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Engineering vital tools
Custom tools are necessary to support the diversity that spans heat exchangers and the industries that depend on them . Heat Exchanger
World had the pleasure of speaking with Ben Lambers , Vice-President of Technology at Elliott Tool Technologies , to discuss his views and enthusiasm for an industry that influences behind-the-scenes but necessary applications that affect our everyday lives .
By Heat Exchanger World
Supporting , researching , developing Ben Lambers ’ dedication to the industry and collaborative spirit are governed largely by his decision to work for Elliott Tool Technologies – a supplier of innovative heat exchanger tooling solutions such as tube expanders , plugs , cleaning systems , tube pullers , and more . He appreciates bearing witness to a process from beginning to end . “ We take a design , start from a clean sheet of paper , and finish with a fabricated part .” As the Vice- President of Technology at Elliott Tool Technologies he spends his day supporting his team , researching new product development , and reviewing legacy designs . He is a licensed professional engineer who has been with the company for six years . Lambers and his team solve applications-related customer problems and evaluate projects that will help solve these issues . “ I have the privilege of leading the company ’ s engineering and IT departments .” His role entails ensuring his team has access to the resources they need to assist the company ’ s customers . “ We provide tooling for the heat exchanger industry , which means anything that is needed to clean , test , and install key components in heat exchangers ,” said Lambers . This includes chillers , air coolers , and boilers . They provide all the tools needed to fabricate and service heat exchangers . Lambers is also involved in the metal finishing side of the business , which includes the process of burnishing . Burnishing is a cold working process that creates fine surface finishes and increased material hardness for fabricated parts .
Ben Lambers , Vice-President of Technology at Elliott Tool Technologies
The process does not alter the metal ’ s structural properties like shape , size , and thickness ; in addition , burnishing provides the metal with protection from corrosion . “ We do some cold working on the surface that improves the mechanical properties of the material as well as the surface , and that can be used in a variety of industries ,” said Lambers . Wiedeke Dayton began in 1892 with Gustave Wiedeke , an inventor and manufacturer . Through constant innovation , he designed the first tube expander . Wiedeke Dayton became Elliott Tool Technologies , and Lambers is continuing the ritual of contribution through inventive process .
A flexible industry Lambers marvels at the expansive heat exchanger industry that is crucial not only to the oil & gas industry but to industries most people do not even consider . “ These industries touch so many different facets of our lives , including oil & gas and petrochemical refining . They are used to make products we all use every day . Think about it . Heat exchangers are used from nursing homes to nuclear power .” Elliott Tool owns their designs , and
Elliott Tool ’ s 24 series condenser expander .
24 Heat Exchanger World March 2025 www . heat-exchanger-world . com