Monthly Archives: February 2012

The Many Forms of Plastic Containers

Posted on February 27, 2012 by nicolet

Plastic containers have changed the way we do things. Offering countless forms as well as benefits including strength, versatility, durability, customizability and low cost, they are beneficial to every industry. They are available in every size, shape and color and can be used for virtually any function or application. In addition, the fact that they can be recycled makes them valuable to the planet by reducing the space taken up in landfills. Whether you are using bioplastics or contributing to recycling, plastics can be beneficial to keeping the planet clean if treated in the right way. As of now, only 15-35% of the plastics used are recycled. By increasing this number, we can help save the planet by reducing landfill space and helping prevent additional occurrences such as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. When it comes to recycling containers there are 7 different types you need to be aware of. Many recycling companies will accept most or all types, but this isn’t always the case so households need to determine which types can be recycled. Continue reading →

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Plastic Tanks’ Place in Our Economy

Posted on February 24, 2012 by Michael Shade

In 1844, the extremely-satisfied-looking fellow you see below, Charles Goodyear, patented the rubber vulcanization process, which is the process of curing rubber with sulfur or other curatives in order to improve its mechanical properties. The discovery of vulcanization could be described as the first step on the path to the development of thermosetting processes and thermoset materials, and those developments were precursors to the development of modern plastic manufacturing. The development of modern plastic manufacturing sparked a paradigm shift in industry, and the implications for other aspects of life, for society, for the environment and indeed for the global economy, were tremendous. It’s no wonder Charles looks so pleased with himself. Continue reading →

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IQS Newsroom Featured Profile: Commercial Metal Exchange

Posted on February 20, 2012 by nicolet

“We are Experts at Metals”. Commercial Metal Exchange is determined to help companies avoid the frustration of inexperience with copper and related metal orders. Each sales employee has over twenty-five years of experience in the metal industry, which provides them with the extensive knowledge necessary in dealing with all metals, including alloys, forms, tempers and other specifications. Devotion to locating affordable materials and products, as well as providing an unbelievably fast delivery system are high priorities at Commercial Metal Exchange. Commitment like this to every aspect of the business is why they are considered experts in the metal industry. Continue reading →

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The Whimsical Side of Pneumatic Conveyors

Posted on February 17, 2012 by nicolet

Valentine’s Day is one time of the year many of us expect chocolate. With such a wide variety of chocolate shapes and options available, you can expect there to be many methods utilized to create them. Recalling a classic childhood chocolate film, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, you may remember how the conveyor belts ran the candy down the processing line. While a traditional conveyor would use motors to move the product from one point to another, pneumatic conveyors are able to use an environmentally friendly form of power. They use air pressure to push or pull materials from one point to another in an enclosed conveyor. This method is beneficial because it can prevent items from being scattered or spilled, as well as being stuck or crushed on your typical conveyor. A relatively new method of transporting items, pneumatic conveyors were able to revolutionize the industry. They also have an element of whimsy that fits in perfectly with the production of chocolate. Continue reading →

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IQS Newsroom Featured Profile: Dexmet Corporation

Posted on February 13, 2012 by Andrea Mustine

The current economic climate is bogging down most industrial progress, which is why companies that take innovation seriously, like Dexmet Corporation, continue to do well despite the lag in manufacturing. Dexmet has been in the expanded metals industry since 1948 and has always embraced growth and exploration within their field of precision expanded materials. Continue reading →

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The Powder Metal Parts Age

Posted on February 10, 2012 by Michael Shade

We measure the significance of moments in history based on their placement relative to technological advancements. In other words, moments in history draw their significance from their proximity to other significant events and advancements. Our method of periodizing ancient history, for example, confines entire epochs based on the development and use of technologies. Some of the most important examples are these: Copper Age, Bronze Age, Iron Age. The Iron Age was so named for several reasons. First, and perhaps most importantly, historians needed a name for the time that came after what they call the Bronze Age. The fact that civilizations began developing methods of mining, refining and alloying iron around this time is, by itself, not a meaningful development. But its implications for agriculture, warfare and other activities of society were sweeping, so the name has stuck. What will they call our time 3000 years from now? The powder metal parts age? Continue reading →

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IQS Newsroom Featured Profile: Associated Bag Company

Posted on February 6, 2012 by Andrea Mustine

Providing excellent customer service has been the focus at Associated Bag Company since the business began in 1938, selling burlap bags from the back of a horse-drawn wagon in Milwaukee. Since this humble beginning, the business has grown into the national company it is today because of its continuing emphasis on customer satisfaction. And while it still sells burlap bags, its current line of products has expanded into thousands of hard-to-find packaging products and shipping supplies… plastic bags, poly liners, poly bags, boxes, tape, nylon ties, vinyl envelopes, mailers, shrink and stretch wrap, foam, bubble, safety equipment, tools, janitorial supplies and much, much more. Providing a wide variety of top-notch products is just the first of many ways that Associated Bag Company ensures that their customers are fully satisfied. Continue reading →

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Michigan business to be featured on “World’s Greatest” television show!

Posted on February 2, 2012 by Andrea Mustine

Robinson Industries will be featured on an upcoming segment of World’s Greatest on the ION cable network. Gordon Freeman, the Executive Producer of the show says, “Robinson Industries is one of those companies that we like to feature on World’s Greatest. They are a 4th generation, family owned, women owned, Michigan company started by the very innovative Fred Robinson who was a pioneer in the plastics field. His early techniques of thermoforming, while made better over time, are still used today, along with the Robinson Industries injection molding processes. We think their story will be meaningful to our viewers.” Continue reading →

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