Using Equipment to Enhance Capabilities and Output
Earlier in 2024, 3 Phaze Fab was considering adding new equipment to its operation. The rationale was twofold: ensuring the continuation of high-quality work with optimal throughput and addressing challenges with staffing. As for the work, machines play a critical role in helping maintain a track record of quality and timeliness. As for the welders doing that work, certain machines are easier to use, and the ability to use them well is often dependent on experience. Given the labor shortage the industry is facing, such experience can be hard to come by. “One of the biggest challenges in the last five years has been mostly getting staff, getting skilled welders,” Wollenberg says.
New technology and features like intuitive interfaces on the latest machines are beneficial to all welders, but especially to those newer to the job. They can also provide great upside for an operation, increasing capacity to deliver more high-quality welds, consistently. With that in mind, 3 Phaze Fab connected with the Miller team about new machines and decided to add Deltaweld® 350 and Intellx™ Elite to their portfolio.
Designed to reduce training time and simplify parameter setup, the Deltaweld system with Intellx Elite doesn’t require a seasoned operator to get the weld right. Rather, its user-friendly screen makes setup easy, eliminating guesswork for advanced processes and fast-tracking productivity. This is a win for all welders, but especially those who are newer to the craft. Not only that, but the customer support that Miller offers makes new product integration even easier.
A Miller team happened to be on-site for delivery, so a weld engineer was able to train the 3 Phaze Fab operators on how to use the new system. Knowing that welders can be resistant to change, Miller is there every step of the way so that customers not only know how to use the equipment but also understand that it will make doing their jobs that much easier. Wollenberg said he was impressed by how seamlessly the transition went, especially given that operators tend to be set in their ways.
“They spent an hour helping us set it up and showing us how to use it,” Wollenberg said. “I couldn't believe how quickly my team adapted. It was so simple, and my team was actually impressed and said they didn’t expect it to be that good right out of the box.”