3 Helpful Tips on Streamlining Manufacturing Costs

Throughout the United States, there are more than 30 million small businesses. If you’re a part of one of them, you may be familiar with a common issue: high manufacturing costs.

No matter the product your company makes, you have to deal with the costs of creating your product. And many times these costs are higher than you’d like them to be.

That’s why we’ve created this article outlining three helpful tips to streamline your manufacturing costs, so they’re less of a burden on your bottom line. Keep reading for more information.

1. Utilize Build-to-Order and Mass-Customized Inventory

One fundamental way to reduce your manufacturing costs is to produce two types of products. The first is built-to-order. The second is a mass-customized inventory.

This way, you can fulfill the demand for both regular and custom orders while still reducing manufacturing costs. In both approaches, once you get an order, you’ll be able to fulfill it right away.

Using this approach can help you eliminate carrying costs, ranging from up to 25 percent of your inventory value on hand. You can also reduce your procurement costs using these methods, which can significantly help your profit margin.

2. Focus on the Most Profitable Products

Next, let’s talk about another one of the most helpful tips for streamlining manufacturing your costs: focusing on your most profitable products. This is a great way to reduce manufacturing costs, but also can help with:

  • simplifying operations
  • improving productivity
  • increasing profit
  • expanding cash flow

And what business owner wouldn’t like those benefits?

Here’s how it works. Look at your product lineup, and eliminate your lowest-profit products. Also, look for products for which you could outsource production. And then look at your highest-profit products, and make a plan to focus on these.

Commonly, 60 percent of a product line contributes less than 10 percent of the total margin. That’s why going through the product line rationalization efforts can have a significant effect on your bottom line.

3. Evaluate the Cost vs. Benefit of Quality

As any manufacturer knows, quality cost reduction is a crucial part of managing costs. This is the process of assessing and adjusting the manufacturing process. 

The idea here is that you can use cheaper materials to create the same product quality, instantly improving your bottom line. But the risk is that more inexpensive materials have the potential to decrease the quality of your finished product.

It’s important to consider past quality issues as you’re going through this process. This will help you avoid problems that you’ve encountered before.

Helpful Tips for Streamlining Manufacturing Costs

There you have it: three of our top helpful tips for reducing manufacturing costs for your business. Now that you’ve read through these ideas, it’s time to make a specific plan for your company based on your unique situation.

Have additional questions or want to learn more? Contact our team today with any other inquiries.

How to Accurately Complete Daily Overhead Crane Inspections

Daily safety checks are vital for safety in an industrial environment. Safety checks are necessary to help prevent crane-related deaths, which average around 42 per year, besides injuries. 

Completing daily visual overhead crane inspections is an essential aspect of maintaining a safe overhead crane. Learn how to do this here correctly.

What’s Included in Overhead Crane Inspections?

To do a thorough inspection of your overhead crane, you’ll want to check for signs of heat damage and wear and tear on your equipment. Also, check the surrounding floor area to be sure it is clear of obstacles and debris.

Test the controls and make sure they don’t get stuck or set off warning alarms. Be sure that nothing is in the way of moving parts or close enough to become entangled. There should be no loose wires or broken parts, and all labels must be firmly affixed.

Hooks should not be bent, misshapen, cracked, or show other structural damage. It’s also essential that all safety guards are correctly installed. Parts should not scrape or grind against each other and should be able to rotate a full 360 degrees.

You should not see any leaking oil or hydraulic fluid, hook drift, or jams that happen on the overhead track. Make sure hydraulic, and air brakes work as intended.

Ropes and chains should be free of breaks, tears, kinks, or signs of noticeable heat and stress damage. Check each link and inspect all the way around, not just from one direction.

Tools for Completing the Inspection

During your inspection, you can use several tools to help it go smoothly and save time. Here are three tools: 

Daily Inspection Form

The daily inspection form will help you remember each overhead crane part you need to check. During the inspection process, you can refer back to it as many times are you need to ensure you don’t miss something. 

If you’re not sure what to include on the inspection form, ask if there’s one already available. You could also have an experienced coworker help you create the list or download a pre-made list from a reputable site.

Specialty Software

There’s a special software for crane inspections, so check with your company to see if they use it. If not, it might be something to suggest.

Good crane inspection software will help you know what you need to check for your specific equipment. It can help you generate checklists and track inspections that you have already completed.

Mobile Apps

Mobile apps that run specialized crane inspection software add an extra layer of convenience. You can carry a cell phone with you and run through your inspections without bringing a bulky laptop.

Mobile apps remove the need for having to transfer data recorded on paper into your computer database.

Best Practices and More

If you’ve found this article about overhead crane inspections helpful, feel free to check out our other blog articles.

We provide news and industry information about industrial equipment, maintenance, parts, and service. You can find our blog and contact information here.

Environmentally Sustainable Hardware: What We Offer

Sustainable and eco-friendly ideals have now reached every industry around for multiple good reasons. For one, “green” practices protect the planet we all share. They also boost your reputation among your clientele who are passionate about conservation.

Of course, it’s easier to make sustainable choices in some industries and situations than others. Still, you can take steps to make your industrial equipment more environmentally-friendly. Namely, you can choose more sustainable hardware. Luckily, Kor-Pak offers several eco-friendly products for various applications.

Gatke Phenolics and Laminates

Phenolics and laminates are useful for a wide range of friction applications. Did you know they make your processes more sustainable too? These products are self-lubricating, giving them a longer life with slower wear compared to competitors. That means you’ll need fewer replacements, saving the environment from excess manufacturing.

Gatke is specifically known for its long-lasting products. Now that Gatke is a Scan-Pac brand, Kor-Pak is proud to provide Gatke products as a Scan-Pac distributor. 

Energy-Efficient AC/DC Drives

Energy efficiency is a critical part of your sustainability. This is especially true when it comes to something with heavy power usage like a crane. Cut down on that power usage with high-quality AC or DC drives depending on your crane’s needs.

While we offer a variety of both AC and DC drives, we only distribute high-quality products which, among other advantages, are designed for energy efficiency.  

Brakes for Wind Energy Resources

One of the most extensive ways to protect the planet is by using cleaner energy sources like wind, water, and solar power. The wind energy industry is expected to grow from 113 gigawatts (GW) in 2020 to 404 GW by 2050. Kor-Pak is proud to contribute to these efforts by serving the wind energy industry.

We offer a wide range of yaw brakes and calipers for wind turbines and other types of wind energy equipment. You can take advantage of this for your business by installing your own wind energy equipment to generate clean energy. If you do, we’re your source for any yaw brakes you need.

Full Selection of Energy-Efficient Products

Some certain products and brands place a special emphasis on energy efficiency for environmental protection. However, overall, part of your energy efficiency depends on using high-quality industrial hardware items that work well together. The smoother your operation is, the less energy it will require.

That’s our specialty at Kor-Pak. We provide the highest quality of industrial brakes and other industrial hardware. It’s all designed to give you an optimal performance so you can make the most of every joule. Not only will this give you the benefit of a more sustainable operation, but it lowers your energy costs too. 

How to Find Sustainable Hardware for Your Industrial Equipment

Every industrial setup is unique. To truly make your operation as sustainable and eco-friendly as possible, you need the help of a dedicated professional. Contact our industrial brake and hardware specialists today to find out the best ways to optimize and upgrade your equipment.

 

How Does It Work: Demag Cranes

Cranes were originally discovered back in 515 B.C. in Greece to help build the Greek temple. Today they are still used in industrial and construction applications to erect huge buildings that wouldn’t be possible without their help.

Keep reading to learn what Demag cranes are and how they work.

What Is a Demag Crane and Why Choose Them?

Demag is a company that builds industrial cranes. Typically used in manufacturing, Demag cranes have a reputation for being well-built, reliable, and promote safe work environments.

This company has a passion for building long-last and well-performing cranes. They are uncompromising in their quality and performance since 1819—those 200 years of experience show when you choose Demag cranes & components.

How Demag Cranes Work

Demag cranes work much like any other crane works. They are there to hoist large, heavy equipment into the correct spot for your project. In a balance-styled crane, its beam is balanced at a point that allows it to lift weighty pieces with a small amount of force.

Think of it like a lever or a teeter-totter. When one side goes down, the other goes up.

When you see these cranes in action, it almost seems impossible. They’re able to lift any number of things in your job site, such as:

  • Steel
  • Concrete
  • Large tools
  • Generators
  • Drywall slabs
  • Lights

Anything you need at the top of your job site, you can rely on your Demag crane to get the job done.

Types of Demag Cranes

Many types of cranes are used for a variety of industries.

Process cranes are built to meet your specific job requirements. These process cranes use automated technology and overhead cranes to handle large loads and streamline your procedures.

Next is overhead cranes, also commonly referred to as bridge cranes. Overhead cranes use parallel runways with a bridge that runs across the gap. Then the lifting component of the crane, commonly called a hoist, travels across that bridge.

Overhead cranes are great for manufacturing applications where they don’t move around (like they would at construction sites).

What Is a Demag Crane Kit?

Depending on what you’re using your crane for, you may want to get other Demag crane parts, such as a Demag crane kit.

Inside the crane, kits are customized with additional pieces to make your Demag crane even more efficient.

Some of the crane kits include:

  • Single overhead traveling crane kit
  • Single overhead suspension crane kit
  • Double overhead traveling crane kit

The crane kits are user friendly and can help your business meet its exact needs. 

Get Your Demag Crane Today

Request a quote from us today to start being more efficient in your work.

Know someone who could benefit from this? Then be sure to share this article with them!

 

SEW Eurodrive Gearboxes: A Step-by-Step Guide

You’re on the job site, and your crane operator just blew a gearbox. You have a deadline you have to meet, but you can’t fly three truckloads of material 100 feet up. You need a part, fast. What do you do?

Fortunately, your mechanic tells you it’s a SEW Eurodrive Gearbox, and there’s hope. Here’s why.

What Makes SEW Eurodrive Gearboxes So Appealing?

SEW Eurodrive Gearboxes use a modular system. This modular system allows them to combine as few components to produce the widest range of capabilities. Because the gearboxes’ applications are so extensive, this modular system lets you select the part you need based on your application.

Categories of SEW Eurodrive Gearboxes

There are five overarching categories for these gearboxes. Standard gearboxes feature a wide range of design, ideal graduation of sizes, and heavy-duty construction to achieve up to 50,000 Nm torque.

Servo gearboxes deliver precision, power, and speed. You can combine these gearboxes with a variety of motors. The result is always an exact drive response for your application.

Variable speed gearboxes are designed to accept varying drive speeds seamlessly. These are perfect solutions for adapting speeds to different processing sequences.

Chemical applications and clean environments make use of the stainless-steel gearbox by SEW Eurodrive. Built from acid-resistant material and designed without a fan make cleaning easy, and the fan-less design prevents dirt and debris from clogging up the gears.

Many of the above gearboxes can be constructed to be explosion-proof and comply with all local, state, and federal regulations. You get all the power for safe operation in explosive environments.

What Information Do I Need to Order a New Gearbox?

If you are building a unique machine in the development process, you can contact us for help in identifying what gearbox is right for your application. We’ll review with you your needs and help you select the proper unit.

If you’re reordering a specific gearbox, you’ll need the serial number on the nameplate. This is usually everything you need to reorder because that serial number will have all the other details stamped onto the nameplate.

Details like the voltage, frequency, designation type, power factor, maximum torque, number of phases, and unit speed are stamped on the nameplate to help engineers in the field understand what they are working with so that any changes elsewhere in the system can be calibrated.

Other details like oil type, fill volume, service factor, mounting position, and thermal class help field mechanics maintain the gearbox. Choosing the wrong specifications will fail, and failure can result in serious injury to people and property. Make sure a qualified mechanic does your repairs and replacements.

Ordering Your New Gearbox

Contact us today for all your SEW Eurodrive gearbox needs. At Kor-Pak, we specialize in delivering the highest quality parts with excellent customer service. Our associates will answer any questions you have and get the right parts out to you ASAP. We also provide installation and repair services.

Scan-Pac Truck Blocks: Your Complete Guide

The global friction product market is expected to reach $24.7 billion by 2023. They’re used in all forms of transportation, from bicycles to 18-wheelers, making them essential types of manufacturing equipment.

Truck blocks are one of the most important types of friction materials. They regulate a truck’s speed and keep it running as best as they can.

The high demand for friction products lead to a surge in truck block manufacturers, but they differ in the types and quality of products they provide. Choosing the best one is one of the best things you can do for your business.

Read our guide to learn how truck blocks work and how to choose a manufacturer to get them from.

How Does a Truck Block Work?

A truck block is a type of friction material. These are used in systems that require direct pressure between parts to control speed. This makes them essential for a variety of industries, especially transportation and manufacturing.

Like all friction equipment, a truck block works using the scientific principles of friction. It refers to the resistance of motion between two moving objects. Static friction occurs between two objects that aren’t moving relative to each other, and kinetic friction occurs between objects moving in relation to one another.

Truck block equipment creates friction that can slow down a vehicle at the right time. That’s what makes it so essential as a part of your manufacturing equipment lineup.

How Do I Choose a Truck Block Manufacturer?

Several companies offer truck blocks and other types of friction materials as they increase in demand and profitability, but choosing the right one is an essential decision.

Scan-Pac offers asbestos-free friction materials for your forklift, crane, mill, truck, and other essential equipment. They’ve been ISO 9001-certified for more than 16 years, so you know you can trust them.

Scan-Pac provides several other benefits that place it above its competitors. It’s been in business for 44 years, so it has the experience you need. Its entire diverse product line is produced efficiently in America. It serves a wide range of industries and has distributors all over the world. Its website even includes a material recommendations tool.

While it’s clear that Scan-Pac is a great option, they have over 40 suppliers to choose from. When deciding between them, there are several factors to keep in mind. Consider the range of products they provide, their relationship with Scan-Pac, and the customer service they provide. Be sure that they can help you meet your business goals.

Where Can I Get Scan-Pac Products?

Truck blocks are an important part of the rapidly growing friction product industry. They keep trucks on the road running at the proper speed to using the principles of friction.

If you need a truck block, consider getting one from Scan-Pac. They’re an established provider you can trust with American-made products they can ship to you no matter where you are.

You’ll also need to go through one of Scan-Pac’s many distributors to get the products you’ll need. We have a range of friction products to satisfy any needs. Learn more about our relationship with Scan-Pac and contact us today for more information.

Everything You Should Know About Your Marland Clutch Kit

Before you start working with any clutch-type, you should understand how it works and what maintenance it will require.

This best practice goes for every piece of industrial equipment, and clutches are no different. By learning everything you can about a clutch coupling ahead of time, you can make sure you’re getting the most out of the product.

That said, how can you start your journey to learning all the details on Marland CEF clutch coupling and other types of Marland clutches? You won’t have to look any further.

Here, you can study up on everything you need to know about your Marland clutch kit.

What Types of Products Does Marland Offer?

Marland Clutch manufactures a variety of backstopping and overrunning clutches. The catalog comes down to two different types: roller products and sprag products.

Roller products consist of cylindrical rollers on inclined cam planes. You’ll need these for low-speed applications, like at the head of a conveyor’s shaft drive. You can use the clutch couplings within this category with a double engagement gear coupling.

Other clutches within this kit include CEBMAG clutches, backstops, CECON clutches, and HB clutches.

Sprag products prove more effective for high-speed applications. Within the sprag category, you can choose between the CSK Series and the RSCI Series, as well as RMS, RMT, and RMI clutches. The CSK Series removes a ball bearing requirement, allowing for more accuracy while using less space.

The RSCI Series works best for overrunning. The RMS, RMT, and RMI clutches can be mounted on shafts and include seals and ball bearings.

What Are the Advantages of Marland CEF Clutch Coupling?

With so many different makes and models available, from a Marland Clutch burr to a Marland CEF clutch coupling 62003, where can you start comparing? To begin, let’s take a look at roller clutch couplings.

The automatic-freewheel clutches have a long lifecycle due to the roller design. This means you won’t have to worry about any parts coming loose. You may need to stop the clutch coupling on occasion to check the oil.

It’s low on the maintenance side of things, as long as you check the oil lube on a consistent schedule. It works best for non-stop operations that need automatic and instantaneous action.

Sprag products provide the flexibility to be used or combined with other products to improve efficiency. They help lower maintenance costs and increase wear resistance overall. Again, if you have a high-speed application, you should take a look at sprag models.

Regardless of make and model, Marland Clutch products aim to protect your equipment and prevent injuries. The advantages don’t end there, though, as you can also leverage them to avoid downtime.

Get Your Maintenance and Supplies From an Authorized Dealer

This short guide to understanding the Marland clutch catalog will help you make informed decisions. Now, you can feel more confident about your buying decisions. You can also apply these industrial brakes to get the most out of them.

At Kor-Pak, an authorized dealer, you can find a range of Marland products to suit your every need. Our experienced team can also provide inspections and repair services, so don’t hesitate to reach out if you need a trusted partner.

 

Stromag Strong: 5 Things To Know About Stromag Brake Pad Products

Machine parts can eventually break down, leaving their replacement of the utmost importance and a huge priority for productivity to continue. What if that single part was helping power an entire factory or a key cog in a machine that’s critical to a whole town’s ecosystem?

Brake pads, crucial to nearly any applicable machine, are often essential for safety and efficiency. 

Here are five things you should know about the Stromag strong brand and its excellent brake pad products.

1. Stromag Offers a Top-Notch Range of Brake Pad Selections

With a wide variance of products, Stromag is sure to have the correct brake pad for you. Whether it is industrial brakes like service or hydraulic power packs, or simply buffers or discs, Stromag is sure to have the selection needed for brake pad replacement.

Check out the incredible range of products they have to offer.

2. Unmatched Quality Across All Products

As opposed to competitors, Stromag products are guaranteed to last longer and perform to a higher standard. Stromag often offers little-to-no maintenance required after assembly for certain products.

Also, brake pads are promised to include industry-leading braking torque technologies.

A recent review of key players in the clutches and brakes market saw Stromag and Altra rated superior to competitive brands.

3. A Reliable Company History You Can Trust

Originating in the early 1930s as an electric rail supplier, Stromag has always been at the forefront of critical aspects of business machinery. With the rapid growth in employees during the 1960s and 1970s, Stromag aggressively expanded abroad and within the U.S.

Continuing as a hallmark brand into the twenty-first century, Stromag consistently remained as a leader in brake pad innovation while also being eco-friendly.

4. Stromag is Forward-Thinking Towards Brake Pad Products

There is no doubt that Stromag has consistently pushed towards the future for brake pad products. Consistently ahead of the game in product advancement or energy conservation, the Stromag brand is globally-recognized as a world leader in brake pad selections.

Here’s a recap of very recent Stromag breakthroughs in the ship and vessel industry.

5. Whatever the Market, Stromag has the Answer

The Stromag strong brand has always been crucial to a huge variety of brake pad applications. Some of the markets that fall under Stromag’s expertise include farm and agriculture, oil and gas, or clutches and brakes for the metal industry.

They’ve even been a leader with the wind turbine generators, offering top-notch disc brakes and limit switches.

Make the Right Choice for Your Business

Simply put, the quality and selection of Stromag are unmatched globally. A leading authority in brake pad solutions, Stromag is guaranteed to satisfy and feature products that last longer and avoid further complications in the future.

What are you waiting for? For all your brake pad needs, contact Stromag today!

 

Here’s Why Your Business Needs Clutch Friction Material

Analysts expect the global industrial market for clutches and brakes to be worth $1 billion in 2020.

The clutch system is a critical part of your vehicle. When it’s time to replace your clutch, one of the most important considerations is the clutch friction material.

Why is the clutch friction material so important? How do you know which material to choose?

Find out everything you need to know about clutch friction material.

Why Is Clutch Friction Material Important?

Your clutch disc gets the most wear and tear of any component in your clutch system. The friction material determines how long your clutch will last and how it will perform.

Each clutch friction material has advantages and disadvantages. You should look for a friction material that will stand up to the engine’s torque and RPM. It also needs to stand up to the clamping force of the pressure plate. Unless you are racing, you want a clutch that will engage and disengage smoothly.

The clutch friction material determines the reliability and safety of the entire vehicle.

Types of Clutch Friction Materials

You’ll find six types of clutch facings. Each type has different features, so you can find one that meets your needs.

Organic

Organic facings are made from various materials that include phenolic resins, metallic powder or metal oxides, and compounded rubber.

These organic facings can be molded or woven. Molded facings are very economical, but they aren’t very strong. Woven facings have fiberglass yarn woven into them. They are stronger than molded facings. They last longer and have better performance.

Heavy-Duty Organic

Heavy-duty organic friction lining material has a higher metallic content than regular organic clutches. They have more heat resistance and durability. They engage almost as smoothly as a normal organic clutch.

Ceramic

Despite the name, the ceramic clutch friction material isn’t actually ceramic. It’s made from a mixture of copper, iron, tin bronze, and silicon dioxide. Ceramic clutches can also include graphite.

Ceramic clutch facings won’t fade even at very high temperatures. However, the clutch engagement isn’t very smooth because the friction material grabs very quickly.

Kevlar

Kevlar is the trademark name for a type of para-aramid fiber that you’ll find in products from racing tires to bulletproof vests. It’s strong and lightweight. It resists corrosion and heat.

Kevlar clutch friction material will last up to three times longer than organic friction material in similar conditions. Kevlar gives you the smooth engagement of the clutch overall. However, it requires a long break-in period.

Feramic

A feramic clutch facing is like a heavy-duty ceramic facing. Feramic clutch friction material uses steel instead of copper. Sintered iron is another name for feramic facings.

Feramic facings have a very high level of friction. They’re best for racing and heavy-duty trucking.

Carbotic facings are a type of feramic facing used for trucks. They engage the clutch more smoothly than a normal feramic facing.

FeramAlloy

FeramAlloy is a newer friction material. It has similar durability and temperature resistance to ceramic, but the clutch engagement is much smoother.

Choosing Your Clutch Friction Material

Choosing the right clutch friction material helps ensure you get the most out of your vehicles. Woven organic clutches are good for daily driving. Heavy-duty organic facings are a versatile choice for towing and hauling and most street performance applications.

Kevlar provides a very long lifespan. It’s good for off-roading. Ceramic and feramic facings are well-suited for racing. Feramic facings are also a good choice for agricultural applications.

FeramAlloy is ideal for heavy-duty hauling and towing as well as commercial trucking.

Kor-Pak offers a full range of industrial clutches and friction material. We’ll help you find exactly what you need. Check out our selection, and contact us when you’re ready to get started.

3 Major Components of Industrial Overhead Cranes

Overhead cranes can move objects weighing dozens of tons. They are indispensable to factories, mills, and refineries. Yet few people know how they work. 

Here is a quick guide to the three main components of industrial overhead cranes. 

1. The Bridge

The bridge is the track for the crane. There are two different types of bridges for industrial overhead cranes. 

A single girder design uses one girder. Single girder designs allow for easier movement, and they are low maintenance and easy to install. But a single girder cannot support large weights. 

A double girder bridge uses two girders. Double girders permit a higher height to hoist objects, and they support very large weights. But double girders are heavy, so they need support within the building foundation. 

2. The Trolley

The trolley is the vehicle that travels on the bridge. There are three types of trolleys. 

A plain trolley is the simplest design. The operator pushes or pulls the trolley into position. The operator grabs the load by hand and positions it along the bridge. 

A geared trolley is more complicated. The hoist operator pulls on a chain hanging from the trolley, which has gears attached to the chain. The trolley then rolls along the bridge. 

A motorized trolley has a motor attached to its wheels. A control pendant hangs from the bridge, and the operator presses buttons to move the trolley along. Motorized trolleys are fast, so you need to take safety precautions

3. The Hoist

The hoist lifts the load up and down. You can customize your hoist according to your needs. 

You need to know how much your loads weigh. Pick a hoist that can more than carry your objects. If you work with one-ton loads, purchase a hoist that lifts two tons. 

Determine the amount of lift you need. Subtract the resting location of your load from the hanging location of your hoist. Purchase more than enough chain and rope to lift the load up and down. 

Then determine the speed you need. If your objects are fragile, pick a low-speed hoist. 

You can install your hoist on top of or beneath your bridge. Top running hoists permit greater lifting heights, while under running hoists reach loads in shorter periods of time. Double girder designs usually use top running hoists. 

You can suspend your hoist from a hook or from a lug. Many hoists use lug suspensions, as lugs are smaller than hooks. Pick a lug if you want more flexibility to move and secure loads. 

Go to the Experts on Industrial Overhead Cranes

Parts make up the whole. Industrial overhead cranes work because their parts work together well. 

The bridge is the track or tracks the crane runs on. The trolley is the vehicle that runs on the bridge. The hoist is what lifts objects up and down. 

These three simple components are what make industrial cranes work. But they can only work if you maintain them. Read this checklist on maintaining your crane.