Category: Manufacturing Technology

In a nutshell, laser cutting is a type of technology which uses a laser to cut all different types of fabrics. But what are the benefits of this? Would it be beneficial for my company?

One of the main benefits of laser cutting it that it is much more precise. This allows you to add more detail as the laser can handle this.
Another benefit is that it is durable. Like some other cutting methods, the blades can wear down. With a laser this is not the case, you can keep using it and it will not get blunt.
Laser cutting also uses a lot less energy than some of the other methods. This means this it will not use as much electricity, making it cheaper to run.

Laser cutting is becoming the new way of cutting. The benefits of this make it far more beneficial for any company. Other methods are slowly becoming outdated.

Many types of lasers and other types of cutting tools can be used in production processes. A plasma cutter is a type of equipment that uses an electrically conductive gas; the ionization of gases creates free electrons and positive ions amongst the gas atoms. The gas then becomes electrically conductive and can carry a current, so it will become plasma. This is the basic premise of plasma cutters and the technology and processes that they are built upon. The plasma cutter itself uses this ionized gas at a very high temperature, so it will melt and cut metals if they are electrically conductive. This works by the plasma arc melting the metal – the gas then remove the molten materials so that a clean, neat cut is achieved.

This is the science behind a plasma cutter. What you really need to know is that they will help in cutting and severing metals, very quickly, neatly and efficiently. For this reason, they are used in many construction processes and can really speed them up, making them more efficient, better managed and more cost effective for businesses to run.

How does the plasma cutting process work and what do you need to know before considering it?

Many businesses that want to bring processes in house might consider technology such as lasers and plasma cutters. This is what you need to know about the process of using a plasma cutting machine:

• Melting and cutting metals of different thicknesses is the main process carried out by a plasma cutter
• Different metals that can be cut include steel, brass, iron, aluminium and copper
• The plasma machine can be used to make efficient cuts through metal – though this is actually a melting process, but it will happen quickly and efficiently

You’ll be able to get speedy cutting, regardless of the thickness of the metal or the type. Precision is key: even if you are cutting to an unusual shape or cutting around a difficult angle, it will be possible with a plasma cutter. There are also machines that will use fibre lasers and plasma together. Planetary gears and a low-seated gantry are common with this, as well as an automatic shuttle table. This might be more suited to a large business where power and performance are essential.

Different types of plasma cutters

There are different types of plasma cutter available from laser suppliers. You will be able to specify your requirements and make sure the plasma cutter you’re considering will meet your needs. Discuss this with the supplier to make sure you’re going to get the most out of your machine, and it will be suitable for your processes and output. Some companies will also offer smaller, more compact types of plasma cutter. They are perfect for middle-sized industries, and heavy metalworking companies, giving more flexibility when purchasing plasma cutters for all purposes. Whatever your needs, as specialist supplier of laser machines and plasma cutting technology will help you arrive at the correct conclusions, so you have the right machines to hand.

It seems today that the Digital Twin is becoming about as ubiquitous as IoT devices. The term ‘digital twin’ refers to a digital replica of a living or non-living physical entity, such as assets, processes, people, places, systems and devices. Quality management is a top consideration for manufacturers. Continuous monitoring of product data is critical these days, and a digital twin can monitor and model every part of the production process. You’re able to identify where quality issues may occur as well as analyse the composition of the product, saving a great deal of time and money moving forwards while guaranteeing better products and components.

Conversions of production to other products or smaller series and runs can also be run through first in the digital twin. It allows you to model how product customisation will affect the production processes. Digital twin technology is undoubtedly a gamechanger, and it’s already having significant beneficial effects across many manufacturing sectors.

Sectional overhead doors are not to be confused with sectional garage doors. When we refer to a sectional overhead door, we mean an industrial door which utilises “sections” to provide excellent thermal insulation and sound acoustic qualities for the commercial and industrial sector. These doors are not for residential requirements – not unless you have a factory in your back garden! 

So what are sectional overhead doors and why are they so useful?

They are simply vertically-opening doors, constructed using multiple panel sections that are built to last. They are designed to protect factories and warehouses from the harsh weather conditions and other outside elements. 

In most cases, designs feature double skinned steel foam filled panels as well as aluminium framed and glazed panels for the varying degrees of top quality section. The vertical opening creates more room ahead of and behind the door allowing you to park vehicles closer and utilise more room inside the building. This is why they are especially useful for warehouses and logistics sites, and you’ve probably come across many examples without knowing, whenever you’re passing by industrial sites. 

Obviously, not all warehouses, factories or delivery centres have the same construction, and there can be cases of having sectional overhead doors fitted for angled roofs. In cases like this, special tracks are needed, so the door panels open in line with the roof. In most cases, these doors are manufactured to a company’s specific processes and workflows, but you’ll certainly be guaranteed excellent access control capable of withstanding high usage volumes to deal with all levels of commercial workloads.

Another point we do want to add is that these doors can be rather attractive, making a building look more modern and reflective of your company’s reputation. They are also straightforward to work, while you can find many glazed and panel overhead sectional industrial doors that are durable with a tight-sealing fit, for all manner of commercial and commercial facilities. As with all industrial units, no matter how large or small, the door you choose is pivotal, as it’s an important component within the movement of products into and out of facilities and vehicles. 

The top models also provide maximum thermal insulation and weather protection for warehouses, distribution centres and workshop type facilities. Whether you need a door that delivers excellent visibility and daylight inlet with a sturdy structure or require a fully-glazed door that’s sleek and minimal, you’ll find many different designs and styles online. Always be sure to take a look at the designs you like before speaking with a manufacturer, and try to measure the opening yourself, so you can round up a few quotations. 

Something as simple as using a metal nameplate can have numerous benefits. Since they are used across a wide range of various sectors, metal nameplates have increased their popularity as a staple for a lot of businesses. So, could your specific business benefit from using metal nameplates?

What Exactly Is a Metal Nameplate?

A metal nameplate, which is built with modern equipment, identifies a certain product’s name. Additionally, it displays important information, such as serial numbers and limitations. They can either be two or three dimensional, and often come in a variety of materials such as steel, traffalite, aluminum, and brass.

You can find metal name plates anywhere from the military to railways, medical, and security services. Mostly, they are used where life expectancy or harsh weather would not allow for the application of conventional, plastic-based overlays that are usually used. Regardless of the size, you can customize the metal nameplates to suit your needs.

Vintage/ Traditional

You can find metal nameplates on a lot of locomotives both in the UK and internationally. In general, every train has a name etched into a particular metal plate and is often bolted to the side. Typically, these nameplates can provide a vintage or traditional aesthetic finish as opposed to their plastic counterparts. In fact, plastic was not readily in use until the end of the 21st century.

High-End

As opposed to plastic nameplates, metal ones have a “higher-end” appearance that you can’t deny. With a lot of metals available, you can tailor the looks based on what your company or business wants to communicate to its audience. What’s even more appealing is that you can use brass as a cheap substitute to gold, which allows a chic, polished appearance.

If your business/ company is looking for something heavy-duty and durable, stainless steel is ideal. Apart from showcasing a name, it’s weather-resistant and an excellent option for vehicles or anything that is subjected to the elements. It’s one of the major reasons you should consider a metal nameplate for your business.

Confidence

In a product or service, using a nameplate demonstrates confidence. The main reason being that metal costs more compared to plastic and is even more visually pleasing. Most of the people who tend to gaze on a particular nameplate are probably going to assume that something is expensive and high-end. It can be beneficial for businesses or companies that have well off clientele or sell luxury products.

First let’s start by providing some background on compressed air dryers. They are utilised for or removing water vapor from compressed air. Compressed air dryers are commonly found in a wide range of industrial and commercial facilities. The process of air compression concentrates atmospheric contaminants, including water vapor. So in what situation would you need one, and why are they important?

A compressed air dryer is a very useful machine to have to hand in many workplaces. It works to ensure the continuous, optimum productivity of your air compressor, no matter what model you own. Also, it’s important to note that they can be used for a wide range of applications in all compressed air systems. There are also different types of compressed air dryers but the one you choose will of course depend on your application and unique needs. Take desiccant compressed air dryers for example, they use chemical beads to attract water from the compressed air via absorption. This process cleans the air to ensure the highest quality can be produced. This is the most common type, and another popular name associated with desiccant compressed air dryers is regenerative dryers and twin tower dryers. So they are fall under one category, yet there are different types for more specialist applications.

With any compressed air dryer, it’s important to consider energy efficiency, environmentally friendly dryers, such as refrigerant dryers, heatless and heated desiccant dryers as well as HOC dryers. These can deliver maximum performance, ensuring your air compressor functions superbly and operates at peak efficiency, whilst minimising maintenance costs at the same time. With a high capacity refrigeration dryer, for example, you’re guaranteed a high level of energy efficiency, which helps to reduce running costs, thanks to their heat exchanger technology. Speaking of which, choosing a model with an aluminium combination heat exchanger will often deliver great efficiency and performance, with fewer pipe joints for increased reliability, simple controls and clear display and low-pressure losses for great consumption figures. This kind of fryer, much like the others we’ve mentioned, is specifically designed to eliminate the humidity contained in the compressed air through a cooling process.

Of course, price is also going to be important when you’re choosing a new compressed air dryer, especially if it’s your first one and you’re unsure on the costs involved or the kind of model you need. This is exactly why it’s important you do your homework right form the start and ensure that you have a good understanding on the different specifications and features, so you can make a decision you’re 100% happy with. Think about it, to avoid future problems in the compressor installation, the compressed air needs to be treated, but a quality machine will treat your compressor better, so the more you know about the cooling process and the heat exchange, the better educated you will be to make a smart decision for your business and your employees.