Iowa Precision History
1950
Welty Heating is a contractor in Coggon, IA
1956
Welty Heating moved to Cedar Rapids to new location under the name Welty Way Products making patterned Pro-GutR (seamless gutter machine) & Co-pipe machines (making down spout and crimped down spout elbows)
1957
Welty Way develops the Coil Select feature.
1959
The “Shoil” was the first duct starter line with air controlled flying shear and notcher.
1964
Duct-o-mation – full line with Lockformer Pittsburgh & Snaplock Coil – shear – notch – bead – Pitts – cleat – rolR-L-Bruct.
1970
First Insulmatic added to Anderson & Litwick and Zach Co. do 4.5 million pounds of duct for the new McCormick Place. Welty-Way introduces the Feedie (coil feed punch, notch, cut-off feeding rollformers).
1978
Welty Way becomes Iowa Precision and the Fabri-duct is now called Duct-o-Matic.
1984
Iowa Precision establishes the Coil Line Software Programming department.
1985
IPI introduces automated elbow fabrication machinery.
1988
On Lockformer’s 50th Anniversary, the very first Pittsburgh Lock Machine ever produced (S/N-101) was found in Cleveland, OH still making ductwork after 50 years!
1990
IPI introduces straight line Duct Line and the Whisper-Loc seam closer offered to market.
1993
The Cornermatic automated corner insertion machine is developed by Systemation introduced by IPI, SMACNA approved. Tie Rod Hole punching added to automated lines. The first 14 gauge automated Duct Line delivered.
History Continued
1995
Newly designed Multi-Grid Coil Select introduced.
2001
Iowa Precision acquired by Mestek, Inc.
2003
Duct lines redesigned & renamed ProFabriduct – all lines offered with servo drives, directly driven, hydraulically actuated decoilers. Mark XV was newly designed and added to the automated lines.
2005
The Ductmaker Coil Line developed and offered.
2006
Servo driven Wrap Brake becomes standard on all ProFabriducts.
2008
Swing-Knife/Swing-Blade insulation cutting system developed for cutting elastomeric foam duct liner. Units subsequently offered as standard in all automated duct line controls.
2009
All Coil Lines utilize the common B&R Control platform with industrial PLC’s. The newly designed Easy-Load was offered on all coil lines.
2010
Significant Coil LIne diagnostics developed.
2011
Milestone: Over 1,000 Iowa Precision Coil Line Systems SOLD – Many outside of North America.
2013
Cornermatic Plus introduced as first corner crimper exclusively for fittings.
2014
IPI and Engel introduce in-line Plasma cutting and welded duct options to coil lines
2015
Iowa Precision introduces redesigned Tie Rod Crimping machine with ¼˝ thread body standard on ½˝ and ¾˝ head bolts
Resources from Mestek Machinery
Backed by over 100 years of expertise and experience in metal forming and fabrication, Mestek Machinery has developed a number of valuable resources to help HVAC duct and fittings fabricators and other industry professionals learn more about the technologies and processes that drive your operations.
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E-Books and White Papers
Catalogs and Brochures
News and Updates
The Mestek Machinery Blog
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Have questions about Iowa Precision machinery and equipment? Looking for help on a unique application? Need help with a budget estimate to determine overall equipment costs to evaluate if your project can be justified? Please don’t hesitate to reach out — we’d love to help.