Fisher-Barton opens new materials research lab

The Fisher-Barton Group, a world-leading diversified industrial manufacturer, hosted the grand opening of its new $2-million, state-of-the-art materials research laboratory on August 2 in Watertown, Wis. The new lab houses a full range of the most up-to-date instruments for the microscopic, chemical and mechanical analysis of metals and other materials.

“Our new materials research lab enables us to better serve our customers by helping them develop new and better products more easily and cost-effectively,” said Dick Wilkey, CEO and founder of the Fisher-Barton Group. “The lab is a powerful tool with unique, comprehensive testing capabilities that deliver only the highest-performing products to our customers. Fisher-Barton has built a 40-year tradition of research and innovation that drives customer success. Our new lab continues that tradition by supporting even greater innovation with a much wider range of materials than previously possible.”

The lab’s capabilities include scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectrometry for high-magnification imaging, and elemental and chemical characterization; X-ray fluorescence and diffraction for analyzing complex, unknown bulk samples, and identifying the elements and crystallographic structure of the sample; and drop-weight impact testing that produces a highly sensitive time history of applied force and deformation during a test.

The new 1,800-square-foot lab is located at the company’s Fisher-Barton Specialty Products division in Watertown, Wis. The lab serves all seven of its independent subsidiaries.

The Fisher-Barton Group of independent companies includes Accurate Specialties, Fisher-Barton Blades, Fisher-Barton Specialty Products, Thermal Spray Technologies, Fisher-Barton South Carolina, Lineage Alloys and Zenith Cutter. Together, they leverage their materials expertise and world-leading process innovations to manufacture high-value components for a variety of markets, including agricultural equipment, converting equipment, outdoor power equipment, medical device, recycling equipment and solar power. Business unit products consist of industrial knives and accessories, lawn mower blades, agricultural knives, power transmission components, stampings, thermal spray coatings, and heat-treated weldments. For more information, visit www.fisher-barton.com.