Lincoln Electric Precision

June 4, 2010 | Posted by admin

Gawda Member Helps U.s. Bobsled Team Win Gold

Dewitt, NY – March 8, 2010: In an effort to keep its readership informed about the latest happenings in the gases and welding industry, the February issue of GAWDA Edge focuses on gases and welding in the recently concluded Winter Olympic Games. One of the articles, entitled “Cooler Runnings,” details GAWDA member Lincoln Electric Company’s partnership with the U.S. Bobsled team.

Less than a week after the article’s initial publication date, the US Bobsled team took Gold in the Vancouver Olympics. 1948 was the last time it happened. Since those games in St. Moritz, Switzerland it had been 62 years without the United States squad winning bobsled gold. This year the USA1 team changed all of that. With run times ranging from 50.89 to 51.52 seconds over four heats, the United States walked away with a gold medal.

Lincoln Electric supplied the welding equipment that was used on the U.S. Sleds. It was part of an effort by NASCAR driver Geoff Bodine and stock car manufacturer Chassis Dynamics. The two parties formed an alliance, calling it “Bo-Dyn,” and set out to build a better sled. A big part of building a bobsled is the welding that goes into the chassis. Bo-Dyn realized that it needed a partner that could provide it with quality equipment that would get the job done right. The Lincoln Electric Company had worked with Bodine in the past, so he gave his old partner a call. “We worked with Jeff Bodine on his NASCAR truck team for a period of time,” says Lincoln Sports Marketing Manager Mickey Holmes. “So when it came time for this project, he gave us a call.”

To help the cause, Lincoln supplied Bo-Dyn with several different welders. “They have a Precision Tig-275, a Power Mig 255xt and a portable Power MIG 180c that they take to the track with them,” says Holmes. Bo-Dyn engineers use the machines to perform intricate welds on the sleds’ chassis, suspension, steering, brakes and other internal components.

To find out all of the details, head over to www.gawdedge.org and check out the latest issue of GAWDA Edge, the online resource for young professionals in the gases and welding industry.

For more information, contact Dan Vest, editor of GAWDA Edge, dan@datakey.org or 315-445-2347.

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About GAWDA

Founded in 1945, the Gases and Welding Distributors Association (GAWDA) is the premier source for manufacturing knowledge, education and networking. Through its member journals (www.weldingandgasestoday.org), e-magazines, newsletters and industry wiki (www.gawdawiki.org), GAWDA connects suppliers of gases and manufacturers of related equipment as well as manufacturers of welding equipment and distribution leaders, for the purpose of safely delivering optimal solutions to the users of those products. GAWDA publications are the industry’s voice for all matters related to the latest technology and the most up-to-date processes spanning welding equipment and products and services related to industrial, medical, specialty and cryogenic gases. A 501(c)3 organization, GAWDA members are located throughout North America.