Understanding the Precision and Process of Laser Cutting Technology

Laser cutting is synonymous with accuracy and cleanliness, especially in the technical fields in which it gets used. Equal parts versatile and reliable, laser cutting, works on various materials. It also boasts several unique advantages.

This has become the gold standard for precision, from automotive to semiconductor manufacturing, it all benefits from this adaptive manufacturing technology. And, today, we’ll learn more about the features and benefits of laser cutting and how it helps with applications across the board.

1. It’s More Precise Than Conventional Cutting

Manufacturers using laser cutting enjoy some practical benefits over traditional components. Much higher precision levels and quality than otherwise. This is the same across a variety of materials, all of which laser-based cutting has been proven to excel at.

Lasers provide consistent, precise cutting compared to traditional manufacturing techniques. This is for one specific reason. Unlike conventional techniques, laser cutting doesn’t need to make contact with the material. Conventional cutters take a certain amount of impact from excessive physical contact. Laser cutting, meanwhile, always creates a high-quality finish. These laser beams do not wear out during the laser cutting process. With that in mind, the level of precision and edge quality with the laser cutting machine is staggering in comparison.

Compared to conventional cutting, laser cutting technology allows you to cut more complex shapes. It does this at high speeds, and with very little damage or loss. 

2. Shorter Lead Times. Shorter Turnarounds

Compared to conventional manufacturing methods, laser cutting shortens lead times. Almost any size, shape, and type of material can be cut with a single laser cutter. This eliminates long lead times and setting up many pieces of equipment.

Faster processing times result when using laser services, besides the laser being able to handle large project sizes, as well. A high-quality machine can handle sheets that clock in at hundreds of square centimeters, as well as being thicker than you’d expect.

This further allows us to deliver smaller orders quicker and more efficiently. Allowing manufacturers to respond to market demand quicker than ever before.

3. Cut Materials of Almost Any Thickness 

As we’ve covered, laser cutting does not need to be in actual physical contact with the material being cut. This allows these lasers to perform precise work on materials of nearly any thickness or durability. All of this makes laser cutting ideal for small and specialized services, such as photoengraving.

Laser cutting can be used across dozens of materials and industries. This is enough to make it one of the most versatile materials for effective cutting, from large to smaller projects. And, as we’ve mentioned, laser cutting offers unparalleled precision and cutting quality.

Laser Cutting: A Mark Of Precision

There isn’t a construction technique out there that can outmatch laser cutting. Especially not when compared to its precision and cleanliness. 

For more on these and other operational machinery usage guides, check out the rest of our expert blog content, today!

How to Choose a Scan-Pac Supplier for Your Friction Materials

Scan-Pac friction materials are essential for such heavy industry sectors as oil and gas, agriculture, and alternative energy.

Pressure and friction work together to ensure that brakes, clutches, and more industrial equipment run as smoothly as possible. That’s why the right supplier is crucial.

Not only do you need high-quality materials, but you need a steady supply. Follow these tips to find the right supplier for your needs.

What Are Your Goals?

Before choosing a supplier, assess your business needs and goals. This will help you determine which friction materials are required for your project, customization needs, and cost.

Do you need custom fabrication for your parts? Are you on a strict timetable? These are essential questions to ask when choosing a friction materials supplier.

A Wide Selection of Scan-Pac Products

You have specific needs for your projects. That’s why you need a supplier that manufactures a variety of non-asbestos, molded, and sintered friction materials, as well as phenolics and laminate.

The best way to find out if a potential distributor is a good fit is to check its website. Scan-Pac offers dozens of friction material types.

Popular choices include:

  • High-energy friction materials
  • Overhead crane friction linings
  • Metal friction materials
  • Rigid molded friction materials
  • Woven brake linings
  • Woven oilfield friction products
  • Clutch facings

A distributor’s website should discuss these materials in-depth, along with offering custom fabrication services.

Look for Stable Manufacturer Partnerships

For your convenience, potential distributors should also discuss manufacturer partnerships on their websites. This will give you greater insight into the stability of those partnerships.

Ideally, you want a material handling company that has a long relationship with Scan-Pac. If a prospective company has a rocky relationship with a manufacturer or recently lost their contract, that’s a major red flag.

To learn more, don’t hesitate to give prospective distributors a call. Do they have access to the specific parts you need? It never hurts to ask!

Customer Service

Every business should practice stellar customer service, primarily your Scan-Pac distributor. Prospective suppliers should have no issue answering your questions. And if you need custom services, you’re going to have a lot of questions.

How fast a company responds to your inquiries is one way to gauge a company’s customer service. The quicker, the better. If your emails go answered for days, move on to the next supplier.

Having the right friction materials distributor isn’t just a production issue; it’s a safety issue. You can’t afford to wait. The right supplier should be available to troubleshoot, customize, and ship your parts as quickly as possible.

Another hallmark of stellar customer service is fast estimates. Before you can start your project, you need a quote. Reliable suppliers understand that you need your quotes fast.

Additionally, a trustworthy company will quote a fair price without surprise costs in the end.

Find Your Distributor

Don’t settle for less. Work with a Scan-Pac distributor that checks every box. Remember these tips as you choose your next supplier.

Ready to start your project? Don’t wait to get the parts and fabrication you need for your equipment. Check out the blog for more expert advice or talk to a specialist right now to get the ball rolling.

A Purchaser’s Guide to Buying Industrial Parts

The industrial parts and machinery industry grew by nearly 7 percent last year. This growth is due in part to the resurgence of manufacturing businesses in the United States. If you’re the owner of one of these businesses, you know all too well how important it is to have the right tools at your disposal.

Over time, the equipment you have in place will start to show signs of wear. Whether you are dealing with down industrial braking system parts or damaged crane components, getting the right replacement parts is vital.

The following are some of the things you need to consider when trying to get the best industrial parts.

What Industrial Parts are Needed?

Industrial equipment like cranes and large hydraulic-powered presses have many moving parts. While you may realize your equipment is broken, you may not understand what is causing these problems. Instead of merely guessing what industrial replacement parts you need, consult with a knowledgeable mechanic instead.

If you don’t have a mechanic with experience on the payroll, you should have no problem finding one to consult within your local area. The money paid to a professional for this diagnosis will be worth it considering the valuable information they can provide.

Do Some Online Research

After you have an idea of what replacement parts you need for your industrial equipment, it will be time for the research phase of this process. Don’t necessarily settle on the first replacement parts you come across. Get online and see which brands are the most reputable.

Ideally, you want to invest in parts that are durable and have excellent warranties attached to them. Paying a bit more for a part with a great warranty is a good idea.

Before selecting the parts you need, be sure to compare prices. You don’t want to spend additional money unnecessarily.

Work With an Experienced Supplier

For most business owners, buying industrial parts online is essential. When purchasing online, you can usually get a fair price and fast shipping.

Before completing your purchase with a particular online supplier, be sure to check out their return policy and the reviews they have received from others in the past. With this information, you can figure out whether the supplier in question is the best fit for your needs.

Also, look for a supplier that can provide excellent customer service. If you are unsure about what you need to get, these suppliers can provide you with the necessary guidance to make this buying process an easy one.

Don’t Wait to Replace Defective Parts

As soon as you notice one of your industrial machines is showing signs of wear, you need to take action. The longer you wait to replace worn industrial parts, the harder it will be to reduce damage.

If you are in the market for quality industrial parts at a competitive price, be sure to contact Kor-Pak Corporation. We’ll help you find the parts for your machines.

Top 5 Stromag Parts for Your Oil Rig

Climate change and warming ocean temperatures mean that there will be more violent and destructive storms battering oil rigs than ever before. Keeping a rig producing in top form and maintaining a safe platform means proactive maintenance during calm periods. 

Rig readiness and safety can be stressful to manage. Optimal use of equipment, wear and tear, regulations, and personnel safety can take their toll on even the most seasoned manager. You need to thoughtfully select, install, and maintain all parts of your rig. 

Stromag is a leader in high-quality industrial brakes, couplings, clutches, and controllers. Why risk your rig with no-name alternatives?

Read this article to identify the top five Stromag parts for your rig.

1. Stromag Series 51 Limit Switches

Challenging crane applications require reliable and easy to install Stromag Series 51 limit switches. They are the ideal choice to meet crane application requirements.  The reinforce polycarbonate housing resists harsh deck environmental conditions.

These are geared cam limit switches. They are universal, easy to adjust mechanical switchgear. They can map a broad range of shaft rotations to installed cam discs.

Use limit switches where switchgear cannot directly limit angles or distances.  A limit switch works indirectly based on the measured angle of rotation.  

2. Stromag Hydraulic Caliper Disc Brakes

When your emergency crane brakes provide the power for a hard stop and hold the load during a power outage, you want ATEX certified brakes. SH Series brakes are ATEX certified. They also hold approval certificates for DNV, ABS and Lloyd’s Register-type. 

Experts trust Stromag quality in oil rig safety.

3. Stromag High-Temperature PERIFLEX VN Couplings

Need flywheel connections or shaft-shaft connections under challenging conditions?  Stromag developed the Periflex VN flexible elastomer coupling with linear spring for diesel engine drives. These highly adaptable couplings have many uses in oil and gas applications.

Suitable up to 120 °C ambient temperature, the compound has temperature stability across a range of temperatures. Periflex VN has high resistance to abrasion, mechanical strength, and media resistance against oil and ozone. 

Suitable for Gen-Set, Compressor Set, or Pump Set operations. 

4. Stromag TRI Couplings

Stromag TRI couplings for piston engines can be screwed directly to the flywheel of an engine. They allow two shafts or flanges to connect

These are the ideal couplings for resiliently mounted or soft torsion drives. Their allowance for axial and radial displaceability is high. 

5. Stromag Emergency Brakes

These are some of the most powerful electromagnetic, mono spring or hydraulic brakes on the market. These reliable safety brakes ensure that loads lift safely and hold when activated.  

  • Fail-safe braking
  • Braking by spring application
  • Electromagnetic release
  • Manual lining wear compensation
  • Brake pads with wear indicator

Choose the type best suited for your needs. 

Stromag is the Top Choice for Oil Rigs

When reliability and safety are on the line, count on Stromag for brakes, couplings and more. Stromag parts are built to last under harsh conditions, including seawater and solvents.

Want to learn more? Give us a call or leave your information, and an expert will call.

How The Agricultural Industry Uses Industrial Equipment

Humans have strived for new, innovative technology since the dawn of civilization, particularly in how we obtain our food. But we’ve come along way since the inventions of the wheel and cotton gin. 

Technology is accelerating at an unprecedented rate, and the agricultural industry is reaping the benefits. Inventions are becoming more and more advanced and practical.

In this increasingly high tech world, here are some ways agriculture companies are employing heavy machinery. 

Heavy Machinery and Technology

In the agricultural industry, the implementation of software into farm equipment is perhaps most notable. Equipment such as yield monitors, GPS systems, and seed monitors are making farmers’ lives easier by providing precise assessments.  

One of the top recent advances in heavy machinery is a technology innovation that highly improves grain yield. Two large liners take turns inflating and deflating and gently push leftover grain into a conveyor trough. The process enhances the cleanout process to 99% and eliminates the risk of auger entanglement. 

Not only does it improve crop yield, but it also eliminates the hassle of cleaning the machine’s bin floor. 

After the process is complete, the device shuts itself off, saving even more time. 

Farmers’ challenges with these new technologies stem from different companies not interfacing with one another. Once these technologies synchronize, however, it will be an exciting time to be a farmer.  

Industrial Brakes 

The improvement of industrial brakes is another sign of the many advancements to heavy farming machinery. The agriculture industry is about efficiency and durability. Cost-effective disc brakes that last longer and have improved durability help farmers enjoy longer periods of low maintenance on their machinery. 

These brakes are reliable and affordable, improving the dependability and durability of farmers’ heavy equipment. 

Industrial Vibrators

Farming machinery comes with the unfortunate risk of blockage. Containers, belts, and shoots are all prone to blockage. Industrial vibrators reduce the chances of blockage by continually shaking material. This ongoing shaking alters the flow enough to minimize obstructions, and reduce material build-up if blockages do occur.

Industrial Vibrators have a wide range of applications that make them extremely valuable to the agricultural industry. Improving their design, and tailoring specific vibrators to specific applications is an ongoing process. But, thanks to the design improvements, farmers are enjoying more peace of mind than ever. 

Custom Machining and Fabrication 

Because technology is advancing so quickly, farmers are able to get specialized attention for their specific needs. Processes such as laser cutting, water-jetting, bonding, riveting, and other services can now produce a customized assembly.

Companies are simply designing products that suit the farmer’s individual needs more than ever. 

The Agricultural Industry is Heavier than Ever

Farmers have always used heavy machinery. That’s not what’s changing quickly in the agriculture industry. What is changing, however, is the quality of the machinery farmers are using. 

Today, more than ever, the agricultural industry relies on science and industry for its improvement. Advancements such as those made in the field of industrial brakes are cutting down on farmers’ maintenance costs. Software devices such as yield monitors improve farmers’ accuracy. And customization is offering high tech solutions to heavy machinery that simply didn’t exist prior. 

We live in an exciting technological time full of industry and highly mechanized processes. It’s essential to look for which of those processes you can potentially benefit from.

So what are you waiting for? Check out our blogs to find more excellent information about heavy industrial equipment. 

3 Signs You Need EMG Thruster Repair

Keeping equipment operational means more uptime for any business which operates heavy equipment as their core service.

More uptime, in turn, means better customer service and ultimately a better bottom line.

For harbor cranes and other heavy equipment requiring a more sophisticated braking system, EMG thrusters are the heart of the braking system.

If your brakes are failing, EMG thruster repair can get you back online quickly, if you have the right repair service doing the repair job.

Where and how the EMG thruster is used is critical to a smooth and safe operation of heavy equipment around the world.

Failing to maintain this critical component can cause poor operation of heavy equipment, not to mention unsafe equipment operation.

To learn more and find out the three top signs of how you can tell you need EMG thruster repair, read on.

EMG Thruster Repair – Three Signs They Need Repair

EMG thrusters are widely used in the operation of heavy lifting equipment and conveyors across the globe. EMG usage is due to their high durability, ability to provide a safe workplace as well as having a smooth and quiet operation.

Not having a functional EMG thruster can shut an operation down. Knowing what signs to look for can minimize your downtime and help optimize your heavy equipment uptime.

Below are three vital signs of EMG thruster operational failures.

  1. Seal seepage or leakage
  2. Bearing wear and failure
  3. Hydraulic fluid levels and fluid viscosity

What these three things have in common is concatenation. Concatenation refers to a group of items linked together or occurring together in a way that produces a particular result or effect.

In other words, all of these components of the EMG thruster need to be functioning correctly in concert to get the desired result. If one begins to fail, you will have a snowball effect that will cause the entire unit to fail.

What to Do if Your Industrial Brakes are not Performing

The truth is that all equipment will fail at some point. Knowing how to maintain your equipment is the key.

The best companies not only have a proper maintenance plan they have a good preventative maintenance program to stay ahead of issues before they become issues.

Of course, unexpected breakdowns occur, but an excellent preventative maintenance program will be somewhat predictive of when a component will fail. The maintenance schedule will be timed to perform maintenance with that predictive failure in mind.

Not every company has employees with the skill set to run such a program. Many companies outsource this service, which keeps their overhead down and keeps their equipment up and running.

Peak Performance Levels

Keeping your heavy equipment at peak performance is not a simple task. Having the right EMG technician on-site for your EMG thruster repair at the right time is critical to maintaining peak performance.

If you are looking for a replacement part, equipment consultation or EMG thruster repair, visit our blog or contact us today. You will find what you need to keep your equipment safe and performing at its peak.

What Is An Industrial Cable Reel?

What is a cable reel and how can it benefit your operation? What is the right way to purchase the best reel?

The cable you use for your job needs the right transportation. Without a proper means of organization and storage, you can end up losing hundreds of hours on shipping and labor. It’s time you found a solution.

If you want to see how a cable reel can benefit your company, keep reading for the information you need to know. 

What is a Cable Reel?

Cable reels are various spools that carry different types of industrial wire. The main purpose of a cable reel is to organize and transport your cable and wiring. You can expect a cable reel to come in many sizes to fit your style of industry

Configurations 

Cable reels are configured based on transport needs and use. For instance, portable and collapsable reels are perfect for mobile use and easy storage. If you’re a traveling professional you’ll want a reel that can be easily broken down and reassembled for each job you complete. 

A live connection reel is for quick use, as you can use live connection even if the cable is left on the reel. 

When you’re shopping for the right reel, it’s important that you find a drum that matches your measurements and the purpose of your job. You can easily suit a reel to a given job by searching for reels in your specific field. For example, if your operation is looking for cranes, you’ll want a crane cable reel for the job. 

What Are Your Options?

When you’re addressing your options for cable reels you’ll need to start with cable options then start looking at drums. If you’re searching for fiber optic cable, you may need a large drum to support a given electrical job. If you’re operating a crane, you’ll end up buying heavier and longer cable. 

The reel structure also depends on your purpose. For instance, there are many wooden reels that will not withstand the weight of your operation. If you’re having trouble figuring out which equipment to buy, you can use this simple formula: decide the expectation of a given job, match your materials, then optimize cost. 

This formula will account for industry requirements, proper resources, and the cheapest way to purchase any given reel. It’s sometimes encouraged to upgrade your reel with new materials, especially in fields like crane modernization

How to Make it in Your Industry

The cable reel can be useful for almost any industry. If your operation handles tons of cable every day, there is sometimes no better method for organization and storage than a reliable reel. Of course, a reel is just one of many types of products that can help you make it in your industry. 

If you need cutting edge equipment, maintenance technology, or to simply resupply your materials, it’s time you found the right source. 

Your next step to action is a click away. Go ahead and check out our products and services for your industry needs. Start growing your operation today! 

3 Main Benefits Of Molded Friction Material

You’re trying to decide what type of parts you need for your industrial brake system. You have specific needs and want to make sure you’re getting the highest quality for your dollar.

If you’re ready for an upgrade, you need to check out molded friction material for your brake system parts. Keep reading to learn about friction material and the top 3 benefits of choosing molded friction material for your industrial applications. 

What Is Friction Material?

Friction material is what it sounds like; a material used in any application where the inherent friction of the material is used for a specific purpose.

One area that friction material is used is in the making of brake pads. The brakes pads exhibit inherent friction that slows or stops the vehicle when the brakes are applied. 

Types of Friction Material

Common examples of friction material include woven, molded, carbon, Kevlar, sintered metal, and ceramic. 

Friction materials are most typically characterized by the type of binder used in the production of the material. Some common types of binders are phenolic resins, metal sintered materials, carbon-ceramic materials, and carbon-carbon materials.

Applications of Friction Material

Depending on the variety of friction material, the friction coefficient will be different. The friction coefficient helps you determine which type of friction material is right for your application.  

Some standard options are organic or carbon-ceramic materials for automotive applications, metal sintered materials for railways and carbon-carbon materials for aircraft.  Molded materials are the top choice for heavy-duty industrial brake and clutch systems. 

3 Benefits of Molded Friction Material

Molded friction material is a popular choice for heavy-duty brake and clutch systems. Here are three reasons why you’ll want to opt for a molded friction material:

1. Wide Range of Friction Levels

Because molded friction material can come from a wide variety of methods – compression-molded, injection-molded, woven-molded hybrids, flexible-molded, etc. – you can achieve a wide range of friction coefficients from molded friction materials. 

This means that molded friction materials have a more extensive range of application options and can be specialized for exactly your application needs. 

2. Low Wear and Low Abrasion

Molded friction material does not abrade the mating material. This means that while you’ll get the friction you need to stop the vehicle, you won’t be unnecessarily wearing out the rotors with a highly abrasive brake pad. 

The molded friction material does not wear out quickly, so you’ll get the lifetime quality you paid for. 

3. Smooth and Consistent Friction

Molded friction material provides a smooth and consistent braking process. You won’t feel any jerking or grabbing in the brakes. The material is designed with even friction across the surface. 

Call Us Today for Custom Parts 

Now that you understand what molded friction material is and what the benefits of it are, you’re probably considering molded friction material for your next parts update.

When you’re ready to order your custom molded friction material, contact the professionals at Kor-Pak to get started.  

4 Tips On Making the Right Industrial Equipment Purchase

The global construction equipment market size is estimated to be almost 90 billion dollars in the year 2020.

Taking care of equipment is not only essential for the productivity and life of a machine, but it’s also mandated to prevent injuries from misuse.

If you are due for a new part or new equipment, making an equipment purchase can be daunting because it’s expensive. Keep reading to uncover four tips that will aid in your decision-making.

1. Assess Why You Need It

What do you need your new purchase for? Is it to increase sales? Is it to drive productivity? Is it something you can wait on or something you can’t live without?

Are you able to upgrade or repair instead of buying something new altogether?

Figuring out the answers to these questions will help you determine how much you can spend, whether or not you want to rent instead of buying, and what kind of quality you’re looking for.

2. Shop Around Before You Commit

If you have time, check out some trade-shows so that you can look at different options before you commit. Ask around and research your suppliers. Ask for quotes and pricing so that you can compare your options.

Don’t let costs make or break your decisions. Things like a supplier’s reputation, what they’ll do for you after the sale, and warranties can be more beneficial for your business in the long run.

3. Think About the Training

If you’re thinking of purchasing something new altogether, remember that you’ll have to offer and implement extensive training so that your employees can adequately learn how to use the latest equipment.

Make sure your finances account for potential downtime and training costs.

If you can extend the life of your current equipment by upgrading or purchasing new parts, it may be better for business. That being said, if you’re looking to grow and you have the time and money to spare on training, don’t hesitate to buy what you know will be best for the future of your company.

4. Determine Whether You’ll Buy or Lease

If you’re looking at equipment that continues to be obsolete as new technology continues to reign, then leasing is probably your best bet. Depending on the terms and structure of your lease, you could save a lot or end up paying even more than if you made the purchase. 

Buying is an excellent option if you have the funds and are buying something that will serve your company well for years to come. Many companies offer to finance, and some even account for training costs.

Research Your Equipment Purchase Before You Make It

Whether it’s big or small, take the time to do your research and assess your business needs before you make an equipment purchase. It’s better to wait than to wish you made a different decision once it’s too late.

Do you have questions about what you should do or about different equipment? Give us a call or fill out the contact form and we’ll get back to you right away!

The Importance of Proper Maintenance of Construction Equipment

Maintaining your construction equipment is the most essential part of any contract. Without proper maintenance, your equipment will degrade over time until it no longer functions, or is unsafe to use. And if that happens, you’ll be out more than just some expensive tools.

Without equipment, you won’t be able to fulfill contracts or complete jobs. Properly maintained equipment is essential in keeping your business

Proper Maintenance Means Proper Work

The construction industry is a tough industry where only the strongest and capable survive. Nothing comes easy in it, and you have to work for everything from a contract to a project. And you should expect to put the same amount of effort into maintaining your equipment.

Since construction equipment often includes large, powerful machines capable of complex tasks, they also frequently get dirty. Engine emissions may muddle types of equipment’s inner workings, or oil may spill into places where it shouldn’t.

This means to maintain your construction equipment properly; you need to work on it. You may need to take components out or reach deep into the machine to clean it. You may also need to use specialized cleaning equipment to maintain it. Even if it’s a lot of work though, it’s vital to have equipment that works!

Maintaining Equipment Maintains Your Budget

Construction is about more than building up the world around you or scoring contracts; it’s also about building your business. Maintaining your equipment helps you do precisely that by avoiding costly repairs and making equipment last longer.

And when you don’t need to upgrade equipment or shell out cash for expensive repairs, you save money.

Your Most Important Job is to Stay Safe

Construction can be a dangerous industry. Whenever you use equipment designed to demolish or achieve feats of strength, you run the risk of that equipment malfunctioning. And if a drill or excavator malfunctions, the consequences can be fatal.

By correctly maintaining your equipment, you help keep everyone safe by identifying and addressing issues as they arise. Maintaining your equipment does more than prevent issues from developing. It also allows you to explore its inner workings and find problems before they cause more significant issues.

Make Sure to Maintain Your Construction Equipment

Proper maintenance of your construction equipment is more than just a smart move. It’s your responsibility; if you don’t maintain your equipment, you endanger the people who use it. Failing to maintain your construction equipment also risks your bottom line and your company as a whole.

It can be a lot of work to maintain your equipment, but it’s essential. And to make managing your equipment a little easier, use our website to find the parts you need to keep it running. We stock the highest-rated and safest parts that you can use to keep your equipment running safely and efficiently!