Industrial Safety Can Be Funny

Safety in the industrial environment is challenging.

How much money do you have to spend to purchase safety protective equipment to prevent accidents? Try asking yourself how much it will cost you whenever an accident happens - loss of life, loss of work and productivity, insurance claims, material damage, and not counting those extra hours writing reports...

Accidents are not cheap. In fact, they can be very, very expensive!

And ironically, most accidents are caused by people! And it is not easy to get people to follow what you want them to do. Everybody has a free will and they know it.

How useful are your protective equipment if your workers are not using them? How do you ensure that your workers remember safety guidelines and avoid dangerous practices? Or observe good safety practices when nobody supervises them?

Somehow, people need to get it into their subconscious mind to want to follow safety rules and regulations. If not it will be an uphill task for the safety practitioner. Do they have to wield the big stick like a policeman and play a cat-and-mouse game all the time?

Safety awareness is the key to controlling accidents. Safety awareness is critical in any construction site. So many dangerous activities are happening at the same time. It only takes one unsafe act to bring your safety record plunging down.

What is the best way to deliver your safety message?

Interestingly, researchers have found that people remember 50% more in what they see than in what they hear. Visuals get people's attention. Advertising people know about this. The many images on billboards, magazines, newspapers or even on the internet are testimonies that visuals do attract people and advertising using visuals are so effective.

Humor in posters brings good feelings and makes ideas more memorable and receptive. This again has a lot to do with the working of the mind. Pleasant thoughts generate more receptive learning. Have you ever tried studying for an exam when you have ugly thoughts disturbing your mind?

Humor effectively drives a point that is so easy to understand when done correctly. Accidents situations cannot be photographed. Only stuntmen are crazy enough to do things that can result in accidents. Cartoons can be effectively used to illustrate dangerous situations which might be impossible to capture on film in real life.

What do you mean by done correctly? Well, in any graphic design, there must be a certain composition that makes a picture stand out. It's what makes people stop and stare. It's the difference between a prize-winning visual and a mediocre one.

Composition is simply the arrangement of the subject matter within the confines of a picture space. It's not just a matter of putting the main focus in the center. The arrangement of other components of a picture will lead the eye of the beholder to the center of interest. Through composition, a picture is unified into a well-balanced and pleasing design.

There are many techniques for arranging subjects to create attractive graphics. Some of the well known ones are: the S-shape, L-shape, three spot composition, tunnel, silhouette, golden mean, radiating line and many others.

Another way to capture interest is by the use of colors or lack of it. Strong reds will stand out in a green background. Skilful matching of colors can enable pictures to stand out, and make people take notice.

In safety communication, the safety slogan must also be eye-catching. After all, that is the safety message that you want to deliver to people. To be successful, the words must stand out above the rest.

The successful safety poster first captures people's attention with the graphics and the color. Next, it lets them enjoy the images to relax their mood. Finally, it presents the safety slogan or message for the finale.

If done well, people will remember the messages in safety posters for a long, long time. And when a similar situation occurs during their work, the vivid graphic comes back to their minds, perhaps causing them to smile knowingly for what to avoid. They have seen the consequences and they will avoid putting themselves in that similar accident-prone situation.

Does it make sense then to use eye-catching cartoon graphics to influence safety behavior in people? I think it might work when we expose people sufficiently over a long period of time. The messages must sink into their subconscious mind so that it becomes second nature to them.

There had been a lot of propaganda graphics created during the world wars and also during political campaigns. Many of them used cartoons to influence the thinking of the masses. People in advertisement use a lot of graphics - all for one purpose - to influence people's impression or buying behavior.

Truly, cartoon posters with the proper messages can influence people's behavior. That should be good news to safety professionals. It's a tool with a lot of potential.

If you are involved with safety, where can you obtain suitable safety posters that are both cheap and good, where you can store in your computer, and print at any time you want?

You might find the 50 downloadable poster images contained in the e-book "Construction Safety with Mabuk" that can be downloaded at http://www.cartoon-web.com very useful. Safety posters can be printed on any normal printer straight from the computer anytime. It's so convenient and practical.

Prevention of accidents is certainly better than cure. It's so much cheaper too. It's so funny!

Laser Marking and Laser Etching on Glass for Industrial Applications

The marking of glass for industrial use has been done for hundreds of years. In the past the methods used have included ink stamp marking, sand blasting, air grit, acid etching, scribing etc.

Industrial applications of glass marking include:

1. Marking of safety information on safety glass used in commercial and residential construction. This includes glass areas around doors and/or entrance and exit locations.

2. Marking of glass for commercial and residential construction to identify the glass or door manufacturer [for product identification and marketing/sales activity]

3. Marking of headlamp or tail light lens in automotive applications for manufactures name, year of manufacture and/or part number. Also used in the manufacture of televisions for marking mirrors and lens.

4. Marking of serial number, product identification, or other manufacturing information for the prevention of theft and validation of warranty claims

5. Marking serial numbers, part numbers, text, or bar codes allowing for parts to be tracked though the production process until final assembly and shipment

The traditional methods of glass marking all involve contact with the surface of the glass product which exposes the product to stress and potential damage. Co2 lasers offer significant advantages for marking glass products. The RF excited sealed beam Co2 laser coupled with a galvo head and software offers the fastest, cleanest, most reliable method for marking and etching glass.

A Co2 laser can laser mark glass with bar codes, especially 2-D or data matrix bar codes, which can easily be coupled with vision systems for reading the data contained in the bar code. The use of bar codes on glass allows for the product to be tracked all the way through the production process until final assembly. This helps assure a continuous uninterrupted supply of product. The laser marked or laser etched bar code can also be used after the sale of the product for identification purposes and validation. This helps to eliminate warranty costs related to counterfeit or unauthorized products.

A Co2 laser marked or laser etched bar code can also be read by vision systems in the manufacturing process to determine the identity of the part. Examples include prescription strength of eye glass lens, or the type of front headlamp lens used in a Honda Civic. This ensures that the part is sorted and used properly throughout the manufacturing process and that the correct number of parts is produced based on anticipated sales for final assembled components.

The advances of Co2 laser marking of glass over traditional methods are extensive. These include:

• No contact with the part as in scribing methods thereby reducing the possibility of breakage to and damage of the part, as well as elimination of the maintenance required for the scribe unit

• No solvents, thinning, or cleaning agents to purchase and keep in stock as in the case of ink marking or ink printing systems, thereby significantly reducing costs of operation and eliminating the need for continuous maintenance associated with these various ink printing technologies

• No pads for ink printing to maintain as they can fall to an angle or become turned sideways causing the printed image on the glass to appear sideways or not square

• No need to stop the glass in place and make sure a secure fit with the rubber mask is formed as in the case of Airgrit marking

• With Co2 laser marking for industrial glass applications the product can be marked on the fly [while moving]. If stopped or 'squared' for marking, five to eight lines of text plus logo's can be laser etched in less than 0.5 of a second

• With Co2 laser marking no supplies are necessary and no secondary process exists for cleaning or maintenance

• With Co2 laser marking changes to the mark [different text, different logo, difference shape, etc] can be accomplished with a simple click and drag command of the mouse

Co2 laser marking for glass in industrial applications is the fastest, most effective, least costly method in which to mark the product.

How to Know When to Change Air-Conditioning Filters?

Although we don't usually realize it, we can actually reduce the running cost of a building by removing the dust from the atmosphere. The furniture, walls and fittings are preserved longer. It also improves the health of the occupants.

Removing dust is usually done by installing filters in the incoming air stream or the circulating air stream. In air-conditioning systems, these filters are installed at the air handling units or AHU's.

How do we know when to replace the filters?

As more and more dust accumulates at the filters, the differential pressures between the inlet and the outlet will increase. By measuring the differential pressures, we will have a very good indication of how much the filter has been choked by dusts. Persons maintaining the air-conditioning plant should know at what differential a filter should be replaced. Some of the dust particles are so minute, that they cannot be seen by the naked eye. In all appearances, the filter looks as good as new.

These are some factors to consider when determining when to change the filter:

Mechanical strength of the filter

The final pressure of a filter is usually stated in the product. That is the strength of the filtration medium. However, other factors need to be considered - the strength of the filter walls, frames and holders if not adequately designed can result in the sagging of the filter housing that will result in leaks.

Changes in efficiency of the filter

This is particularly important in low efficiency filters. Their efficiencies can be radically impaired as a result of high final pressure losses. Particles that have been collected by the filter can become detached and accompany the air stream. Fibrous particles are less likely to become detached compared to granular particles. Because of this, higher final pressure drops are permissible for the former, although this should not exceed about 200 Pa in a pre-filter.

With granular particles, the final pressure loss should not be allowed to exceed 100 to 150 Pa.

Fine filters and HEPA filters are less sensitive to changes in quality. In principle, they can be allowed to have a final pressure loss up to the limit of their mechanical strength.

Permissible Air flow variations in the system

In this case, the flow pattern is more important than the particles carried along the air stream. The permissible final pressure loss here will depend on the total pressure and characteristics of the fan and any other control facilities.

The filter will affect the air flow as a result of dust accumulation. The filter has to be changed when the velocity of the air in a laminar flow installation cannot be maintained or has fallen below the required specifications.

Bacteriological reasons

Sometimes, the filters are replaced at regular intervals instead of pre-defined pressure loss indications. This is to prevent accumulation of bacteria and other microorganisms.

Suitable time window periods

Filters are often changed to coincide with pre-planned plant shutdown periods. In these cases, production disturbances are minimized. For example they can be arranged to be changed during holidays.

Heavy Equipment Salvage

Replacement of minor or major parts in heavy equipment with parts salvaged from condemned heavy equipment is carried out in order to save money and reduce idle working period of heavy equipment. With the advent of the World Wide Web, it is now possible to locate specific spare parts for heavy equipment by searching in the internet.

Salvage yards specializing in heavy equipment wreckage take out most of the working parts and store them for reselling to buyers who need such spares. The buyers also benefit from the heavy equipment salvage yards because otherwise they may have to replace heavy equipment with new ones incurring heavy expenditure. Find more info at www.heavyequipmentsalvage.info

While rummaging through heavy equipment salvage, it will be prudent to check whether the spare identified is in working condition and whether it is the correct spare for the heavy equipment. Otherwise, you will end up with unwanted and unworkable junk.

If you are lucky, you can easily identify a working spare from the collection of junk in the heavy equipment salvage yard, without spending too much money or much time in getting the required spare. Salvage yards come in handy, if the heavy equipment used by you is no longer in the production assembly of the manufacturers, spares could be identified only through sources like heavy equipment salvage yards.

Heavy equipment salvage mostly relates to recycling of automobile parts – transmissions, engines etc. – and heavy equipments – back hoes, tractors, hydraulic pumps and dozers etc.

Some of the latest heavy equipment salvage firms have an online inventory tracking system. If you could not locate a specific spare in one of the branches, they track the availability of the spare in other locations and try to get it to you without delay. Since heavy equipment salvage is being relied upon by most of the heavy equipment owners, these firms never discard a spare and always come up to meet the demand.

The technology has advanced to such a stage that it is now possible to salvage specific spare parts by quoting their serial number or identification tag and find out whether the part is available. Now salvage units for specific manufacturers of heavy equipment also exist and does business pertaining to that particular brand and models.

Heavy equipment salvage firms also conduct auctions to sell heavy equipment and trucks, in both salvage and good conditions. Besides the various brands of heavy equipment the salvage firms also handle heavy tires for recycling.

Cold Foiling

The cold foiling process, as the name implies, involves foil blocking without the use of heat. Traditional hot stamping foils require heat and pressure to transfer the foil from the carrier film to the substrate being printed, whereas cold foiling does not.

A hot foil generally consists of a polyester carrier, or, more rarely, polypropylene or cellulose film, a release layer, a lacquered layer, the colour which determines the shade of gold or coloured metallic effect, a layer of vacuum deposited aluminium and finally a sized layer to give adhesion to the printed stock. A cold foil has basically the same structure, though cold foiling usually requires a thinner aluminium layer, and the adhesive layer is not always necessary.

The hot stamping foil is applied to the stock by means of a heated die, set at a temperature of between around 100 Celsius to over 200C, depending on the type of stamping press being used and the area being blocked. The heat activates both the adhesive layer and the release layer, and allows transfer of the foil from the carrier film according to the design of the die.

A cold foil, on the other hand, requires no heat and adhesion is achieved by means of a completely different mechanism. In cold foiling the design is not applied by means of a heated die, but is printed in the form a UV activated adhesive. Any printing technique can theoretically be used in cold foiling, though offset litho and flexo are the most common. The run is started, the design applied using UV adhesive from printing plate or blanket, web and cold foil are brought together through a nip then the sandwich passed under UV lamps which cure the adhesive. The cold foil and print webs are separated and rewound. Since the UV has to penetrated the aluminium layer, this is thinner in cold foiling than with hot foiling. A cold foil must have an optical density low enough for it to sufficiently transparent to UV light to allow it to cure the adhesive in the short time available.

So, in a nutshell, cold foiling involves printing an adhesive, nipping the cold foil sandwich to it, curing, then separation, leaving the foil adhered to the stock according the printed design of the adhesive.

Traditional cold foiling is normally reel-to-reel and used in the self-adhesive labelling industry, but recent developments have allowed a viable sheet-fed process to be used.

Whatever method is used, cold foiling has yet to give the high shine of traditional hot foil stamping. The nip, composed of a metal roller and a rubber impression roller, has to spotlessly clean or pinholes will be seen in the finished result. Cold foil is prone to pin-holing and other visual defects. The separation in cold foiling is crucial, as is flatness of the web. Cold foiling is particularly prone to creasing if the webs are not completely flat when brought together,

ADVANTAGES

The advantages of cold foiling are:

1. In-line foiling. The cold foiling unit can be placed in-inline after the printing processes, and if required, between printing processes. In cold foiling, the process has been converted from a slow hot stamping process to a fast printing process using a cold foil. The printer therefore bypasses an additional relatively slow process through using a cold foil rather than a hot foil.

2. Fast set-up. The use of conventional printing methods such as offset allows fast set up of cold foil as against hot foil. There is no packing required in cold foiling to ensure even pressure to the substrate since the cold foil is applied to a wet adhesive.

3. The expense of having metal dies cut is eliminated with cold foil. The cold foiling process becomes more attractive for short runs, where previously dies costs could prohibit this.

4. Since we are using a printing process, there are fewer registration problems with cold foiling. The hot foil process frequently present problems in registration which require time to put right.

DISADVANTAGES

1. Cold foil print quality is not as good as that from hot foil. The brightness is generally lacking and pinholes are frequently a problem.

2. Cold foiling requires complete cleanliness if surface defects are to be kept to a minimum, and the hardness, cleanliness, alignment and pressure of the nip roller is extremely important.

3. The energy provided by the UV lamps must be properly maintained or the cold foil will not adhere to the partially cured adhesive. In cold foiling, the transmission of the UV energy through the foil is critical. Problems can be experienced with deep cold foil colours which act as UV absorbers, and foiling to black and deep blue substrates can be difficult in cold foiling since these colours contain pigments which act as UV absorbers and thus leaves less energy to cure the adhesive. For these reasons many suppliers do not offer cold foil in deep shades.

All in all, though, cold foiling is growing in popularity due to the increased profitability it gives, especially in areas where the very highest quality of foiling is not necessary. The newer offset cold foiling techniques are rapidly gaining ground on the quality of traditional hot foils, which is why most hot stamping foil manufacturers now include cold foil in their portfolio.

A Look at Industrial Fasteners

Industrial fasteners are used in aerospace, military, construction, and other industrial applications. These are extremely strong, extremely weather resistant, and almost completely corrosion- and rust-proof. They are made from a variety of metals, including stainless steel, chromium, and carbon.

Industrial fasteners can take many forms, for many different purposes. Here is a partial list of available industrial fasteners: anchors, bent bolts, cap screws, captive panel fasteners, drywall and deck screws, eye bolts, machine screws, nuts, cotter pins, retaining rings, rivets, screw driver insert bits, self clinching fasteners, self drilling screws, self tapping screws, sems, sockets, spring nuts, thread cutting screws, thread rolling screws, thumb-and-wing screws, washers, weld screws, and wood screws.

The sheer variety of industrial fasteners is overwhelming. Chances are, however, if you are in the market for a certain type of fastener, you know what you are looking for. Workers generally learn which screws to use for which jobs on their own, or with the assistance of their supervisors, peers, and training manuals. For a complete inventory on types and sizes, you can visit the commercial industrial fastener company American Fastener at their website. Even though it is a private, for-profit company, the website makes for a wonderful, general-knowledge store for the serious industrial fastener researcher. There you will find all fastener types and specifications, along with other helpful charts and diagrams. You can also find information on proper drill bit sizes and formats, heat-treated allow fasteners, a glossary of thread terminology, and more.

Industrial fasteners come in three main sizing standards: ASTM, SAE, and ISO (the American Society for Testing and Materials, the Society of Automotive Engineers, and the International Organization for Standards). Each of these standardization organizations recommends its own method of measuring and manufacturing fasteners. None are better than any of the others, but have varying applications and purposes, depending on what job you are working on.

Cement Mixers – A Guide

A cement mixer – the more appropriate name is a concrete mixer – performs the function of mixing cement, water and either gravel or sand to make concrete. A revolving drum is used in the cement mixer to properly mix these components, A portable cement mixer gives the needed time for the construction workers to use it, before it becomes hard.

To build a foundation for a home, shed or garage or repair a building or a sidewalk, the right kind of cement mixer should be used to ensure the job is executed properly.

The mobile concrete dispenser or mobile cement mixer is used for batching concrete into several areas such as sidewalks. The amount of concrete can be properly controlled by using the mobile cement mixer. Extra water is not needed to mix cement in mobile cement mixers.

The stationary or immobile cement mixer or concrete dispenser as the name implies, is fixed in a central location while the concrete is manufactured. It is used mostly in pre-casting for building projects in remote locations where a large project is to be executed.

The increasing demand for ready-mix concrete with short mixing times meant for industrial production, resulted in new technologies in concrete production. Using cement mixers, batch mixing with twin-shafts with only thirty- seconds of mixing time per batch are possible now.

Delivery of ready-mix concrete from the factory or plant to the construction yard is made by a cement mixer, which is part of special transport trucks with a spiral blade fitted to overcome the tipping of large drums attached to the concrete truck. Continuous rotating cement mixers completely mix the concrete, and using its own hydraulic link cylinder empties the concrete without leaving any residue in the drum.

Portable cement mixers have wheels and are provided with a towing tongue, which a motor vehicle can pull around. The electric power for the rotation of the cement mixer can be supplied by the mains. A lever in the portable cement mixer enables the concrete to be tipped into a wheelbarrow.

It is not financially a good idea to buy a new concrete mixer for a small project, it is much simpler and of course cheaper to hire one from any leasing company.

Used Binding Machines

Steel 101

Stainless steel is a special type of steel that is much more resilient towards corrosion, rust and staining than ordinary steel. Stainless steel is also known as inox and contains at least 10.5 percent chromium. When the exact alloy type and grade is undefined, stainless steel is often referred to as corrosion resistant steel. Different alloy types and grades will have different properties, and it is therefore important to select the ideal alloy type and grade when you intend to use stainless steel for sensitive tasks, such as construction work. Stainless steel is a popular building material in anything from small storage facilities to huge skyscrapers. One example of a famous building utilizing stainless steel is the New York City Chrysler Building. The Chrysler Building was built in 1930 and consists mainly of brick – its is the highest brick building in the world – but its characteristic seven-story pinnacle is decorated with lustrous stainless steel cladding. The ornamentation is based on the hubcaps that could then be found on Chrysler made cars. The Chrysler building is considered one of the most outstanding examples of Art Deco architecture in New York City.

Chromium is hard metal with a steel-gray color. It is lustrous and has a high melting point (1907 ° C, 3465 ° F). In the periodic table, you will find chromium as number 24. It is abbreviated Cr and considered a transition metal. If you want to create stainless steel that has a high oxidation resistance when kept in normal air, you should usually aim for a chromium content of 12 weight percent or more. The chromium will provide the steel with a protecting layer, by binding with the surrounding oxygen and forming chromium (III) oxide. In such a molecule, there will be three oxygen atoms bound to two chromium atoms and this layer will be very difficult to penetrate for the remaining oxygen in the air. A layer of chromium (III) oxide will also by hard for water to penetrate, thus protecting the underlying steel even in moist environments. If the chromium oxide layer is dented or scratched, it will rapidly reform and continue to protect the steel.

Chromium is not the only material that can be deliberately added to stainless steel. Nickel and manganese are two examples of frequently included metallic compounds that will alter the properties of the stainless steel and make it more suitable for certain tasks. Nickel is a silvery white metal belonging to the iron group. It is hard, but still ductile and malleable. Nickel can be added to austenite iron in order to stabilize its molecular structure. Austenite iron containing nickel will become less brittle at low temperatures, and also loose its magnetic properties. Just like nickel, manganese will serve to stabilize its molecular structure in austenite iron, but significant amounts must be added. Since manganese is less expensive than nickel, it still offers a way of making stainless steel more affordable.

The fact that steel is labeled “stainless” or “corrosion resistant” does not mean that it will never corrode. Even the greatest stainless steel alloy will corrode under certain conditions and this must be taken into account when stainless steel is used in cars, airplanes, buildings etcetera. Three problem causing forms of corrosion are pitting corrosion, roughing corrosion and weld decay. These three corrosion types are less noticeable than common rust, and are therefore often allowed to develop during long periods of time.

A Look at Industrial Air Compressors

Manufacturers and industry alike depend on the services of industrial air compressors. Most industries that use air compressors use high quality industrial-grade models. These models are different, more powerful and more expensive than ones that are used for lightweight jobs and for regular homeowners.

Industrial air compressors can be fueled by either natural gas or electricity. Most industries use natural gas to power their air compressors. Even though both types of energy used to run these industrial air compressors can be costly, many businesses find that using natural gas as a power source greatly reduces their utility costs.

Most industries use a two-stage type of air compressor for their needs. Generally speaking, this type of industrial air compressor is built for heavy-duty jobs. These offer a much higher level of air compression, as compared to smaller or compact models. Industrial air compressors usually also offer the ability to store unused air for future usage. These also can be more energy efficient because they run on a higher level of horsepower than other models; this increased usage of horsepower also creates a better working machine that is less likely to break down and requires less maintenance.

As with the purchase of any type of air compressor, those purchasing industrial air compressors need to be especially cautious of safety and quality standards. Very few industries are legally allowed to buy air compressors that are not certified by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). Increased workplace safety and liability concerns have made it necessary for most companies to purchase high-quality, certified-devices to ensure the well-being of their employees. Some safety features may include a safety valve to use in the case of excess air pressure in the unit. The valve will automatically release air, therefore decreasing pressure, in the event of an overload of power. Without this safety device, users of the machine run the risk of causing an explosion.

A Look at Industrial Scales

Industrial scales are used in a wide range of professional industries. They can be used for the medical, farming, manufacturing and production fields, just to name a few. A variety of scales are included in the industrial scales area, such as counting scales, digital postal scales, floor scales, shipping scales and pallet truck scales.

In the floor and bench scale field, there are a few scales that stick out for their accuracy and features. The AND HL-WP compact wash-down scale is great for harsh environments, while the GSE Pro-Weigh 84 heavy duty floor scale is designed for heavy-duty industrial operations. The GSE Porta-Tronic is a portable floor scale. The Sartorious FB series is similar, and ideal for the laboratory.

For filling or checkweighting, the Sartorious QC Counting and Checkweighing scale is a multiuse scale with a fast response, while the Setro Super II Counting Scale combines accuracy with custom printing, which is a very handy enhanced feature for industrial scales. The Setra Super-Count counting scale has a high-resolution ceramic sensor with an intelligently designed full-function keyboard to deliver high accuracy.

For overhead weighing, the Dillon Dynamometer ED-Xtreme is a top-of-the-line dynamometer, while the Dillon AP Dynamometer with 5-inch diameter has versatility in tension, traction and weight measuring. The CAS Caston II Crane Scale has a rugged cast aluminum composure, while the Dillon AP Crane Scale is also reliable and tough for extreme environments. The MSI 3360 Challenger 2 Crane scale is also versatile and reliable. Most importantly, it’s accurate, too.

Other top industrial scales include the AND GX-12K, a truly high-precision balance that meets IP-65 ratings for water and dust proof. This scale is water resistant, which helps in environments where that can be a factor. For commercial kitchen uses, Tanita's TLC-161 Digital food service kitchen scale helps to increase profits and reduce waste. This industrial scale is designed to guarantee consistent recipes and maximize profits by limiting waste in restaurant and other food service kitchens. It’s ideal for the catering industry, including bakeries, food-processing kitchens, and deli counters.

Industrial Blowers

Industrial blowers are mainly used to circulate the movement of air and gas in ventilation applications. Their main function is to replace impure or contaminated air with fresh air by swirling it around. Almost every industry, including agricultural, chemical, medical, oil and gas, automotive, food processing, mining and construction use blowers for different purposes such as drying, reducing heat levels, reducing smoke and odors, processing and controlling gaseous fumes.

Industrial blowers are manufactured using a range of durable plastics and metals, or a combination of both materials. For example, industrial blowers operating in corrosive environments are usually made of polypropylene because it provides greater structural integrity and corrosion resistance, and will never de-laminate. Typical recommendations in the construction of industrial blowers are - fiberglass for temperatures above 220 degrees, and metal if pressure is above 10 w.g. (water gage).

The size of the blower may be regulated by the size of the environment in which it is to be operated. For instance, some units are big enough to house both the fan and its power supply. Smaller, portable blowers are mainly used for cleanups and in spaces that require temporary circulation or air transfer.

The air movement and control association recognizes three classes of industrial blowers, classified with numerical designation that is based on how the fan is constructed. The United States' specifications for industrial blowers depend on the airflow in CFM (cubic feet per minute), static pressure in inches, water gage, altitude and approximate air temperature. Here's an example:

An industrial blower application with 20,000 CFM at 6" wg of pressure needs 12 industrial fans ranging from 30 to 60hp. While the recommended or optimal is a 36 wheel, with a 30 hp (horsepower) motor, this is achievable with a 24" diameter wheel, or up to a 6" wheel. The outlet velocity for the 36"" is 2611 ft. per minute. So, if it's a 6" diameter wheel, the velocity outlet will be 653"" per minute.

Lightweight Composite Panel

The technology isn’t a new one though. For years composites or sandwich panels have been used in the manufacture of both civilian and military aircraft and more recently used in racing vehicles, ship building and even specialized architecture. A typical Boeing civil airliner may be comprised of up to 5-15% composite panel, although recently Boeing announced that the new 7E7 would be composed of up to 50% composite, making it ultra light weight while maintaining optimum durability.

The success of composite technology in the aviation field has made it attractive to other industries seeking to apply the benefits. One of the more significant for the trucking profession is that core composite materials measure in much lighter than steel and aluminium with an average weight savings of up to 40% over steel and 20% over aluminium.

At present, composite technology can be applied to body panels and accessories, front-end panels, floor, engine block, cargo liners, vehicle chassis, bumper beams, fuel tank supports, heat-resistant parts such as inlet manifold, cooling modules, and oil pan… Heavy wood or metal decking on trailers may be replaced with sandwich panel to further shed pounds and leverage added payload and longer trailer deck life. Diversity in the materials used and in the manufacturing process enables composite panels to be fashioned into flat or curved forms that possess one of the highest strength to weight ratios of any structural material available on the market.

Replacing just a class 8 sleeper box with custom manufactured composite panel technology can reduce overall vehicle weight by up to 850 pounds, effectively decreasing gross weight and fluid resistance while increasing payload.

In addition to lightweight composition, the sound dampening and insulation properties create a quiet environment inside the sleeper; corrosion resistance, and overall durability are also high on the ratings scale.

The panels are formed when two materials are combined to create a stronger substance than either of the two base materials on their own. The panels themselves are heated and thermo fused to the matrix or core; the matrix binds together the fibres of the stronger material, called the reinforcement. The reinforcement can be engineered from glass fibre, aramid and carbon whereas the matrix can comprise polyester resins, vinyl ester resins, or epoxy resins, as well as many light fibre materials. The separation of the skins by this low-density core increases the moment of inertia of the beam or panel with very little increase in weight, producing a highly efficient structure. Throughout the extensive use of high strength adhesives, composite panels are precisely joined together providing superior enhancements in relationship to conventional riveting or welding processes. Staying ahead from conventional practices allows the industry to perceive tangible savings linked to lower direct labour cost, tooling, equipment but mainly eliminating expensive rust and corrosion issues or claims.

Essentially the strength of the composite panel depends on its overall size, the surface material used, and the density of the cells inside it, the thicker the core, the higher the stiffness and strength of the panel. By careful selection of reinforcement, matrix and production process, manufacturers are able to produce industry specific composite panels. Composites designed for heavy commercial applications such as aircraft manufacturing, aerospace industry, oil exploration and military markets utilize high-strength, continuous fibres such as polyurethane foam or other dynamic materials to ensure a rigid panel that can withstand wear and tear due to loading stresses or mechanical strain. For low strength and stiffness or low stress applications such as automotive, marine, and industrial parts, a matrix composed of non-continuous fibres like paper or card can be used ensuring optimum strength-to-weight ration for the particular application.

By varying composition and thickness, compressive and tensile strength and resistance to deflection keep damage from rocks and debris as well as stress in loading and unloading to a minimum. If damage does occur, panel replacement is relatively easy and affordable and can be repaired at most auto-body repair facilities.

A generic composite panel is generally described as:

Some overall benefits are:

• Lighter (but strong) materials provide lower fuel consumption
• Can be customized to many specific applications
• Relatively fast implementation times
• Noise dampening properties block out ambient noise from outside the interior
• Resistant to harmful chemicals and heat
• They last longer
• Minimized structural noise

From a manufacturing or engineering standpoint:

• When shock and impact loads are an issue the honeycomb cell size can be adjusted to achieve different compression strengths.
• Working prototypes using laminated panels and sandwich panels can be developed to within 4-6 weeks of inception. The manufacturing processes is geared to maximum efficiency and optimum implementation times
• The insulation value (R value) can range from 2.5 to up to 6 depending on the thickness of the panels. Specific customer requirements can be achieved through the use of special honeycomb cores and facings
• The range of materials used to manufacture panels to specification makes it an attractive option for truck manufacturers
• Versatility of design in body and door panels, hoods, roof panels, bonnets, and spoilers allow for drastic reduction in fluid drag and rolling resistance. Ongoing research and development is providing continuous advancements in composite performance and expanding the range of applications. The transportation industry is welcoming composite technology which may soon replace wood and metal as the material of choice.

Navigating the Maze of Industrial Furniture

When you're new to the responsibility of buying industrial furniture - whether you need a portable stage, drafting table, modular desks, school furniture, or office partitions - it's difficult to quickly get a grasp of the range of products available, and even harder to determine which products will work best for your needs. Here's a quick rundown to get you started:

Portable Stage: Portable stages come in a variety of heights, typically 8 inches, 16 inches, 24 inches, 32 inches, and 40 inches. They are also available in different widths and lengths, the most common being 3 feet by 6 feet, 3 feet by 8 feet, 4 feet by 6 feet, and 4 feet by 8 feet. The top of a portable stage is called a deck, and can be made from hardboard or polypropylene. Polypropylene decks can be carpeted to enhance their appearance.

Portable stages give you a wide variety of options. You can, for example, buy several platforms of the same height to form a flat performance stage. Or, you can buy several different heights to construct band or choral risers. When buying a portable stage, look for those that assemble quickly and that take up little room when folded and stacked. Finally, keep in mind that for safety reasons, guardrails should be used on the sides and rear of stages.

School Furniture: When selecting school furniture, the two realities are that kids grow and that they are hard on furniture. By all means, select desks that are height-adjustable and that have laminate surfaces that are easy to clean and hard to damage.

School desks are typically available with two types of openings: the lift-lid kind and the open-front type. If you select desks with lift-lid openings, be sure that they have sturdy steel hinges and dual closing devices for durability and quietness.

School chairs are usually available in four heights: 12 inches, 14 inches, 16 inches, and 18 inches. The chair legs are either tubular (for linoleum or other hard floor surfaces) or what's called a sled base (for carpeted surfaces). Stackable chairs usually work best for school settings, since they're easy to store and simple to move for cleaning.

Drafting Table: The most crucial element of a drafting table is height adjustability. The proper height is important to prevent back strain and injuries. The top of the drafting table should have a non-glare finish and a top angle adjustment of up to 50 degrees. In addition, a drafting table should include a tool drawer and a reference drawer.

Office Partitions: There are many different types of office partitions from which to choose. Look for those that feature panels with adjustable glides and quick connectors to combine two or more panels. Keep in mind that office spaces change, so the office partitions you choose should allow for flexibility.

How Does Industrial Embroidery Work?

However, how does such an embroidery design get onto caps, pullovers or pockets?

At the beginning stands the idea of a design, mostly in the form of a company logo together with a slogan. If the idea only exists on paper, the design must be digitized into computer readable data. This takes place e.g. through reading in with a scanner. Then if the motif is available as a file, it must be converted into vector graphics. In this case, individual pixels are no more determining for the design but the lines, which separate a color field. One recognizes vector graphics also by the fact that one is able to enlarge them infinitely without quality loss, because the dividing lines always remain sharp.

These vector graphics are loaded into the punch program. The semantics of the word is to be traced back to the procedures before the computerized embroidery program creation where the commands were still pricked by hand in a punch card made of hard paper.

The puncher on the software decisively determines the quality of the finished stitch content. Here there are dozens of parameters such as stitch density, stitch direction, stitch distance, stitch pattern and the precedence of stitch work correctly on the motif, the embroidery machine and the textiles to be embroidered. Thus a cap requires a different embroidery program than a leather jacket, even if it concerns one and the same embroidery motif.

Not without reason there are companies which have specialized one and only in the production of the embroidery motifs.

Then if the embroidery program is ready, it is transmitted either by network, direct connection or floppy disk to the embroidery machine. Again also in the embroidery machine there are different parameters which can improve the embroidery result or make it worse. The most important ones here are above and under thread tension and embroidery speed.

Then the real conversion of the program into the textile embroidery is only routine. The embroidery machine is made, in principle, just like a normal house sewing machine, many components, e.g. the under thread guidance looks very similar.

The essential difference is the amount of needles, which reaches from 6 up to 18 automatically changing needles and therefore usable colors in one motif. Then when the motif is constructed, a quick change of the embroidery piece can be done, which makes the embroidery very interesting especially for bigger works orders. Bigger embroidery machines are so-called multi head machines, here i.e. up to 24 embroideries are done at the same time. This increases the economic efficiency and therefore makes the price per piece more attractive. With the use of the finished product there are hardly any restrictions. Therefore, work clothes are embroidered with pleasure. Also clothes that needs chlorine laundry, like for example doctor's smocks can be permanently improved with special sewing cotton.