IQS Newsroom

The Many Uses for Diamond Mesh

Diamond mesh gets its name from the shape of the mesh weave rather than from the materials used to create the metal. Diamond mesh can be made from a variety of metals, such as aluminum, stainless steel, and steel alloys, but is commonly made from stainless steel because of the durability and resistance to corrosion. The diamond pattern is created by linking several metal wires together to create a diamond-shaped pattern. This mesh pattern provides a high level of strength at a low cost. In many cases, diamond-shaped mesh is one of the least expensive forms of mesh. In the industrial and construction world, diamond-shaped mesh has a variety of uses including:

IQS Newsroom July 2, 2014

Advantages of High Density Insulation Foam

High density foam is a type of foam that is stronger and denser than other foam types. Many forms of high density foam are closed-cell, meaning that they will not absorb water or other liquids. One of the uses for these high density foams is in the use of insulation for the home. Closed cell insulation can provide several benefits over other open cell insulation designs, such as:

IQS Newsroom June 25, 2014

Featured Articles, Plastic Molding Processes

The History of Conveyor Belts

Surprisingly enough, conveyor belts have been in use for hundreds of years. In fact, even as far back as 1795, conveyor belts were used to transport grain for short distances. However, the conveyor belt of the past was nothing like the modern conveyor of today. Ancient conveyors were much simpler, and could not perform like today’s modern conveyors.

IQS Newsroom June 23, 2014

Featured Articles, Plant & Facility Equipment

A Dimple Can Make All the Difference: Metal Dome Design

Metal domes underneath membrane switches help keep the membrane from remaining in contact with the key at all times. The domes also help conduct the electricity through the keypad, sending a clearer signal to the circuits of the unit, preventing misfiring and other problems that can occur when the circuitry is out of alignment. The dome design also retains a high level of buoyancy, which keeps the dome and key popping back into place after every press. These little metal domes are a vital part of any membrane-based design, and most membrane switch systems use domes for the above-mentioned reasons.

IQS Newsroom June 20, 2014

Electrical & Electronic Components, Featured Articles

The Plunger Cylinder

Hydraulic cylinders are used to create linear motion force for power transference. A hydraulic cylinder converts the energy from the hydraulic fluid into a force that can move the cylinder. There are actually several different designs for hydraulic cylinders. These designs include the telescope cylinder, the plunger or ram cylinder, the cable cylinder, and the diaphragm cylinder. While each type of cylinder has their own benefits and uses, today I want to focus on the hydraulic ram cylinder.

IQS Newsroom June 18, 2014

Featured Articles, Hydraulic Equipment & Supplies

The Science behind Electro-Magnetic Cranes

I see it all the time in movies. The protagonists are in a junkyard and just got done running from a gigantic dog or what have you. Then everything is silent. All the sudden a colossal crane swoops in from ahead and manages to suck up the adventurers by latching onto something metal. The first movie that comes to mind is Toy Story 3, but it’s a well used scene. I’ve always wondered how the big crane arms work. I know it has something to do with magnets to sort the metal out of garbage, but how does it turn on and off? After a little researched I was surprised to know I knew the answer all along. I learned it in science class many years ago. Electro-magnetic cranes function very similarly to the makeshift nail magnets we made in class when learning about electromagnetism.

IQS Newsroom June 18, 2014

Featured Articles, Plant & Facility Equipment

The Advantages of Hot Isostatic Pressing

There is an array of methods used to shape form ceramic powders including injection molding, extrusion, hot isostatic pressing, slip casting, gel casting and tape casting. Injection molding is known to form many plastic parts found in the average household and extrusion can be used to make a ceramic rod used for building facade. Hot isostatic pressing (HIP) is a forming method that can be used to form both metallic and non-metallic materials into a variety of different products. HIP increases the density of ceramic materials and can reduce the porosity of metals.

IQS Newsroom June 17, 2014

Adhesives, Ceramics & Glass, Featured Articles

The History of Electric Heating

Even though it seems like heaters have been around forever, this is not the case. In fact, just about 100 years ago only a select few households had central heating systems in their homes. However, the history of the electric heating element goes even further back.

IQS Newsroom June 17, 2014

Electrical & Electronic Components, Featured Articles

Applications and Benefits of Electrochemical Etching

Most people might be familiar with metal etching as an artistic method, but it is widely used in the industrial setting as well. Electrochemical etching is used in several different industries for a variety of applications. It is especially advantageous for parts that are hard to produce, for small prototype production lots, when it is difficult to obtain required accuracies, and for cost intensive parts due to expensive mold requirements.

IQS Newsroom May 6, 2014

How Does a Blower Work?

When I first started writing about blowers, it was a revelation to me that fluids like air move only from areas of high pressure to low pressure. To someone without a background in physics, fluid dynamics can be confusing and counter intuitive. But if you think about blowers and how they work, it can be helpful in understanding fluids and how they move around.

IQS Newsroom April 30, 2014

Air Handling Equipment, Featured Articles

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