What are latex compounds?

Natural latex is produced from the Hevea Brasiliensis rubber tree. These trees are found in Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Liberia and as such are usually processed and shipped from these locations. Natural latex is a white liquid that is produced from these trees and when the latex is delivered to a processing station is where it is strained and concentrated. The latex has to be collected before coagulation can occur. The latex is processed by being put into a centrifuge, stabilizers are added, water is removed and increases the rubber content of the latex. After this process has been completed it is now known as latex concentrate and contains 60% rubber.

It becomes a compound when other raw materials are added to it. These are usually water based to achieve the desired performance characteristics. Custom latex compounds are using in a variety of markets, industries and has many uses. It has unique physical and chemical properties such as elasticity which makes it even more useful.

There are a few kinds of compounds:

Precoat - Compounds based on styrene-butadiene latex, filled or not filled with calcium carbonate. This is typically used in primers and carpets

Secondary Backing - Compounds based on styrene-butadiene latex, filled or not filled with calcium carbonate. This is used in thread of tufted and needle carpets.

Self-gel Foam - ​Compounds based on a mixture of natural latex with latex based on styrene-butadiene, filled or not filled with calcium carbonate. It is necessary the use of a vulcanizing agent. Engraving accepted without addition of a gelling agent. When using infrareds the product solidifies. This usually has great water resistance and superior qualities.

Sodium Silicofluoride Gel Foam​ - Compounds based on a mixture of natural latex with latex based on styrene-butadiene, filled or not filled with inert filler. After applying a gelling agent and using infra-reds the product solidifies.

Automotive Compounds - Compounds based on carboxylated styrene-butadiene latex, with carboxilato, available in various hardnesses, for thermoformables. This is typically used in mats and other uses in vehicles.

Flame Retardant and Anti-static Compounds - Flame retardant latex compounds, compliant with numerous regulations which is usually used in coatings.

Close to 20 million tonnes were produced over the last year with only 42% of this being natural - making synthetic compounds far more popular today.

In the paint and coatings industry latexes have become more popular since the 1940s and these synthetic latexes use a binder in water that forms films by fusion of the plastic particles as the water evaporates. The properties of this such a hardness, flexibility, adhesion, colour retention and the resistance to other chemicals are highly useful in this industry.

Other uses include:

• Household, surgeon and industrial work gloves
• Catheters
• Condoms
• Balloons
• Carpets
• Automotive parts
• Special effects make up
• Body paint
• Clothing
• Shoes
• Toys
• Masks
• Road construction
• Waterproofing

and many more. There are endless uses for latex compounds today. So much so that there are probably many products in your home that you didn't even realise used a latex compound. Latex compounds are extremely versatile and can be used in almost anything!

How do conveyors help in food processing?

The majority of the food that we consume is packaged. Rarely is there items fresh, with the exception of fruits and vegetables. This means there are many steps taken in order to get that food into the packages and the faster it is done the more product can be shipped to the stores for sales.

Imagine cooking up a batch of cereal, then checking it for burnt pieces or problems, then placing it into a bag, then a box. It's quite a few steps, and you have to repeat the process as a case of cereal is 12 boxes. So you would have to do this 12 times then box them all up for shipping. With one person and a little bit of counter space it can be done, but will take hours to do. So manufacturers got smart and started using conveyors to speed up the process.

There are tons of different conveyors that are used in processing food and the start in the kitchen with the cooking process. These conveyors move the food along that needs to be cooked, allowing hundreds of times more food to be processed then would be otherwise. Then the food is taken to other conveyors some mechanical and some manual that will move the food along in order to be packaged and boxed each step of the way. The conveyors work to not only move the food to its next destination for processing but also allows the operators to be checking for defects and problems each step of the way. It's an efficient and steady way to manufacture a large of amount of food in a short amount of time.

These methods apply to fresh fruit and vegetable as well with the conveyors on a more open platform. They are wide and manage to flow through with operators on both side of it in order to eliminate any bad produce so that it doesn't hit the market. It also allows them to be tagged in the grocery stores with their own private conveyors to handle everything on.

The conveyors come in different shapes and sizes. Most of the ones that are used in large factories consist of motorized units that require someone to turn them on and off, stopping them on occasion if there is an issue. Some are portable, called nestaflex, or grids, racks and other names that help people identify them. They are used to unload and load the trucks as well as handle cooking, packaging, boxing, labeling, coloring and flavoring. Many of them use rollers underneath a moving belt and some run down shoots for momentum and easy processing.

It takes speed and precision on the workforce that is used in order to be spotting any issues with the food, which is why several are used in the process. In case one person misses something there are generally three others that will spot it. This not only provides jobs, and skills, but allows more product to be processed at a quicker pace then someone trying to do something themselves in a little kitchen. 

Aerospace Tooling No Longer A Luxury, Now A Necessity

 Most people have never heard of Aerospace Tooling. Even fewer know what exactly an aerospace engineer does, even though it is one of the most exacting disciplines on the face of the planet. Where tolerances are measured in microns and a single mistake can cost millions or billions of dollars in losses of hardware and even human life.

In this article, we will look at some of the aspects of the field of High Tech that allows man to go into outer space and someday set foot on Mars and the rest of the planets.

When you have finished reading you will become aware of just how much the future of America depends on this little know field that put men on the Moon in 1969.

The Wright Brothers started it

Wilbur and Orville were the first Aerospace Engineers, a long line that ran all the way from Kitty Hawk up to Wernher Van Braun and the Saturn 5 rocket. Nowadays the US has outsourced much of its space launch work to Russia and China. We have scaled back to sending unmanned probes to the moon and Mars where small robots are running around the surface and a few days ago both a new American and Indian Space Probe took up orbit around the Red Planet.

Unfortunately, the Martian cities like Helium and the world of Barsoom envisioned by Edgar Rice Burroughs do not exist. There is still a lot of knowledge to be had by going there. The Earth is badly in need of new sources of energy and natural resources. The only place we can get them is from outer space. We have damaged our fragile ecosystem in our quest for energy sources and manufacturing our current way of life.

New Technology

America got its greatest leap forward in the technology field through Aerospace tooling, during the development of the Apollo program. Spinoffs from the Space Program created by those in the Aerospace industry changed the world.

The world is about to get another boost after the Dragon unmanned space vehicle delivered to the International Space station the first in a series of new aerospace tooling machines that may well change the face of manufacturing on the Earth as well as space.

The Dragon delivered a 3D printer, which can build and entire car in 33 hours here on earth. What is its potential for outer space manufacturing. Creating the shells for satellites and assembling them in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) would save millions of dollars on each launch.

New additions to the space station and space habitats can now be assembled via a technology that can create everything from a suitcase to possibly soon your next meal.

 NASA is planning to use this technology to create food for manned missions to Mars and here on Earth it would have a direct impact on the millions who go to bed each night without enough to eat. Global warming is having an impact on the arable land and war is erupting in Africa because of drought and famine.

This new technology has the possibility of changing all that, as already 3D printers can synthesize edible products from the basic molecules of chemicals that make up food. That means we can make food from things that many would now consider inedible. Cellulose that we cannot digest can be processed into a form that is digestible and given a pleasing taste and texture. Insects that devour our crops may become a new source of protein that we can reshape into familiar shapes and flavours though this new technology.

Housing one of the great problems facing the people nowadays can now be solved as a home can be constructed in sections and assembled like a puzzle at a cost of only a few thousand dollars. Already these new houses are being built and put on the market.

Just think of what this would mean to the people who survived super storms like Sandy or the many earthquakes that have occurred in recent month that have left thousands without basic shelter from the elements.

Aerospace tooling is spearheading the development of this and many other forms of technology that are now becoming a necessity rather than a luxury for the survival of the human race as our numbers climb past 6 billion and approach 7 billion in the next few decades. 

What are wear plates?

Wear plates are used to prevent erosion from occurring where two metal pieces would be causing friction in any appliance. Typically wear plates are installed on any machine that has movement. An example of this movement would me if the machine moves up or down or if a piece of the machine slides in and out during the composition process. However, you can also find wear plates on a machine where the machine causes vibration between two parts to help reduce and prevent damage to the machine occurring. Wear plates are typically durable, abrasion resistant, and made of steel. The steels used to compose wear plates are typically mitigated and suppressed metals that can handle constant abrasive work.

Typically, wear plates are constructed of and consist of a hard outer shell and a a softer inner core. Also, wear plates can be made from a variety of different grades of the steel (the higher the grade the more durable the wear plates will be.) Medium steel plates are made from a mid- grade steel ranging from A-15 to AR-500. Flame hardened grades of steel are also available and provide more protection for bigger or more frequently used machinery. Flame hardened steel is made after the metal is heated then dipped in water, the process is called quenching.

Wear plates are used in a large number of machines from industries that rely on them to items you may frequently use. One example of an industry that relies heavily on wear plates to keep all of their machines running at their best is any company that deals with mining using heavy machinery. Oil rigs use wear plates to keep their rigs running at their top performance as well. Also, cars and lawn mowers are a few examples of machines that almost anyone owns that require wear plates.

The top companies who produce wear plates manufacture them either in China or Turkey. There are many factors to consider however when trying to decide to purchase a new wear plate. The first is the most important though and that is, what grade of steel does your machine require? Think about how frequently you use the machine and how much vibration there is in the area that your wear plate is located. Also, you are going to want to research for reputable companies that tend to get good customer reviews. You want to make sure you are getting good quality for what you are paying for!

So, even if you do not typically work with heavy machinery, wear plates can be found in any appliance you may own or use. They come in a variety of different shapes and there is even more variety when it comes to sizes, as well as the grade of steel you get. Wear plates are designed for it to be possible for you to remove them and replace them when need be. Overall wear plates will prevent erosion on your machinery and extend its life period. Replacing wear plates regularly on machines that are used often can keep your machine running like new. 

What Do UPS Manufacturers Do?

In today’s era, many of our day to day activities depend on power, the main source being electricity. The major use of electricity within any type of environment is in the powering of appliances. However, the functioning of these appliances can be interrupted as a result of power related problems especially power blackouts. Although no harm comes to most of these electronics during blackouts, there are some which face losses crucial to us. Such electronics may include computer as well as other information storage facilities. Moreover, power problems could lead to the business coming to a stand still. It is for such reasons that a variety of UPS manufacturers have sprouted.

UPS manufacturers are companies known to offer solutions to power problems. They offer a wide range of products and services aimed at providing reliable and efficient power supply to businesses both small and big as well as to individuals. These solutions are directed towards the protection of data and the continuity of ones business devoid of any unwarranted power interruptions. The main product offered by UPS manufacturers is the UPS otherwise known as uninterruptible power supply/source. These are electronic appliances meant to provide power when facing input power failure. These systems are prompt to act as emergency power sources. Their main function is to provide electronics such as computers and data centres with emergency power to prevent the loss of information or other fatalities during a power interruption.

UPS manufacturers produce three types of uninterruptible power supplies. 

l The online UPS are capable of transforming AC input to a DC input which is more conducive for use in rechargeable batteries. It then converts the DC to an AC input for use when powering electronic equipment. This type of UPS is said to use a double conversion method.

l The line interactive uses the DC input to supply power when a blackout occurs.

l The offline mode also known as the standby mode is directly powered by input power. When a blackout is experienced, the back up is triggered and the offline system then provides power.

In addition to the production of uninterruptible power supply units, UPS manufacturers offer other services depending on the individual company and the area they are serving. Some UPS manufacturers offer server room facilities. A partnership between the manufacturers and other independent parties will see the later provide server rooms which are easier to deploy and manage.

Manufacturers of UPS systems also offer services that are tailored to suit the size of load. Such services include planning and designing the data centre infrastructure, making subsequent follow ups as well as maintaining the facility including making any relevant upgrades. Many of the manufacturing companies offer management services to businesses with a large load size such as heavy duty equipment and large data centres.

All in all, different companies will offer different power solutions and services. It is however very important to find a UPS manufacturer who offers you the best solution within your budget range. Look and identify the best power package that solves most if not all of your power problems.

A Guide to Metal Fabrication

There are a few basic machines and techniques that are used for metal fabrication. The metal that needs to be shaped, formed, and joined will often be sheet metal. Fabrication is necessary for building or repairing a basic part or component. Review some of the basics of metal fabrication.

Metal can be shaped or formed in one of four different ways. A fabricator may bend, fuse, stretch, and cut metal to form into any shape. Shaping metal can be done using a variety of tools and techniques for the best results.

Bending Metal

Form Bending – This is the easiest method to bend a piece of metal. Pressure can be applied to an item of metal over some shape or edge, such as a table. Another option is to use a hammer to form the metal to any shape that is needed.

Metal Brake – Making a clean and precise bend in metal will require a metal brake. Many metal brakes are able to make a bend in a piece of sheet metal that is 90 degrees. The metal is bent over a secure bar that has been placed on the metal. Activating the machine will force the metal to bend.

Cutting Metal

Hand Shears – Cutting metal with hand shears is a manual method. A pair of hand shears should be the first thing a metal fabricator needs to purchase for their shop.

Power Shears – These are a type of powered scissors that can be used to cut metal. Less effort needs to be applied and the process is much quicker than the manual method. You have the option of an electric shear or pneumatic shears. However, this tool cannot be used to cut an intricate shape.

Angle Grinder – Angle grinders with the proper attachment can be used to cut any piece of metal. This tool if often noisy and can create sparks when metal is being cut. A cutting wheel is optimal attachment that is needed with this tool.

Plasma Cutter – This is a tool that can be used to make cuts that are straight and long that may be hard to accomplish using other tools. Adjustments can be made to cut thin and thick pieces of metal.

Stretching Metal

Hammer and Dolly – Striking metal which has been placed over an object will compress the metal and make it stretch.

Stretcher – This is a tool that is mechanically operated that will pull on a piece of metal. A foot pedal is used to activate the machine.

English Wheel – Rolling a piece of metal through a set of wheels will eventually stretch sheet metal to a desired size. This machine is typically used to smooth imperfections in a piece of metal and to create a crown that is uniform.

Fusing Metal

The basic concept of fusing metal is known as welding. There are three types of welding that offer you a way to fuse metal together. This includes Oxy Acetylene welding, TIG welding, and MIG welding. Welding will also be the best way to make repairs and fill holes in metal.

What Are Twin Screw Pumps?

In manufacturing, among several other fields, pumps are often used in the creation and maintenance of various products and services--everything from irrigation to making candy. Rotary positive displacement pumps are essential in all sorts of manufacturing for their brilliant design: by creating an internal vacuum for pumping fluid, it erases the need to take air out of the line manually and is cleaner, safer, and more efficient. Screw pumps in particular have been around since Archimedes’ time, and work on the simple principle of letting fluid be isolated by and conveyed through the ridges of a screw.

The contemporary mechanical pump, however, has evolved to meet a plethora of needs since its inception. Not only are pumping devices still used in farming and irrigation as they were in ancient Greece, they're critically important for working water and air filtration; pumping oil, water, and natural gas; and in the fields of medicine and biology, mechanical pumps are often relied on for the manufacture of medication as well as the development of prosthetic replacements for parts of the body that pump and circulate fluid, such as the arteries or penis.

Twin screw pumps are a kind of rotary positive displacement pump designed to deal with a plethora of different kinds of fluid while making little to no contact with the internal surface of the machinery. Most industrial twin screw pumps can handle non-homogenous fluid, including viscous, caustic, and even acidic substances.

The design of the twin screw pump is beautifully simple--two screws of identical size and shape operate next to each other, and their working in tandem moves fluid through the line. This design is often best used for substances with a high volume of gaseous material and temperamental inlets. In order to seal the pump, four mechanically-operated seals are used on the shaft: two for each individual screw.

While it can be easy to lump all twin screw pumps together based on the idea of its workings alone, there are plenty of other factors to consider: the number of axes on the pump, the shape and size of the screws used, what they’re made out of, what materials they’re optimized for pumping or filtering, etc. For example, some may be best used for filtering water in an aquarium, while others may be made for sanitizing large bodies of water. Since there's a wide-reaching number of applications for this one machine, it can be daunting to find what best suits the needs of a particular business. Fortunately, most pump manufacturers will detail the specifications of their products as well as how they're meant to be used.

The twin screw pump is not just the natural evolution of a simple machine--it is a powerhouse that helps keep civilization running comfortably from behind the scenes. If it weren't for this machinery, a lot of people would be out of clean air, water, and medicine. Food couldn't be manufactured and distributed; energy and fuelling needs couldn't be met adequately; and a lot of homes would be out of electricity.

Four Applications of Vacuum Moulding.

 Vacuum moulding is a type of thermoforming.

Thermoforming processes use heat to allow the shape of items, plastic in particular be altered. Vacuum moulding, also called vacuum forming is one example of a thermoforming process.

Vacuum moulding is done by taking a flat sheet of plastic and then heating it The heat makes it pliable and this is what makes it possible to form it to the shape of a mould. An air vacuum is then created to actually press the heated material to the mould. The heated material can be formed around a mould or pressed into one, as would be done if the original mould were a bowl.

Problems can arise with the vacuum moulding process. These, however, can be overcome by anticipating them and making a plan to deal with them. For example, if moisture is trapped in the plastic while it is being heated bubbles may form in the finished product, marring its appearance and appeal. This can be remedied by drying the plastic by heating it, but not to the point of melting, prior to beginning the actual moulding process. Problems can also arise if strict attention to detail is lacking. It is important, for example, to be sure the temperature is correct throughout the process. Negative issues can likewise occur if care is not taken to be sure the size of the plastic sheet will be large enough to fit the mold for which it is intended.

 Vacuum moulding is used for a variety of purposes.

 1) OEM or original equipment manufacturers often use vacuum moulding. OEM companies are businesses which make and sell components of a finished product to other businesses which sell the finished version. Vacuum moulding is used to make multiple plastic forms which can be used, in turn, to make the finished component the company is manufacturing.

 2) Vacuum moulding is commonly used to make packaging materials.

 3) The vacuum moulding process can be used to make a base mould which can in turn be used as a mould for other materials. This is similar to the way the procedure is used by OEM businesses but the applications are virtually limitless.

 4) Many products that are an integral part of our modern world are made by use of vacuum moulding. Car dashboards are made in this manner. So too are magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines and other medical equipment. ATM machines are made by a vacuum forming process.

 Vacuum moulding is used in various industries in a variety of ways. However, the process can also be used by the small business person or workshop hobby enthusiast. Would be inventors and any one who likes to fix or make things can make use of vacuum moulding techniques. Equipment for the process is relatively inexpensive as well, often costing well under $200. In some cases the companies that sell the equipment also sell moulds for various common household items.

 There are many different ways in which vacuum moulding is used by businesses and industry today. The potential for its use by the do it my self crowd, garage entrepreneurs and artistic souls looking for the right medium to express themselves are endless. It is a process simple to learn and easy to master.

When do you need an architect?

Be it you need to make dreams of having your dream home come true or for commercial reasons, dealing with a qualified architect is normally very instrumental in assisting one accomplish such needs. This is because a wealth of knowledge and skills are possessed by these kinds of building professionals and can be very vital in coming with structures that are long lasting.

With the help of the professional, getting the guidance from when a project starts progresses and ends can never be challenging at all. Even though that is the case, there are a number of factors which need to be considered before hiring one. Factors which will point out that you need an architect include:

1. When your work needs expertise

When you need to construct a building and you lack ideas, with the help of an architect you will get access to tons of details and ideas. Though you may be having some ideas of what the entire process entails, this professional will ensure you understand all the aspects of the work.

For instance, when working with an architect, you will get access to floor sketches or plans, the real models of the building, setting time-frames and budgeting appropriately. This means that he or she will help you build the right picture of the building which you need to come up with. This makes one to avoid the various disappointments and frustrations that are associated with working on your or with people who are not qualified. Zoning, codes and permits and many other issues are some of the things that are well taken care of when working with these professionals.

2. When you need professionalism

Some types of jobs need to be carried out by professionals. This is because a lot of investment is done before coming up with most of these building projects and as a result they need to be handled by professionals. For various projects to be safely handled there are certain standards which need to be followed, this is what the types of professionals follow. On top of that, these kinds of professionals work hand in hand with qualified carpenters, electricians, plumbers and many others to ensure a project is safely implemented.

3. When you need peace of mind

You need to know the amount of money which you need to set aside before your project can start. While working with an architect, you will be in a position to know the total cost and the timeframe the whole project will take. Services offered by these professionals are fully certified and guaranteed compared to the risky affair when one decides to work on his or her won. This means that should any go wrong with your project, you will be compensated for all the damage caused.

Should the project need some alterations when it is underway, you will not be worried in any way since it will be there responsibility to make the adjustments. They ensure all the specifications which are stated within the plans they come up with are met from the start of the project to its end.

What are Festo Valves?

Festo valves are valves made by the Festo Company. This German company was founded in 1925 by Gottlieb Stoll and Albert Fezer It was originally a company that specialized in wood cutting tools. The company claims to be the inventor of the gas powered chain saw. Since those early years Festo has grown in size; Festo companies now have a presence in 176 countries, including South Africa and Taiwan, and have grown beyond its simple tool making days. Festo engineers a number of different products and offers consultants to develop engineering plans for the purchasers of those products. Festo strives to be a world wide leader in the use of nature inspired bionics for industrial use.

Festo valves are one of the better known of the product lines the Festo corporation offers. The variety of valves the company offers is extensive it includes:

Electrically or pneumatically actuated directional valves. There are standard directional valves, automated directional valves and directional valves designed for specific applications

Mechanically or manually actuated directional control valves. These valves may use any of a Number of control devices to alter direction manually or mechanically.

Valves for special functions are also offered. This category consists of such items as shut off valves, ball valves, logic valves, quick return valves and non return valves.

 Pressure control valves and pressure control regulators.

 Flow control valves including one way flow control valves and time delay valves.

 Proportional valves including proportional control regulators and proportional

 directional control valves.

Process and media valves. These may be actuated mechanically, electrically or pneumatically.

Festo offers a valve to meet a wide variety of situations and circumstances. In addition to the valves themselves Festo makes and offers a variety of accessories including counters to allow for more accurate record keeping. The engineering consulting that Festo offers means that even if no specific valve product they offer can be found to meet your needs, they will likely be able to come up with and provide a solution to your problem.

Valves are used in so many different situations and for so many different applications it is easy to forget how prevalent they are in our day to day lives, in our own homes and in the many different businesses, industries and services that make our modern world what it is today.

Anywhere something is flowing or moving valves are needed to see the item goes where it is needed, Water, petroleum products, electricity, air, liquefied gases and chemical products are each examples of items that flow through pipes or some other type of conduit and therefore need to be controlled with valves.

The more specific and detailed a valve can be engineered to meet the need for which it is designed the more precisely can the flow of the product be. Automated valve systems help increase efficiency by reducing the amount of time there actually has to be a human presence in a given location.

Festo takes pride in all its products and services. It takes no more pride in any of them than it does in its wide variety of high quality valves.

5 Applications of Cladding Fixings

Cladding fixings refer to a way to fix an extra skin over the top of a building or other structure. The fixings part means that these are things that screw the skin to the area securely. That’s why they are important.

Wind Proofing

One of the primary uses for cladding and cladding fixes is to help regulate weather such as wind and keep it from causing problems inside of a building. For example, if you don’t control wind properly, it will infiltrate into a building and blow things around. By adding a second skin to the building you ensure that the wind can’t find its way inside and cause problems. The fixings help to make sure the skin is locked down properly.

As you can imagine, this is especially the case when it comes to wind since otherwise the second skin can blow right off and then it will be completely useless for keeping wind outside of your house.

Water Proofing

Another important use for these fixings is to help lock down and seal the second skin so that it protects from water. The type of cladding fixing you are going to need for this particular utility may very well be different than the sort that you need for other types of purposes, of course. This is because you need to focus more on sealing than you do on the strength to keep the skin down as is the case when you are worried primarily about wind.

This is because water proofing requires particular type of materials the can affix really closely and seal well against the water. This is important to keep in mind when you’re looking for materials.

Aesthetic Purposes  

Some people like cladding simply because it looks nice. The fixings and the second skin add another element to the house as a whole so that it looks pleasing to the eye. In some cases the cladding will also serve other purposes as well, but this could definitely be a primary one and if the fixings are large enough they could be easily visible as well.

Snow Proofing

Snow is its own type of difficulty since it will often require something similar to the type of need that you have with water sealing, for example. But at the same time it has the requirement of extra weight as well. So you will have to allow the skin and fixings to draw the snow off due to the slant of the roof without causing any kind of extra strain that might damage the roof. This is its own sort of challenge.

Regulation of Other Weather

One of the biggest challenges with fixings and the second skin is trying to anticipate ways to repel all sorts of different types of weather. After all, you never know what kind of weather you’re going to need to repel so it makes a lot of sense to make the fixings and second skin as resilient as possible in order to repel anything that might come along.

Using Epoxy Paint on Your Garage Floor

If the paint on your house is beginning to peel or crack, you would most likely give no thought to re-painting it. This is the same for walls or other places in your home that need a fresh touch up. Even hardwood floors or other surfaces in the home are typically maintained when they need it. Then why is it so common for us to forget about the garage floor? Usually covered in grease stains, cracks and other unsightly spills, the garage floor has sadly become an acceptable eyesore. But it does not have to be this way. With a simple application of epoxy floor paint, your garage floor can instantly jump back to life! The resulting smooth, clean finish will make you wonder why you never thought of painting it in the first place.

Why is epoxy floor paint the best choice?

Epoxy floor paint not only provides a shiny, immaculate finish, it is resists water, oil stains and clean up is as simple as wiping a kitchen counter. By choosing an appropriate colour, frustrating imperfections in the concrete such as water stains, grease marks and other discolorations disappear. It also has ideal wear and tear resistance and stands up against variable weather conditions. Our solvent-free, low odour epoxy floor paints come in a seemingly endless array of colours. Dark sea grey or Aircraft grey would be good choices for a traditional garage floor.

How do I apply the paint to the floor?

Here is a complete list of steps to prepare your garage for the paint and to then apply it:

1.      Pick your paint colour: Paint Colour Chart

2.      Set aside a day to remove any items that may be resting on your garage floor such as boxes, tools, crates or other items. You need to be able to gain access to every corner and side of the floor.

3.      Give the room a thorough sweeping and collect any residual dust or dirt. In order for the paint to adhere and dry efficiently, this process cannot be skipped.

4.      For epoxy paint to bond properly, you need to make sure that the concrete or chosen surface is even, completely clean and slightly rough. If you have any large cracks or holes, you must patch them up and allow them to cure fully. This may require a few days so plan in advance. It is also important to note that new concrete will not work well with epoxy paint. The concrete surface must be at least 60 days old and not sealed for the paint to stick and dry appropriately. If your floor is sealed, we recommend taking off the sealer with a chemical stripper or renting a machine to do this.

5.      Open the can and apply the epoxy paint with a broad brush, taking care to avoid grazing the edges of the walls. If you are not an experienced painter, you can purchase painter’s tape in advance to protect the walls.

6.      Allow the coat to dry and apply a second coat or a sealant topcoat if preferred.

Your garage floor will look as good as new, or even better! If you have any questions or concerns regarding epoxy floor paint and its application, feel free to contact us at TA Industrial Paints Ltd.

Laser Cutters

 

Laser Cutters

The lasers are manufactured to provide the best laser cutting of huge varieties of items including acrylic, wood, cardstock and textiles. The laser cuts the material accurately and it can also cut it in any design or shape and produce the crisp and clean edges. These laser systems are completely protected and safe and compare to other conventional cutting systems. The laser cutting is also a non-contact process and for cutting different materials at one time there is no need to change the blades for each item. These can easily adjust in different materials.

The laser also offers a downdraft cutting table that easily and smoothly holds the cutting material and also removes the smoke which comes out while cutting for the good quality result. There are different types of lasers are available in the market for cutting different type of materials are defined in detail as under.

Laser cut and engraved architectural model

This laser is mostly used by the architectures and schools to present such great models. This will make your models more realistic and look like originals. These are mostly used to cut and give accurate shape to the models for display. This laser will cut the models in an original way which the other traditional methods cannot do. These also help you to make the doors of your model pieces of real wood. This is simple done by using the CAD drawing which process the art work in the laser and give an accurate design which the architecture wants.

Laser cut wood puzzle boxes

Their is no need to replace the tools in this laser for giving a right design or for cutting the wood. This can easily cut, engrave, and design a huge variety in soft and hard wood. These lasers are also used to add the inlays or engravings in the finishing. This is also very helpful in offices to offer the custom inlay and engraving on the doors, cabinets and other wood items. The wood items are mostly designed or cut with these lasers and most of the wood designers used the laser to give a unique style and design to the wood items. In huge organizations and companies most of the wooden items are designed and prepared by the laser system instead of other items.

Laser cut paper doilies

This is specially used for cutting different types of papers in bulk. The shapes include the cardstock, vellum, and tracing paper. This laser not only cuts the paper but also give a slight shape to these papers. These are mostly used to cut the papers in offices and of professional needs. Huge bundles of papers and piles can be easily cut with these lasers. Most of the blank papers and forms in bulk can be cut with the laser at once.

Laser cut, multi-layer twill appliqué

This laser makes patterns, and produce different designs and motives also produce the appliqués on multilayers without the saying edges. The laser is not only used to cut but also to mark and engrave fabrics such as silk, leather, satin, denim, cotton and ultra-sued. It also produces the unique effects in the leather products and this will also adds the value to those items you sell. This is used to cut multiple layers of appliqués with different designs and with great speed.

Step-by-Step Instructions to Paint Your Workshop Floor

Those that spend most of their in their workshops are intimately aware of the condition of their machines, the materials they have available, the location of all of the tools and even the temperature during colder months. But sometimes the studio floor itself can fall into disrepair with constant walking, cutting, moving of equipment and more. Applying paint to your workshop floor not only keeps the space in tip-top shape, but it also aids in keeping it organized, clean and safe. Here are some step-by-step instructions on how to paint your workshop floor.

Step 1: Prepare the floor

It is crucial for the entire space to be cleaned out and swept. Attempting to paint around equipment will leave unsightly patches and will make the floor seem uneven. Cleaning the dust, shavings and dirt will prevent the paint from mixing with it to become clumpy and non-adhesive. If you prefer, you can use painter’s tape around the edges of the floor to prevent accidentally painting the adjoining walls. Keep in mind that if you are working with a concrete floor with ample cracks and holes, you need to fill them in and allow them to cure first before painting. Alternatively, if the concrete is less than 60 days old, you will need to apply a sealant first.

Step 2: Choose your paint

It is important to choose the right kind of paint to suit your needs. If you are inclined to use only a glossy finish floor paint, think again. It may look attractive, but it could quickly become a safety hazard. Sawdust shavings and other residue do not stick to it, and this heightens your risk of sliding across the floor! A matte finish paint may seem dull, but it does provide excellent traction. If you are settled on a more glossy finish, consider adding flecks of material to the paint to create better traction. In general:

• Glossy paint is an oil-urethane combination paint that looks great, but could be too slippery.  
• Matte paint is a one-part epoxy paint that may look dull but it has better traction than other types of paint.

Step 3: Start Painting!

 

As a general rule, one gallon of paint should cover roughly 400 square feet. Do not paint the area in sections. Make sure you have given yourself enough time to paint the entire floor at once. Depending on your floor and how thick you want to paint to be, a second coat may be desirable.

 

 

Step 4: Drying and Traction

 

Epoxy and urethane paints typically dry anywhere between two and six hours depending on the thickness of the application. If you have chosen a glossy paint and wish to add material for traction, make sure you add the material directly to the paint before application.

 

 

Voila! A beautiful new workshop floor

Choosing to paint your workshop floor will produce attractive, lasting results for years to come. It will make your shop appear neater, make cleaning easier and hinders cracks and other wear and tear. If you need help selecting the right paint for your workshop, please visit our website: TA Industrial Paints.