VOL. XXIV, NO.1 (Winter, 2001)

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BRIDGETEK CHOOSES SPILLMAN AGAIN

 

For the last few years, Spillman has had the opportunity to fabricate a wide variety of custom steel forms for Bridgetek of Wilder, Kentucky for Con/Span arched bridge sections. We have manufactured the Short/Span form for 12' & 14' span sections in 8' laying lengths. The Short/Span forms were originally fabricated only in 12' span sections, but the more recently produced forms have been made adjustable to make both span widths. This section is most often used for small tunnels and golf course paths or stream crossings.

The original Con/Span form section produces three spans - 16', 20', and 24'. During the time that we have produced this form, we have used a process of continuous improvement to increase the productivity and value of the forming system for our customer. Today, each regular Con/Span form is fabricated from 5/16" hot rolled plate reinforced with ½" plate screed and shoe plates with vertical 8" channels on approximately 12" centers. Since each casting is normally cast in an 8' lay length, each form is fitted with complete 24" wide OSHA style catwalk with handrails and ladders. Originally, the catwalk was fitted to the outer jacket, but we now install all Con/Span catwalks affixed to the core to improve the stripping process and to provide for easier shipping. Also included as part of every Spillman Con/Span form regardless of span is an 8" deep structural base frame with a ½" plate pallet fitted with ¾" cold rolled chamfer strip. When we analyzed the early Con/Span form designs, we observed that those forms presented significant leveling problems for producers. Because Con/Span forms are constantly being either adjusted for span changes or moved from site to site, we decided from our earliest days of association with the product line to manufacture complete pallets. In addition to a complete base frame, each form set comes complete with a adjustable cross bracing, ¾" heavy duty coil underties and cam-type top ties. Nearly a year ago, we began including a tool job box with each form set to allow for on-site storage of the many components and to provide for both set-up and loading instructions.

Until recently, the largest Con/Span form set was Long/Span that provided for span ranges of 28', 32', 36' & 42'. Because of the greater spans lengths and the accompanying weight of the castings, this forming set is normally manufactured in a 6' laying length. This form set has all of the features mentioned above. Because of the increased size and the number of pieces required to make the full family of Long/Span castings, this forming set requires two full truckloads for shipment. Over the years, various modifications have been made in the design and detailing of this forming set as well for improved casting productivity and greater ease in loading for shipping.

Our client, Bridgetek, has continuously challenged the ability of Spillman's engineering and production team as we have worked together to improve productivity and value. To determine what we can do to improve your wet cast productivity, please feel free to contact us toll-free at 800/44-FORMS. We can also be reached at P.O. Box 07847, Columbus, Ohio 43207-0847; or at http://www.spillmanform.com/default.htm.

Scott C. Sambuco has joined the management team at Spillman as Director of Engineering Services. Scott is a graduate of Kent State University with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture and a graduate of The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. He is both a registered engineer and an architect. Scott has spent the last eight years of his career in Pittsburgh in a variety of engineering positions in the structural steel industry. His most recent position was with Wilhelm & Kruse where he led an engineering team of 20 on both the new Steelers Stadium and the PNC Park for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Scott is an Ohio native. He and his wife Lynn have a two-year old daughter. They are currently in the process of relocating to the Columbus area. Scott's hobbies include woodworking, hunting, fishing, and exercising. He reads extensively as well, to keep current with the latest technologies in engineering and manufacturing.

We at Spillman are pleased to enclose with this addition of the Spillman Forum our brand new EZY-STRYP® Magnetic Clamping System brochure and price list. This four-color, four-page brochure details the key components of our field-proven magnet system. Spillman Company in partnership with Weckenmann of Germany has been delivering the most cost effective and labor saving series of magnets, shutter rails, and custom magnet side rails to the North American precast/prestressed concrete industry for the last four years. This new brochure marries the more than 50 years of custom steel forming experience of Spillman with the more than 40 years of European experience of Weckenmann.

The brochure includes the key element of the EZY-STRYP® magnetic clamping system, the standard bar magnet. This magnet, that is only 10¼" long x 2-3/8" wide x 2" deep with a hold down force of nearly one ton can be used with a complete series of Weckenmann manufactured precision shutter rails from 2" to 12" deep, custom steel side rails by Spillman in an infinite number of depths and styles, and multiple magnet adapters and fixtures.

Once you have had an opportunity to review the details of the brochure, please feel free to contact us toll-free at 800/44FORMS, via fax at 614/444-1231, or via our website at http://www.spillmanform.com/default.htm. We look forward to discussing how you can reduce your set-up and stripping costs, extend the life of your steel formwork, and increase your casting productivity.

We at Spillman continue to develop our website and electronic catalog for use of our worldwide customers who wish to order on a 24/7 basis. To allow for our customers to use this new portal, we have been setting up customers on a request basis. The individual within our customer service team who has been leading this effort is Pam Johnson. Pam is currently responsible on a day-to-day basis for purchasing and cost accounting as well as a key member of our inside sales team.

If you wish to have Pam work with you to establish your online account complete with your own private password and recent order history, please contact Pam at 800/44-FORMS or online at pjohnson@spillmanform.com.