Custom rubber products for rail applications play a pivotal role in the 140,000 miles of railroad tracks that line our country and the world beyond. 

We have the equipment required to manufacture custom rubber products for rail applications. Before moving forward, though, brush up on all you need to know about these unique rail products. 

1. It’s Not Like Other Plastic

Nearly 29 million tons of rubber are made every single year. 

Much of that plastic goes into generic, mass-produced items. But for rail products, rubber has to be custom-fit to the specifications of every project at hand. 

There is more than one reason for this, too. 

2. Custom Rubber Products React to Their Environment

The wrong rubber can be a big problem when it’s part of a railway installation. 

Before a professional can fit the right part, they have to know details about the environment in which the rubber will be used. 

What temperature can the rails reach? Are there any gases or chemicals that might come in contact with the rubber? It’s also vital to know if any light will hit it, as such a glow can compromise the rubber products, too. 

3. Rubber Doesn’t Just End Up On the Rail

We say we make custom rubber products for rail applications, but you won’t just find our creations on the tracks. 

There are plenty of other locomotive-centric places where custom rubber products are essential. 

For example, we make custom rubber installments for train bumpers, and we can seal engines with them, too. 

4. You Can Choose the Type of Rubber

Not all rubber is created in the same way. 

Some of the rubber for our custom rail products comes from natural sources. But 70 percent of the rubber used today is synthetic, human-made for use in railway applications and beyond. 

You can choose either natural or synthetic rubber for your rail products. Each option has its advantages, though. 

High temperatures and oil are no match for the incredibly resilient synthetic rubber. On the other hand, natural rubber makes for excellent grip — and it can last a while in the right conditions, as well. 

5. It Doesn’t Start and End With Rubber

Finally, know that your custom rubber products for rail applications aren’t merely made of rubber — at least, not in every case. 

Sometimes, you’ll need an installment that has a bit of rubber mixed with another material to complete your project. An end-of-car diaphragm may need rubber and metal for sturdiness and safety, as an example. 

We can fit your custom rubber products with these other must-have pieces in mind. 

Choose the Right Rubber Products — From the Right Supplier

Now that you know more about custom rubber products — and how they work with railways — you can make the right choice in purchasing them for your industrial project. 

Start with us and our custom creation of rail applications. You can check out our blog, too, for more information about rubber products and our other specialty items.

Did you know as drilling increases, so do deaths—with deaths rising by 28% in one year? Working on oil rigs and platforms can have an increased risk for workplace injury and can be harmful to the surrounding environment.

An oil rig fire or explosion can happen and does happen in this field. Keep reading, and we will guide you through the common causes of drilling rig accidents.

Dangers of Working in the Oil Rigs

Oil rigs can be a dangerous place to work because you are drilling into flammable materials.

You want to make sure you are providing the best industrial machinery to keep your crew safe from brakes and clutches to the large cranes and vessels. Equipment failure is a common accident that happens.

The crew can take precautions, but some accidents are inevitable in this field.

Explosions, fires, and blowouts are other accidents that can happen on-site and are very harmful and dangerous.

Common Causes of Drilling Rig Accidents

We will walk you through the common causes of explosions, fires, blowouts, and equipment failure in oil rigs.

These accidents happen often, and you want to take as many precautions as possible because they can be deadly.

1. Equipment Failure

Maintaining your equipment in the oil field is essential. The fields rely on massive and sophisticated machines to operate correctly. If you don’t maintain your equipment, pipes and valves can be destroyed, and machines may malfunction or multiple other issues.

There can be accidents while working on or with the machine if it’s not working correctly. Kor-Pak Corporation provides overhead crane inspections that you should do routinely to ensure a safer work environment.

2. Blowout

Blowouts are when oil or gas erupts from the well. The system monitoring the pressure has stopped working when this occurs. A blowout can cause a fire or explosion.

3. Explosions

Extreme pressures from burning vapors cause explosions. When the pressure is too much, the top of the container can come off. Pressure systems are put in place to prevent this, but sometimes they don’t work.

4. Fires

Oil well fires occur when pressurized gas erupts from the well and comes into contact with sparks. The fire is hard to put out because of the large volume of fuel. Burn injuries can be severe because of the size of the fire.

Environmental Effects

One example of an oil spill is in 2010. The Gulf of Mexico was the victim of 210 million gallons of oil. It was called the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

This spill was damaging to the fish and marine life because the oil is poison to them. Beaches, fisheries, and coastal communities that were along the Gulf also faced damage and had to be shut down.

The oceanic environment and eco-system are still facing the consequences today.

Take Precautions and Keep Employees Safe

If you are managing an oil rig, or are a part of the crew, be aware of the drilling rig accidents.

Take any precautions for explosions, fires, blowouts, or equipment failure that you can to be safe.

Kor-Pak corporation can help with your oil machinery needs. Check out our brake repair and reline services and machine inspections today.

Industrial strength. What exactly does it mean for machines and equipment to be industrial strength? How are industrial machines and equipment different from common machines?

Keep reading to learn the differences, as well as a little about the current and future markets for industrial goods. 

What Are Industrial Machines?

Industrial machines are for use in large-scale business or manufacturing. In the same way, industrial equipment is used in a large-scale business setting for heavy industry. 

These machines and equipment are used for large, heavy operations that would otherwise not be practical.

For example, to build a skyscraper, you need an industrial crane and other equipment. Or, to dig for oil, huge industrial oil rigs are necessary. To provide wind power for whole communities, you need industrial wind turbines. 

We provide the parts, equipment, and systems to outfit these types of projects. 

How Are They Different Consumer Products?

The primary difference is that industrial machines are for larger-scale purposes than common products. 

You might say that any machine or equipment could be either industrial or common equipment, depending on its intended use. If you buy a ladder for personal use, it’s consumer equipment. If an industry manager buys the same ladder for use in a factory, it’s industrial. 

But that’s not what we mean when we specify industrial machines and equipment. 

Generally, when we refer to industrial machines, it means large, durable equipment. 

It is tougher, bigger, and can be used day-in, day-out in a factory or other industrial setting. 

A few of the machines and equipment we’re talking about here could occasionally be used at home, but usually describe huge equipment that large corporations utilize.  

Some examples of large industrial machines are oil rig equipment or industrial cranes. 

Market Forces 

The market worldwide for large, industrial equipment is valued at about $113 billion. New construction drives the demand for such equipment. Like many industries, it is very connected around the world.

As developing countries build up their infrastructure, the demand for industrial equipment increases. Also, more developing countries can start construction projects as technology improves.

As the world gets more connected, the demand for large industrial machines goes up with it.

The common trait of all these machines is that they are used in the large-scale production of goods. 

The Future

In the future, industrial machines will do more of the work. Some factories may even use the equipment in total darkness since robots don’t need light!  

But the demand for industrial equipment will keep going up as long as the world continues to build new things. This will be true even if some work becomes automated. The machines doing the work will still need industrial equipment to do the job. 

Whatever the future brings, industrial machines and equipment will always be needed. 

Contact Us

Please contact us today if you have any questions. We are ready to assist you in determining which industrial machines and equipment would be right for your company. 

Outdated machinery and equipment that isn’t up to today’s standards can be dangerous and, in some cases, even cause injury or death.

It’s essential to make sure that your machinery is always on par with codes and safety standards. It’s easier than you think to modernize old equipment and it pays off.

Have you considered modernization when it comes to your old equipment? Read on to find out more about it.

What Does “Modernize” Mean?

To “modernize” something means that you are bringing it up to the current standards of today.

When it comes to machinery and equipment, you might modernize it by changing its parts or adding parts to it. This keeps it up-to-date and running as it should be by today’s standards.

Update vs. Upgrade

You’ve had your machinery for quite a while, but it’s time to either replace it or fix it. Replacing it costs quite a bit of money and means you may be without a machine until the new one arrives.

In this case, modernizing your equipment might be the better option.

There are many pros to this method. The first is that parts are often readily available, even more so than the full units themselves. That means that you’ll lose less valuable work time when replacing parts.

Aside from saving money and time, modernization is a great way to keep your old machine up-to-date and working its best. Often, old parts will be discontinued, or a better option becomes available. You can install the latest and greatest into your older and otherwise reliable machine.

Many old machines can be updated with the newest technology that enables them to have cloud connectivity. It will keep your machine up-to-date and running the best that it can.

Regular maintenance is also helpful once you have all the parts and add-ons installed.

Before you know it, it will be working and running even better than before.

How Does Modernization Improve Upon Safety?

Safety when working with machinery is a huge priority. It doesn’t matter if you’re a large company or an individual. An excellent resource for keeping safe comes from the OSHA, which talks about how to follow safety standards when working with machines.

By modernizing your machinery and equipment, the parts will help it run efficiently and safely. This minimizes the risk of injury while operating the machine.

Are You Ready to Modernize Your Industrial Machinery?

If your machine is operational but needs an update to keep it running at its best, modernizing might be the right choice for you.

Since it’s cost-effective and accessible, this method will save you money and time in the long run. It will also extend the lifespan of your old machinery and equipment.

Whether you’re in the market for crane wheels, clutches or hoists, Kor-Pak has the best parts to suit your needs. If you want to modernize your machines, have a look at our inventory to find the parts that will keep your equipment running for years to come!

We live in a world where technology is continually advancing. The equipment you use for your business keeps getting new upgrades.

When technology is involved, you’re guaranteed to have it malfunction in some way. When your equipment breaks down, it can be tough to decide whether it needs to be repaired or replaced.

Below, we’ll review what it means to repair or replace your equipment. 

Cost to Repair 

First, check the equipment’s warranty. If you’re still protected, most of the costs associated with the repair will be covered.

Second, review how much it would cost to repair your broken equipment. Some of the costs associated with repairs include:

• Removing the broken part 
• Replacing it
• Installing a new one
• Testing the equipment

Third, consider the ongoing costs associated with future repairs. How often will repairs need to be made?

Fourth, think about whether it will cost you more to repair the equipment than to replace it. As a piece of equipment gets older, the repairs go from minor fixes to more significant problems.

Finally, find out if you’ve finished paying off your current piece of equipment. If you replace your equipment while you’re still paying it off, you’ll be spending a lot more money.

Cost to Replace

Check to see if you’re still under warranty and whether you can get a new replacement.

If you’re no longer under warranty, find out how much it would cost to dispose of the broken equipment. What is the salvage value of it?

Next, consider how much it costs to purchase and then install the new equipment. What’s more, once the new equipment is ready, you need to re-train your employees and go over the safety procedures.

Age

The age of your equipment can help you decide if it needs to be replaced or repaired. Equipment as it ages requires more repairs, leading to higher costs. Older equipment may be cheaper to replace.

Yet, if it’s a newer piece of equipment that has broken down, you may want to opt for repairs.

Safety

Older equipment is more likely to be out of date. Safety can be an issue if you have an older piece of equipment that keeps breaking down. Malfunctions in the equipment can lead to your employee injury.

Regular maintenance can help prevent your equipment from malfunctioning. 

Efficiency

The efficiency of your equipment will help determine if it should be updated vs. upgraded. Technological advancements have led to improvements in machinery. This allows them to run more efficiently and cost-effectively.

Older equipment won’t work as efficiently as new equipment and might be outdated. Older equipment can take longer to get a job done compared to newer equipment. What’s more, the new equipment might do a better job of completing the task.

Furthermore, the new equipment may not need as much power or fuel to keep it running.

Time

Find out how much production time is lost when a piece of equipment is inoperable.

Repairing a piece of equipment means you’ll have use of the machinery quicker vs. if you replace it. If it’s a crucial piece of machinery, replacing it may not be an option. 

If you choose to replace it, there will be more downtime, leading to the loss of production. However, if the equipment continually needs repairs, replacing it might be your only option.

Do You Need to Repair or Replace Your Machinery and Equipment? 

Hopefully, this guide has helped you figure out which is right for you. When it comes to your business, you want as few machine failures as possible. Review our blog to learn how to avoid machine failure in commercial and industrial equipment.

Reach out to us today if you have any questions or are looking to repair or replace your equipment.

Friction, by definition, lives to stop machinery in its tracks. It’s caused by the forces that limit movement between two surfaces. For example, it works to keep your machinery stationary on your floors.

While that aspect of friction can be quite helpful, it’s other attributes hinder the efficiency of your machine. 

Friction between the parts of a machine, however, can be combated by effective lubrication. Specifically, metal lubricant fights to keep friction and heat within a mechanical structure to a minimum. This keeps the machinery at both peak safety and maximum efficiency. 

With that being said, haphazardly adding metal lubricant to your machinery is not the solution. Keep reading for a few tips on how to apply lubricants to metal. 

Using the Correct Lubricant

Lubricants exist to make up for the erosion that friction causes. Because of this, it lengthens the lifespan of frequently used machinery. 

For each type of machinery, there are types of lubricants that are preferred for that particular system. Oils and greases are both effective but have different advantages when it comes to metal lubricant use.

Choosing the correct lubrication, therefore, is done based on the machine’s burden and speed required for the task. For example, according to MachineDesign, light loads require machine oil, whereas heavy loads require a grease with an additive for extreme pressure.

Metal Lubricant Starvation: A Silent Killer

Lubricant starvation is one of the most significant contributions to mechanical wear and tear. It is a prominent issue because it is one that is hidden in the depths of the internal machinery.

Machines require a sufficient amount of the correct lubrication. The absence of adequate lubrication leads to corrosion, which occurs because of excess heat and exposure to metal pollutants like oxidizers. These adverse contaminants can be detrimental to a machine’s integrity.

Lubricant starvation is not easily recognizable or detected. That is why it is described as a silent killer. There are a few signs of lubrication starvation, but those require a deep understanding of the machinery itself. 

However, this can be avoided altogether by the consistent application of metal lubrication.

Avoid Overgreasing

While it is crucial to lubricate the machinery generously, overgreasing the system can be just as harmful as undergreasing. Most of the symptoms of the two are identical. 

On top of that, overgreasing wastes lubricant, which adds an unnecessary expense to your machinery upkeep.

Most overgreasing mistakes occur because of automatic greasing systems. This is not to say that these systems are bad; they just are sometimes overlooked. 

Automatic greasing systems need to be correctly calibrated before they are put to use. Most of these systems are calibrated to supply a certain amount of lubrication for a certain time. One thing that would ensure proper calibration is to fraction this number and apply it more frequently.  

Finding the Best Metal Lubricant

Correctly applying metal lubricants can seem like a daunting task. However, it is all about knowing all that you can about your machinery to decide on the best lubricant. 

Whether you are taking preventative or adjustment measures, Kor-Pak is here for you. If you have any questions, contact us for advice on how to ensure the longevity of your machinery.