Featured Articles - IQS Newsroom https://blog.iqsdirectory.com Your source for industry news articles on industrial products and manufacturers Mon, 24 Oct 2022 16:44:20 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.2 https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/cropped-favicon-gear-icon-32x32.png Featured Articles - IQS Newsroom https://blog.iqsdirectory.com 32 32 Using a Thermocouple as a Candy Thermometer https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/thermocouple-instruments-3/ Tue, 30 Dec 2014 14:33:04 +0000 https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/?p=20527 A high temperature thermocouple is capable of measuring temperatures up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit or even hotter. While these units have such a wide temperature range, they are still inexpensive, and many people can use them at home for accurate temperature measuring for anything from the temperature of their engine to the temperature of the oven. One fun use for a high temperature thermocouple is as a modified candy thermometer. Using a thermocouple is often more accurate than real candy or kitchen thermometers, which will help you produce perfect candy every time.

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]]> Thermocouple Instruments

A high temperature thermocouple is capable of measuring temperatures up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit or even hotter. While these units have such a wide temperature range, they are still inexpensive, and many people can use them at home for accurate temperature measuring for anything from the temperature of their engine to the temperature of the oven. One fun use for a high temperature thermocouple is as a modified candy thermometer. Using a thermocouple is often more accurate than real candy or kitchen thermometers, which will help you produce perfect candy every time.
To get a reading from your thermocouple, you have to attach the thermocouple connector to a small, handheld multimeter. Usually there are two slots that the connector can fit inside. The multimeter will help you read the temperature readings in Fahrenheit or Celsius, if that is what you prefer.
Prepare candy molds and spray them with cooking spray to prevent the candy from sticking to the molds.
Mix your candy mixture according to your recipe and turn on the heat on the stove. Most hard candy is made from a mixture of sugar, corn syrup, and water. Place the thermocouple directly into the candy mixture. Do not touch the sides or bottom of the pan for a more accurate reading.
Remove the candy from the heat once it reaches 300 degrees. Allow the candy to cool for a few seconds and wait for it to stop bubbling. Pour in your desired color and flavor.
Pour the hot candy into the molds. Tap the molds on the counter gently to remove any air bubbles. Allow the candy to cool to room temperature before removing from the molds. Remove the candy while it is still somewhat flexible to prevent cracking and breaking. Allow the candy to cool completely before packaging and eating.

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]]> 20527 4 Reasons to Use Walnut Shell Tumbling Media https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/tumbling-media-2/ Tue, 23 Dec 2014 21:16:58 +0000 https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/?p=20233 With all the types of tumbling media available, it is surprising to see that walnut shells are still a popular choice for many different uses. It seems like other materials could perform better than walnut shells, but it really is a case of old-fashioned methods working best when it comes to tumbling media. Walnut shells continue to remain a popular form of cleaning and polishing media for the following reasons and more:

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]]> Tumbling Media

With all the types of tumbling media available, it is surprising to see that walnut shells are still a popular choice for many different uses. It seems like other materials could perform better than walnut shells, but it really is a case of old-fashioned methodfavicons working best when it comes to tumbling media. Walnut shells continue to remain a popular form of cleaning and polishing media for the following reasons and more:
Durable: Walnut shells are surprisingly durable. They will hold up to tough metals, and can even be used on materials with sharp edges. The hard texture of the shells make them extremely durable for extended periods of time, and the shells can be reused over and over and will produce consistent results again and again.
Gentle: Although the shells are tough, they will still act gently with more delicate materials. A piece of metal with a delicate finish or design will not become damaged when polished or cleaned with walnut shells. Walnut shells can also polish plastic and other softer materials if a finer grit of shell is used.
Non-toxic: Since walnut shells are natural, they are completely non-toxic. This benefits the metal or other material you are tumbling as well as the user. When you do decide to get rid of the walnut shell media, you can just throw it right into the trash or even in a compost pile to dispose of the material.
Biodegradable: Since walnut shells are natural, they are completely biodegradable. If placed into a yard or compost pile, over the course of a few months the shells will soften and turn into soft compost. Walnut shells can act like a mulch in garden beds, keeping the moisture and nutrients locked into the soil.

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]]> 20233 The History of Deburring https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/deburring-equipmen/ Tue, 23 Dec 2014 21:06:41 +0000 https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/?p=20222 Deburring machines have been in use for hundreds, and maybe thousands, of years. The machines use an agitation process to bump different materials around with another material that smoothes and polishes the surface of the object, eliminating imperfections and giving the finished object a glossy shine. Original tumblers were used to polish rocks, shine jewelry, remove imperfections from ancient tools, and to shape and polish wood. Modern deburring machines are designed to remove the metal burrs and other imperfections from tools in the manufacturing process. Other machines clean the surface of parts, removing rust and contamination.

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]]> Deburring Equipment

Deburring machines have been in use for hundreds, and maybe thousands, of years. The machines use an agitation process to bump different materials around with another material that smoothes and polishes the surface of the object, eliminating imperfections and giving the finished object a glossy shine. Original tumblers were used to polish rocks, shine jewelry, remove imperfections from ancient tools, and to shape and polish wood. Modern deburring machines are designed to remove the metal burrs and other imperfections from tools in the manufacturing process. Other machines clean the surface of parts, removing rust and contamination.
Rotary tumblers
Rotary tumblers work by rotating the objects together around inside a tumbler. The original tumbling machines use this form of operation. The operator placed the material inside along with a buffing or polishing device, such as sharp rocks, wax, or wood pieces. The tumblers rotated for days or weeks at a time to achieve the finished results.
Vibrating tumblers
Obviously, taking days or weeks to remove the burrs from metal is too long for the modern manufacturing industry. Once the industrial revolution hit, manufacturers came up with new, better ways to accomplish the same tasks. The invention of vibrating tumblers was one of these new and improved methods. A vibrating tumbler uses motors or magnetic energy to power the tumbler. The tumbler vibrates at a high speed to jostle the materials inside the tumbler together. The same kinds of fillers are used to help smooth and polish the items. Most vibrating tumblers can accomplish in a day what it takes weeks for a rotary tumbler to complete.
The deburring process has come a long way since its original invention long ago. Today, it is possible to find deburring machines ranging from tiny household models to large, industrial machines used in the manufacturing process of metal parts and other goods. In the next hundred years, it is likely that we will still see more evolution in the ancient process of tumbling.

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]]> 20222 The Hydraulic Water Brake Dyno https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/dynomometer-3/ Wed, 24 Sep 2014 12:57:04 +0000 https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/?p=18894 A hydraulic dynamometer is a type of dynamometer that uses hydraulic power to test the engine of a machine. Many hydraulic dynamometers work in conjunction with other testing processes, such as the water brake dynamometer. The hydraulic part of the dyno machine applies the necessary load on the engine that helps create a true horsepower reading, and the water brake part of the dyno machine actually measures the horsepower of the engine.

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]]> A hydraulic dynamometer is a type of dynamometer that uses hydraulic power to test the engine of a machine. Many hydraulic dynamometers work in conjunction with other testing processes, such as the water brake dynamometer. The hydraulic part of the dyno machine applies the necessary load on the engine that helps create a truefavicon horsepower reading, and the water brake part of the dyno machine actually measures the horsepower of the engine.
A water brake dynamometer is a special kind of dyno machine that records the horsepower of the machine by recording the temperature changes in the water shot inside the unit. This is accomplished in the following steps:
The machine has rotor and stator pockets designed to catch the water as it rotates around the machine. The stator brings the water into the dyno machine and discharged in the center of the rotor assembly. The water then travels into the pockets on the rotor.
When the rotor accelerates during rotation, the water flies out of the rotor and travels into pockets placed in the stator plates. The water then drains out of the stator plates and travels back into the rotor pockets and accelerated once more. The more this process occurs, the hotter the water gets. This creates a thermal exchange between the engine power and frictional heating of the water.
Since horsepower can be translated into heat energy, by measuring the BTU output of the water the dyno machine can then determine the horsepower of the engine.
Reading the BTU output from water is a relatively easy mathematical process based purely on the laws of physics. Because the hydraulic dynamometer with a water brake uses this simple mathematical formula, it is a popular choice for engine dynos and can obtain highly accurate readings.

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]]> 18894 Testing Oil Efficiency with an Engine Dyno https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/engine-dynamometer-2/ Wed, 24 Sep 2014 12:55:29 +0000 https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/?p=18892 Motor oil is a necessary component of any healthy vehicle engine function. Motor oil acts as a lubrication for the engine, and can also act as a coolant for some engines, like many motorcycle engines. Clean, contaminant-free motor oil with a high viscosity and strength is key to increasing engine performance, longevity, and efficiency. But with so many different types of motor oil on the market, all claiming to offer the best engine enhancement, how can you really tell how beneficial each kind of oil is for an engine?

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]]> Motor oil is a necessary component of any healthy vehicle engine function. Motor oil acts as a lubrication for the engine, and can also act as a coolant for some engines, like many motorcycle engines. Clean, contaminant-free motor oil with a high viscosity and strength is key to increasing engine performance, longevity, and efficiency. But with so many different types of motor oil on the market, all claiming to offer the best engine enhancement, how can you really tell how beneficial each kind of oil is for an engine?

The best way to test the performance of the engine with each different type of oil is through to use of engine dyno dyamometers. Engine dynos can easily measure engine speed, performance, and efficiency in a way that other tests cannot. This makes the machine the perfect tool for identifying the performance-enhancing ability of each type of oil. Engine dyno dyamometers can also test the efficiency and reliability of different engine oil filters, which can also affect the performance of the engine.

Here is a simple process you can use with a dyno machine to test oil and filter effectiveness:
Start with the original oil and filter. Place the engine on the dyno machine and bring the engine up to operative temperature. This will help establish the baseline of the engine.

Drain the oil and remove the filter. Replace the oil and filter with a different filter and oil. Run the dyno machine tests a few times just like before and record the numbers. Repeat the process with as many different oils and filters as possible.

Compare the horsepower outputs and torque outputs for each oil and filter type. Depending on the oil, you may see an increase of several horsepower output for the engine, which indicates better oil and filter performance.

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]]> 18892 Three Types of Stainless Steel Vats https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/stainless-steel-vats-2/ Mon, 22 Sep 2014 14:08:11 +0000 https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/?p=18686 Stainless steel vats are a subcategory of stainless steel tanks, a type of storage, processing and sometimes transportation container that is meant to hold liquids, gases and/or solids such as grain and sugar. Vats in particular are utilized in a couple major industries. They are used for the fermentation process of wine and beer as well as dairy processes such as the making of cheese and ice cream. Always storing items that are either liquid or solids in fluid form, vats have three major styles that are available on the vat market today.

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]]> Stainless steel vats are a subcategory of stainless steel tanks, a type of storage, processing and sometimes transportation container that is meant to hold liquids, gases and/or solids such as grain and sugar. Vats in particular are utilized in a couple major industries. They are used for the faviconfermentation process of wine and beer as well as dairy processes such as the making of cheese and ice cream. Always storing items that are either liquid or solids in fluid form, vats have three major styles that are available on the vat market today.
The three types of stainless steel vat styles mostly differ in shape and where they open or close. The horizon model, which is also known as an enclosed vat is often used for brewing beer, among other applications. It is a large heavy duty vat that is completely enclosed, with a tube at the top that can be sealed after the milk is inserted. The open top vat is another major model, this one geared toward making cheese. Often designed as a rectangle rather then a cylinder, it looks like a very deep trough. The final style is the SVC vat, which is also known as the cottage cheese vat because that is what its primary function is. It is shaped in a similar fashion to the open top vat.
The method of turning molten stainless steel into a vat is similar to what is done for other stainless steel storage tanks. The cooling steel alloy is fed through a series of rollers that shape it into a curved shape, which is then cut and welded together into a seamless fixture. When dealing with dairy items, stainless steel vats are often covered in a cooling jacket that circulates cool liquid around the whole structure and results in refrigeration.

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]]> 18686 The Evolution of the Grizzly Screen https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/grizzly-screens-3/ Thu, 21 Aug 2014 16:44:18 +0000 https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/?p=17135 A grizzly screen provides a simple, initial sorting method for rough materials. Grizzle screens are mainly used in mining and other sorting industries where it is necessary to sort materials by size. Grizzly screens were first used several hundred years ago, when mining first became industrialized. Since the early invention of grizzly screens, the machine has changed several times to evolve into a machine that works with modern manufacturing and mining processes.

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]]> A grizzly screen provides a simple, initial sorting method for rough materials. Grizzly screens are mainly used in mining and other sorting industries where it is necessary to sort materials by size. Grizzly screens were first used several hundred years ago, when mining first became industrialized. Since the early invention of grizzly screensfavicon, the machine has changed several times to evolve into a machine that works with modern manufacturing and mining processes.
The earliest grizzly screen was simply a series of metal bars that miners used to separate different materials back in the 1800s. Miners used the bars to separate the unwanted materials from the smaller blocks of rocks and stones that they wanted to collect from the mine. These initial bars were operated by hand, and workers simply spread the rocks over the bars to separate the material.
About 100 or so years later, the grizzly screen became automated. The bars still were designed to separate materials, but a motor-run vibrator helped separate the materials automatically. This flat design was used for many years, but lacked the efficiency of the latest design.
Most modern grizzly screens incorporate a sloping design into the hopper. The materials are spread onto the hopper and the slope combined with the vibrations of the machine help separate the materials. Other units also have multiple screening sections to filter out materials of various sizes. Some units rely on gravity only to filter the materials rather than a vibrating machine.
Grizzly screens have come a long way since their invention over 200 years ago, but the modern design still uses the same original idea as the very first units. Depending on the manufacturer, you can find screens capable of handling small or large loads of loose stone and dirt.

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]]> 17135 Chocolate and Conveyors: How Chocolate is Made https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/conveyor-systems-3/ Tue, 29 Jul 2014 19:58:06 +0000 https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/?p=15955 Chocolate is one of my favorite things in the world. I love nearly any kind of chocolate, from barely sweet to creamy white chocolate. Until recently, I never really thought about how chocolate arrives at my door. Even though I knew millions of chocolate pieces were made each day, I never thought about how it could happen. The trick to making large quantities of chocolate in any factory is, like many other factory process, conveyor belts. Without these conveyance systems, making chocolate and other candies would take much longer, and probably cost a lot more.

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]]> Chocolate is one of my favorite things in the world. I love nearly any kind of chocolate, from barely sweet to creamy white chocolate. Until recently, I never really thought about how chocolate arrives at my door. Even though I knew millions of chocolate pieces werefavicon made each day, I never thought about how it could happen. The trick to making large quantities of chocolate in any factory is, like many other factory process, conveyor belts. Without these conveyance systems, making chocolate and other candies would take much longer, and probably cost a lot more.
So how does a chocolate factory actually make the chocolate?
If the factory only molds the chocolate, rather than creating the original chocolate recipe, then the factory has a large vat heated by boiling water that melts the chocolate chunks into a creamy liquid. If the factory does make the chocolate, a large cooking pot is used to mix the butter, cocoa powder, sugar, and cream necessary to create the creamy dessert. After the chocolate has achieved the correct consistency, it is sent into a conveyor line that pumps the chocolate into the molds that pass by under the conveyor belt. Conveyor belts are an essential part of the speed and accuracy of the production line. Depending on the size of the mold, it can take anywhere from about 10 minutes to over 30 minutes to harden the chocolate. As the chocolate passes through the different layers of the conveyor belt system, the chocolate slowly hardens. By the time the chocolate leaves the conveyor belt, the chocolate is hard enough to remove from the mold.
A second, unmolding conveyor belt system removes the chocolates from the mold. The molds are flipped so they are face down, and a small strip of metal hammers against the back of the mold to release the candies. The chocolates are then sent down the conveyor line to be packaged into boxes or other containers for final sale.

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]]> 15955 The History of Conveyor Belts https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/conveyor-belt-materials-2/ Mon, 23 Jun 2014 18:17:39 +0000 https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/?p=15213 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.

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]]> 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.
Original conveyors had a flat wood surface with a leather, rubber, or canvas belt that traveled over the surface of the conveyor. The conveyors were powered by a series of pulleys and simple gear systems. Once the industrial revolution started in the late 1800s, conveyors were powered by simple machines powered by simple engines.
Conveyors started to gain in popularity when they were first used in automotive construction. Henry Ford was one of the first people to use conveyor systems to build vehicles quickly and efficiently. After his lead, many other factories started using the conveyor systems as well.
It was not until WWII that conveyors received a big jump in technology and use again. For the first time, synthetic materials, like urethane and synthetic rubber were used as the belts on the conveyors. More complicated rotary systems were also used to power the belts, including better rolling systems, the V-belt assembly, and other tricks to make the use of a conveyor belt more efficient.
Today, the conveyor belt is an integral part of any manufacturing process. It is almost impossible to see a factory that does not use a conveyor system for some part of the unit’s manufacturing process. Today’s conveyors are made from a variety of materials, including chain conveyors, urethane conveyors, air-supported conveyors, and many others. The widespread use of these conveyance systems is in part thanks to the original inventors of the system that lived hundreds of years ago, and to all of the inventors since to improved on the design and made it easier to use in everyday life.

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]]> 15213 The Science behind Electro-Magnetic Cranes https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/electric-cranes-3/ Wed, 18 Jun 2014 15:21:45 +0000 https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/?p=15033 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.

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]]> 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.
In class we conducted an experiment involving a wire, a nail and a battery. To make our electromagnet we had to wrap a wire around a nail then connect the two wire tips onto opposing ends of the battery. The wires would be secured by putting a rubber band around the battery. This caused the nail to turn into an electromagnet that was strong enough to attract small metal items such as paperclips. The electricity flowing through the metal created a magnetic field around the nail. The concept is the same for electromagnetic cranes but at a grander scale. Once the electricity stops flowing, the magnetic field dissipates. That is how the crane can pick up and drop metal objects. I can’t imagine a better way of sorting metal out of massive piles of garbage. I can’t even fathom what it would be like to sort through everything without the aid of electromagnets. The little nail magnet could handle paper clips with only a battery, I wonder how much electricity electromagnetic crane require to pick up much larger metals.

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