Top Three Crane Repair Services

Projections show that the global crane market will reach a value of $49.64 billion by 2028.

Cranes are incredibly useful in many industries, but they will experience failures with time. When this happens, or sometimes even before it happens, you will need to hire a professional crane repair service so that you can keep things running.

Keep reading for a rundown of 3 of the leading crane repair services. 

1. Routine Maintenance

Like all heavy machinery, Cranes should have maintenance carried out regularly, regardless of their working state. Therefore, OSHA and crane manufacturers suggest basing the timings of inspections on time in use.

OSHA and ANSI require different types of inspections. Some are needed daily and others monthly. Beyond that, crane service and repair should generally be monthly or annually, depending on how much time the crane is in operation and the environment it is in.

You can track this information online to ensure you can keep everything in order and you can use a transponder to monitor and record maintenance information. This will then provide reminders for maintenance and inspections.

2. Wear and Tear

Even if a crane is well cared for, components will naturally wear down with time. There are a lot of moving parts, and having to lift heavy loads regularly means that crane repair will definitely be needed at some point.

When doing daily inspections, a crane operator should assess the state of most parts of a crane for signs of damage or wear and determine if any repairs are needed.

A typical example could be the wheels or runway beams wearing down. This is often the result of an alignment flaw that causes skewing as the crane moves.

Even without skewing, the wheels will wear down after a time and need replacing to prevent an accident from occurring.

Wear and tear can also apply to electrical components. Usually, these are pretty minor, but a small electrical problem could cause significant damage in time if not attended to.

3. Unexpected Damage

While uncommon, accidents can always happen. This could be the result of human error or something beyond anyone’s control. Either way, significant failures can bring a halt to operations until repairs are carried out.

Kor-Pak is a professional crane repair service dedicated to increasing your uptime and keeping everything running smoothly. If any parts of your crane are damaged beyond repair, Kor-Pak can source replacement parts and fit them into your equipment.

Sometimes parts aren’t too damaged, in which case we can repair or refurbish as needed, and even retrofit improved parts where possible. However, sometimes the nature of the damage may require a custom fabricated part which we are more than capable of taking care of.

Under some circumstances, we can even reverse engineer and improve parts, increasing the quality of your products. Some parts and services we offer include:

  • Crane and hoist controls
  • Brake and clutch accessories
  • Industrial braking and clutch systems
  • Crane boom repair services
  • Crane modernization and upgrades
  • Overhead crane inspections

Professional Crane Repair Services

Whether it’s routine inspections or repairs for a full breakdown, you want to make sure you hire crane repair services you can rely on. Kor-Pak meets all standards and regulations set by OSHA and ANSI, ensuring you get the best service possible.

To find out more about our services, click here to contact us today.

Three Tips for Industrial Equipment Maintenance

Companies need to use industrial equipment for operations. That equipment will go through wear and tear. 

Maintaining industrial equipment helps it last longer. You can preserve the value of your equipment instead of hunting for a replacement too soon.

As employees use this equipment, it will eventually become unsafe. Poorly updated equipment can lead to injuries and death. Proper maintenance will keep your workers safe. 

It’s vital to maintain your industrial equipment. We’ll share three industrial equipment maintenance tips to get you started.

1. Monitor Your Industrial Equipment Daily

You can only make improvements in an area if you actively track it. Monitoring industrial equipment usage helps you identify equipment that needs updating.

Equipment maintenance also helps you identify unskilled handlers. Equipment will break down through overuse. Poor handling can exasperate your equipment’s downtrend.

You can consult with less-skilled workers to use the equipment properly. You can provide them with a training course or manual. If the handler continues to use the equipment poorly, consider a replacement.

Poor handling hurts your equipment’s value. It also creates a future safety hazard for your workers. Monitoring electrical cranes and other equipment will help with safety and preserving value.

You can monitor industrial equipment usage through GPS devices. These devices track movement and digitally record the data.

2. Schedule Maintenance for Your Equipment

Even the best handlers will contribute to breakdowns in your equipment. You can only avoid breakdowns by never using the equipment. Unfortunately, this condition is unrealistic for many companies.

However, some equipment wears down quicker than others. Your workers also use some equipment more frequently than others.

GPS devices can track this data, but you need to do something with the data. For example, companies can review data and schedule maintenance sessions based on usage and duration.

Frequent inspections help you identify the wear and corrosion before they get worse. Skilled technicians can update parts of your equipment. Cleaners can lubricate the equipment to stop corrosion.

3. Buy Spare Parts Now

 Unprepared companies get caught by surprise. For example, a piece of equipment suddenly stops working or is too dangerous to operate. 

A simple replacement part can fix this problem. However, not every business has the replacement part ready to go. 

An industrial equipment supplier can provide the missing part. However, it can take weeks for you to receive the product. A demand surge can make it more difficult to obtain your desired part.

Companies should plan for an emergency before it happens. Buying spare parts before your equipment breaks will accelerate the modification.

You don’t have to wait for the equipment to arrive first. Instead, you can find a skilled technician right away. 

Request a Quote for Your Industrial Equipment Needs

Your company needs industrial equipment to operate. Maintaining equipment extends its value and promotes workplace safety.

Even the most protective measures won’t shield you from equipment breakdowns. You will need replacement parts to fix your equipment.

Kor-Pak offers equipment replacements for your needs. Contact us today and let us know what equipment you need.

Friction Material: What Are Brake Shoes?

Machinery deaths average above 750 deaths a year. Brake shoes are an important part of the safety of many industrial machines, so you can do your part to help lower these statistics by learning about them.

Brake shoes are essential components in many mechanical pieces of equipment used in industrial services. Some of the industries they impact include automotive, agriculture, iron and steel, mining, and rail. In addition, they’re widely used in hoists in these industries and elevators throughout many other sectors.

These parts can wear down over time and should be replaced as soon as possible to ensure the proper working of the equipment. Read on to learn more about brake shoes and how they impact your industry.

What Is a Friction Material?

Brake friction material consists of composites of several different materials that exist as layers used to control the speed of the mechanism they are a part of. These can decelerate the mechanism or bring it to a complete stop. 

Brake pads and linings are usually a mix of 10 to 20 different kinds of raw materials. Choosing the right blend of materials for the suitable condition is complicated by many specialized individual machine needs.

The Blend of Friction Materials

Depending on the specific brake shoe and its usage, the blend of the raw materials can vary. The types of raw materials used can be divided into three types:

Stiffener

This material provides more intensity to the friction material. These can consist of inorganic and organic fibers such as metal and aramid fibers.

Bonding Agent 

The bonding agent hardens raw materials and provides the bonding capability to the materials used in the brake shoes. Usually, phenol resins are the bonding agents in brake shoes.

Friction Adjustment Material 

This material adjusts the friction materials used to make the brake shoes. This allows you to strengthen the stabilization and the effectiveness of the performance of the brake shoes. A mix of raw materials can include lubricants, organic and inorganic fillers, metal powder, and abrasive materials. 

Inspection of Brake Friction Materials

Testing the effectiveness of a brake shoe requires various methods to check the quality. This process includes evaluating the physical properties like the intensity and the hardness of the friction materials in the brakes.

You can also test the chemical composition of these materials to ensure that the brake is safe for operation in an industrial environment. Effectiveness tests also include testing the wear and tear of the brakes, the squeal, and other factors that may affect smooth operation. You can use a dynamometer device to test the brakes. 

Brake Shoes Vs. Brake Pads

Brake pads are flat steel pieces with a thick friction layer on one side. This friction material can vary depending on the type of equipment and the intended use. The main difference between brake shoes and brake pads is the direction of their force.

Brake shoes are the things that carry the brake lining inside the brake drum systems. These are curved pieces of metal with friction material on one side.

Finding a Brake Shoe Replacement

Brake shoes are a crucial part of an industrial machine, as they provide effective slowing and stopping of parts while also providing safety features for the workers operating them. So, having reliable brake shoes is crucial to have a smooth flowing operation.

If you’re looking for brake shoe replacement, feel free to look at our website for your products and if you have any questions regarding our products, feel free to contact us.

Three Tips for Buying Heavy Industrial Equipment

Buying for the heavy equipment industry is different from buying basic supplies. First of all, it’s a much larger investment that will require maintenance to keep your equipment running efficiently. You also can’t return equipment that you’re unsatisfied with after you’ve started using it. 

You need to have a good grasp of what your company needs and whether or not you can afford it. 

What is heavy industry equipment, though? And how do you make sure you’re buying the right ones? Here are three general tips.

1. Mobile Vs. Fixed

How big the industrial equipment you purchase can affect its portability and price. You also have to consider whether or not your business needs to bring its heavy equipment on the road. 

For example, a fixed crane is useful for the heavy construction industry. It can lift heavier objects while remaining stable. As a result, you never have to worry about it moving in the middle of a job. 

Meanwhile, a mobile crane is more compact and can fit into smaller areas. You can use them at multiple job sites since they’re easily relocated. They also require less setup and are often more affordable than fixed ones. 

2. Establish Your Budget

It’s crucial to figure out how much you have to spend before making any serious investments. A tight budget can get in the way of buying new heavy-duty equipment. However, there are some options to get equipment if you don’t have a lot to spend. 

Brand new equipment usually comes with a warranty that provides coverage if something breaks down. However, they’re also expensive. Most retailers offer loans or financing to help customers make payments over time. 

Used equipment is much more affordable than new ones, but they won’t be worth as much later on when you want to resell them. There may also be more options when compared to newer equipment. 

3. Buy What You Need

There’s a new lineup of heavy industry equipment released every year. While it’s surely the best stuff you can find on the market, it’s not necessarily what you need right here and now. So buy what you need. 

Some essential heavy equipment machines for construction include a bulldozer, loader backhoe, and excavator. In addition, cranes are necessary for any vertical job, and dump trucks help haul away all the dirt and debris. 

When buying heavy-duty equipment, always look for machinery that would help improve your workflow or add new capabilities.

The Best Quality Heavy Industry Equipment

When buying heavy industry equipment is essential because it’ll be the equipment you use years from now. You want it to work well without costing your company more than you can afford. 

Kor-Pak offers both OEM and aftermarket parts in dozens of product lines. You can find crane and hoist controls, molded and injection rubber products, and more.

Contact us to hear our entire portfolio or check out our products online. 

 

3 Safety Tips for Working With Electric Cranes

Projections show that global crane shipments will reach more than 35,000 units by 2025.

Electric cranes are generally smaller than most other cranes but present several safety risks due to accidents and improper use. Therefore, keeping injuries to a minimum should be a priority in all applications.

For three practical safety tips for working with electric cranes, keep reading.

1. Conduct Proper Inspections

Like all heavy machinery, you must do daily inspections on electric cranes. In addition, the operator needs to check multiple crane elements to confirm everything is operational and safe to use.

This isn’t just good practice in almost all circumstances but also a legal requirement. Things that should be inspected include the electric crane hoist, rigging gear, upper limit switch, and power disconnect switch.

Several inspections will be essential across the entire industry, but businesses can also implement extra checks if desired. All reviews are needed at the start of every day. If there are alternating shifts or another operator takes over, the new operator may need to do the checks again.

2. Be Aware of Your Surroundings

Anyone operating an electric truck crane should always be vigilant of their working area. If any hazards present themselves, all operations should stop until the hazard is removed. A typical example could be a vehicle driving too close to the crane.

This also applies to anyone else working in the area. You should make sure you keep a safe distance from cranes and all other machinery.

More than a third of crane-related injuries occur due to a load drop, load swing, or unstable load. The odds of a load falling are low but not impossible, and if something requires a crane to lift it, you can be sure that it is very heavy.

3. Regular Maintenance for All Equipment

Electric cranes are solid and durable pieces of equipment but are prone to wear and tear like all machinery. Keeping all parts well maintained and in good condition will prevent the risk of breakdown and help keep everyone safe.

A pickup truck crane with an electric winch has a lot of components, meaning there is a lot that could go wrong.

Mechanical failures such as a chain-breaking could result in a load drop, or the malfunction of any safety features like the power disconnect switch could cause more harm in an emergency.

The maintenance plan of a crane can be based on its use. If an electric crane is only used once a month, it won’t need to be attended as often as one that is in use daily.

The manufacturer of any equipment will be able to provide details of the maintenance needed. This information should be available in the manufacturer’s service manual, but if this is not accessible for whatever reason, they should be able to tell you if you contact them directly.

Working With Electric Cranes

Working with electric cranes requires good practice and responsibility to keep the risk of injury as low as possible.

Kor-Pak Industrial Supply has a wide range of parts for electric cranes and other machinery and can carry out any repairs or replacements needed.

To find out more about our services, click here to contact us today.

 

What Are Couplings and How Do They Work?

In engineering, couplings join two shafts together to transport power precisely. As a result, couplings are used in virtually every industrial machine that requires power transmission. These include generators, motors, pumps, and compressors.

A coupling’s principal function is to aid in the transmission of power. This article will tell you all about couplings and how they function.

What Are Couplings?

A coupling is a device that connects two shafts at their ends to transmit power. Couplings are mostly used to connect two pieces of rotating machinery.

A coupling allows for some degree of misalignment, end movement, or both. In a broader sense, a coupling can also be a mechanical mechanism that joins the ends of nearby pieces or objects. 

Couplings are classified into two types: rigid and flexible couplings.

What Are the Differences Between Rigid and Flexible Couplings?

The biggest distinction between rigid and flexible couplings is how they connect things.

  • Rigid connections are, well, stiff. The connection enables smooth torque transfer throughout the system
  • Flexible couplings generate flexible connections that can lose torque power. While metallic flexible couplings can handle more torque, some torque is sacrificed

Other significant distinctions between rigid and flexible connections include the following:

Requirements for Alignment

Flexible couplings can accommodate slightly misaligned shafts. Rigid couplings have a high torsion stiffness and cannot tolerate displacement.

This is true for shafts that are physically misaligned when at a stop. Also, for components that may produce misalignment during use due to temperature changes.

Backlash Reduction

Rigid couplings can drastically reduce backlash to nearly zero levels. On the other hand, flexible couplings do not provide the same measure of assurance.

The Need for Maintenance

Because rigid couplings are rigid, they do not absorb shocks well. As a result, it can end in premature wear on misaligned components.

Users should inspect rigid couplings for damage and alignment and apply lubricant on a routine basis.

On the other hand, flexible couplings can withstand more shock and vibration with minor wear and tear.

Complexity in Design 

Flexible couplings frequently contain more parts and are more sophisticated than rigid couplings. This might make the operation and maintenance of the system more difficult. In comparison, rigid couplings are less complicated and easier to use.

Application Usage

In servo motors with low to moderate torque levels and the possibility for shaft misalignment, flexible couplings can be used instead of rigid couplings. Examples of such uses are:

  • Machine tools
  • Semiconductor production
  • Packing equipment

Rigid couplings are the most effective for high-torque applications, shaft support uses, and squeeze and release applications.

The Cost

Cost is a big player in both types of couplings. However, rigid couplings are less expensive than flexible couplings.

Consider Your Application Before Making a Selection

Couplings, both rigid and flexible, have a position in practically any complicated moving system that requires force.

If you’re looking for the ideal couplings for your application, contact us, and our expert team will gladly assist you.

What Is an Electric Overhead Traveling Crane?

Electric Overhead Traveling Cranes increase productivity by as much as 28% compared to traditional I-beam cranes.

An EOT crane is essential in manufacturing, assembly, or other industrial applications. Here are some key points you should know.

What Is an EOT Crane?

An electric overhead traveling crane transfers materials or equipment to another nearby location. They are often used in industrial applications like warehouses, factories, and piers.

An EOT Crane hangs overhead the area where movement takes place. Legs or adjacent sturdy structures support the crane. They can typically move front to back and side to side, and the hoist mechanism can raise or lower.

EOT Cranes can handle materials that could be too heavy, large, or hazardous for transportation via forklift. They will also repetitively transport smaller items across warehouses. Over time, this can prevent employee injury.

Types of EOT Cranes

There are many types of electric overhead traveling cranes, but they generally fall into two categories: Single Girder or Double Girder.

A single or double girder EOT crane refers to the number of bridge girders supported by the two end trucks. A double girder EOT crane is for much heavier applications, while a single girder is for lighter work.

Therefore, a single girder EOT crane is less expensive and more widely used than double girder types. However, double girder EOT cranes can be more cost-effective as they can still be used for lighter work.

Double Girder EOT Cranes can also be designed to work in small overhead spaces or headroom areas. Ultra-Low Headroom cranes can transport materials in very tight spaces where other cranes cannot function.

There are EOT Cranes for every industrial need, such as smaller Workstation Cranes. These are useful for suspending and moving parts for an employee to assemble.

For large warehouses or work yards, there are even gantry EOT cranes. The legs of these EOT cranes attach to trucks on rails to have an expanded field of operation.

Benefits of an EOT Crane

Most EOT Cranes are operated by a control panel, whereas other cranes have complex controls and require a license to operate.

Employees who operate an EOT Crane need adequate safety and operation training. A company can provide this to many employees so that the workplace is never without an operator.

The user-friendly operation of an EOT Crane makes it superior by increasing efficiency. There is no stop or delay in production due to a licensed crane operator being late or calling out sick.

EOT Cranes are also versatile as they are often used with other types of cranes.

Is an EOT Crane The Best Choice for You?

An EOT Crane is safer and faster than other means of transporting materials because it lifts items up and out of the way of obstacles and inherently keeps employees out of harm’s way.

Read more about different types of cranes to decide if an electric overhead traveling crane is suitable for your needs.

Wind Power: What Materials Are Used To Make Wind Turbines?

In 2020, wind turbines were the source of roughly 8.4% of total US utility-scale electricity generation.

Yet, the government planned wind energy to be 10% of total electricity generation by 2020. Even though they missed this target, they still plan to generate 20% of the electricity demand using wind energy by 2030.

As wind turbines become more popular, many wonder about how they work. So, let’s dive in and discuss the process of making and using turbines.

How Do Wind Turbines Work?

Wind turbines use the wind to make electricity. The wind turns the wind turbine blades around a rotor. In turn, the rotor spins like a generator and creates electricity. 

Horizontal Wind Turbine

The standard model is the horizontal axis wind turbine which dominates the wind industry. The rotating axis is parallel to the ground. Horizontal wind turbines are advantageous because they produce more electricity from a given amount of wind. 

You will see these wind farms on land and offshore in large bodies of water. While land-based turbines are more cost-effective when placed together, offshore turbines capture vast amounts of energy from powerful ocean winds. 

Further, offshore wind turbines have fewer transportation challenges because they travel on ships rather than roads.

Vertical Wind Turbine

The rotational axis of a vertical wind turbine stands perpendicular to the ground. Some data shows these turbines work well in rough wind conditions. They can generate power from all 360 degrees. Sometimes they can generate power when the wind blows top to bottom too.

Most small wind electric systems and residential wind turbine projects use vertical turbines. They are ideal for unstable weather conditions or areas that aren’t high enough to get steady wind.

While not everyone can have their own wind power, some places are excellent for a distributive system. These include residential, agricultural, and small commercial applications.

Materials For Wind Turbines

Each wind turbine has three main parts: the tower, nacelle, and rotor blades.

A 2015 report from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory states the materials that make wind turbines are:

  • Steel (71-79%)
  • Fiberglass, resin, or plastic (11-16%)
  • Iron or cast iron (5-17%)
  • Copper (1%)
  • Aluminum (0-2%)

Wind turbine manufacturers also use crushed stone, clay, shale, gypsum, and limestone for cement. In addition, each wind turbine tower has concrete with steel to withstand harsh environmental conditions. 

Wind turbines have many components inside the nacelle, like the generator. This section contains mechanical parts. Cobalt, rare Earth oxides, baron, and neodymium are essential materials to manufacture magnets and batteries. 

Additionally, the rotor blades need foams, polymers, and rubbers to help with stiffness.

Explore More About Wind Turbines 

Wind turbines are undoubtedly becoming more important in generating renewable energy. However, manufacturing turbines requires many different materials and processes. Still, their production continues to grow.

If you’re interested in learning more about wind turbines, reach out to us at Kor-Pak Corporation. Our experts can guide you through the components of turbines.

Indexing, Backstopping, and Overrunning Clutches: A Short Guide

Mechanical clutches play a vital role in meeting industrial needs on a large scale. 

Clutches work in power transmission systems where you need to apply torque in one direction of rotation. The use of clutches today protects against backlash and rollover. Professionals divide mechanical clutches into three basic applications. They are indexing, backstop (holdback), and overrunning clutches. 

Keep reading for a short overview of these three mechanical clutches

Indexing Clutches

An indexing clutch turns a shaft one step at a time. The back and forth motion become only one direction of movement. First, the indexing clutch drives in the forward stroke. Then, it spins freely on the return stroke. This accomplishes indexed material feed or a variable speed.

Indexing clutches are typical in manufacturing using material feeders. The clutch can start and stop at set intervals.

Typical applications of indexing clutches include:

  • Assembling machines
  • Indexing tables
  • Metal stamping
  • Packing machines
  • Press working
  • Printing machines

Backstopping Clutches

The freewheel only allows rotation in one direction using a backstopping clutch. As a result, it constantly overruns during operation. The backstop clutch prevents the rotation from moving in the reverse direction. The backstop clutch bearing will automatically engage with a fixed frame when the torque is reversed. 

Backstops can transmit nominal torque mounted on solid shafts. However, if mounted on hollow shafts, the transmittable torque decreases.

Backstop clutches service as a safety measure to protect equipment from damage and ensure worker security. 

Applications that rely on a clutch backstop include:

  • Bucket elevators
  • Fans
  • Gear reducers
  • Incline conveyors
  • Pump systems 

You can also think of a backstopping clutch in a vehicle like a brake. The clutch stops the vehicle from rolling backward. 

Overrunning Clutches 

With an overrunning clutch, most of the time, the clutch spins freely. Overrunning clutches are familiar with two-speed drive applications. The freewheel disengages automatically when the driven member rotates faster than the driving member. 

When the secondary motor drives the machines, the clutch overruns, it switches the speed from low to high. 

Standard applications that use overrunning clutches are:

  • Conveyor belts
  • Creep and starter drives
  • Disengaged centrifugal masses
  • Dual motor or engine drives

Additionally, there are four main types of overrunning clutches. They are ramp & roller, sprag, wedge, and wrap spring. The distinguishing factor between each overrunning clutch is the design and use. 

Clutches for Your Applications

Indexing, backstopping, and overrunning clutches are essential for applications to function correctly. Knowing which clutch suits an application best is even more vital.

Contact us at Kor-Pak Corporation to speak with our professionals about the clutches you need for your applications. Our experts have the industry knowledge to assist you.

Common Types of Equipment Used in the Mining Industry

The United States is the second-largest coal producer, accounting for 17% of the global production. It’s also the leading producer of minerals such as Sulphur, soda ash, and beryllium. The country mines most of these minerals through underground or surface mining methods.

If you’re working in the mining industry, you’ll face many obstacles if you don’t know how to work with different types of mining equipment. The mining machine to use for your excavation will depend on whether you plan to carry out below or above the ground mining.

Blasting Tools

These machines use a calculated force to break down materials to remove the minerals from waste material. Blasting is also essential in removing unnecessary materials that prevent personnel and mining machines from getting the seam that contains the minerals you’re searching for.

The blasting tools are commonly used in open pit and underground mining operations. For a successful mining operation, be sure to implement good blast designs. The problem with poor practices is that they can cause damage to the rock structures leading to unwanted caving.

Dragline Excavator

This equipment is commonly used in strip mining, particularly when extracting coal. However, some miners also use it for tar-sand mining. This excavator features a large bucket attached to chains and wire ropes. The equipment lowers the bucket to the excavated area and drags it across the surface before being lifted by chains.

Keep in mind that two distinct cutting methods are used in dragline excavation. A dragline excavator can cut through the surface of an exposed wall, or it may drag across level ground. The larger machines feature pontoons that walk the machine forward, while smaller excavators feature tread tracks that move across the ground.

Earth Movers

This is among the best mining equipment used in above-ground mining, and they help carry loose earth and soil from one location to another. They are common in large mining projects as they ensure a faster, more practical excavation process.

This large mining equipment will remove waste or overburdened material in most mining sites. This makes it easy to remove the mineral or material of interest and creates a working surface for equipment like haul trucks.

Mining Industry Drills

Most miners use this heavy mining equipment for their underground mining operations. First, they place the drills at strategic positions then the machine digs many feet underground. Such drill holes are used to test whether the ground has sufficient minerals for mining work later on.

If it’s necessary to have miners working underground, this equipment will make space for them. It will even create a safe escape passage.

Streamline Your Mining Operation With Effective Equipment

When working in the mining industry, you’ll need to use different types of equipment. They can even help you accomplish mining tasks with precision if you know how to operate them.

Contact us today to discuss the different options with you.