There are different categories of products in the manufacturing industry. One is stock-made products, and the other is custom-manufacturing products. Yet to complete a manufacturing project, there is one thing of critical importance.

It’s more than just understanding a company’s project specifications and needs. You must effectively communicate during the manufacturing process.

Proper communication ensures the completion of your custom manufacturing projects. Therefore, it is essential to communicate from the beginning to avoid misunderstandings.

Here’s what you need to know about effective internal communication during the custom design process.

Create Design Goals

The first step in effective communication is to articulate your design goals clearly. What are you trying to achieve with this project? Are your performance requirements defined?

What are the end-use conditions of the finished product? Once you understand your design goals, you can communicate them to the Kor-Pak team. We will use this information to develop a proposal that meets your needs.

Be Clear and Concise

In custom manufacturing, it is easy to get lost in translation, especially when multiple people are involved in a project. This can include having many different specifications or materials for a project.

It’s essential to keep your communication as clear and concise as possible. This way, everyone involved knows precisly what they need to do. You want to provide as much detail as possible so there is no room for misinterpretation.

Avoiding misunderstandings during manufacturing can reduce mistakes, remove delays, and save money.

Provide Drawings and Sketches

In addition to verbal explanations, providing drawings or sketches of your desired outcome can help communicate your vision. For starters, it lets the production team understand your idea for your product.

It also allows them to see how you want your product to look, feel, and function. Drawings and sketches can give you an accurate quote for your custom manufacturing project.

An experienced team has many years of reading engineering drawings. The goal is to use your drawings and sketches to understand your requirements. The reason is that it will help everyone involved to communicate more effectively.

Set Realistic Budget Expectations

When starting a custom manufacturing project, you must be upfront about your budget. You also want to outline your project expectations. Finally, you want to understand how much the work will cost.

When you offer this information up front, you remove any surprises, and you’re more likely to be satisfied with the finished product.

You should also be clear about any changes or modifications you want to be made to the original design. This helps prevent any confusion later on during the manufacturing process.

Custom Manufacturing Projects Need Effective Communication

Ensure custom manufacturing projects are completed successfully by communicating effectively. Following the tips above, you can ensure that you properly convey your design goals.

At Kor-Pak, we pride ourselves on being a team that is easy to work with. We understand that communication is critical in the custom manufacturing process.

Let our team help you complete your manufacturing project the way you envisioned. Then, reach out to our team today to get started!

Did you know that the global automotive OEM market is worth over $33.75 billion?

You may have found yourself in a position of needing a new part for a piece of equipment or a vehicle. 

So do you go with aftermarket or OEM parts?

This guide will walk you through four good reasons to choose OEM over aftermarket.

What Are OEM Parts?

OEM parts stand for original equipment manufacturer parts. This means that these parts are identical to the parts in your vehicle from the initial build.

That also means that if you have OEM parts and components, you can expect your vehicle or equipment to run in the same way – both in terms of quality and performance. However, you can expect OEM parts to be slightly more expensive than choosing to go with aftermarket parts. 

With that said, there are several advantages to using  OEM parts for various industries.

Why Consider OEM Components?

You can sometimes get the job done with aftermarket parts. Although OEM parts tend to be more expensive and more difficult to find at times, there are many advantages to choosing OEM parts. Sometimes, OEM is the ideal choice over aftermarket.

Here’s why.

1. Better Warranty 

A warranty on your industrial machine ensures you are spending only what you have to. 

If you choose non-OEM parts and something happens to that part of your machine, you may no longer be under the manufacturer’s specifications. Unfortunately, this means you will be spending money out of pocket to fix the issue rather than staying under warranty.

2. Easy to Replace

Every piece of equipment is manufactured in a specific way. When you go to replace that part of the equipment, it is much easier to replace an OEM part. Most of the time, alternative parts have to be maneuvered differently while also possibly manipulating parts of the vehicle or equipment as well.

This can cost more for labor as well as potentially cause other damage.

3. Quality of Parts

When you stick with OEM, the quality of the parts is excellent. However, while you can find other parts, you cannot guarantee that they will work or fit correctly.

For instance, with an OEM part, everything will line up properly. However, an aftermarket part may not be designed as specifically, so the holes for bolts or wires may not line up identically.

4. Safety 

While the ease of installation and warranty are great reasons to stick with OEM parts, the safety of yourself and the vehicle or equipment is also up there.

Changing to an aftermarket part may involve manipulating other parts and items. This can pose a safety risk.

OEM Parts

Contact us at Kor-Pak to get the OEM parts you need! Whether you need parts as an engineer, a mechanic, or for another reason, we have your back!

Do you know what device is essential to the pressing process or press forming in manufacturing? The answer is a clamp system component. 

With clamps, you can join metal together. Hydraulic clamp manufacturers lead the industry in all clamp types.

Using suitable hydraulic clamps for your project can save time and effort. Here are three of the best hydraulic clamp manufacturers and how they can help you.

Here we’ll discuss why each manufacturer is worth considering and what makes them unique.

Stromag

• German-based Stromag is a leading manufacturer of industrial brakes and clutches. Founded in 1932, they have years of experience crafting quality clamping system components.
• Hydraulic clamps are among the company’s extensive product lines, including heavy-duty clamps.
• The high quality and durability of Stromag’s hydraulic clamps make them an excellent choice for demanding systems and applications.
• Stromag currently holds over 400 patents. In addition, they continuously innovate their product line to deliver what their customers need.

Sumitomo

When covering a list of the top hydraulic clamp manufacturers, you must include Sumitomo. The Japanese manufacturer is known for being one of the world’s largest producers of hydraulic components. While Sumitomo is a much younger company than a manufacturer like Stromag, it has prioritized innovation.

The company’s product line features a variety of hydraulic clamps, including those designed for use in high-pressure applications. Sumitomo’s hydraulic clamps are known for their precision and accuracy.

These clamps are often used in special vehicles and high-speed Jet fuel boats. This fact alone makes them a good choice for critical applications.

Marland

One last manufacturer to mention when it comes to being the best is the US-based Marland Clutch. It is a leading manufacturer of engineered elastomeric products. Since the company has been around since the 1930s, it has had years to perfect its product design.

The company’s product line includes a wide variety of hydraulic clamps. In addition, Marland is certified to provide quality hydraulic swing clamps and hydraulic bridge clamps.

They also have products designed for use in medium-duty applications. Marland’s hydraulic clamps are known for their flexibility and ease of use. They can be a great choice if your business requires less demanding applications.

With Marland Clutch products, your business can access backstops and hydraulic clamps. These products can help improve production time and prevent injuries. Marland Clutch clamps also work well in protecting expensive equipment.

Do You Need High-Quality Hydraulic Clamps?

When choosing a hydraulic clamp manufacturer, there are many factors to take into account. First, consider the type of application you have. Then consider the demand level and budget.

You can narrow your options and find the best hydraulic clamps by considering some leading manufacturers. If you are looking to source reliable hydraulic clamps, contact us today and let us help.

The United States produced 1,742,000 net tons of raw steel this week alone. About half of this steel will be used in construction as it is robust and cost-effective. Steel has long been a staple of the United States economy and will continue to do so by the looks of it.

Despite the pandemic and supply chain disruptions, the steel industry is as strong as ever. In a fast-changing world, steel is adapting and evolving just as fast. Continue reading below to learn more about the future of the steel industry.

Zero Slag Process

The steel industry is committed to keeping pace with environmentally-safe practices. One way they can do this is by reducing or eliminating slag from steel production.

Slag is a waste product produced from dephosphorization, the removal of phosphorous from steel. While some steel slag can be recycled,  most of it is disposed of in a landfill.

Some countries, including Japan, have been working towards a zero-slag production process in recent years. This involves limiting the amount of silicon and allowing lime to react with the phosphorus oxides. In this way, dephosphorization can be initiated without producing slag.

ero-slag, zero-waste steel production is more sustainable and will bring steel production to the next level.

Innovations in Recycling

Steel is already highly recyclable, being the most recycled material on earth. Recycling just one car’s worth of steel can offset the greenhouse gas equivalent of 300 gallons of gas.

Even so, there is room for improvement. For example, the steel industry can improve the recycling process by reducing copper concentrations in steel.

Stronger Steel

With the same materials but different heating and alloying processes, researchers can make more robust steel, but sometimes at the expense of flexibility.

However, through a new process called grain-boundary delamination, it is possible to make stronger steel than traditional steel while maintaining its flexibility. Because this more robust steel uses many of the same materials, it costs the same. 

Steel in Space

Steel is headed to space. For decades steel has been the go-to choice for building rockets and is a standard metal in the International Space Station. Because steel performs better at high temperatures than carbon fiber, it is perfect for rocket construction.

Steel in Cars

Steel will continue to dominate the car-manufacturing business. Although other metals, like carbon fiber, may be lighter, they are also more expensive and harder to repair and replace. 

The Future Is Bright for the Steel Industry

Steel is a renewable resource worthy of space travel. The steel industry is strengthening, creating more flexible, recyclable, sustainable, and reliable steel. For more information, contact us today.

The United States produces around 7.6 billion tons of industrial waste every year. Some of the waste results from choosing the wrong industrial materials for the project. So, what factors should go into selecting a suitable material?

Below, we list the four factors you should consider when choosing manufacturing materials. By the end, you should have a much better idea of how to pick the best tool for the job. This way, you will avoid adding to the waste.

Environment

Consider the physical environment that the finalized project must endure. Are there factors you need to consider that might hamper how well the materials stand up to stresses?

The following are a few examples of the kinds of things that you might need to be aware of:

• Corrosive liquids
• Dust or detritus buildup
• Gases and vapors
• Inclement weather
• Temperature extremes

Any of the above might cause wear and tear to the product and need specific material choices to counteract their effects. Some materials will stand up to certain stresses, and some will not react with specific corrosive liquids.

Durability

When debating the materials for manufacturing, you need to consider how much physical pressure the object will incur. This might happen from someone using it, but it is still as valid to consider how people will store it.

If the construction material needs to carry a load, it needs to be made of hardier materials that are not brittle. Should it need specific breakage points, these should break in a way conducive to what the item needs to do.

You must also ensure that any customizations you make to the material will hold. For example, If you plan to create latticework, it should remain strong enough even when formed into such a structure.

Cost and Budget

One of the most important things that will factor into whether you use a specific material or not is how much it costs. Before pulling the trigger on any particular material, you should consider your budget and what you can afford before pulling the trigger on any specific material.

It may be that hardier materials cost more. As such, you or your company should discuss whether you are willing to accept a less superior material due to budgetary constraints.

More on Industrial Materials

With the above information available to you, likely, you can now choose the best industrial materials for a job. First, consult us if you are still trying to find the best way to solve an industrial issue.

We have experts ready to discuss your material requirements and what you need to get a job done. So send us a message to get the best advice on the market.

Operating with hydraulic clamps may be your underlying savior if you regularly work with industrial equipment. The hydraulic clamp has become a must-have in the workplace by offering various advantages, such as a safer workplace and machine-tool efficiency.

These clamps can cut manual labor by almost half and make working feel like a breeze.  So, it’s vital to maintain them properly, or you’ll be stuck with a deficient tool.

Are you curious about how to make your hydraulic clamps last? Do you want to ensure your operations run smoothly in the future? Luckily for you, we have a comprehensive guide to help you learn how to maintain your clamps.

Continue reading to guarantee you don’t ever lose your favorite workplace tool!

Clean, Clean, Clean

It’s vital to ensure all your machine tools are clean, especially your hydraulic clamps. Having rusty machines will sacrifice your workplace’s safety. It also makes your hydraulic clamp work less effectively. 

Clean machines will result in a cleaner, faster, and better work environment. So, try to clean your machines often while also slipping in days where you do a deep cleanse. This will involve separating parts and getting into the nitty-gritty places.

Clamp care seems like a hassle, but you’ll be thankful when your hydraulic clamps work for extended periods!

Have Proper Tube Line Support

It’s easy to forget about your tube line support, but it is one of the most critical systems to maintain. Your hydraulic clamps run on a lubrication system, so keeping up with your tube line clamping is vital. In addition, it will ensure you have proper noise and vibration reduction and adequate tube mounting.

Keep Up With Oil Maintenance 

Hydraulic fluid is the blood of hydraulic machines, so you should know how to filter, clean, and change out the oil when needed. Test your oil for contaminants regularly. Make sure you know how often your oil needs to be changed and filtered.

How Often Should You Keep Up With Hydraulic Clamps Maintenance?

Hydraulic clamp care means regular check-ups to ensure it is performing correctly and safely. Don’t be a workplace with a reactive view of hydraulic clamp maintenance; when things go wrong, you’ll fix it then.

Prevent these issues from occurring in the future by keeping a schedule. As a result, you will save time and effort in the future!

Keep Up With Your Favorite Machine Tool

Learning to maintain your machine tools is a sound investment that pays off in more ways than one.

Are you interested in enhancing your maintenance skills? Then, check out a few tips on how to manage other hydraulic machines on our blog today!

Based on 2021 data, manufacturers contributed $2.71 trillion annually to the United States economy. Manufacturing dramatically impacts the economy, but companies cannot do what’s necessary without the right equipment and parts.

Elements like universal joints are necessary to use and run industrial machinery and heavy equipment effectively. In addition, these can aid in the prevention of downtime and other problems within different industries.

Not sure what their applications are? Keep reading to learn more about the details.

Uses of Universal Joints

Universal joints are used in various machines that have long rotating shafts. Often you can find joints between the rear driveshafts and the transmission.

Some of the typical applications of universal joints include the following:

• Electronics
• Medical and optical devices
• Aircraft
• Control mechanisms
• Textile machinery
• Tool drives

Universal joints are not limited to the above applications. The universal joint material can impact the quality of use.

Universal Joint Materials

Universal joints are available in thermoplastic body members or steel. Those made of thermoplastic body members have significant advantages, such as:

• Lightweight
• Negligible backlash
• Corrosion-resistant
• High-speed operation

These are typically used in light industrial applications.

Steel joints have a maximum load-carrying capacity for a given size.

Universal joints can be made from almost any material which helps in their application. Stainless steel and naval brass are common materials as well.

For particular construction usage, ball-jointed universals are also available. These are used in high-speed operation and for carrying large torques.

Types of Universal Joints

Plenty of universal joint options can help with different applications. However, in practice, some universal joints are better than others for specific projects.

For example, variable velocity joints are not feasible in automobiles because the drive shaft stays inclined. However, cross, spider, ring, ball, and trunnion types are all forms of variable velocity joints.

The other types of universal joints include:

• Single joint
• Double joint
• Constant velocity joints

Rzeppa, Bendix Weiss, and Tracta are all joints categorized under constant velocity joints.

The three parts of a universal joint are the spider, the driving yoke, and the driven yoke.

Should You Use Universal Joints?

There are many types of joints, but universal joints are unique. As a result, they have many advantages for users.

Some of the benefits of using universal joints are:

• Flexible universal coupling
• Facilitates toque transmission between shafts
• Cost-effective
• Simple to assemble and dismantle
• Permits angular displacements

To ensure toque transmission efficiency is high, it’s important to lubricate the joint properly. In addition, proper maintenance is essential to avoid wear and tear of the joints.

The Bottom Line

Universal joints are couplings or joints that connect rigid rods whose axes are bent to each other. They are commonly used in shafts that complete rotary motion.

Various industries can use universal joints and reap their benefits. For your high-demand industrial applications that require a fix for drive shaft misalignment, choose Kor-Pak.

We are the leading distributor of Ameridrives products and can supply you with their famous industrial couplings. Contact us now for more information.

Industrial braking systems are one of the most critical pieces of technology around. In essence, the job of a braking system is to absorb energy and bring whatever it is on to a halt.

Read below for three of the most practical tips for choosing the right industrial braking system to match all your needs.

1. Ensure a Warranty Is Included

Your braking system components are constantly exposed to varied types of pressure. So first, ensure all elements have a factory warranty to protect you from defects. Then, should something go wrong, you could quickly get the part replaced.

2. Get Braking System Parts from a Trusted Brand

With so many brands to choose from today, stick to the tried and tested brands known for braking components and have the backing to support their customers. 

Quality should never be compromised when choosing a brand, as the fallout could be catastrophic.

3. Know What Type of Braking System You Need 

Choosing the correct braking system will be a significant factor in whether it suits your needs or not. The following types of braking systems and tips will help you decide.

Spring Applied Brakes

Spring applied brakes act to decelerate a load in the event of a power failure or however you choose the release mechanism to be disengaged. This type of system is suitable for robotics and automation engineering solutions.

Fail-Safe Brakes

Fail-safe brakes are designed to kick in when there is an immediate power cut. Fail-safe brakes have one purpose, and that is to avoid catastrophic accidents. Such a brake system will be applicable for an elevator. 

Pneumatic Brakes

Pneumatic brakes are one of the older brake systems; they use compressed air to drive a piston and apply force to a braking pad. A straightforward system, you can use pneumatic brakes in almost every braking system.

Electromagnetic Brakes

As the name suggests, electromagnetic brakes use electromagnetic force to cause friction, which asserts the necessary stopping action. Therefore, this system is perfect for avoiding the heat dissipation that friction brakes cause.

Hydraulic Brakes

Hydraulic brakes use compressed brake fluid to generate the required baking force. Hydraulic braking systems are known for being simplistic and very reliable and are the primary type of braking systems in industrial applications. From winches to cranes, hydraulic braking systems should be your number one system to turn to. 

Make the Right Choice Today

Choosing the right braking system doesn’t have to be complicated. The right braking system coupled with a trusted manufacturer will not only keep your machine operator healthy, but your machine will stand the test of time.

Are you looking for the best industrial braking system parts on the market? Not sure where to look? Go to our manufacturer’s page and find the best components available on the market! 

Machine and equipment breakdowns cost businesses money. So it’s vital to choose durable parts to withstand heavy use over a long period. Phenolic laminate parts are the ideal solution for many industries.

The use of this composite material is growing rapidly across different sectors. Analysts predict that the phenolic resins market will grow to $12.6 billion by 2030.

Advances in technology have made these products more affordable and versatile. As a result, manufacturers are switching from metal or plastic to phenolic laminate. Keep reading to learn more about this composite material and its applications.

What are Phenolic Laminates?

A phenolic laminate is made by applying heat and pressure to layers of material. Makers impregnate layers with thermosetting resins for strength.

You can then use various phenolic materials to create different types of laminates. The most popular are linen, canvas, paper, or glass cloth.

The resulting product is a hard, durable component. And it’s this strength that makes it perfect for use in many industries.

What are the Benefits of Phenolic Laminates?

Yes, phenolic composites are strong, but this is not the only benefit. Phenolic laminates can also be molded into shapes and sizes to suit different needs. Standard forms are sheets, rods, or tubes which can be cut to size.

This composite laminate is also water-resistant and lightweight. Thus, it often makes an excellent replacement for metal parts.

Another benefit is that phenolic laminates are resistant to various chemicals and heat. Some phenolic composites are infused with epoxy resins that make them fire-resistant.

Also, this material does not conduct electricity, making it an excellent insulator. And lastly, phenolic laminate products can be self-lubricating. This helps machine parts last longer due to reduced friction.

Phenolic Laminates Uses

Phenolic laminates have many applications across diverse industries. This is thanks to their versatility and outstanding electrical properties.

For example, the electronics industry uses phenolic composites for insulation and switches. Another common use is for terminal boards since non-conductivity is of utmost importance.

Manufacturers also use this composite material to produce bushings for off-road agricultural equipment. Another application is for making bearings.

These bearings are often used for paper and aluminum mill machinery. High pressure and chemical tolerance allow them to last longer than metal bearing.

Phenolic composites also make for excellent railcar parts. Common uses are for vertical liners and wear pads on passenger and freight trains. These phenolic components perform better thanks to high impact resistance and sliding lubrication.

Another use is industrial brake and clutch parts for overhead crane linings. You can even use phenolic laminate to create parts, such as center plates for passenger cars.

A Versatile Solution for Industries

The applications for phenolic laminates are endless. They are suitable for everything from aerospace to marine to electrical industries.

Also, phenolic laminates are great for producing parts of nearly all sizes—for example, everything from small terminal boards to big gears.

This composite material often outperforms metal and plastics. The main reason is that it is more resistant to pressure and shock. Another significant benefit is that phenolic laminates are less prone to corrosion.

We offer a variety of phenolic laminate products for many industries. Contact us today to request a free quote.

The U.S. manufacturing industry accounted for more than 10 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product in 2020. With a number like that, it’s easy to see how important it is to keep this industry running smoothly. A lesser-known but essential part of the manufacturing sector is friction materials.

While you may not have heard of these, friction material is essential in many manufacturing industries. Read on to learn three important things about these materials. 

1. What Is a Friction Material?

Systems with multiple moving parts in contact with one another use friction material. These materials are many different substances, including ceramics, paper, sintered metal, and metal alloys. The type of substance selected for friction material depends on several factors. These include:

• Performance requirements
• Temperature
• Speed of the moving parts 

2. What Are the Uses for Friction Materials? 

The parts that friction materials are made into have specific functions within certain systems. Some of them include:

Friction Disc

Friction discs, also called clutch or brake disks, are part of the braking systems on cars and other machinery. The friction disc material attaches to a metal plate.

Clutch Facing

Clutch facings reduce the noise a clutch makes and allow for smoother transitions. These materials need to function under extended periods of stress and high heat. 

Brake Pads

The material used in brake pad production includes semi-metallic, non-asbestos organic, and ceramic materials. Regardless of the material, the operation is the same as the pads apply friction to the rotor. 

Brake Blocks

Brake blocks are a simple mechanism for stopping the motion of a wheel. Typically made of hard material or rubber, their simplicity allows for production from cheap low friction materials, such as rubber or resin. 

3. How Are Friction Materials Produced?

The first step in the production of friction material is the selection of raw materials. There are several substeps to be taken when selecting these materials, including whether you are producing low or high friction materials and if you are using organic, inorganic, or metallic materials. 

Once raw materials are selected, they are bonded with phenolic resin. This binding agent is used because of its ability to withstand heat and resist combustion and conduction. 

The raw materials are then blended. This process will determine the grade and cost of the finished product. The final step is the performing process, which shapes the friction materials into the final shapes to be used in operation. 

Are You Ready to Purchase Friction Materials? 

The type of material that you will need depends on multiple factors and the end use. Both the blending and performing process will determine the final product.

If you’re ready to begin the process of finding the perfect friction materials, contact us for all your needs