Friday, November 16, 2012

Thread Rolling Flat Dies


In the arena of textile industries and manufacturing industries, a high degree of precision and accuracy is required to be maintained. The industrial machines used should be of high quality, precision and specifications. The major machines used are the thread rolling machines that are of different types according to their make and design.

In basic model of thread rolling machines there is a movable die that reciprocates back and forth relative to a stationary die in order to form threads on the shanks of fastener blanks which are fed successively between the dies. Such a machine forms threads on many different types and sizes of blanks. It is thus often changed over at frequent intervals to accommodate different blanks. It involves changing the dies and also the several set up adjustments in order to place the thread forming elements of the dies in proper longitudinal alignment. It is also required for the proper transverse spacing, squeeze angle and taper angle between the dies. Hence there was a need to invent a new and improved technology based machines. Presently, in the modern textile industry the adjustments in these machines are made automatic with fewer errors and the entire die set up adjustments is made to the stationary die. A unique mounting procedure and arrangement of the die carrying members is also available.

In this modern and hi tech era the flat thread rolling dies are made in pairs consisting of one moving die and another stationary die. These are made of D2 material, Mild Steel, High Tensile Steel and Stainless Steel. D2 tool steel is an air hardening, high-carbon, high-chromium tool steel with extremely high wear resisting properties. It is very deep hardening and free from size change after proper treatment. This high chromium content gives it mild corrosion resisting properties in the hardened condition. These dies are of two types viz duplex type and simplex type. The former is provided with threads on both sides. When one side is worn out, the other side can be used. While the latter one is provided with threads of fine pitch on single side only & can be used on fast moving machines.

Thread Rolling of all type of Automotive, Industrial, Structural and General purpose types follow this same technology. Dies of thread rolling machines of make SASPI, WATERBURY FARREL, NKW, NISSAI, Ingram tic etc are made as per the requirement and the given specification of the job work. Dies are also made for Bolt makers machines. Flat Dies are manufactured on the latest CNC machines maintaining the dimensional accuracies.

A wide range of thread rolling Flat dies, gimlet point dies, taper point and knurling dies.
are available for "AB", "A" Type self tapping screws, such as wood screw, high-low screw, chipboard screw, drywall screw, and lag bolts etc. In every part of manufacturing and an in-house heat-treatment process, a high degree of quality is assured by stringent quality checks. The quality control mechanism enables one to meet the specification of ISO standard.

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Guide To Metal Stamping And Metal Pressing More Better

Metal press work, or metal pressing operations, is a procedure that produces many of the stuffs you come across in your every day life. This procedure generates many lot shapes out of sheets of metal by pressing it with either a particular equipment, or by hand. Metal stamping manufacturers use a die to cut the pressed metal into the desired shape. As conflicting to other styles of metal work, metal pressing jobs is found to make harder stuffs at a lower cost. This metal press work can also be in a wider diversity of model and forms with great reproduction. 

In the same way, metal manufacturing generates shapes within the sheets of metal applying the dedicated geometric dies, rather than truly cutting the stuffs out of the metal. To increase efficiency and minimise costs even more, multiple sheets of metal can be set in the stamp at a time, ensuing in many of the same stamping but with the equal time investment. This process is considered particularly significant in the field of steel stamping. It can be used with many other metals, including alloys. 

Like steel stamping, aluminum stamping is a price-effective and productive request of the metal stamping procedure. Aluminum stamping is useful to engines, cars and other method. This process is especially useful because aluminum alloys are more tough and delicate than other styles of metal. Other metal stamping firms also use this process on brass, alloy steel, copper and other materials to create other forms and model. Steel stamping and the like are used in several fields such as aerospace and auto mobile industries.

Another sort of metal press work are deep drawn pressings and stampings. deep drawn pressings procedures are produced by applying a thin sheet of metal to a instrument outfitted with specialized dies that cut the metal into particular shapes and forms. Likewise, deep drawn stamping uses flat sheets, regularly made up of steel, aluminum, copper, nickel or a blend of any which are stamped using dies that do not truly cut the metal. 

Metal stamping manufacturers utilize metal press work and steel stamping to produce many functional stuffs and materials of others. Of these, deep drawn pressing is considered the most cost-effective, consistent and top-quality form of metal pressings or stampings. It can be used successfully to create single specialty stuffs, or amplified for mass manufacturing of exact replicas of each item. 

Though steel stamping and other types of metal pressing jobs are employed in the high-power companies making aeroplanes, space shuttles and automobiles, they are also applied in much more mundane production. Cups, cosmetic containers, batteries and decorative items can all be created by metal stamping manufacturers using metal pressings and stampings. 

Metal Stamping A Brief Overview

 

A device process that includes rapid succession and numerous techniques applied to provide something which includes stamped metal parts is termed as custom metal stamping process. It really is a highly elaborate approach requiring many combinations of device presses and craftsmanship abilities. Several makers and sector are concerned in the process of manufacturing stamped metal components and because the process is so frequently used across various industries, many corporations maintain searching for good quality, precision, sturdy tools suppliers and distributors, major to desire of custom metal stamping devices and equipments ever on a rise.



In basic technical terms custom metal stamping can be an industrial process that requires stamping and shaping designs on metal sheets or surfaces. Device press processes might be majorly categorized into two primary segments i.e. dies and punches. While a die is a metallic formation which can be utilised as being a molded tool within the machines table. It varieties the layout which is becoming embossed within the metal sheet. A punch about the other facet can be a steel device which happens to be also shaped right into a certain style to stamp but create much scaled-down punches. A punch is able to clearing room among the die as well as the punch.



Various industries majorly which includes automotive sector, aeronautical market, infrastructure improvement enterprises, electrical and digital goods makers, foods and beverage sector, to army or military device producers, almost every business requires processes of that requiring casting metal shapes and structures. A few of the normal programs of those processes involve producing sheet metal devices, car or car elements, aerosol spray cans, meals & cola cans, pots and pans, to producing heavy duty army tanks or casting bodies of fighter air crafts.



A metal sheet alloy is embossed around the equipment tool using dies and hydraulic devices to cast the design and style. Different type of metals like metal, aluminum, zinc, nickel, bronze, copper as well as other alloy metals are utilised in metal inscribing. For mass production and multi-level metal inscribing, different machine areas must work simultaneously. A number of methods are utilized to accomplish certain jobs in device pressing that varies in line with the type of style that are getting punched into the sheet metal including tactics like progressive die stamping and deep-drawn stamping and numerous other strategies.



To get information about certified & professional machine press equipments producers and distributors in your region, you can log in to lantrn.com, which is a suppliers intelligence portal that puts together comprehensive supplier repository and suppliers information.

The Photochemical Machining and Etching Processes

Photochemical machining, or photochemical etching, is a manufacturing process ideal for crafting precise sheet metal components. Chemical etching is achieved by using a photoresist stencil as the method of removal over selected areas. The first photoresist was developed in 1826, however the photochemical machining industry did not take off until the 1950s.

The photochemical machining process begins with the manufacture of a photo-tool. There are a variety of methods for the production of photo-tools. The most common method is to produce a photo-tool of the correct and precise size by using a laser photo plotter to selectively expose a photographic film according to computer-aided design data.

The next step is to select and prepare the metal for photochemical etching. The ease with which a material can be etched depends largely on its chemical composition, since etching is a controlled chemical corrosion reaction. Before it can be laminated with the photo-resist, the sheet metal cleaned with electrolytic alkaline to remove all dirt, rust, greases and oils. This pretreatment ensures that good adhesion to the photo-resist. Cleaning the surface with electrolytic alkaline is rapid and reliable.

The laminated metal substrate, covered with photo artwork, is exposed under an UV source. Exposure time depends on the thickness of the metal. During development, the unexposed negative working photo-resist will be washed away, and the exposed photo-resist would remain on the substrate to form the protective layer for etching.

This chemical machining process is commonly compared with metal stamping because both methods can be used to produce precision sheet metal parts. Photochemical is more economical for the manufacture of complex parts. Precision metal stamping has a low unit production cost, but a very high tooling cost, especially for complicated parts.

Photochemical machining also takes less time for production. Typically, it takes 2 or 3 days to produce sample quantities. In contrast, with metal stamping on average it takes several weeks to make the tooling. If there is any design change required, the photo tool can easily be modified at low cost within a short period of time with photochemical machining. Metal stamping also requires further abrasive treatments to eliminate the burrs and to finish the components.

Additionally, metal stamping cannot process pre-hardened sheet metal. On the other hand, photochemical machining manufacturing can process sheet metal of any hardness. The process of photochemical machining also does not affect the inherent physical chemical properties of the sheet metal. This is beneficial when working in the fabrication of magnetic materials. Metal stamping greatly reduces the magnetic permeability and also causes stresses that require a costly and time consuming annealing process to restore permeability.


Cnc Machines: Its Purposes And Applications

The abbreviation CNC stands for computer numeric controllers thus CNC machines have something to do with controllers. It is capable of reading G codes to keep the machine going. The machine tool is commonly a mechanical device used to produce a number of metal components. It have brought life and revolutionized the entire process of designing metals. Aside from knowing the purpose of CNC machines, learn about its applications as well.

CNC machines and its applications

Any series of movement or operation within the manufacturing industry are now properly dealt with the use of CNC Machines. From welding, bending, spinning, gluing and fabric cutting to fiber placement, routing, picking and placing and sawing, this industrial product is of extreme use to the patron. Here are some tools using the CNC concept.

Drills. Drills are the long and pointed pieces of a metal held in a machine rotated at high speed in order to bore hole in any substance like wood, metal, masonry and rock.

Electrical discharge machining (EDM). This is an electromechanical process that is used to get the desired design or shape out of a metal.

Lathe. This is a machine for working wood or metal where a piece is worked on with the aid of a cutting tool.

Milling machine. This is used to shape metals or wood but unlike the drill, it involves moving the material in order to get the outcome one desires from the piece.

Wood routers. This is a tool used to cut or shape grooves and hollows in a wood. This was originally manufactured as a hand tool not until CNC machines were introduced in the market. Now, it is considered as powerful machinery in any manufacturing industry making use of wood.

These are just some of the outputs derived from the intervention of CNC machines. There are other things you will enjoy from the existence of this industrial product including bending surface and cylindrical grinders.

Cnc Cutting Machine

The operators of the present-day CNC cutting machine demonstrate many of the same skills as those possessed by various traditional craftsmen. The operators of the CNC cutting machine include the men and women who design and make cabinets, woodwork, signs, and a whole range of metal, solid surface and plastic objects. The manufacturers who employ these operators know how important it is to have a good quality CNC cutting machine. 

A good quality CNC cutting machine has a cutting table that covers the area bounded by a length of four feet and a width of eight feet. A quality table can handle satisfactorily a standard 4 x 8 plate of metal, wood, plastic, glass, or stone. A table that lacks a sufficient length or width will make it necessary for the operator to repeatedly reposition the plate. Operators of the CNC cutting machine refer to such repositioning as indexing.

A good basic CNC cutting machine does both plasma and oxyfuel cutting. Refinements on a basic cutting machine might provide it with the ability to perform other functions, functions such as:

-spotting holes for drilling
-drilling aluminum
-cutting a shape in the sides or end of tubing
-routing wooden shapes. 

Other modifications on a CNC cutting machine might be directed at installation of the equipment for laser or water jet cutting. 

The selection of a CNC cutting machine will be primarily determined by the nature of cutting that will be performed by the machine operator. For some operations, it will be necessary to do only straight cutting. For other operations, the cutting machine must perform bevel cutting. Bevel cutting allows the operator to trim, reduce, shave, and pare the material in the plate. 

Both types of cutting will subject the CNC cutting machine to a fair amount of wear and tear. The manufacturer therefore needs to purchase a machine with adequate customer support. Such support should include the availability of spare parts. An absence of spare parts could require that the electronics of the CNC cutting machine undergo a retrofitting.

A need for retrofitting would deprive the operator of important production time. The need for retrofitting would diminish the quantity of goods that could be sold to the consumer. The need for retrofitting leads to a decrease in the amount of time that the operator will be spending at the CNC cutting machine. That is why the availability of spare parts for a malfunctioning CNC cutting machine remains one of the two chief concerns of the manufacturer. A second prime concern is the size of the cutting table. 

The operator of a CNC cutting machine that needs to spend a large percent of time indexing will not have much time to spend on the actual cutting. Hence, the manufacturer will have much less product. Fewer products from the manufacturing facility translate into fewer products on the shelf. Consequently, the need for operators to spend time indexing can prove a detriment to the companys bottom line. A good sales volume reflects the well-planned purchase of a CNC cutting machine.

Using A Cnc Press Brake Machine For Custom Roll Forming

A press brake is a machine used in secondary forming of laser cut or punched sheet metal. The biggest advantage of press brake is the enormous sizes of work pieces that it can handle. It is amazing to note that the bed length of a press brake can range from 4 to 14 feet and it can roll the sheet metal with a force varying from 25 tonnes to over 250 tonnes.


Almost all the tools used in press brake rolling are standard and these standard tools can be used for almost any formed shape and part size. A press brake is an ideal machine for rolling medium and small run steel fabrication services. A CNC press brake is the most popular machine being used for rolling sheet metals these days. CNC stands for Computer Numerically Controlled which brings high level of precision in finished product. Although hybrid electric and hydraulic machines are the latest in the industry right now, CNC continues to be the most popular machine.


A CNC press brake machine is programmed with automatic back gauging that can go up-down and in-out. It provides depth stops for accuracy and repeatability. A CNC press brake has multiple tools, both stock and separate for handling various bends with just a single setup. This advantage of a CNC machine makes it an obvious choice for custom roll forming operations. An operator can set multiple tool stations over the bed of one press brake, which allows the whole process to be carried out at a better pace as compared to other press brake machines. A CNC press brake forming machine can make the whole process more competitive in the industry. A CNC press brake can also be used to form ribs in different parts of the material without having to change the gauge of the material.


A CNC press brake forming brings high degree of precision in the entire process. The tolerances achieved in the process are however similar to forming or cutting processes that were used to make blanks before press brakes came into operation. A CNC machine can be used to handle large production volumes and complete the finished product along with a high degree of precision. Spare parts for a CNC press brake machine are easily available with local vendors and hence the overall operations cost of the machine is not high.

Plasma cutting

Plasma cutting is a process that is used to cut steel and other metals of different thicknesses (or sometimes other materials) using a plasma torch. In this process, an inert gas (in some units, compressed air) is blown at high speed out of a nozzle; at the same time an electrical arc is formed through that gas from the nozzle to the surface being cut, turning some of that gas to plasma. The plasma is sufficiently hot to melt the metal being cut and moves sufficiently fast to blow molten metal away from the cut.

Process

Freehand cut of a thick steel plate
The HF type plasma cutting machines uses a high-frequency, high-voltage spark to ionize the air through the torch head and initiate an arc. These do not require the torch to be in contact with the job material when starting, and so are suitable for applications involving computer numerical controlled (CNC) cutting. More basic machines require tip contact (scratch) with the parent metal to start and then gap separation can occur similar to DC type TIG welders. These more basic type cutters are more susceptible to contact tip and shield damage on starting.
The Pilot Arc type uses a two cycle approach to producing plasma, avoiding the need for initial contact. First, a high-voltage, low current circuit is used to initialize a very small high-intensity spark within the torch body, thereby generating a small pocket of plasma gas. This is referred to as the pilot arc. The pilot arc has a return electrical path built into the torch head. The pilot arc will maintain itself until it is brought into proximity of the workpiece where it ignites the main plasma cutting arc. Plasma arcs are extremely hot and are in the range of 25,000 °C (45,000 °F).
Plasma is an effective means of cutting thin and thick materials alike. Hand-held torches can usually cut up to 2 inches (51 mm) thick steel plate, and stronger computer-controlled torches can cut steel up to 6 inches (150 mm) thick. Since plasma cutters produce a very hot and very localized "cone" to cut with, they are extremely useful for cutting sheet metal in curved or angled shapes.

History

Plasma cutting grew out of plasma welding in the 1960s, and emerged as a very productive way to cut sheet metal and plate in the 1980s. It had the advantages over traditional "metal against metal" cutting of producing no metal chips and giving accurate cuts, and produced a cleaner edge than oxy-fuel cutting. Early plasma cutters were large, somewhat slow and expensive and, therefore, tended to be dedicated to repeating cutting patterns in a "mass production" mode.
As with other machine tools, CNC (computer numerical control) technology was applied to plasma cutting machines in the late 1980s into the 1990s, giving plasma cutting machines greater flexibility to cut diverse shapes "on demand" based on a set of instructions that were programmed into the machine's numerical control. These CNC plasma cutting machines were, however, generally limited to cutting patterns and parts in flat sheets of steel, using only two axes of motion (referred to as X Y cutting).

Safety

Proper eye protection such as welding goggles and face shields are needed to prevent eye damage called arc eye as well as damage from debris. It is recommended to use lens shade #6 or darker for cutting to prevent the retina of your eye being "flashed" or burned. Leather gloves, apron and jacket are also recommended to prevent burns from sparks and debris.

Starting methods

Plasma cutters use a number of methods to start the arc. In some units, the arc is created by putting the torch in contact with the work piece. Some cutters use a high voltage, high frequency circuit to start the arc. This method has a number of disadvantages, including risk of electrocution, difficulty of repair, spark gap maintenance, and the large amount of radio frequency emissions. Plasma cutters working near sensitive electronics, such as CNC hardware or computers, start the pilot arc by other means. The nozzle and electrode are in contact. The nozzle is the cathode, and the electrode is the anode. When the plasma gas begins to flow, the nozzle is blown forward. A third, less common method is capacitive discharge into the primary circuit via a silicon controlled rectifier.

Inverter plasma cutters

Analog plasma cutters, typically requiring more than 2 kilowatts, use a heavy mains-frequency transformer. Inverter plasma cutters rectify the mains supply to DC, which is fed into a high-frequency transistor inverter between 10 kHz to about 200 kHz. Higher switching frequencies give greater efficiencies in the transformer, allowing its size and weight to be reduced.
The transistors used were initially MOSFETs, but are now increasingly using IGBTs. With paralleled MOSFETs, if one of the transistors activates prematurely it can lead to a cascading failure of one quarter of the inverter. A later invention, IGBTs, are not as subject to this failure mode. IGBTs can be generally found in high current machines where it is not possible to parallel sufficient MOSFET transistors.
The switch mode topology is referred to as a dual transistor off-line forward converter. Although lighter and more powerful, some inverter plasma cutters, especially those without power factor correction, cannot be run from a generator (that means manufacturer of the inverter unit forbids doing so; it is only valid for small, light portable generators). However newer models have internal circuitry that allow units without power factor correction to run on light power generators.

Plasma gouging

Plasma gouging is a related process, typically performed on the same equipment as plasma cutting. Instead of cutting the material, plasma gouging uses a different torch configuration (torch nozzles and gas diffusers are usually different), and a longer torch-to-workpiece distance, to blow away metal. Plasma gouging can be used in a variety of applications, including removing a weld for rework. The additional sparks generated by the process requires the operator to wear a leather shield protecting their hand and forearm. Torch leads also can be protected by a leather sheath or heavy insulation.

CNC cutting methods

Plasma cutting with a CNC machine
Plasma cutting with a tilting head
Some plasma cutter manufacturers build CNC cutting tables, and some have the cutter built in to the table. CNC tables allow a computer to control the torch head producing clean sharp cuts. Modern CNC plasma equipment is capable of multi-axis cutting of thick material, allowing opportunities for complex welding seams that are not possible otherwise. For thinner material, plasma cutting is being progressively replaced by laser cutting, due mainly to the laser cutter's superior hole-cutting abilities.
A specialized use of CNC Plasma Cutters has been in the HVAC industry. Software processes information on ductwork and creates flat patterns to be cut on the cutting table by the plasma torch. This technology has enormously increased productivity within the industry since its introduction in the early 1980s.
In recent years there has been even more development. Traditionally the machines' cutting tables were horizontal, but now vertical CNC plasma cutting machines are available, providing for a smaller footprint, increased flexibility, optimum safety and faster operation.

New technology

Hand held plasma cutter
High performance cut
In the past decade plasma torch manufacturers have engineered new models with a smaller nozzle and a thinner plasma arc. This allows near-laser precision on plasma cut edges. Several manufacturers have combined precision CNC control with these torches to allow fabricators to produce parts that require little or no finishing.

Costs

Plasma torches were once quite expensive. For this reason they were usually only found in professional welding shops and very well-stocked private garages and shops. However, modern plasma torches are becoming cheaper, and now are within the price range of many hobbyists. Older units may be very heavy, but still portable, while some newer ones with inverter technology weigh only a little, yet equal or exceed the capacities of older ones.

Cnc Plasma Cutter For Safe And Reliable Plasma Cutting

Plasma cutters are the best device which is widely used in metal shops that saves time and earn more revenue. CNC plasma cutter is a device that enables the user to cut plasma within few minutes it is much faster than torches. CNC stands for computer numerical control it means this device is controlled through computer that makes the job easier. In this you only have to give command to computer and all the work will be done automatically within no time. CNC enables the users to plug in any blueprint into the computers cutter and it provides the desired cutting. CNC plasma machine is very efficient and effective as you can use it all day and it will give the best output every time.

cnc plasma cutters are widely used in the industry that requires the cutting of electrically conducting metals. In this a high rate ionized gas is passed from the syringe and this pressurized gas acts as plasma and passes electricity through the cutting torch that gets conducted and cutting of plasma take place. The main advantage of plasma cutters is that it cuts the metal piece smoothly by heating and melting the material. CNC plasma cutting is used in various industries to cut steel and other metals.


CNC plasma cutting machines are available in different ratings that determine the capability of machine that is used to cut different sizes of metals. If you need plasma cutting machine for cutting less thickness materials then choose the low amperage cutter and for thick material use the high amperage CNC plasma cutter. This machine has several advantages as it saves time and helps to raise money when used in business. Plasma cutter reduces the interference of human effort while cutting the material and you dont have to wait hours to cut the materials as this fast technology smoothly does all the work and provide you the best cutting result. These machines are highly efficient and productive.


There are different types of plasma cutting machines available in the market and various companies provide this in different shape and sizes. Nitro table and pro table are two plasma cutting tables that various companies offer to its customers. The Nitro CNC provides best quality solution to plasma cutting that various budget oriented business owner look for. Nitro table and pro table has various advantages as it comes with warranty and companies provide round the clock technical support to its client and it is equipped with various cutting and designs software. It has various automatic controls like control of torch height is done automatically and to increase its efficiency jig welded tubular steel frame are used in its design. These tables has dual side rail gantry and consists of various professional designs that you can use to cut the plasma.


These cutting tables are best to use for plasma cutting as it is totally configured within the factory and incorporated with computer system that makes the work more fast and efficient. There is many more advantage of these machines which can only be noticed when used once. You can choose from the different table size for plasma cutting as per your requirement.

Commercial Mold Removal Challenges


Commercial buildings, offices and warehouses are not immune from mold contamination. When mold spores are present in sufficient quantities, they can present a health hazard. Most people have heard of "black mold" and the health problems it can cause. Employees and customers can all be adversely affected by mold exposure.


Just because the mold is visible doesn't mean it's not harmful. Toxic mold syndrome, sometimes called sick building syndrome, can make people sick. Sick building syndrome in the workplace has become a legal liability to employers and a drain on employee productivity. Although no mold can be seen, felt or smelled, the building itself causes mold exposure symptoms. Often the contamination is spread from office to office and throughout the place via the building's ventilation system.

The problem is not just limited to commercial buildings. About twenty percent of the 80,000 public schools have a failure rating for indoor air quality testing!

To grow and thrive, mold spores need just four things - water, air, the right temperature, and food. Ceiling and wall leaks, structural damage, poor ventilation and improperly installed insulation can all help create conditions that can foster mold.

Only licensed and certified mold removal companies should remove the mold. The first step in commercial mold removal is to identify the source of the water or moisture. Once the source is identified and repaired, then the follow steps must be taken to properly remove the mold:

- Completely remove all traces of mold and dry out any water-damaged areas. Mold can hide behind drywall, wallpaper, above ceiling tiles, under carpets and pads, etc. If the source of the moisture is not taken care of, infestation can reoccur.

- Contain and remove any moldy building materials. Contaminated materials should be placed in sealed bags before they are removed from the premises. This keeps the mold spores from potentially spreading throughout the building.

- Protect the entire area. Anything that can stir up mold or mold spores should only be done while using protective gear. Work areas should also be sealed off with plastic to prevent further contamination.

- Bring in other professional support if there is structural damage or immediate health risks.

Due to limited budgets, structural problems are sometimes ignored or patched over. Delayed or insufficient building maintenance is essential to prevent mold problems before they start. Regular HVAC inspections and maintenance should be scheduled.

When managing office buildings, schools or other public buildings, you may need to decide whether to relocate the occupants while the work is being done. It is best to conduct the mold remediation project during times when the building is not occupied in order to limit disruption.

How Does Mold Grow on Concrete?

Most people have the impression that since mold is a living thing; it can grow only on mud or in water or other similar places, but not on concrete surfaces. The fact is, mold can grow anywhere where a suitable living environment is available. The environment we are talking about is a combination of various factors like temperature, food and moisture - the three main things that any living thing needs to survive. So if your concrete surface as an abundance of these, it is very possible that it is mold that is growing on it. However, be sure to check first, as in many cases, a mixture of salts and minerals that form on the concrete can give an appearance of mold, often letting people into making wrong assumptions. Once you've confirmed it's actually mold, you can go about removing and cleaning it.
How does mold grow on concrete anyway? When concrete is left to dry, more often that not, it attracts dust and other particles that support mold. This cannot be prevented effectively, as dust travels through air and the only way to prevent it would be to create a vacuum, which is not possible. Thus mold begins to take root at this stage, which provides the food part of the living conditions mold requires. The moisture part is provided by humidity. You must have noticed mold usually grows on concrete in the basement. This is because moisture content in the air, in terms of humidity, is greatest under the ground, which supports mold growth. Also, temperatures under the earth's surface tend to be warm, which facilitates the temperature part of favorable conditions of mold growth.
Additional factors that cause mold growth on concrete are bad air circulation and poor lighting. The concrete that mold grows on need not necessarily be a wall or a floor. The organic particles that concrete attracts while drying can travel to other parts of the wet concrete, and spread to furniture, decorative pieces, attics, basements and other parts of the house, thus providing ample space and opportunity for mold to grow. It should be remembered that while mold spores are always present in air, they do not actually grow until they find a suitable living environment. The most common areas where you might find mold growth are the ones that do not receive enough natural light and are very humid. Places that are consistently wet, like bathrooms, water tanks, etc are also highly prone to mold growth. Concrete surfaces that receive a lot of water flow over them also come under the same category.
So should you be worried about mold growing on your concrete? Yes, you should. Mold is not only smelly and unpleasing to the eye, but can also cause problems in healthy people. The common effects that mold has on people is related to the respiratory system, like coughing and sneezing. Irritation of the eyes is also an effect of mold exposure. Make sure to observe the necessary precautions, or call in an expert when cleaning the mold on your concrete.


Thursday, September 6, 2012

What Is Rotary Die Cutting?


Rotary die cutting is a basic procedure employed for cutting a particular pattern on any flat stock substance. This process amalgamates cutting and rolling die operations is a perfect way. As far as the end results are concerned, it can be said that rotary die cutting is ideal when the volume of produce is bulk and one wants to go in for a die cutting method that proves effectual. In this process, the engraved die is made to roll over any stock matter and as it passes it cuts the material giving out pieces that are in the required pattern. There are two different approaches of this rotary die cutting process, one is kiss cutting and the other is metal to metal cutting.

If one talks of the industrial cutting procedure, then one thing that is quite worth mentioning is that it is very simple and assures desired end results. In it, the rolling die which is the form of a cylinder is positioned in a stationary position at the rear side of machine used to perform die cutting usually known referred to as the rotary press. Then the stock matter is made to enter into the carved die either using a conveyor belt or any other system which primarily allows it to move along with the material at the same pace. When the stock material is going to reach the desired point, the imprinted die would automatically press down and the end result would be the cut material.

The force of the rolling die plays a vital role in this rotary die cutting process. The rolling die pressure when united with the edges of the imprinted stock material makes it easy for the machine used to perform the rotary die cutting to operate. If the pressure remains same, it would not be a tough thing to obtain same kind of metal to metal cuts. When the cutting is done, comes the turn of the reassembly. The aptly severed tock material substance is made to form the ready to assemble pieces. One would find usage of this type of die cutting in many areas, such as mass production of the flat pieces of the substance and even in the cardboard packaging. When one talks of the cardboard packaging, one important utility that is not to be missed is the packaging tape.

Precisely speaking, there are only a few instances when one might need to cut a particular part of the stocking material, but this is also an integral part of the rotary die cutting procedure. This rotary die cutting process is most commonly going to be used in areas such as postage stamps , mailing labels, and of course the adhesive backing. Some of the common substances that are usually cut following this rotary die cutting process are rubber, metal, paper, vinyl and many other materials that are to be required in a particular shape and size at the end.

The end products of this rotary die cutting process that we all use in our daily lives are cartons, envelopes, labels and documents.

Using Die Cut Techniques


Die cut products will have been through a die cutting manufacturing process and this process allows large or small quantities of the same item to be made into exactly the same shape. Items that are commonly die cut are wood, cardboard, paper, metal, leather and other fabrics.

Many different industries use die cut techniques for a wide range of applications. Lots of companies will produce blank die cut products that are then sold on for people to use as they wish. These are usually designed and printed onto to use for various different purposes. 

Die cutting is commonly used for advertising and promotional purposes and is ideal for creating packaging, point of sale, displays and holders in plastic and cardboard forms. The die cut process is a technique that has been used for years and years and is still one of the best techniques for accuracy and precision that is used all over the world today. 

Lots of items that are made using die cutting techniques will comprise of several die cut components that all are assembled together at the end of the die cut process to create a finished item, whether this is packaging or point of sale items. 

Specialised die cut machines are available and these make die cutting simple, effective and provide wonderful results. The die cut machine will have sharp blades that perform the cutting of the materials and these can be bent into a desired shape to create the results you need. 

Whatever material is being die cut must be placed on flat surface with a supportive backing and the die is then pressed on to the material to cut it. Some die cutting blades are designed to cut through single sheets where as others will cut through multiple sheets at once to provide a number of exact replicas. Each blank will be exactly the same and this is the reason that people use die cutting techniques as the results are perfect every time. 

Companies that provide die cut services may also offer a full in house art work and finishing service to complete your deigns and create any items you may need such as packaging, point of sale and other display items.


Different Dies For Die Cutters


One major advantage of using die cutters is their versatility. Since the output is dependent on the shape and configuration of an interchangeable die, users can perform many different operations using the same cutting machine by simply changing the die. The die in the die cutters can also be specialized for specific projects like those that involve bending, coining, or curling. For the most part the name of the die signifies its specialized purpose.

Bending

Bending is a process where the die is used to deform the material through pressure. An example of this would be bending the L into an L bracket.

Curling

Curling is the process of using a die to roll or bend the material into a curved shape. This is commonly used with door hinges and removing sharp edges on sheet metal parts.

Forming

This is commonly used to form rounded cylindrical parts using a die cutter.

Blanking

Blanking is a method for cutting material by trimming it from its flat exterior edge. The blanking die applies pressure uniformly, creating a precise flat cut.

Coining

This is a stamping process that is used to stamp circular holes in a material. Using a pressurized force clamping a punch and a die you can create intricate and precise products.

Roll Forming

This process is uses a series of rolls to stamp a continuous stream of stock as it is pushed through the die cutters. This is great for long materials that need a specific design.

Broaching

Broaching Dies can be useful when you are shaping a material that is too thick or hard to be cut by other means. This method uses a number of rows of increasingly large cutting teeth to slice away material precisely and with haste.

Drawing

This is process stretches a material to a certain length. You will find this used in products like wires, tubing or bars.

Swaging

This method is used to create a necking down effect on a material using either a cold or hot process. You can see this often in the tapered end of a bullet casing.

Extrusion

Extrusion is similar to coining, with the exception of the material not taking on the impression of the punch as well.

Cut Off

When you need excess material removed from an end product you will use this process. Die cutters using a cut off die will be able to cut or shorten a material to a set length.

Bulging

The bulging fluid die uses water or oil to expand a material. This process is commonly used to expand pipes or other cylindrical parts.

These are just a few examples of the dies used in Die Cutters and the processes they are involved in. The advantage of using die cutters in an industry is largely due to the versatility of the machine. If you have need of more than one of the mention processes then a die cutter is perfect for you. Just by swapping out the die in the machine you can alter the function.