works," and Industrial Magnetics' video about its Transporter®. The videos are educational and easy to understand.
Best Regional Dialect—Cold Jet's Southern narrator. I"m a pushover for a Southern accent and could listen to this video all day.
Best Inspector Clouseau Impersonation—Durma/SCA & closed my eyes and pictured Steve Martin speaking during this very interesting video.
Best Actor—Exact JobBOSS video featured a guy who looks like he'd be a fun boss, and he narrated the video without speaking a word. Can't close your eyes in this one.
Best Synchronization of Video and Music—Gaspirini's machine operator's actions were in sync with the soundtrack.
Best Mystery Solved—II-VI revealed what's up with its company name.
Best Sound Effects—Peddinghaus machinery in action. Could have sworn I was at FABTECH.
Best New Age, Most Esoteric Video—Salvagnini & "Silence, I need silence."
Best Info-to-Run-Time Ratio—Strippit/LVD & a good overview of the company's products.
Best Use of an Animal—Weiler and & what else, but a tiger!
Watch the videos, come up with your own awards, and learn more about your industry's suppliers and products.
About the Author: Vicki Bell
