When it comes to industrial equipment, custom fabrication has always been key. Manufacturing companies need bulk material handling systems that can handle a variety of materials quickly and efficiently. This is why industrial equipment suppliers have become increasingly specialized in custom fabrication to meet the needs of their customers.
The most notable trend has been a focus on dust control. Dust can be a major safety hazard in any industrial facility and new regulations often arrive that dictate air quality standards as well as what materials are allowed to enter the environment. Remaining compliant with these rules while also protecting employees from harm necessitates an increased focus on dust control measures for all such organizations.
Being in the industry, you know that the manufacturing industry is constantly changing. With new technologies and regulations popping up all the time, it can be hard to keep up. But if you want to stay competitive, you need to find a way to stay ahead of the curve. We'll take a look at some of the latest trends in custom fabrication for bulk material handling, dust control due to regulatory changes, advancements in technology with screw lifetime, interest rates, and how workforce shortages are impacting the manufacturing industry.
A Focus on Dust Control
In industrial and manufacturing settings, the need for dust control is becoming increasingly important. Regulations are changing all the time in order to try and mitigate the environmental impact of industrial processes, and one way to help comply with these regulations is by using custom fabrication techniques that minimize the release of particulates into the air.
The objective of a recent project was to comply with new regulatory requirements mandating a dust-tight conveyor system. We must ensure that the unit is 100% dust tight from the factory and no dust escapes when it is installed in its final destination. After prolonged use, there will be allowances for some minor leaking but quality assurance standards must be ensured before shipment.
Not only are regulations placing an importance on better seals, customers are increasingly looking for the best option on their machinery. An entry-level product is a waste pack seal, which features a cloth packing that fits around the shaft to provide a loose seal. But even higher quality solutions exist with mechanical seals, with an optional air purge for enhanced protection.
Extending the Life of the Screw
In addition to concerns about air quality, manufacturers must also worry about the longevity of their equipment. While moving bulk materials around a factory, screw conveyors will experience wear and tear on the screw over time. Specialized coatings can help to keep screws functioning properly for longer periods of time.
Engineering design holds an immense importance for the ability to create coatings. For a number of parts, additional layers will enable better physical properties and guard against severe surroundings. Supersonic laser deposition (SLD) is an advanced coating practice that draws from cold spray (CS) concepts.
We recently completed a project involving the laser application of Stellite, an incredibly resilient hard-facing material. This was applied to the exterior edge of a screw flight as this is where the most wear and tear occurs. Thanks to using this reliable product on that specific area, we are able to extend the screw's lifespan far beyond what would normally be expected.
Impacts on the Manufacturing Industry
Like most industries right now, the manufacturing industry faces a significant staffing deficit, both due to the lack of available labor and the difficulty in locating qualified individuals. This is having a major impact on industrial equipment suppliers, such as us. We've been fortunate to build a great team that works hard to ensure we offer quick turnaround times and competitive pricing for our material handling equipment.
Over the next year the industrial equipment sector is expected to continue to experience some uncertainty due to external economic factors, such as rising interest rates. As a result, budgets are likely to be impacted and redirected towards maintenance rather than reinvestment in capital expenditures.
One way we look at staying competitive and providing our customers with great value is by focusing on developing and delivering the highest quality industrial equipment solutions. Our screw conveyors, for example, are manufactured to exact specifications that meet our customers' unique requirements, while ensuring they get the job done.
ISC Manufacturing has earned its esteemed reputation for over 40 years through our exceptional crafting of custom equipment and solutions addressing bulk material handling problems across various industries. Our heavy-duty, innovative systems are crafted with the utmost precision to provide industrial grade results that you can trust. From state-of-the-art machines to customer designed customization – ISC Manufacturing is the go to specialists in creating sophisticated mechanical devices tailored precisely to your needs.
