Generated by All in One SEO v4.9.10, this is an llms.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site. # IQS Newsroom Your source for industry news articles on industrial products and manufacturers ## Sitemaps - [XML Sitemap](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website. ## Posts - [7 Common Types of Industrial Mixers](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/7-common-types-of-industrial-mixers/) - In the process manufacturing community, the mixing experts are the mixing equipment manufacturers, and they understand how different blades, speeds, mixer configurations and bowl shapes interact with different types of substances during the mixing process. There are nearly as many different types of mixing as there are products to be mixed - from industrial slurry adhesives to milk homogenization to bologna meat mixing, industrial mixers work differently to achieve smooth blending... - [The Basic Construction of Paper Core](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/paper-cores-4/) - Paper core is the inside material made from wood pulp and other materials that go inside wrapped tubes to provide support and stability to wrapped materials like fabric, paper, or plastic. You can find paper cores on nearly every wrapped object, including toilet paper, paper towels, household tape, paint rollers, and many other common household tools and supplies. Even factories and commercial companies use paper cores in their businesses for a variety of storage and industrial uses. The process of creating paper core is interesting, and most paper core manufactures use a similar process to create their cores. If you ever get the chance to tour a paper-tube manufacturing plant, it makes for an interesting and informative field trip. - [Testing Oil Efficiency with an Engine Dyno](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/engine-dynamometer-2/) - 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? - [Advantages of Paint Booth Design](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/paint-booth/) - Paint booth devices typically refer to any type of structure that is designed to prevent contamination and unwanted air flow in areas involving painting. However over the years this technology has greatly improved. These products come in a variety of configurations ranging as small as a bench top paint booth or as big as an aircraft paint booth. Since the term paint booth can be somewhat a board term there are a number of there are a number of factors to consider when selecting the best paint booth for your application. - [Car Wash Characteristics](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/car-wash-systems/) - With the approach of the long winter months, snow safety and winter weather precautions are all anyone seems to be talking about. Ensuring that your vehicle is running properly is crucial to how stress free the sometimes treacherous winter roads will be. Eventually, the snow, salt and gravel that are put down during winter weather can cause damage to your car if it is not cleaned and maintained properly. - [Page Views, Impressions, Engagement and Understanding Site Metrics for B2B Websites](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/page-views-impressions-engagement-and-understanding-site-metrics-for-b2b-websites-2/) - Paper core is the inside material made from wood pulp and other materials that go inside wrapped tubes to provide support and stability to wrapped materials like fabric, paper, or plastic. You can find paper cores on nearly every wrapped object, including toilet paper, paper towels, household tape, paint rollers, and many other common household tools and supplies. Even factories and commercial companies use paper cores in their businesses for a variety of storage and industrial uses. The process of creating paper core is interesting, and most paper core manufactures use a similar process to create their cores. If you ever get the chance to tour a paper-tube manufacturing plant, it makes for an interesting and informative field trip. - [The History of Precision Ball Bearings](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/ball-bearings-2/) - Today we use precision ball bearings for a variety of different things. Precision ball bearings help make sure that there is a high degree of control and predictability of movement. Ball bearings are the most commons means by which such friction reduction is accomplished. But it was not always this way. There was a very simple start to the precision ball bearings that we see today. Yes, before miniature bearings, roller bearings, steel ball bearings, and thrust bearings there were simply bearings. Old wooden rollers that supported objects like how precision bearings do. Some historians would say that the invention of bearings may even possibly predate the invention of the wheel. The oldest history of bearings starts with the Egyptians and how they used roller bearings. - [Reaction and Rotary Torque Sensors](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/torque-sensors/) - A torque sensor or sometimes called a torque converter is a measurement device to measure the torque of a machine. There are several varieties to these sensors that measure in slightly different ways. These sensors are used to help measure the performance and efficiency of the device or engine being tested. This is important for quality testing for new products or current performance diagnostics. Trouble shooting an issue is also another common reason a machine may be tested on with a torque sensor. Some use strain gauges to help measure torque while others use different means to do so. Two common types of torque sensors are reaction and rotational. - [Cleaning Metal with Wire Brushes](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/wire-brushes/) - Conventionally when thinking of a brush, a wooden or plastic handle comes to mind with bristles at the opposite end. Brushes are commonly used to clean surfaces of products or machinery to give the item a pristine finish. Wire brushes are no exception, like a plastic, hair or any other type of bristle brush the purpose of a wire brush is to clean and finish items that are too tough for another type of brush to take on. Additionally, round brushes are attach to grinders or electric drills. Although wire brushes are very abrasive this makes them ideal for cleaning and polishing certain surfaces such as metal. Other uses can also be applied such as brushed metal and to deburr edges to give the perfect clean looks that is desired. - [10 Steps to Plastic Bags](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/10-steps-to-plastic-bags/) - Plastic bags, also called 'poly bags,' are one of those modern conveniences we take for granted. But 60 years ago, no one ever considered the question, 'Paper or plastic?' Back then, people also managed to get by without Ziploc® bags or dry cleaner bags. This was because the technology for creating polyethylene film didn't emerge until the 1940s during World War II. And the methods to create plastic bags from polyethylene film weren't developed until the 1950s. The most common way to produce poly bags is by blown film extrusion, also called the 'tubular film process.' In a moment, you'll see how it got this name. Plastic bags are made from polyethylene. During processing, the polyethylene might be treated with any number of additives, such as... - [Cardboard Coin Sleeves- Explained](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/coin-bank-2/) - Coin wraps are a necessity in many businesses, because they easily contain a specific amount of coins in each sleeve. These coin sleeves make it easier to transport money, and also take up less space than loose coins. Paper coin wraps are an alternative to larger coin banks, which are impractical for cash registers and other small storage spaces where space is limited. - [6 Advantages of Stainless Steel Pipes](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/steel-tubing-3/) - Steel tubing has a variety of uses in many industries from industrial manufacturing to art. One use for steel tubing is the use of steel plumbing, which replaces traditional plastic pipes with stainless steel pipes. Although stainless steel piping is more expensive than plastic piping, it provides many benefits over plastic pipes, including: - [A Tour of a Steel Mill](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/high-strength-steel-2/) - If you have never experienced the wonder of a steel plate mill, you are missing out. The manufacturing of steel is a fascinating process that starts with the melting of the steel into ingots and ends with the completed steel plate, which is used for a variety of uses, from building construction, to road work, to ship-making. Travel along with this virtual journal of steel plate manufactures to discover just how steel plates are created. - [Create Your Own Tubular Pipe Bells](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/tube-forming-2/) - When I was in high school I joined the school band as a member of the percussion section. I enjoyed the freedom of being in the percussion section. I could walk around in back, and play a number of different instruments as opposed to being contained to one. Most percussionists prefer playing the snare drum and a few the marimbas or xylophone. I however, favored the tubular pipe bells and tympanis. I liked the low boom and ring both instruments produced. Tubular pipe bells have been popularized from the Christmas classic, Carol of the Bells. The vertical bells are also used in the theme of The Exorcist and Futurama. The noise these bells produce sounds similar to church bells. - [To Sharpen a Wheeled Cutter](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/tube-cutting/) - Pipe cutters use strong and sharp wheel blades to get better leverage to slice through pipes made out of PVC, copper, Steel, cast iron and many other materials. The blades are easily sharpened by using a common sharpening stone but one must take precautions in order to prevent getting cut. Tube cutting is a processed used to cut tubes to specific lengths depending on the tube’s application. - [Tools and Methods of the Pipe Bending Trade](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/pipe-bending/) - There are many different factors to consider when selecting the right method and corresponding tools to bend pipes. Pipe bending works on straight cylindrical, rectangular or square tubes. The particular tools that should be utilized while bending pipes depends on the size and wall thickness of the tubes as well as the radius of the bend. Common bends include 2-90 degree elbow bends and U-bends such as on a trombone slide. Your budget and quality of bend you’re looking for should also be considered when selecting your bending method. - [Using a Thermocouple as a Candy Thermometer](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/thermocouple-instruments-3/) - 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. - [The Future of Robot Sewing](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/industrial-sewing-3/) - In today’s world of modern manufacturing, machines are often used to replace human workers. In the past, humans had to complete all industrial manufacturing tasks, simply because the technology of machines was not high enough to complete delicate and complicated tasks. Today’s computers and robots, however, are much more intelligent and can replace human workers in many different tasks. - [The History of Tarps](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/tarps-2/) - Tarps have been around for hundreds of years. The original use for a tarp was on the high seas. Sailors used to cover sheets of canvas in tar to protect goods from salt spray and water damage during transit. Over the years, the tarp has had several various uses, but usually remained as a way to keep dirt, water, and other contaminates off something, whether it was furniture, people, dirt, or any other number of things. - [4 Types of Aluminum Angles](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/steel-angles-2/) - Aluminum angles are a sharp angle made from aluminum metal. The angle itself varies on the type of bend created by the manufacturer. Each type of metal bend has its own uses in a variety of industries, including construction, automotive manufacturing, and parts manufacturing. Most aluminum angles are named after letters, while a few others have a different naming system based on their finished shape. The following is a list of some of the most common forms of angles made from aluminum: - [How to Make Sheet Metal Rings at Home](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/metal-rings-2/) - Sheet metal rings are exactly what they sound like- rings made from sheet metal. Many home-based jewelry makers create rings out of sheet metal that they can polish and embellish to create beautiful, one-of-a-kind creations. If you are interested in making your own inexpensive jewelry, starting with sheet metal rings is a good place to start. You can also use metal rings for a variety of other uses, such as for curtain hangers, 3D art pieces, napkin rings, earrings, necklaces, and anything else you can think of. Experiment with larger and smaller rings for a variety of uses. - [Steam Boilers: An Important Part of History](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/steam-boilers-2/) - Imagine life before steam. Transportation was more difficult. Communication was more difficult. Commerce was more difficult. The list goes on and on. The invention of the steam engine was an integral part of industry during the Industrial Revolution. Today, it is involved in or responsible for nearly all electricity generated and consumed around the world. - [Benefits of Rubber Baseboards](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/rubber-baseboard-2/) - Baseboards are not a wildly popular product, and most people do not even think about them on a regular basis. Most baseboards in commercial or industrial settings, if they exist at all, are manufactured from rubber, plastic, or synthetic rubber. One type of baseboard that can be extremely beneficial in commercial and industrial settings is the rubber baseboard. Rubber baseboards can provide many benefits to a factory or other commercial property, such as: - [The History of Neoprene](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/neoprene-2/) - Neoprene is a special kind of synthetic rubber that is manufactured through the processing of the material chloroprene. This rubber is a highly flexible and stable material, even when applied in a thin layer and bent repeatedly. For this reason, neoprene is often used as a rubber material for coatings and even clothing, such as wet suits and medical braces. The rubber is also used for fan belts, electrical insulation, liquid and sheet flashings, and many other applications. - [4 Reasons to Use Walnut Shell Tumbling Media](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/tumbling-media-2/) - 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: - [The History of Deburring](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/deburring-equipmen/) - 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. - [Preventing Misalignment](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/flexible-couplings-3/) - A shaft coupling is a cylinder device that connects two shafts together in order to transmit power. They are found in many different types of machinery such as power transmissions, drive shafts, generators, wheels, pumps, line shafts, construction equipment, automotive engines, and many more. There are many different types of shaft couplings that are used based upon the type of machine and how much power and movement the shafts need to be capable of. A few types are rigid couplings, sleeve couplings, clamp or split-muff couplings, flexible couplings, diaphragm couplings, disc couplings, gear couplings, oldham couplings and jaw couplings among many others. They are an essential part of many machines in order for them to work properly. - [3 Types of EMI Shielding](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/emi-gaskets-4/) - EMI shielding, or electromagnetic shielding, as it is officially called, is the process of shielding an area or component from electromagnetic waves using a barrier of conductive or magnetic materials. This kind of shielding is necessary in a variety of applications, from protecting internal components of computers and other sensitive equipment from electromagnetic waves to protecting workers from harmful electromagnetic waves in a factory setting. EMI shielding companies are extremely important, as they provide many other industries with the ability to protect themselves from damaging electromagnetic waves. Most EMI shielding companies use a variety of shielding materials based on the use of the equipment to protect the space or the equipment from the harmful waves, including: - [Advantages of Plastic Springs](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/metal-springs/) - Springs are an important part of many machines, products, and processes. Without the use of springs, many of the products that we use today could not exist. Many of the springs used in today’s world are made of a variety of metals, such as steel, aluminum, brass, and nickel. However, sometimes a spring cannot be made from metal for a variety of reasons. - [The Hydraulic Water Brake Dyno](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/dynomometer-3/) - 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. - [Tube Fabricating: Danner vs Vello](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/glass-tube-4/) - Glass tubes are used in many different industries from medical storage vials, to electric bulb housing, and beyond. Many factories focus exclusively on fabricating glass tubes rather than creating a variety of glass products. Focusing on one specific task can be cost effective because it allows a factory to use equipment just for the creation of tubes and it does not need to stock other glass fabricating equipment. - [Three Types of Stainless Steel Vats](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/stainless-steel-vats-2/) - 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. - [Types of Gear Materials](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/right-angle-gear-boxes-4/) - As most people know, gearboxes are designed to increase the output torque or speed of a motor. The shaft of the motor attaches to the gearbox and creates a specific output speed and torque that is pre-determined by the gear ratio. - [Pencil Sharpeners, a Variation of Planetary Gearboxs](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/gearbox-2/) - When I was in high school every classroom was equipped with a mechanical pencil sharpener. Most of the sharpeners worked and were well used but occasionally some kid got the idea it would be funny to stick a tootsie roll in one of them. Mechanical pencils are making pencil sharpeners somewhat obsolete but there will always be a need to sharpen colored pencils or number two pencils for scantrons. Personally, no mechanical pencils will ever replace the Mirado Black Warriors. It was always fun to stand in the corner, interrupting the teacher with the loud grinding noise that pencil sharpeners make while they eat at a pencil. - [Splines on a Bike](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/spline-cutting-2/) - The teeth or ridges on a driveshaft are referred to as splines. The splined driveshaft connects and transfers torque to a mating component of the drive train that cannot directly connect. This is either due to distance, or the need for relative movement between the two parts. These splined parts are produced by spline cutters that manufacture parts for a variety of industries. Apart from automobiles, a common application that splines can be found on is bicycles. - [4 Shapes Made through Metal Spinning](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/spin-forming-4/) - Spin forming is the process of creating shaped metal pieces, usually rounded in shape, on a lathe or with other metal spinning tools. Spun metal has surprising strength and can be made into a variety of shapes. Although many factories use molds, rollers, or presses to create metal objects, many factories still use the process of spin forming aluminum. Spun aluminum pieces have the strength of the original metal plus additional strength provided by the shaping process. Spinning aluminum is a low-tech manufacturing option that still produces superior results over more high-tech solutions, which is one of the reasons why it is still so prevalent today. Many metal spinning factories create similar pieces, some of which can include: - [How to Choose Nylon Abrasive Wheel Brushes](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/nylon-brushes-3/) - Abrasive nylon wheel brushes are a type of industrial brush for removing burrs, blending edges, cleaning parts, and improving surface condition. As their name suggests, these wheel-shaped power brushes have nylon abrasive filaments that work like flexible files. Wheel brushes with other types of filaments are also available. Typically, these brush tools have brass, carbon steel, stainless steel, Tampico, or nylon filaments instead of abrasive-impregnated nylon. - [The Aerospace Industry and the Captive Fastener](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/aerospace-fasteners-4/) - The manufacture of appliances, furniture, and even automobiles was revolutionized with the invention of the captive fastener. Fasteners themselves have been around for some time, as a fastener is really anything that helps hold two objects together. For example, a bolt and a screw are types of fasteners. But the captive fastener is something different. The captive fastener is embedded in one part of the object and then the other part of the object is then anchored inside the fastener. - [The History of Blow Molding](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/blow-molding-2/) - Plastic blow molding is the process of blowing air into a machine to change the shape of plastic. Often, blow molding is combined with the use of molds to create intricate shapes made with thin, hollow plastic pieces. Plastic blow molding did not exist until the late 1930s when a pair of inventors realized the potential for blow molding in the world of plastics. - [The Benefits of High Level Palletizers](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/palletizers-3/) - Did you know that there are different types of palletizers? While there are two different main types of palletizers, the row-forming and robot categories of palletizers, there are also differences in the type of row-forming palletizers in the world as well. Row-forming palletizers are manufactured in low level palletizers and high level palletizers. - [3 Problems with Automatic Palletizers](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/automatic-palletizers/) - Whenever a machine completes a process, there are always going to be problems. Some people believe that the more components a system has, the more that can go wrong. This is true with automatic palletizers, just like with many other machines. A palletizer is designed to replace the manual loading of pallets with an automated machine. Automatic palletizers either use a sorting and layering technique or a robotic loading process to load products onto a pallet for shipping. Depending on how the machine works, you might run into the following problems with your palletizer: - [Pressure Vessel Safety: Leak Before Burst](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/high-pressure-vessels-5/) - Pressure vessels are, by nature, volatile and potentially dangerous. The job of a pressure vessel is to hold a liquid or gas at a certain temperature that is different from the outside temperature. Pressure vessels are used in a variety of industrial processes to distill liquids, compress air, hold hydraulic and pneumatic fluids and much more. Due to the highly dangerous nature of these products, there are many different regulations placed onto any pressure vessel manufacturer to ensure the safety of the vessel and the employees using the vessel. - [Helium Stored in Pressure Vessels](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/pressure-tanks-3/) - I’ve always thought helium tanks resembled torpedoes. All that is missing is the fins at the end and the explosive innards. In a way, submarines are a kind of a giant pressure vessel. I’ve used a helium tank a couple times handing out balloons at the local farmers market. The pressure in the tank pushes the helium out and fills a balloon making some lucky child very happy. Of course, chances are their hopes and dreams are desecrated when the balloon escapes and ascends into the heavens. - [Fun Uses for Clear Plastic Tubing](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/clear-plastic-tubing-5/) - Plastic tubing has a variety of uses in hundreds of industries, from tubes used in automobiles, to factory uses, to packaging, and toy making. Although there are many boring uses for clear tubing, there are also several fun uses that make the tube-making industry a lot more interesting. The following interesting uses for clear tubing explores the fun side of manufacturing: - [Is Medical Tubing Recyclable After Use?](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/medical-tubing-5/) - Earlier this year, I went with my roommate to start donating plasma in order to earn some extra income. It’s a daunting process the first time you go. You go through two hours of physicals and questionnaires before you can actually start donating. My roommate didn’t survive the process. He almost passed out during the survey; coincidentally right on the question “some people may faint during the process, do you have any questions?” to which he replied “yes” and found a nurse. That was the end of his plasma donating career, but I kept up with it. It only takes about an hour and is a fantastic place to read. - [Concrete Vs. Plastic Septic Tanks](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/septic-tanks-2/) - When it comes to septic tanks, you want to make sure you make the right decision. If you choose badly, you could end up with a backyard swamp of waste that is not only disgusting, but also unsanitary. The right choice of tank is essential to ensure your tank will provide the containment necessary for the system for years to come. Usually, septic tanks are made from plastic or concrete. Both systems have their advantages and disadvantages, and it is important to consider all options before purchasing any new equipment. - [Commercial Uses for Titanium](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/titanium-investment-casting-2/) - Titanium investment casting is the process of using a mold to create shaped pieces from titanium. Titanium is used in a variety of applications, although it is most famous for its use in airplanes, spaceships, and jewelry. However, many traditional commercial products have titanium or titanium alloy parts and pieces that help the products work daily. - [Common Defects in Copper Casting](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/precision-investment-casting-2/) - The metal casting process has changed little in the thousands of years since its original invention. Today’s copper casting companies have invented new machines and casting materials that make the process easier and defects less likely, but in the end, the overall casting process remains the same. First, the copper is melted, then poured into a mold and allowed to harden. After the metal hardens, it is removed from the mold and polished and modified until it reaches the desired shape, texture, and brightness. - [Where Does the Wax Go When it Gets "Lost?"](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/wax-casting-3/) - One of the parts of the investment casting process that I initially found hard to understand was the process of removing the wax patterns and runner from the ceramic shell once it hardens. If you scour the Internet’s offerings on the lost wax casting process, if you find anything at all, it might not always be clear how the whole investment casting process works, let alone how each stage in the process is executed. This can be the case with a lot of industrial processes, and as someone who regularly writes about industry, I know that this can be frustrating. - [Stainless Steel Investment Casting: Golf Clubs and More](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/steel-investment-castings-2/) - I am a terrible golfer. That’s not to say that I don’t enjoy it, but I have no illusions about my abilities as a golfer or my prospects for improvement. This past summer, after having played golf maybe a dozen times every year since late elementary school, I sank my first par. It was simultaneously exciting and embarrassing (but mostly exciting). My current set of clubs is composed mainly of stainless steel club heads and, I think, stainless shafts. They’re certainly not professional quality, but I’ve never had a legitimate reason to complain about them. - [Pros and Cons of Fluidized Beds](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/fluid-bed-dryers-3/) - The purpose of a fluid bed dryer is to make a solid behave as a fluid. This is usually accomplished by introducing pressurized fluid through particulate medium. After this, the medium will have many similar characteristics and properties as fluids, such as the ability to free flow under gravity. One of the several applications fluidized beds are utilized for is chemical reactors. Some advantages of using a fluidized bed include uniform particle mixing and temperature gradients. Unlike pack beds which have poor mixing, fluidized normally allows for a more uniform product compared to other reactor designs. The reactor can also operate at a continuous state with a fluidized bed. - [Heat Exchangers: Paper and Pulp Applications](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/plate-heat-exchangers-4/) - Certain industries benefit more then others from specific industrial products or machines. Heat exchangers are pretty popular across the board, but are absolute essentials for the paper industry. Without heat exchangers, paper mills would have exceedingly high energy costs, which is bad for the environment as well as the purse size of the paper companies. There are a couple ways that the paper and pulp industry utilize heat exchangers, both of which are financial boosts, eco-friendly, efficient and effective methods. - [The Differences Between Hot and Cold Casting](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/metal-castings-5/) - I have always imagined cold chamber die casting to look something like a scene from an old cartoon where the character is suddenly encased in an entire block of ice. I imagined the process froze the metal quickly into the shape of a mold. Of course, this is not really the case. Freezing hot metal suddenly can cause the metal serious stress and even cause breakage in the metal. Cold chamber casing does not have so much to do with adding cold temperatures to the metal as it does with carrying the melted metal from one machine to another for die casting. - [Pros and Cons of Cold Casting](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/aluminum-casting-5/) - The process of die casting aluminum using the cold casting method is similar to the hot casting process, but has one major difference. Rather than the metal melting in the same machine as the mold itself, the melted metal is melted in a different machine, then transferred to the die casting chamber via a cold chamber. There are both advantages and disadvantages to the cold casting process for die casting aluminum, but cold casting is usually used with aluminum due to the high melting point of the metal. - [Cleaning Rubber Rollers](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/rubber-rolls-3/) - Rubber rollers have a variety of uses, from use for installing wallpaper and fiberglass to flattening materials in industrial factories. Rubber rollers have been used to apply stickers and labels, paint walls, lay concrete, and much more. Whatever use you use with your rubber roller, the rubber can become dirty and sticky over time. Use this simple cleaning method outlined below to help keep your roller in top condition for the next time you need to use it. One word of caution, if you use the roller around food or other consumable products, make sure that you use a food-safe cleaner that will not leave an unhealthy scum or chemical residue on your rollers. - [The History of Skateboard Wheels](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/polyurethane-rollers-2/) - Skateboard wheels were first invented in the early 1900s. A few inventive children took old roller skate wheels and attached them to 2 by 4 boards. The original skateboard wheels were made from steel, and were very difficult to use, because the wheels had very little traction. - [The Evolution of the Grizzly Screen](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/grizzly-screens-3/) - 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. - [Is Switching to Polyurethane Bushings Right for You?](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/urethane-bushings-3/) - Polyurethane bushings are one alternative to automotive bushings made from synthetic or natural rubber. Polyurethane is usually harder than rubber, and offers different features and benefits than natural rubbers. If you are considering switching the bushing material in your automotive production, consider the potential benefits that polyurethane bushings can bring: - [Centralized vs Decentralized Chillers](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/water-chillers-3/) - There are many different kinds of chillers used in industrial process. Chillers are used to cool machines, prevent sparks and other problems while fashioning parts, keeping rooms cool, and preventing liquids from evaporating. There are water chilling machines, air chilling machines, evaporator chilling machines, and vapor compression chilling machines. This wide variety of chilling machine types make it possible for any industry to find the best cooling system for their unique needs. - [6 Types of Industrial Ovens](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/curing-ovens-3/) - Industrial ovens are a necessary part of many different factory processes. Ovens are used to cure, bake, cook, dry, heat, and perform many other functions in factories. An industrial oven is usually created for a specific purpose, such as a large bread oven or ceramic-drying oven. In general, ovens cannot switch functions. In the industrial world, there are six different types of ovens that help facilitate industrial processes on a large scale. These ovens include: - [Baking Oven: The Mass Production of Food](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/baking-oven/) - Having worked in the food service department of a college as a sous chef and a caterer I have had my fair share of experiences with industrial ovens that were made for baking. Making massive amounts of food for hungry college students requires a series of very large baking ovens that are designed with numerous racks so more then one thing can be cooked or baked at once. That is why an industrial baking oven can also be known as a batch oven. Regardless of what it is called, a baking oven in a commercial context such as a school or a catering business is used for the mass production of food and therefore must live up to the same sorts of standards imposed on other industrial machines. - [Electric Lifts Good for Small Applications](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/hydraulic-lifts-2/) - In order to position, lower and raise work tables or platforms one must use a lift. The three typical types of lifts are electric, hydraulic and pneumatic. Electric lifts utilize electricity from a power source such as a battery or an electric motor. This electricity provides mechanical energy, such as the lifting and descending motion, to the lift’s components. - [Chocolate and Conveyors: How Chocolate is Made](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/conveyor-systems-3/) - 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. - [How Hollow Extrusions are Made](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/aluminum-shapes-3/) - Aluminum extrusion is the process of creating unique aluminum shapes through the use of machining and metal dies. Most manufacturers choose the extrusion process over other metal forming processes because it is easier to make complex or unique shapes through the use of aluminum extrusion. The aluminum extrusion process also makes it possible to create hollow extruded aluminum shapes, which are ideal for creating unique machine parts and other hollow pieces for a variety of uses. - [Hot vs. Cold Extrusions](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/aluminum-extrusions-5/) - The metal extrusion process is a popular process in the metal fabrication world because it can produce long, strong pieces of metal formed from one solid piece of metal. In both hot and cold extrusion processes, a piece of metal is pressed through a die under enormous pressure. The pressure from the die shapes the metal into the desired finished shape. The pressure and lengthening of the metal gives the metal extrusions remarkable strength, even if they are thin and narrow pieces when the process is complete. The extrusion process is used to create a variety of shapes, including the t shape aluminum extrusion, c shaped extrusions, l extrusions, and h extrusions. - [The History of the IV](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/surgical-tubing-2/) - The IV and surgical latex tubing is a wonderful medical tool that has saved many lives. This past weekend, I witnessed the amazing power of IVs while my aunt was in the hospital. She was hooked up to many different varieties of tubes and IVs that kept her body functioning after surgery. While we watched her in the hospital, I wondered about the history of IVs. When was the first IV used? What were early IVs made of? What did hospitals use before surgical latex tubing? - [Facts about Latex Tubing](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/latex-tubing-3/) - Many people have misconceptions about latex tubing. Latex tubing is one of the most flexible forms of tubing, but many people think that it is flexible in ways that it is not. A latex tubing manufacturer can create a variety of tubing sizes and styles for a variety of uses. Latex tubing is used for everything from siphoning gas to creating homemade super soaker water guns. The inexpensive tubing retains flexibility and yet maintains its shape well, which is why it is useful in so many different industries. To learn about latex tubing thoroughly however, it is important to learn the real properties of the tubing. - [The Many Uses of EPDM Tubing](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/the-many-uses-of-epdm-tubing/) - My brother-in-law is self-employed handy man who is often times commission to design and install pool and hot tub areas, in addition to backyard playground equipment, etc., of which usually involves deciding the best sort of materials to use in each particular instance. More time than not, my brother-in-law uses EPDM rubber, which in addition to being durable is also resistant to weather and wear, in addition to not polluting any run-off rainwater. - [Two is Better than One: The Advantages of a Double Acting Cylinder](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/double-acting-cylinders-5/) - A double acting cylinder is actually used in more applications than a single acting cylinder. There are many reasons for this, dealing with the superiority of double protection and drive versus single. However, if you have the choice between a single and double acting cylinder, here are a few reasons why you should always choose the double cylinder: - [The Highway Crash Cushion](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/plastic-barrels-3/) - I’ve done my share of highway driving. From road trips to visiting my parents, I am experienced in the ways of the fast lane. Whenever I drive, I normally see a number of plastic barrels at the choke points on exit ramps. Not all exit ramps have a barricade of plastic barrels but the ones that would cause a significant damage to a vehicle and its driver do. I’ve seen more than a handful of movies where a car smashes into these barrels spewing water in its wake. To what effect I wonder do these water-filled barrels actually slowly down an out of control vehicle - [Manufacturing for a Target Audience](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/drawer-slides-2/) - When a manufacturing company produces products that are able to be utilized in a wide variety of industrial arenas, they can choose one of two paths as far as the variety of the models they make goes. The first marketing technique would be to produce products that can be used in a number of different industrial contexts, which would require a number of designs and options so that all needs could be met, and a very generalized marketing strategy so that any industry could see themselves buying the products. The other strategy involves choosing a target audience and arranging marketing techniques towards them alone. Specializing in the types of products used by one specific industry alone can improve hits on websites and calls and purchases made. - [Clever Uses for Titanium Foil](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/titanium-foil-2/) - Titanium foil is just like any other metal foil. It is a thin layer of metal made from pure titanium. Because titanium is such an expensive metal, titanium foil is also expensive. The foil can come in a variety of different thicknesses for different projects, from 0.0762 mm to under 0.0100 in thickness. Each thickness has its own set of uses in the industrial world. Generally, titanium is thinned out using a series of presses and rollers and the finished foil is wound around a large tube for packaging. Some of the most common uses for foil made from titanium include: - [Potential Dangers for Titanium](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/titanium-3/) - Titanium distributors sell titanium products to different companies around the world. Titanium has uses in nearly every industry in the world, from custom pipe creation, to jewelry, to mechanical components, to spaceship bodies. Titanium as a whole provides few dangers to humans or the environment, but under certain conditions, the metal can pose a health hazard to humans and the world around us. Explore some of the potential dangers of working with titanium before using the metal supplied by titanium distributors in close proximity to your workers: - [The Benefits of Wire Mesh Shelves](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/stainless-steel-mesh-3/) - Most manufacturing companies and warehouses have to use shelves for at least some part of the daily business. Shelves are used to hold parts, materials, equipment, and other supplies when not directly on the factory line. While there are a variety of styles of shelves available, one of the best materials for industrial shelves is wire mesh. - [The Many Uses for Diamond Mesh](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/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: - [Advantages of High Density Insulation Foam](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/closed-cell-foam-4/) - 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: - [The History of Conveyor Belts](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/conveyor-belt-materials-2/) - 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. - [A Dimple Can Make All the Difference: Metal Dome Design](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/dome-switch-3/) - 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. - [The Plunger Cylinder](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/telescope-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. - [The Science behind Electro-Magnetic Cranes](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/electric-cranes-3/) - 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. - [The Advantages of Hot Isostatic Pressing](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/ceramic-rods-2/) - 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. - [The History of Electric Heating](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/electric-heating-elements-2/) - 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. - [Applications and Benefits of Electrochemical Etching](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/chemical-etching-4/) - 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. - [How Does a Blower Work?](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/blower-fans-3/) - 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. - [Direct Drive Blowers or Belt-Driven Blowers?](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/blower-fans-2/) - Belt driven or direct drive? That is the blower construction question. What are the advantages of belt driven blowers over direct drive blowers, if any? Let’s quickly review the difference. Direct drive blowers are blowers in which the motor that controls the rotation of fan blades is connected directly to the rotor shaft or fan axle. This means that the fan blades will spin at the same speed as the motor’s rotation. A belt driven blower features a motor that is not directly connected to whatever equipment the fan’s blades or impellers may be mounted on. Instead, one or more belts are used to connect the motor to the moving parts of the fan. - [Steel Rule Dies: The Basics](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/steel-rule-dies-2/) - Every production method has a most basic level of operation, the level that started the trend or made the process popular enough to want to create alterations for specific applications. When it comes to the die cutting industry, the most basic technique involves steel rule dies. Working like a stamp, but one with sharp edges that pierces all the way through a material, steel rule dies are able to quickly and efficiently create die cut shapes for a variety of applications used in many industries. - [The Swimming Goggle Components](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/silicone-gaskets-2/) - As a kid as well as a teenager, I loved to swim, and participated in a number of swimming related activities. During grade school I was on our neighborhood swim team, and once I got into middle school I discovered the joys and struggles of synchronized swimming. Although some may scoff at this sport as simple water dancing, the physical stamina required to practice synchronized swimming is intense. During our 4 to 5 minute routines, we are never allowed to touch the bottom of the pool, which means we are constantly working to keep our arms, legs or torsos out of the water while retaining a sense of effortlessness and grace. This is not an easy fete. Both of these experiences gave me a grave appreciation for swimming goggles, the elements of which are fascinating. - [Compressing Trash with Hydraulics](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/stamping-presses-3/) - Hydraulic press manufacturers create a variety of pressing machines for a variety of industries. In a factory, a hydraulic press can be used to shape metal, compress pieces together, or compact a larger item into a smaller, denser shape. Other hydraulic presses are used to cut out metal pieces, or compress rocks into powder. - [Invention of the Hydraulic Press](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/vacuum-presses-3/) - Joseph Bramah is an inventor from England who was born on April 13, 1748 in Yorkshire, England. He started his invention work when he designed a lock, and received a patent for it in 1784. He soon started a lock company called Bramah Locks, whose locks were well known for their resistance to tampering and lock picking. In fact, they had a famous “challenge lock” hanging outside of the store, which promised to offer 200 guinea (a British coin) to whoever could open the lock. The lock remained unopened for 67 years, and it took the locksmith who eventually opened the lock 51 hours to do so. The original lock remains in the Science Museum in London. - [How Does the Hole Get Inside Hypodermic Needles?](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/how-does-the-hole-get-inside-hypodermic-needles/) - Did you know that suppliers for hypodermic needles use a very special process to create the small, but strong needles? Each needle must contain a narrow, hollow center inside the needle for collecting blood or administering medication. The process of creating these tiny, hollow metal pieces made from stainless steel is quite interesting, and most companies will use a similar process to create their own needles. If you have ever wondered how hypodermic needles are created, look no further. - [Structural Steel vs. Cold Rolled Mezzanine Systems](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/mezzanine-floors-2/) - A mezzanine is an intermediate floor inside of a building, usually open and not walled off. There are a few different types of mezzanines; including stick built, fiberglass, and rack-supported. In general, the two most common types of mezzanines are cold rolled and structural steel. Understanding the differences in the way the two types of mezzanines are manufactured is crucial to ensuring you choose the right product for the job. - [Aluminum Alloy Advantages](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/aluminum-alloys/) - It has been nearly one month since the announcement of the Lightweight and Modern Metals Manufacturing Innovation Institute (LM3I) and the market has already responded in impressive ways. The goal of the LM3I Institute is to research and design the most energy efficient lightweight metals which will be utilized in a wide range of industries. The price of certain aluminum alloys hasn’t been this high since early 2012 and price continues to fluctuate. Many companies and organizations are responding to this new era of metals in a big way. A number of aluminum alloy manufacturing facilities are now under construction throughout the world and it is estimated that these newer aluminum alloys will result in massive substantial savings in fuel consumption. These facilities are aiming to have aluminum capacities of 900,000 tons. - [Preventing Bond Failure in Rubber to Metal Bonding](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/rubber-to-metal-bonding/) - Durability is probably the most important characteristic of many products and is especially important for parts with rubber to metal bonding. The automotive industry uses rubber bonding on parts to absorb and dampen sound; this is one of the most common applications in the field. So how is durability ensured in the specific instance of these particular products? Well, there are a few different issue that could lead to failure as well as different ways to prevent them. - [Understanding Abrasive Flow Machining](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/abrasive-flow-machining/) - Abrasive flow machining is a finishing process for a variety of materials including tough metals such as titanium. Abrasive flow machining can be utilized in a number of industries including: aerospace, automotive, pharmaceutical, food processing, medical, electronics. Although this operation is ideal for many applications there a different types of abrasive flow machining. Regardless of the type, a hydraulic cylinder pushes an abrasive substance through a channel which is known as the work piece resulting in shaping, deburring and polishing. One major benefit of this process is the ability to control the specific output of the machining by using different grit sizes and types of media. By understanding the advantages and disadvantages of each type of media and abrasive flow machining styles the most cost effective results can be achieved. - [Tungsten Carbide vs. Titanium](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/tungsten-carbide/) - Although Tungsten was originally used for light bulbs in the early 1900’s we know today that Tungsten is a highly versatile and necessary metal for many industrial tasks. Over the years we have expanded Tungsten’s uses to include sharpening other metals, plastics, ceramics, mining operations and construction. One factor that makes this metal particularly unique is Tungsten has the highest boiling point of all metals and second highest of all elements second to Carbon. This is a metal of choice for many military applications due to Tungsten’s durability and high resistance to corrosion. This metal is used in missiles, rockets, anti-tank armor piercing rounds, micro-shrapnel and more. By utilizing carbon in the manufacturing process engineers are able to create Tungsten Carbide. This product is significantly harder than Tungsten. On the Mohs hardness scale Tungsten is 7.5 while Tungsten Carbide is 9. - [Glue Rubber to Metal: Water Based vs. Solvent Based Adhesives](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/glue-rubber-to-metal/) - There are various types of gluing agents available on the market each with their own distinct attributes which are ideal for different applications. Water based adhesives have become very popular due to a number of their benefits. Traditionally solvent based adhesives have a greater shear and peel strength compared to water based adhesives, however there have been some recent breakthroughs in the water based field. These innovations have not only improved the strength of water based adhesives but they also enhanced the speed in which the glue will adhere to materials. These water based adhesives allow the rubber to have a greater bonding strength to metal’s porous surface resulting in deeper penetration. This stronger bond is ideal for applications where strong bonds are needed but also this advantage allows for greater resistance and flexibility to cold and heat. - [Tubing Roller Techniques](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/tubing-roller/) - Tubing rollers are industrial machines used to roll tubes of a variety of materials and shapes. Most are equipped with LED digital displays, which monitor the bending roll and help to achieve precise positioning for greater rolling accuracy. With interchangeable dies, the machines are able to work with a variety of tube shapes such as round tubing, round pipe, channel, square, as well as other profiles. The machines are commonly able to bend tubing anywhere from ¾” to 2”, but other sizes may also be accommodated depending on the tubing roller. Often times, these machines use incremental bending to achieve the precise desired curvature. Tube rollers are used to bend tubes of several different materials from brass and aluminum to stainless steel and titanium. - [Embossing Machines for Varying Applications](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/embossing-machines-3/) - Many different industries use embossing machines in a variety of applications. For this reason, there are several different types of embossing machines to suit each specific application in the best way. The type used usually depends on the material or the surface that is being embossed. Rigid and hard surfaces like aluminum or steel usually require heavy duty machines; where as other embossing machines may be better suited for flexible and/or soft materials and surfaces such as leather and cardboard. There are also hand held embossing machines that are often used by bookstores, government offices and schools. Ideal for seals of authenticity, hand held embossing machines work by two plates pressing together to make a single design. - [A Brief History of Titanium](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/titanium-wire/) - Titanium was first discovered in 1791 by an English pastor named William Gregor. The substance was discovered accidentally when Gregor noticed that the sand was attracted to a black substance by a stream like a magnet. This led to the discovery that this metal is its own unique element, which is one of the strongest and toughest metals in the world today; and is used in many variations such as titanium wire. - [The 3 Types of Heating Element Manufacturers](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/quartz-heating-elements/) - Heating elements are essential to the operation of any heater. The heating element is the main source of heat production in any heater. In electric heaters, the heat is produced by a heating element powered by electricity. The heat is then distributed through resistance heating, induction heating, or electric heating. Depending on the type of heater, different heating element manufacturers will create different heating elements. - [Basic Features of a Good Work Bench](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/work-bench/) - Industrial work benches are a type of work bench specifically created for industrial settings. These benches are made from heavier materials than home benches, and are made to withstand the rigors of everyday industrial work processes. There are a variety of industrial benches ranging from benches designed for painters to benches designed to create complicated wood pieces. No matter what use you will give your bench, there are some universal considerations that will ensure you receive the best bench for the job every time. - [Urethane vs Rubber Belts](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/urethane-belting/) - Thin belts are used for a variety of products, from automotive motors to large industrial machines. The thin belts provide anchors and pulley systems for a variety of mechanical uses and processes, and the belts are vital to the proper functioning of these machines. In the past, only rubber belts were available for this use, because the polyurethane mixture used in today’s urethane belting had yet to be invented. However, modern factories and business owners now get a choice between rubber and urethane belting models. - [Steel Service Centers Benefits to the Steel Manufacturing Industry](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/steel-service-centers/) - Do you know what steel service centers actually are? A steel service center is actually a facility that purchases raw steel materials from a steel manufacturing company and sells it to a customer. Often, steel service centers will process the steel into a usable product that the customer can use directly out of the box or that only requires a small amount of modification before the final pieces are finished. A steel service center acts as a facilitator between steel manufacturing companies and the factories and companies that actually use the steel parts to create new products. - [3 Benefits of High Strength Steel](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/high-strength-steel/) - Steel is a metal that has many variations and alloys that give it different properties. Some steel alloys are designed for flexibility, others for durability, and others for strength. High strength steel contains a mixture of metal alloys including silicon, chromium, manganese, and molybdenum to retain flexibility and malleability even with the increased strength. Most high-strength steel is produced through a complicated process quenching, tempering, and cooling at slow speeds to retain strength without the metal getting brittle. Higher strength steels can provide many benefits to a variety of industries, including construction, the automotive industry, and machine production. - [7 Uses for Aluminized Steel](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/aluminized-steel/) - Aluminized steel is a highly versatile product that has a surprising number of uses. Aluminized steel has a coating of aluminum alloy over the steel, providing the rust-resistance of aluminum with the strength of steel. Aluminized steel is so widespread, it is used in applications in every industry, from industrial production to children’s play equipment. - [What is a Palletizer?](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/robotic-palletizers-3/) - Just a few decades ago, pallets were loaded by hand or by forklift. There was no fast method available for loading pallets quickly. Loading a pallet was a long drawn-out process that took time away from other factory processes. In 1948, Lamson Corp invented the first automatic palletizer, which automatically loaded pallets with goods. This system was extremely successful, and it was not long before many other manufacturing companies also used palletizers in their businesses. - [The History of Rotomolding](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/rotomolding/) - Do you know the history of rotomolding? This process is actually quite fascinating, and so is the history. The first documented use of the rotational molding system was in 1855. R. Peters used biazial rotation and heat to create metal artillery shells and hollow vessels. The rotational pull of the process make the walls of each shape uniformly thick and dense. In 1905, the rotational molding process was used to hollow wax objects, and eventually, chocolate eggs in 1910. By the 1920s, the process was used to mold plaster of Paris. - [4 Types of Keyboard Switches](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/keyboard-switches/) - Keyboards are highly useful for a variety of tasks, from computers, to complicated industrial machines, to keypads for security locks and door closures. There are actually a variety of keyboard switch types, which are ideal for different kinds of circumstances and uses. Some of the most popular forms of keyboard switches include the dome switch, scissor switch, mechanical switch, and the buckling spring keyboard switch. Each type of switch is slightly different and provides different advantages. - [How to Clean Your Sandblasting Cabinet](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/sandblasting-cabinet/) - Sandblasting cabinets keep your workspace clean as you blast away rust, paint, dirt, and other contaminants from the surface of an object. But after blasting these materials away, what happens to them? The particles can build up inside your cabinet, making the inside a contaminated environment that can scratch and damage delicate materials and objects. The best way to ensure the quality of your materials is to routinely clean out the inside of your cabinet to remove unwanted contaminants and keep the cabinet clean between each use. - [4 Uses for Angle Irons](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/angle-iron/) - An angle iron is a piece of metal bent into the shape of the letter “L.” It is called an angle iron because it always has a 90 degree angle. Usually, the piece is created from galvanized steel iron, which is a form of iron that has strength that is more flexible and a higher resistance to oxidation than traditional iron. Angle iron pieces are used in nearly every industry, but you often see them most in construction and factory production. Often the factory will punch holes into each side of the metal so the metal can be easily screwed into place without special tools. Here are a few places where you might run across angle irons in your everyday life: - [Advantages of Silicone Tubes](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/silicone-tubes/) - Silicone tube supplies have been providing silicone tubes for a variety of industries for decades. One of the most popular uses for the tubes is in the medical industry. The medical industry has strict requirements for cleanliness and non-toxicity that make it a challenge to find products that meet the requirements set by the industry. Luckily, silicone meets all of the requirements. Silicone offers many advantages over other materials, such as natural rubber. Silicone will not cause allergic reactions in patients like some rubberproducts. Silicone is also impermeable, and will not retain any of the fluid passed through the tubes. Silicone will also not break down when exposed to UV light or break under stress or pressure. - [How to Handle Polyurethane Molding](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/how-to-handle-polyurethane-molding/) - Polyurethane moulding has become a popular material in recent years. It has numerous architectural applications, and you can often see it showcased in homes with crown moulding, or other architectural flourishes. Polyurethane moulding is also used on the outsides of houses and buildings to enhance the look of building’s exterior. Polyurethane moulding on the outside of a home is usually found under the lip of the roof, and it adds a sense of elegance to the home. - [Plastic vs Glass Test Tubes](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/plastic-tubes/) - Small plastic tubes have many different uses, both in the home and in industrial settings. One use for plastic tubes is in the scientific industry, where plastic tubes are replacing some traditional glass test tubes. Not all small plastic tubes can replace glass test tubes, but there are some uses where plastic tubes have advantages over traditional glass tubes. Consider the following benefits that plastic test tubes can bring to the scientific industry: Inexpensive: The cost of manufacturing plastic tubes is much less than that of glass tubes. Plastic tube molding is a simple process that can be completed thousands of times in an hour. Glass tubes take much longer to make and are much more expensive. - [Forging Press Safety Considerations](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/forging-press/) - The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (or OSHA), is responsible for creating safety guidelines for nearly every industrial process in the world. Without these safety regulations, many of the dangerous factory processes that employees complete on a day-to-day basis would be even more dangerous and deadly. OSHA is responsible for improving the health and safety of factory employees everyday. - [4 Types of Hydraulic Lifts](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/4-types-of-hydraulic-lifts/) - A hydraulic lift is a type of lifting machine that uses the power of hydraulic liquid to raise and lower a platform without jerks or the use of complicated elevation equipment. The liquid power in a hydraulic machine is a complicated component that has made lifting objects and people easier than ever. Hydraulic lifts are used in many industries from factory production to medical equipment. When used properly, these lifts are idea for transporting objects and people of various weights to heights ranging from just a few feet off the ground to over 100 feet in the air. - [The History of the Spring: From Clock to Torsion Springs](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/torsion-springs/) - The earliest springs were not coil springs like we think of them today. Ancient people used flexible branches and plants to act like a spring mechanism to trigger traps and other simple devices. In the Bronze Age, people began making simple metal springs, such as tweezers and metal leaves that could act like a spring inside padlocks and even to power machines like catapults. - [Types of Helical Springs: Tension and Compression Springs](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/compression-springs/) - Coil springs, or helical springs, are used to store and release energy. This is a simple mechanical device that is used to maintain a force between contacting surfaces or to absorb shock. Typically, coil springs are used in applications such as bouncers and shock absorbers for machines, or as a way to close a lid or door automatically after they have been opened. Usually, a coil spring is manufactured in the shape of a helix from an elastic material that can stretch or compress according to need. After stretching, the spring will automatically return to its original shape. - [Zip Lock Bags: The Closure Mechanism](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/zip-lock-bags/) - The wonderful thing about zip lock bags is that they can be used more then one time, which makes those that have purchased them feel like they are getting their money’s worth as well being an environmentally friendly product. Any item that can be reused numerous times is considered environmentally friendly, particularly when the plastic that makes up the item, such as the thermoplastics that are the usual materials for plastics bags, are able to be melted down and remanufactured too. The part of the zip lock bag that allows it to be used more then once is the closing mechanism. - [The History of Aerial Lifts](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/aeriel-lifts/) - When I think of an aerial lift, I typically think of the kind of lift that is used at a ski resort or other tourist location. Aerial lifts have become quite popular as transportation methods in both metropolitan areas and more out-of-the-way locations. The lifts are often used in areas where traditional roads or rail systems would have difficulties, such as in rocky terrain or mountains. Aerial lift manufacturers create many types of lifts for transporting people from one place to another. - [Polyethylene Bags VS Polypropylene Bags](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/polyethylene-bags-2/) - Among the materials used to create plastic bags in their many forms is polyethylene, one of the major plastic bag substances. Polyethylene bags have many positive characteristics that are very similar to the other major poly bag substance, polypropylene. The major difference between the two is that polyethylene produces a translucent plastic film, while polypropylene - [3 Types of Clock Springs](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/clock-springs/) - A clock spring is different from the rounded, coil springs of today. These springs are flat, spirals of metal that are used to provide rotating tension on an object such as a clock mechanism or timers. There are three main kinds of clock springs that have their own particular uses and benefits. - [4 Advantages of Coil Springs](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/coil-springs/) - A coil spring manufacturer makes many kinds of springs, all with their own advantages and disadvantages. The grouping of coil springs as a whole offers a large range of benefits that make them ideal for use in many industries, from to production to furniture making. If you have the choice between a coil spring and another kind of spring, consider the following advantages of coil springs before making your final decision: - [Laptop Computers and their Personal Friction Hinge](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/friction-hinges-2/) - One item I am not complete without is my laptop computer. I use it everyday after work and it accompanies me on every trip (even if it is only a one or two day trip). One aspect of this device I am really thankful for is the friction hinges. Friction hinges are a type of hinge designed to allow for controlled movement. While many door hinges, like those on screen doors, allow the door to snap shut after it is no longer held, friction hinges prevent this from happening. They keep the item opened to the same level it was. This is very important for products like laptops that contain sensitive screens. If the product was able to simply snap shut once someone let go of the top, the screen could easily be damaged. The friction hinges not only allow the computer to stay open during use, but are able to protect it as well once it is done being used. - [Use an Automatic Parts Washer to Remove Rust](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/automatic-parts-washers/) - An automatic parts washer removes dust, dirt, and rust from a piece of metal equipment, such as steel balls or smaller components of an engine. You can use your parts washer to remove rust from nearly any small metal object without the use of harsh chemicals. The washers are ideal for use with industrial parts cleaning as well as home cleaning for objects that you have around the house. Industrial washers tend to be larger, but smaller units are ideal for home use. Follow this basic guide to clean away rust without damaging the machine or the metal. - [Silicone Vs. Polyurethane](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/silicone-o-rings/) - The basic characteristics of silicone and polyurethane make them ideal for the production of O-rings, but each have high performance in some areas and low performance in others. This is why it is extremely important to be knowledgeable about the product you are using and the conditions that it will need to withstand. So, let’s discuss the major points of these two products. - [Advantages of Titanium Alloys](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/titanium-alloys/) - Alloys of titanium help make the metal highly useful in today’s world. Straight titanium is actually not a metal at all, but rather more of a metallic powder. When mixed with other metals and materials, such as magnesium, titanium takes on the hard texture and appearance that we think of when considering the metal. Because titanium is so expensive, there are many benefits to using titanium alloys rather than just the original form of the titanium metal. Consider the following benefits of using a titanium alloy: - [Invest in Titanium](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/titanium-2/) - Titanium is a highly versatile metal that is used in a variety of industries. Some of the most popular uses for titanium metal include jewelry, aerospace manufacturing, electronic products, and precision cutting tools. Titanium is lightweight, durable, and resistant to chemicals, temperature extremes, abrasions, and a variety of other factors that can cause some metals to break down or become damaged. Titanium is also highly resistant to rust- even more so than some stainless steels. - [Glass Tubes vs. Metal Tubes](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/glass-tube/) - Glass and metal are two very different substances. Glass is usually very brittle while metal is usually very strong. The difference between glass and metal are clear, and each has different specific uses. When talking about glass tubing vs. metal tubing, metal tubing would typically tend to be the more popular choice due to its superior durability. However more reasonable metal tubing may be opposed to glass tubing, it is important to remember that the two substances are different in many ways. - [The Basics of Tube Swaging](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/tube-swaging/) - Many machines require tubes and piping of specific diameters in order to function properly. To achieve these specifications the method of tube swaging is used. This allows tubes to retain a tubular shape as they are formed to connect with other tubes. A number of ornamental tubes are also done with swaging machines. Examples of these are shower curtain poles and candle holders. The swaging machine can change the diameter of these tubes at different points, creating a fancier and more intricate piping. - [Metal vs Plastic Gears](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/plastic-gears/) - In most people’s minds, metal gears are significantly better than plastic gears. A plastic gear is seen as weak and likely to break at any moment. However, there are actually many cases where using plastic gears instead of metal gears can actually provide many benefits. Consider the following potential benefits of a plastic gear before deciding whether to use metal or plastic for your next series of gears: - [The Pros and Cons of Electric Actuators](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/electric-actuators/) - A linear actuator is a device that turns non-linear motion, or movement that does not go back-and-forth, into linear movement, or motion that does go back-and-forth. There are different varieties of linear actuators, and they range in size, power, and use. The specific type called a DC actuator, for example, is usually used in conjunction with a DC power source in order to function properly. We often see these kinds of actuators in smaller devices that require batteries. The DC actuator is part of a larger family of linear actuators called electric actuators. - [Advantages of the Sonotube](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/advantages-of-the-sonotube/) - A Sonotube is a brand of rounded construction column made with a cardboard core. The inside of the core is a type of concrete masonry form that is easy to cut and has a variety of uses. The Sonotube is one of the most popular forms of concrete masonry tubing because it is versatile and has many advantages that make it easy to use. The use of Sonotubes have a variety of advantages to the construction process, including: - [3 Reasons to Recycle Paper Tubes](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/poster-tubes/) - Paper tubes are a part of everyday life. If you have ever purchased wrapping paper, tape, fabric on a roll, toilet paper, or paper towels, then you have seen paper tubes in your own home. If you look a little deeper, you will probably find other areas where cardboard tubes are also used in your home or office on a daily basis. - [5 Unusual Uses for Vacuum Pumps](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/vacuum-pumps/) - A vacuum pump is a pump that sucks all of the air out of a space, leaving a vacuum behind. These pumps are used in a variety of industries all over the world. The most common place to see a vacuum pump is in an actual floor vacuum, designed to suck dirt out of carpet and other places. Vacuum pumps are also used in manufacturing, such as when creating vacuum-packed seals on products or by removing the air out of light bulbs or other devices to replace the air with gas. However, a vacuum pump manufacturer also creates vacuum pumps for many different uses- ones you may not be aware of. The following industries use vacuum pumps in day-to-day business. - [Neoprene vs Polyethylene](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/neoprene-gaskets/) - Neoprene is a type of plastic that is a type of synthetic rubber. It is used for a variety of purposes, including the production of wetsuits and other water-repelling products. The water-repelling properties of the material make it ideal for use as a gasket sealer. Neoprene gaskets have many benefits, but may cost more than other gasket types. Some people may wonder what the differences are between neoprene and polyethylene gaskets. - [3 Types of Brake Testers](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/brake-testers/) - A brake tester is a type of automotive tester that tests the performance of brakes on a vehicle. Vehicle manufacturers use brake testers to determine the performance of each type of brake and to ensure that the brakes live up to the safety requirements for that vehicle model. In general, three different types of brake testers are used to determine the effectiveness of different braking systems. - [4 Types of Closed Cell Foam](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/polyurethane-foam/) - Closed cell foam is a type of foam that has closed cells rather than open cells in the foam. Usually, this means that the foam cannot absorb water or other materials, because the cells are completely closed. So where a sponge-like foam can absorb water or other liquids, a closed cell foam will simply repel the water and absorb nothing. - [4 Types of Stainless Steel Mesh](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/stainless-steel-mesh-2/) - Stainless steel mesh is a type of wire mesh created from stainless steel wires or strips. Stainless steel performs well in a variety of places because the metal will not rust and provides the strength and structural integrity of steel and other strong metals. Stainless steel mesh has a variety of industrial uses from fencing to draining, to screening. Some forms of mesh are better suited to some uses than others. Because of this, there are a variety of types of stainless mesh that have applications in industries from food production to raw material mining and processing. - [Polyethylene Foam Applications](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/polyethylene-foam/) - Polyethylene foam is a type of closed-cell foam used for many different applications. Sometimes called PE foam, Polyethylene foam is the slightly squishy, yet hard, foam that is often seen in packaging and insulation. The main applications for PE foam include packaging, aerospace insulation and vibration control, flotation devices, insulation, athletic equipment, and appliance insulation. PE foam is often the foam of choice because the closed-cell construction makes it resistant to water, mold, mildew, and other moisture-based contaminants. The foam is also ideal for absorbing shock and vibrations, and is highly effective as an insulator. Below is a list of some of the places you might find PE foam in everyday life: - [3 Types of Hardware Cloth](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/hardware-cloth/) - Hardware cloth is a type of metal “cloth” made from metal wire woven together that has a thin, fine texture. One of the original forms of this kind of cloth was chainmail armor. The links in the chain provided more strength than simple cloth or leather armor and were flexible enough to wear like clothing. Today’s hardware cloth is not used for armor, but rather as flexible straining and sifting materials in the industrial world. You can find wire cloth used in the industrial, construction, and household markets for a variety of uses from insect guards to metal laths to help plaster adhere to walls. - [The Many Uses of Copper Coil](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/copper-coil/) - Copper is a great choice of metal to use for many different projects especially when electricity is involved. Copper can conduct electricity better among any other metals out there making it predominantly found in the engineering, heating, refrigeration, cooling electrical and heat exchanging application industries. Different shapes and sizes of copper can be cut out of large sheets of it and can be formed into rods, plates, pipes, sheets, coils and many more based on use and application. - [Tumbling Media to Remove Grease](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/tumbling-media/) - Not all tumbling media is created equal. Each type of media is designed for a specific use and task, such as for removing metal burrs from machine parts, or polishing metal to a high shine. Tumbling media designed to remove rust will not be able to add a protective coating over your parts. It is important to select the right media for the job every time. If you need to remove grease and oil from your parts, there are a few different media choices that can do the job effectively. Before trying any cleaning method, check with the manufacturer of the part to ensure that it is safe to use in a tumbling machine with tumbling media to avoid damaging the part. - [The Advantages of Expansion Bolts](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/expansion-bolts/) - Upon first look they look slightly complicated, like something from an infomercial that you might as well not even try, just save the money that would surely be lost on purchase. However, expansion bolts can be quite useful, as well as reliable and dependable. Definitely not something you would find in an infomercial. A type of anchor bolt, it is comprised of a bolt, nut and lead sleeve assembly that is able to expand when tightened. While most bolts will have to crack the surface they are placed into, these models instead fill the deformities; not only improving the overall look of the structure, but also firmly strengthening the connection. It is able to create a firm bond and offers an extreme carrying weight. This provides additional advantage in industries that might work in vibratory environments because it helps reduce the risk of crack in the structure. Some industries that make use of expansion bolts include construction, masonry walls, turbines, motor couplings, gears, mining, seating and sign installation. - [High Velocity Fans on the Movie Set](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/high-v/) - When not emerged in the grandiose of a movie I’m watching I start to wonder how the producers and people behind the screen came up with the shoots. How did they recreate environments? It’s well known that fog and haze are created by smoke machines and dry ice. The equipment is even used in some school plays and can be seen at some dance clubs. It is also common knowledge how movie makers recreate wind. I’ve seen a good number of movies out there that show a big industrial fan creating a heavy wind effect. The most common example that comes to mind is high velocity fans recreating a hurricane for some unlucky weatherman. This is usually accompanied with someone dropping a bunch of leaves and debris in front of the fan to be sent flying at the poor person. - [Steel Drums and Hazardous Waste Disposal](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/steel-drums-and-hazardous-waste-disposal/) - There an array of industrial processes today that produce a lot of hazardous waste. From nuclear power plants to leftover drug chemicals created from the medical and pharmaceutical industries, proper hazardous waste disposal is essential to avoiding potential catastrophes. A number of chemicals can even be found in the average American household, such as battery acid, that can lead to disaster if not properly handled. Luckily, there is a system in place to deal with harmful waste. - [Advantages of Fiber Drums](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/fiber-drums/) - Fiber drums first appeared on the market in the first half of the 20th century. The drums were an innovative packaging solution to provide for a lighter container. Today, the packaging/container market is filled with fiber drum manufacturers. Occasionally referred to as cardboard drums, fiber drums are commonly made from fiberboard. They have a fully removable lid that is made out of either fiber, plastic or steel. This lid allows full access to the drum and whatever is contained inside. - [Preventative Maintenance for Heat Treating Furnaces](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/heat-treating-furnaces/) - Heat treating furnaces play an important role in many metallurgical manufacturing operations including tempering, preheating, quenching, stress relieving, normalizing, aging, heat treatment solution, annealing, hydrogen embitterment relief, and more. These processes are often performed continuously, and that is why preventative maintenance on heat treating furnaces is crucial. This can prolong the overall lifespan of your equipment as well as minimize the possibility of debilitating downtime. The most important part of preventative maintenance is regularly scheduled thorough inspections of the heat treating equipment. Inspections can catch small issues before they become major problems with expensive solutions. Below are some general guidelines and procedures when it comes to general maintenance and part replacement for your heat treating furnace. - [Kevlar Rope: When You Need Rope with Super Hero Strength](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/kevlar-rope/) - Stronger than steel and able to stop a speeding bullet? Maybe Superman was made of Kevlar. No word on it’s resistance to kryptonite, but the material that is used in bullet proof vests does seem to have super strength- a high tensile-strength-to-weight ratio which is five times that of steel. The combination of this kind of strength along with its flexibility make Kevlar one of the most ideal materials for cables, cords and ropes. And when it comes to Kevlar rope, the possibilities and applications are nearly endless. There is even a market for Kevlar survival cord, which is thread-thin and is a suggested item for “survival geeks.” The ad definitely takes a humorous approach, but highlights the many ways in which Kevlar cord offers superior performance and durability(even in the harshest of post-apocalyptic environments). Of course, Kevlar rope is used most often in industrial applications for those same reasons. Let’s take a look at some of those applications and why Kevlar rope is ideal for each specific role. - [The Advantage of Spring Latches](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/spring-latches/) - When it comes to products, the fastest and easiest solution with the highest possible quality is usually desired. This quick fix mentality goes for nearly any industry, large or small. One simple and small item that can offer quick solutions is a latch. There are an abundance of latch types that are used daily, in all aspects of life: home, work, travel, etc. However, one type of latch that sticks out is a spring latch. This specific type has some qualities that others do not that make it sought after in certain instances. Can you guess what it is? - [Benefits of Dovetail Slides](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/dovetail-slides/) - Dovetail slides offer economic and simple solutions to machine builders and users, guaranteeing precise movement and tooling positioning for special machine and/or OEM product lines. The base and saddle of the slides are generally constructed from close-grained cast iron and are normalized to prevent distortion. Designed to ensure accurate, smooth and reliable performance, dovetail slides usually have large contact areas. This large contact area means they offer higher stiffness and load bearing capacity than other types of slides. Dovetail slides have many benefits over other slides, and some of these benefits are suited to specific applications. I’d like to discuss some of these benefits as well as considerations in terms of suitability for certain applications. - [Universal Electric Motors: Advantages Far Exceeding the Disadvantages](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/ac-motors/) - Electric motors are useful for a number of reasons and are necessary where fuel powered motors cannot perform. Many electric motors are restricted by operating on either alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC) power. However, universal electric motors are capable of operating using both AC and DC power. So, why are some electric motors limited by either AC or DC and what makes universal motors different? Many items used frequently if not daily have universal electric motors that power them. They are utilized because of a vast amount of advantages, but like all things there are also some disadvantages. - [Tempered Glass: Achieving Higher Edge Strength](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/tempered-glass/) - Tempered glass is relied in many applications where safety is a key concern. Some of these applications include vehicle passenger windows, rear windshields, phone booths, guard booth windows, patio furniture, decorative railing glass, basketball hoop backboards, racket ball court glass, and more. Not only is tempered glass four to six times stronger than annealed glass, but if it does break, it will fracture into small, less dangerous pieces while annealed glass has a tendency to shatter into large jagged shards. There two ways to temper glass: thermal tempering and chemical tempering. Thermal tempering uses an oven to heat the glass (usually to around 6200º Celsius) and then cooled quickly with evenly spaced high pressure blowers. This fast cooling causes high surface compression. The chemical tempering process, on the other hand, combines heat and a molten potassium salt bath, which causes atoms to exchanges places, making the chemical structure of the glass more crowded and thus, compressed. The compressed state, rather than high tension state, is what offers the desired strength of the glass. - [Perforated Tubes: Suppressing Sound and Increasing Performance](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/perforated-tubes/) - Perforation is a common practice for metal across industries. The same could be said about the use of metal tubes. Almost anywhere you look you are able to see a metal tube of some kind. However, can you name a place where a perforated tube is present in an object or stands alone as a tool? When initially thinking about perforated tubes it may be hard to pinpoint exactly when and where they would be used, but after further thought we use something everyday that has perforated tubes in its construction. That “something” is our automobiles, motorcycles and cars alike. Not only our automobiles, but machinery in the workplace has exhausts systems as well that use these tubes. The perforated tube is located inside of the muffler. - [Coil Heat Exchangers: Applications and Advantages](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/coil-heat-exchangers/) - When it comes to heat exchangers, coil heat exchangers specifically are ideal for applications including boiler air preheating, pulp dryers, unit heaters, condensing and cooling as well as high-pressure, air tempering and dryer applications. Depending on the application, there are many types and styles of coil heat exchangers to choose from. Some of these include stainless tube bundles, double-pip heat exchangers, stainless steel tube immersion coil, bare tube immersion cooler, gas to water cooler, tedson coil heat exchangers, copper coil heat exchangers, combination ambient air/chiller water cooler, or coil tube-in-shell design to name a few. Each of these may also come in a variety of sizes and each have specific advantages. However, coil heat exchangers in general can be expected to have many advantages overall as well. - [The Differences Between 3 Open Die Forging Techniques](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/open-die-forging/) - Some industrial processes have been around for centuries. While many processes cease for a newer method others evolve with new technology, but keep the same basic principles. One industry that has kept these principles is open die forging. This process is still sometimes referred to as smith forging. The reason this method has stood the test of time is because of its numerous benefits. To start, open die forging can be done hot or cold, it is easier to modify large pieces of metal, all while increasing the strength of the product and reducing porosity. There are three processes that make up this style of forging and those are cogging, fullering and edging. Each process fabricates the metal in a different way for diverse applications. - [Choosing the Material for Hydraulic Cylinder Seals](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/hydraulic-cylinder-seals/) - Hydraulic cylinder seals play a crucial role in various types of machinery, and are usually constructed from thermoplastics, elastomers, or thermoplastic elastomers such as rubber, polytetrafluoroethylene, and polyurethane. When it comes to selecting the most appropriate material for the sealing element in hydraulic cylinders, there are several conditions that are important to consider. These include temperature, system pressure, media, surface roughness, system tolerances and sliding speed. Let’s take a look at the most important of these (Temperature, Pressure, Media, and Speed) and how they impact the decision of which material to use in order to get the best performance from hydraulic cylinder seals. - [Friction Hinges in a Fixed Position](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/friction-hinges/) - Have you ever slammed a door on accident and wished you could have had a hinge that held steady in an open fixed position, allowing for less wiggle room? To more easily visualize this instance, imagine the free flowing motion of a door in your house or office. Then contrary think about the way a laptop case hinge functions. Both are responsible for opening and closing, but each hinge performs differently. The door moves fluidly with no guarantee of staying open in a fixed position. The laptop case also moves smoothly, but does not require a prop to hold open in one position, it can self sustain an open position effortlessly. - [Step Up Transformers for Reliable Power](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/step-up-transformers/) - As a society, electricity is in some ways our life blood. Relying on electricity for work, communication, industry and travel are only some instances that are affected. To properly operate, not all electronic products need the same amount of power. In some cases, it is necessary to increase (step up) electromotive force (EMF) or voltage. In order to accomplish this task a step up of power from a transformer is needed. There is a variety of step up transformers that are able to accomplish this effort and each is of varying size. Large transformers seen outdoors on electrical poles or outside of power plants are amongst the larger transformers. On the other hand, they may be as small as a transformer that plugs into a wall that is used to convert power for an x-ray machine that requires more voltage than a standard socket offers. - [Many Uses of Medical Tubing](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/medical-tubing/) - Plastic tubing is used in almost any industry. It is used to transport water, heat, and other materials to important destinations. Perhaps the most important application of plastic tubing is when it is used in the medical field. In those cases, ensuring that equipment is functioning and performing properly can truly be a case of life or death. Medical staff must be absolutely sure that their materials are going to perform safely and not pose a health risk to the patients or the environment in which they are used. - [The Advantages and Disadvantages of Galvanized Steel](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/the-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-galvanized-steel/) - As life continues to become increasingly complex, the methods we use to create products must also improve. Gone are the days where many were content in simple, small homes, brick roads and buildings that were only a few floors tall. Now, we find ourselves in an age where everything is complex, with the mansion sized homes, bridges stretching over rough rivers and buildings reaching up into the clouds. With progress such as this, simple wood and brick building methods can no longer cut it. So we have turned to strong and durable metals, one in particular that can be useful, is galvanized steel. - [Heavy Duty Riveted Bridge Deck AASHTO H20 Loading and Fatigue Testing: Long Service Life Explored](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/heavy-duty-riveted-bridge-deck-aashto-h20-loading-and-fatigue-testing-long-service-life-explored/) - Heavy Duty Riveted Bridge Deck Grating has been field proven to provide long service life for heavily loaded bridges. Examples presented include riveted steel decks that are in almost new condition after over 15 years in service and others that are still in good condition after nearly 60 years of service with no evidence of significant damage or deterioration. This is in stark contrast to the service life exhibited by some welded type bridge decks. This paper begins to examine the fatigue resistance of heavy duty riveted style bridge decks. The results from static load and fatigue cycle testing of riveted grating under AASHTO H20 loading with a 30% impact factor are presented. The testing conducted during 2009 and 2010 at the University of Akron Civil Engineering Lab has examined the static behavior of the riveted grating and has included fatigue testing of full-scale decks to well over 1 million cycles. The extra heavy load levels and worst case load location were used to accelerate the testing, and show where cracks might originate. The results also provide insight into the best methods for attachment of the riveted grating to the support structure. - [CNC Machining: From Punch Cards to Precise, Identical Parts Fast!](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/cnc-machining-from-punch-cards-to-precise-identical-parts-fast/) - Do you remember your parents talking about their experience with computers in school? My dad would always refer to 'punch cards' that had to be manually inserted into the computer to get the desired results. He says that it wasn't until he was in college that he started using these punch cards to create simple accounting programs, and this was in the year 1977. The farthest back I can remember is to that one computer in the back of my second grade classroom and the big floppy disks (actual flexible floppy, not the hard disks yet) we inserted for some reason that's a bit blurry to me now, probably some sort of 'game' to help us learn addition and subtraction. I was in second grade in 1989-1990, and the demise of punch cards wasn't so long ago if you think about it. They were in common use through the mid-1970s; this decade marked the beginning of CNC machining and various computer numerical controlled devices. - [What's Cooking with Grey Iron Castings](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/whate28099s-cooking-with-grey-iron-castings/) - In an age of the latest and greatest in cooking technology, many chefs are making a surprising switch to one of the oldest cooking materials in the books. Cast iron pots, pans, skillets, kettles and more are often preferred to new specially formulated instruments in professional kitchens. Often more economical in the long run, durable cast iron cookware even add an extra something to every dish they help prepare. Chefs, food critics and researchers alike have long noted the benefits of this versatile material in the arenas of both health and taste. The advantages do not end at the dinner table, however, as is evidenced by the continued use of grey iron castings in the industrial sector for an ever expanding line of products. - [The Benefits and Disadvantages of Outsource Manufacturing](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/outsource-manufacturing/) - Many companies worldwide, large and small, rely on a business model called contract manufacturing, better known as outsourcing. The concept is simple-two companies divide the manufacturing and sales/marketing aspects of a business. One is a hiring firm, who comes up with the product specifications and brand. They then sign a contract with a contract manufacturer, the firm that produces and packages the components and products. In short, it's a business agreement made to save time and money, as well as streamline the manufacturing process and provide a better made product. Here's an example: A soft drink company has come up with a new recipe. They have it made by an established soda processing plant, who deals with buying the ingredients and managing the labor while they focus on branding the soda and making commercials and ads to sell it. - [Wire Rope: A Rock Climber's Best Friend](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/wire-rope-a-rock-climbere28099s-best-friend/) - For the past year, my younger brother has been backpacking around New Zealand, sleeping in a tent, working on farms and climbing mountains. From the pictures I've seen, it's been an amazing adventure in one of the most naturally beautiful places on Earth. The older sister in me, though, is always a little bit worried. I imagine him scaling the sides of steep rock formations or climbing his way to the top of Mount Cook, and I realize how much more of a thrill seeker he is than me. While I would prefer he take up a more relaxing outdoor sport like fishing, the fact that he's well equipped for belaying allows my mind to rest easy. Instead of relying on a good grip and foot holding, most rock climbers these days use an effective system consisting of a harness, pulley and belay loop, which are all attached to a sturdy climbing rope. Belaying ensures the climbers won't fall very far in case they slip off a rock. - [Graphite is More Than Just Pencil Lead](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/graphite-is-more-than-just-pencil-lead/) - When asked about the mineral graphite, one image likely comes to mind: a pencil. This soft, dark grey, greasy material, also called black lead and plumbago, has been used to jot down notes and draw pictures for hundreds of years. Its name is even derived from the Latin term for 'to draw/write.' Graphite is only found in a handful of places around the world, including Africa, the British Isles and a couple of U.S. states-including my home state of Michigan. There are 3 main types of natural graphite that are all found in different types of ore deposit. Crystalline graphite is flat with hexagonal edges, amorphous graphite is very thin and flakey, and lump graphite is found in veins of fractures underground. The first pencil was composed of sticks of graphite tied together with string. As you can imagine, this early writing utensil wasn't exactly user friendly, but it could easily be erased with rubber. It wasn't until much later that the modern pencil-the wooden kind with a pink eraser top that we use today-became popular. - [Friction Materials: Essential for Motion Control & Braking](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/friction-materials-essential-for-motion-control-braking/) - Let's imagine for a moment a world without friction, which is, simply put, the force resistant to movement when any two objects rub against each other. Wait a second... that's just too chaotic! If you think the world is a disaster now, just take away friction and... boom! Everything crashes into everything because there's no force to stop it. So, here's what I'll do: I'll just take away the friction between your posterior and what it's sitting on... I need a good laugh today. You can't stay put can you? Keep slipping and sliding, huh? - [The Simple Design of Hydraulic Cylinders](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/the-simple-design-of-hydraulic-cylinders/) - Do you ever wonder how those heavy duty, high powered equipment vehicles work? I'm talking about tractors, bulldozers, cranes and trucks that lift, push, haul, dump, dig, crush and drill in countless large-scale applications. They harness enormous power to handle extremely heavy loads. You might be surprised, but the main part behind the power-hydraulic cylinders-are probably more simple than they seem, and they don't require a lot of energy. They use the basic principle of fluid under pressure, and are featured in any system that needs multiple moving parts at once. These cylinders have been around for a while, since the 1970s, and haven't changed much in design or function. Sure, their manufacturing processes are faster and the tolerances are tighter, but their classic construction still operates just as well with newer machinery as they do with old. - [The Challenger Disaster of '86 Prompted Current O-Ring Design and Safety](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/the-challenger-disaster-of-e2809986-prompted-current-o-ring-design-and-safety/) - Many people remember 1986 by the neon colored leggings, popping Glass Tiger cassettes into new Walkmans and going to see Top Gun numerous times. But what sticks out in everyone's mind about this year was the random disasters. 4 months in, the Chernobyl plant in the Ukraine exploded, creating the worst nuclear disaster of all time, and the US Challenger exploded a minute after take off. I was too young to remember any of this, being -8 months at the time, but the lasting effects of these accidents are still felt, even by those who weren't around. While the Soviet Union was dealing with a catastrophic explosion and deadly radiation penetrating their cities, the United States was mourning the passing of seven fallen astronauts. - [You Can Stop Pressure Vessel Failure!](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/you-can-stop-pressure-vessel-failure/) - A couple years ago, a high-pressure vessel containing water and air was operating on a much higher psi than its design allowed. After years of too much pressure, a small leak developed. It was caught and welded shut. But a month later, the welding job, which did not adhere with safety codes, failed, causing the vessel to rupture and explode. Pieces of shrapnel metal weighing over a thousand pounds traveled at extremely high speeds up to a half-mile before landing on nearby highways and railways. A large portion of the plant was destroyed, half the state was without phone or electricity, and 3 plant workers were killed. If the contents had been flammable, there would have been an explosion too, making the accident much more devastating. Pretty intense, huh? Unfortunately, pressure vessel incidents like this happen much more than they should. - [Which Type of Industrial Dryer Best Fits your Needs?](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/which-type-of-industrial-dryer-best-fits-your-needs/) - When it comes to drying large amounts of raw material, there are a number of options for manufacturers to choose from, depending on their budget, space and properties of the material being dried. Industrial dryers are often used to remove moisture from materials such as powders, foods and chemicals for the pharmaceutical, paper, pollution control, food and agricultural industries. If your company is in the market for a new industrial dryer, there are 5 main types for different applications, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Dryers that pass material through a large, revolving metal drum and heated by gas, liquid or solid fuel are commonly used in the chemical, food and mineral industries. Rotary dryers have low maintenance costs and allow vast amounts of material with differing particle sizes to dry at one time. However, because these dryers are powered by gas, moisture control is difficult and they often create fire hazards as a result of drying flammable materials. Because the drum is often quite large, these dryers often require a lot of space. - [A Primer on Dense Phase Pneumatic Conveying Systems](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/a-primer-on-dense-phase-pneumatic-conveying-systems/) - Dynamic Air Inc., a major leader in the dense phase pneumatic conveying industry, is a specialist in the pneumatic conveying of dry, bulk solids. Applications range from food to poison, from light fumed silica to heavy powdered metals. However, all of these applications have one thing in common, the necessity to control the conveying velocity in order to control particle degradation, conveying pipe wear, minimize air consumption, or eliminate pipe line plugging. What is Pneumatic Conveying? Pneumatic conveying is nothing more than creating a pressure differential along a pipeline and moving a bulk material along with the air as the air moves towards the area of lower pressure. This can be done with a vacuum inducer, or with compressed air being injected into one end of or along the pipeline. Dilute Phase vs. Dense Phase Pneumatic Conveying The two most distinct categories of pneumatic conveying can be described as either low pressure (dilute phase) or high pressure (dense phase) systems. - [New Starch-Based Polymers Make Blow Molded Bio-Plastic Possible](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/new-startch-based-polymers-make-blow-molded-bio-plastic-possible/) - This last April, British environmentalist and adventurer David de Rothschild set sail in a catamaran he had constructed entirely from recycled PET bottles. As a statement to the growing global problem of ocean pollution and the need for higher recycling standards, de Rothschild planned to sail to what Planet Green Bottle calls 'Plastic Soup', a floating mass of plastic waste nearly the size of Texas suspended in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. This British adventure-seeker may have found the most creative way yet to call attention to this pending environmental risk, but plastic engineers and manufacturers have been working towards a solution in more conventional ways for many years. Polyethylene terephthalate, or 'PET', is a petroleum-based resin and may be broken down and recycled almost indefinitely. The addition of dies, fiberglass and other composite materials reduce PET's recyclability, but the majority of PET materials, such as the beverage bottles out of which Mr. de Rothschild constructed his boat, are recycled at a cost relative or lower than that of purchasing virgin materials. Still, many water bottles, soda bottles and other beverage containers never make it to the recycling bin, ending up in landfills, or worse: the Pacific's Plastic Soup. - [Expanded Metals vs. Perforated Metals - Costs, Benefits and Analysis](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/expanded-metal-sheets/) - Architects and building contractors are often faced with many challenging decisions when choosing the right materials for a job. Different types of metals, materials and fabrication methods affect the performance of a structure or facility hugely, and structural sheet metal is no exception. While perforated metals and expanded metals are similar and have some overlapping applications, engineers understand that their capabilities are very different. Not only are perforated and expanded metals separated by their application industries, but by their fabrication methods and cost as well. Perforated metal seems to be the industry standard for architectural applications such as building facades, fences and partitions. Because perforated metals are punched and cut, dies can be designed to cut patterned shapes into sheet metal for a variety of purposes, both decorative and functional. The shape of metal perforations can determine a material's usefulness for blocking microwaves, sound waves or light; perforated metals are used in all these industries. Next time you warm up some leftovers, take a look at your microwave door. See that filter in the glass? That's a piece of perforated metal blocking microwaves from coming through the door. - [Advantages of AC-DC 'Brick' Power Modules](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/advantages-of-ac-dc-e2809cbricke2809d-power-modules/) - Compact DC-DC converters have made their way into millions of electronic products and systems. The vast majority of these depend upon an AC-DC power supply (metal box or chassis-mount) to convert the AC into a DC voltage from which the converters can operate. In addition, regulations have mandated that these power supplies include Power Factor & Harmonic Correction (PFHC) to maximize the available power from the power grid. Add to this the need to be as small as possible and to operate with in harsh ambient temperatures and the designer is faced with a problem that is not easily solved. - [Vacuum Forming: a Cost-effective, Versatile Plastic Molding Alternative](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/cost-effective-versatile-plastic-molding-alternative/) - Vacuum forming is a simpler process than injection molding, involving less equipment for the production of parts and requiring less tooling. Vacuum forming companies offer services that are economical yet still give customers the desired design flexibility for a wide range of plastic products because of low-cost tooling modifications. If you are looking for a cost-effective process for creating three-dimensional plastic products with sharp, precise details plus the option for trim and other visually appealing decoration, vacuum forming might just be the ticket. Known as a thermoforming process because it utilizes heat to make the plastic sheet or film pliable enough to form over and around a mold, vacuum forming serves industries such as food, cosmetics, medical, electronics, consumer products, toys, athletic equipment, appliance, automotive, office supplies, etc. The packaging industry deserves a separate mention because it relies heavily on vacuum formed items such as blister packs, inserts, trays and clamshells, all of which act to hold products in place as part of overall packaging protection, plus offer aesthetic appeal. - [The Plastic Pallet And Fire Protection](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/the-plastic-pallet-and-fire-protection/) - This paper attempts to identify some of the specifics of the process used to obtain approval for use of plastic pallets as equivalent to wood pallets for use in warehouse storage. This paper is written to look at the issue in general and is not intended to cover all storage situations. Your specific situation should be evaluated by a fire protection specialist. Most plastic pallets are molded out of polyolefin materials such as high density polyethylene or polypropylene. These materials are more flammable than the wood used to make pallets. Over the years the industry has argued with the fire protection establishment that plastic pallets, while they burn hotter than wood, are much more difficult to ignite. Fire protection people counter with the fact that most warehouse fires are arson and if an arsonist wants to start a fire they will do what ever they need to do to get a fire started. - [How to Write a Specification For and Evaluate a Design/Build Cleanroom Proposal](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/how-to-write-a-specification-for-and-evaluate-a-designbuild-cleanroom-proposal/) - With the increasing emphasis on utilizing the design/build method of delivery in the construction industry, and the desire to evaluate proposals using that old adage of 'apples to apples', it becomes incumbent upon the owner to create a specification which will insure that contractors have the appropriate information to propose the facility accurately... - [Foam Inserts - Cutting Your Own or Having Them Custom Made](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/foam-inserts-e28093-cutting-your-own-or-having-them-custom-made/) - by Steven Holand, Carry Cases Plus Owner ## Pages - [Sample Page](https://blog.iqsdirectory.com/sample-page/) - This is an example page. 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