03 NovAssessing The Safety of Magnetic Workholding

Resistance to the implementation of magnetic work holding usually begins with a concern for safety. These concerns can be allayed by assessing the technology, holding power and optimal operating conditions of magnetic work holding in terms of operational safety.

Despite the competitive benefits of magnetic workholding in reducing costs and improving productivity, there still exists a resistance to the implementation of magnetic technology as the primary work holder in machining operations. This resistance usually begins with a concern for safety. By assessing the technology, holding power and optimal operating conditions of magnetic work holding relative to operational safety, these concerns can be allayed.

Magnetic Work Holding as a Safe Technology

If a machine operator has held workpieces with mechanical clamps for decades, the idea of relying on magnetism to hold workpieces, especially in heavy milling operations, boils down to an issue of trust: Is this really safe? While understandable this opinion is rooted in subjectivity not objective fact. More than likely, those who hold this point of view may not fully understand the facts of how safe magnetic work holding is.

So, how can magnetic work holding be considered as a safe technology? By definition, it produces a uniform, consistent, and infinite holding power that does not relax, give, or decrease until an operator de-energizes it.

In general, magnetic work holders are constructed with an array of individual magnets embedded into a magnetic chuck or plate. Each magnet has a north and south pole across which flows magnetic energy called flux. When a workpiece is placed across the poles of these magnets, flux flows into it. When placed in this flux field, a magnetic field of opposite polarity is induced into the workpiece thereby creating a magnetic attraction between the chuck and the workpiece. This attraction will remain consistent, uniform, infinite, and reliable as long as the magnetic field is energized. This reliability makes magnetic workholding a truly safe technology.

Magnetic Work Holding as a Safe Holding Force

Holding power or strength is another factor considered when forming an opinion about the safety of magnetic workholding. If an operator does not know how strong magnetic workholding is, he may mistakenly believe magnetic technology is not strong enough to do the job safely. This opinion can be allayed by two facts:

(1) magnetic workholdings can have a clamping power up to 1000 daN and

(2) depending upon the application, an instantaneous clamping force of 12 tons per square foot can be generated by magnetic workholders. This level of holding force is more than comparable to mechanical clamps with one additional advantage: magnetic holding force is uniform, constant and infinite until the operator de-energizes it.

Optimal Operating Conditions

To implement magnetic work holding solutions may require some training to understand the technology’s optimal operating conditions. For example, magnetic work holding is best used with smooth-surfaced workpieces rather than rough ones because the smoothness decreases the air gap between the workpiece and the magnet; small air gaps increase magnetic attraction and the holding bond. Some materials are better conductors of magnetism than others. For example, annealed materials are ideal while hardened materials don’t absorb flux as easily and will retain some magnetism. This condition can be corrected within seconds with demagnetization. Finally, the direction of the holding force is yet another adjustment an operator may have to make to safely implement magnetic work holding. All magnets have 100 percent clamping force directly away from the face of the magnet, but only about 20 percent clamping force against side forces. So, the geometry of a cut must be considered in the machining process to reap the advantages of this type of workholding.

DocMagnet Inc. designs and supplies Magnetic Work holding equipment. Their Permanent Magnetic Chucks have all metal surfaces and are built and tested to the highest quality.

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02 NovHydraulic Press Brakes Buyer’s Guide

When sourcing a new press brake the buyer’s goal should be to match the equipment to their expected requirements and use, plus get the best value for their investment. This means obtaining an excellent quality product with proper features at an affordable cost. Also, just looking at initial cost can sometime be deceiving as life cycle costs should be accounted for that includes maintenance costs and efficiency of labor in using the press brake.

Hydraulic press brakes began replacing mechanical ones in the ’70s due to costs and safety issues. Mechanical components were replaced with a hydraulic system which eliminated these costly machined parts. Of course, incorporating a superior hydraulic system with quality components is paramount to supplying reliable and accurate equipment for the end user. The buyer should also ask if valves, rings, seals and other key hydraulic components are readily available and if the company they are buying from has a good after sales service staff. Proprietary parts are often difficult to find or can take a while to obtain.

Press brakes, like all machines, have features that differ across the various manufacturers. The back gauge is a feature that is generally not included with this machine as standard equipment even though it is extremely useful. This gauge is typically sold as an option. This is true also for tooling as well. There are specialty tooling companies that sell after market press brake tooling for all types of press brake jobs. Yet, a savvy buyer will be able to negotiate a front operated power back gauge and tooling package to be included with their press brake purchase. If the supplier is on the cutting edge he will have either American or European style tooling to offer to the customer.

Since the buyer usually has to rely on the salesman’s recommendations, it is very important to buy from a dealer who not only is knowledgeable about metal fabricating machinery, but also has some metallurgical background and common sense. When the customer says they want a 150 ton press brake for instance, the salesman needs to query them further and pin point the type of material they are going to be working with. Bending stainless steel requires 50% more power than bending 60,000 tensile plate for instance. The salesman should know that the term “mild steel” hasn’t existed in over 20 years. This material was replaced with A36 and the tensile can range from 57,000 psi up to 80,000 psi. There is a huge gap, so instead of figuring 15.4 tons per foot when bending ¼” A36 material you need to kick it up to at least 19 tons per foot. Even though the end user may not have given enough information to the sales person, it is still up to the sales person to help match up the right equipment for the job by asking the right additional questions.

The buyer also needs to be certain that whichever press brake they purchases that it is flush floor mounted. Many of the 150 and 176 ton machines on the market require a slot in the floor to accommodate the apron that hangs from the front end of the press brake. Sometimes the photo in a catalogue does not pick up this issue. Ask your sales person so that you don’t become surprised and pay a lot more money for this type of foundation.

Purchasing press brakes is an important task; there are some valuable tips that can go a long way in saving the buyer money and labor. Be sure to do your research and search for high quality equipment, as witnessed by this salesman.

Robert E. Heller is the president of E.G. Heller’s Son, Inc. and has been involved with selling high quality hydraulic press brakes and other metal fabrication equipment for 35 years. You can reach him toll free at 1-800-233-0929 for advice or see all the metal fabricating machinery E.G. Heller’s has to offer at http://www.hellerson.com

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28 OctAbout Welding Machines

In industrial context, welding refers to a fabrication process that joins materials such as metals and thermoplastics, by causing coalescence. This is typically done by softening the work pieces and adding a filler material, which is often a welding rod, to form a pool of molten material that cools to become a strong joint. Various processes and energy sources are used for welding, such as gas flame, electric arc, laser, electric beam, friction, and ultra sound.

Welding machines can be broadly classified into different categories depending on the type of welding processes and equipment used during the process. Some welding machines use transformers for converting high voltage, low current electricity into high current low voltage, often between 17 to 45 volts and 190 to 590 amperes. These types of welding machines are the least expensive and allow welders to select the output current by either moving the core of the transformer in and out of the magnetic field or by allowing the welder to select from a set of taps on the transformer.

Some welding machines use an internal combustion engine or an electric motor to drive the alternator or generator present in these machines. The process used is similar to transformer based welding machines as power is first converted into mechanical and back to electrical energy to achieve the step-down affect.

Inverter based welding machines use high-power semiconductors such as the IGBT for building a switching power supply capable of handling high loads of arc welding. These machines convert utility electricity into high voltage and store it in a capacitor bank. The stored energy is then transferred to a secondary transformer for producing the desired welding current.

Welding machines have simplified different types of machining jobs undertaken in small and large manufacturing companies. Automated welding machine is also in use and has helped in increasing the effectiveness of welding processes.

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28 OctComposite Materials by Taiwan Electric Insulator Co. Ltd.

Established in 1978, Taiwan Electric Insulator Co. Ltd. is a world leading manufacturer of composite material with the technology, knowledge and ability to produce the highest grade composite material to specific customers’ needs and requirements.

Taiwan Electric Insulator Co. Ltd. has a vast range of specific composite materials for your needs, from electroplated glass-fiber, the latest bulletproof aramid fabrics to high spec carbon fiber and carbon modulus. Our vision is to keep developing new and innovative fabrics, keeping pace with the fast changes in composite development and design. Evolution and technical advancements are the keys to this industry, and we look forward to helping you accomplish your individual dream.

Contact us for more composite materials now!

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27 OctHow Do I Choose Thermocouple?

Thermocouples are constantly secretly working all around you. But what are thermocouples and how do they work? In simple terms, a thermocouple is a sensor which measures temperature. It produces a unique voltage at a given temperature which can then be measured and interpreted by a thermocouple thermometer. They are used for a range of measurement and control tasks, widely used in science and the manufacturing industry.

Thermocouple thermometers are used for temperature measurement in kilns, diesel engines, ovens and industrial processes. Thermocouple works because of the thermoelectric effect, which is when a conductor generates a voltage when subjected to a thermal gradient. A thermocouple can be calibrated in a number of different ways, but there are four which are more common than others. These most common calibrations are referred to as calibration J, K, T and E. Each one has a different temperature range and environment that it is useful for.

The maximum temperature which a thermocouple will measure can be increased by making the wire thicker. When selecting a thermocouple, as with most products, it is best to follow a set of guidelines to ensure you purchase one to suit your needs. The first thing that you will want to do when selecting a thermocouple to use is to check the temperate range that it covers. The chemical resistance and sheath material, as well as the abrasion and vibration resistance, are factors which should be considered.

You may also want to make sure that you are aware of what installation requirements the thermocouple has, as it may be required to be compatible with existing equipment for example. The type of thermocouple is also a key. The three main sub-categories are Grounded, Ungrounded and Exposed thermocouples. A Grounded thermocouple has the wires physically attached to the inside of the probe wall which can help with the direct reading of temperatures. An Ungrounded thermocouple is isolated from the probe wall, which offers the benefit of electrical isolation.

An Exposed thermocouple protrudes out of the tip or the sheath and is therefore exposed to all of the surrounding environment. Depending on how and where you are trying to measure temperature will depend on what thermocouple is best for your needs as well as what metal combination and calibration that you will wish to use. Various different thermocouples will offer better or more accurate readings but only in certain conditions. Therefore it may be required to sacrifice response time or speed of reading due to the requirements of the environment in which you are measuring in.

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26 OctOil Seals: Affordable Way to Pack Oils

Seals are vital in packaging. These are significant which take care of the packed products. They feed the drawbacks that are faced in packaging. Leakage and entry of fluids or dirt can be prevented in the packed item.

In our daily routine, we use many products which are properly packed for safety and security. Packaging plays major part when its about loading liquids and fluids. Oil seals are effective in acting as barrier which not only prevent the inner item from spilling but also obstruct external dirt from getting indulged into the packed item.

Hydraulic oil seals maintain high pressure in the packed material. Hydraulic oil seals are fabricated for reciprocating motion and the common applications. Construction of these seals decides their types also forming basis of the applications.

Peeping into the oil seal environment, consisting a shaft that rotate inside a housing or bore. Friction results in some clearance which is between the shaft and the bore. This seal restrict the movement of liquid from coming outside the shaft and housing. Sealing element, the metal case and the spring are the three basic components of the oil seal.

O-rings are also known for packing which being mechanical gasket and shaped like that of torus. O-ring can be used in static applications or also in dynamic applications where the relative motion is present. Rotating pump shafts and hydraulic cylinder pistons are the common usage of dynamic applications. These rings are simplest yet highly engineered with precise dimension and designing.

Square- Rings are designed to meet various applications. These rings are capable of meeting industrial and military specifications. Square-rings are made calculating mechanical stress of the contacting surfaces. These seals can capture high pressure and also do not fail mechanically.

Packaging of bottles, jars and tubes take place aiding screw-Cap, another type of closure. This type of closure is screwed on and off on the container. Container threads or lugs can be brought into the applications. Effective sealing which is engineered with cost effectiveness, the sealing is easy to open.

Wine industry uses screw cap and it has gained immense support over cork for sealing wine bottles. Screw cap can be screwed onto the threads of the neck of a bottle.

Sealing not only save packed items from leaking and getting dirty but genuineness can also be checked. It also denotes that the item is not used and is original. Manufacturing industry has been advantageous with the applications of sealing. The packed material can also be saved from getting spoiled or wasted when safely sealed with different types of seal.

I am a professional business writer. I have written many articles for various industries. Here I am writing this article for “Mim Plastics” who deals in Oil Seals, O-ring & Rubber Packing seals and many other types’ seals and rings.

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23 OctGood Quality Needed for Office Chair Casters

Have you ever wondered about the humble office chair casters that help make your life so much easy while you go about your daily tasks? If not for those wheels you will have to get up and do every task. With you chair on wheels you can just push and move around and reach for your files, your stationery or any thing else you need to reach while working. You will surely feel handicapped the day your caster decides to breakdown.

It’s important to have strong and sturdy office chair caster that will take your weight and be up to moving smoothly to where ever it is that you want move or to help drag your chair around your office. Imagine having to lift your chair whenever you need to go talk to a colleague. Instead just pulling your chair to your partner’s cubicle is so much easier. Casters are a great invention and makes office life so much more comfortable. You can move from your workstation to your laptop to your desk to file cabinet without having to get up from your chair. The convenience of an office chair with casters can’t be measured in words. They improve office productivity several fold.

Replacement office chair casters are available for variety of different types of furniture. The more heavy-duty ones is suitable for bulky and heavy furniture. The light and flexible ones are more suitable for lighter furniture that is moved often. Chair casters have to take a lot of strain of moving around and being dragged around so choose good stainless steel models with strong wheels. It won’t do that you are having office chair race in the corridor and you lose the race because your caster gives way. No, that was a just a joke. We are not exactly saying you are going to have a race in office corridors. It is meant to illustrate the importance of your office chair casters.

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21 OctTips to Acknowledge Before You Purchase a Mixer

Buying electronics are exciting. Whether you are buying spiral mixers, stainless steel mixers, juicers or another type of kitchenware, there are a few things you should consider before you buy a mixer.

Types and Requirements
There are many different types of mixing devices. There are individual mixers that should be used for baking and cooking specific foods. The more you know about these devices and their features, the better you will be able to make a decision regarding the electronic mixing equipment you need.

Commercial Blenders
Planetary Mixing Devices: Planetary mixers are beneficial for many different reasons. This mixing device is versatile and has many blending capabilities. This planetary mixing machine can combine everything from cake batter to dough. It has many different mixing attachments so you can combine a variety of ingredients without any hassles.

Horizontal Mixing Devices: Horizontal mixing machines are ideal for wholesale bakeries and bakeries that have opened within the last year and have a substantial amount of customers. Horizontal mixing tools are popular because of their strength and massive cylindrical barrel design. Similar to the planetary mixing equipment, the horizontal mixing electronic device has many different attachments for the creation of various foods and goods.

Spiral Mixing Devices: The spiral mixer has been used for many years in Europe and has been featured in many bakeries since 1960. These devices use a fixed-position mixing method. This mixer got its name due to its spiral mixing arm. The mixing arm remains stationary while the bowl rotates to ensure the ingredients are mixed thoroughly. These mixers are known for increasing the quality of dough. When it comes to the quality of dough, this mixing electronic is perfect. Many blending devices tear the dough and cause it to become tough and hard. The spiral mixers gently mix the ingredients while keeping it soft and flexible.

Price
One thing you need to acknowledge when you are purchasing a mixing agent is the price. Some mixing agents are more expensive than others, but some people believe you get what you pay for. A lot of people decide to save their money to get the mixing device they want instead of spending their money on a mixer that is subpar. When you are considering the price of a mixing agent, acknowledge the features that come with the mixer. The features this device obtains plays a significant part in the price. Some stores offer a wide variety of payment plans. These plans are beneficial if you would like to pay for the appliance in small payments rather than paying the full amount at the time of purchase.

Here are a few tips and facts you should consider before you purchase a mixing agent. These tips will help you find a mixing device that is best for you and your baking and cooking needs. These tips can be mixed and matched to find the perfect kitchenware for your fabulous kitchen.

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20 OctSafety and Electronics for Marine

Taking your boat out in the sea or lake with friends is always fun. The best way to make sure that your boat trip is comfortable and a success is to put safety first. Often, this means that you need to have, in addition to your life vests, your marine electronics in good working order.

One of the more important pieces of marine equipment boaters have these days is their GPS. A GPS can track your course, your distance from the shore, and your exact location, especially important in case you need help out at sea.

A quality marine antenna is also an essential safety component for your boat trip.

When you’re far out to sea, marine antennas allow you to boost your cell phone signal so you can make contact with land.

Want to learn more about top-quality marine antenna?

Having a marine generator is useful for powering many of the electronics avid boaters are used to, without straining the boat’s battery. A generator can power lights, radars and other small appliances. A marine generator is essential as backup for powering all of your needed marine electronics.

Properly charged batteries will prevent overuse of a marine generator. This means that a top-quality battery charger is essential boat equipment for maximizing battery longevity and durability.

There are other marine electronics such as satellite phones, televisions, fish finders and depth sounders that will make for a more enjoyable excursion, but are not necessarily essential for safety.

Quality marine electronics, proper boating instruments and their support systems are important for a comfortable and safe boat trip.

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19 OctDie Cutting Tools

Die cutting machines are used to convert sheet or web materials into desired shapes. These are used to process rubber sheets, non-woven textiles and woven cloth. Basically, there are two types of die cutting machines – rotary die cutters and clicker presses. Automated die cutting machines are used for cutting dies with precise and minimal tolerances.

Rotary die cutter, also known as roller press die cutter, is used in the high-speed processing of sheet and web material. The rotary die cutting machines press roller-shaped cutting dies against a web. Web materials are inserted into the rotating roller dies and then changed into desired shapes. Clicker presses employ manual conversion of web materials. This press consists of a wide plate or table with a smaller swing-arm head. For more difficult jobs, full head and traveling head machines are used. The cutting speed of the die cutting machine is controlled by an electronic inverter.

Top performance, high-speed, reliable cutting results and high precision are the essential advantages of a good die cutting machine. The machines are available in several sizes and shapes for various die cutting requirements. Most die cutting machines offer a lifetime warranty and are able to provide a maximum pressure of 10 to 20 tons. The new generation machines come with excellent efficiency and high precision. There are high-speed hydraulic die cutting machines that can make 15,000 to 25,000 cuts in eight hours.

Several common technologies are used by die cutting machines. Some of them are driven by pneumatic cylinders or air-powered. Some machines have hydraulic components. Low-cost devices such as manual presses are perfect for simple applications such as creating identification cards.

Check out rotary die cutters and clicker presses for your own needs!

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