THE BUSINESS OF VISCOSITY BLOG

It was in the not too distant past that the 30 minutes or less pizza delivery option changed the way we would think about our dinner choices. Fast forward to 2020 and the way that we buy everything has changed the entire retail landscape. Convenience and cost savings have all but eliminated face to face customer interaction. Is the retail model influencing the way we think about making our purchases for our industrial processes?

Topics: Manufacturing, temperature control systems

The “new normal” is a phrase that I have been hearing and saying a lot lately. When the Covid-19 virus started circulating, I must admit that I could not fathom the impact that it would have and how each part of our lives would be affected. Now that we are in it and have accepted our present working conditions, it has become quite clear that a lot of things will not go back to “normal”. So, what does that mean exactly?

Topics: Manufacturing, Industrial finishing, industrial painting, viscometers

Your Line is on Hold, Now What? 

Topics: Manufacturing

In this series we’ve been discussing the impact of changes in fluid properties, specifically viscosity, on the performance of robotic fixed displacement dispensing systems.  In the first installment, “Fixed Displacement Dispensing Doesn’t Guarantee Fixed Results”, we examined common dispensing defects, contrasting those that can be readily addressed through the implementation of a robotic fixed displacement dispensing system, and those that are the result of changes in physical fluid properties, which prove to be more resilient.

Topics: Viscosity, Manufacturing, Fluid dispensing systems, Point of Application, fluid process control, Can / Container, viscometry, temperature control systems

In our last segment, Fixed Displacement Dispensing Doesn’t Guarantee Fixed Results, we examined how viscosity variation impacts your robotic fixed displacement dispensing system and the many defects that can still exist, even in the most highly advanced of these systems.  In this installment, we look more closely at the phenomenon of bead profile, it’s importance to the quality of your end product, and why simply controlling path, dispense rate, and total volume does not guarantee that your process will produce consistently high-quality parts.

Topics: Manufacturing, Fluid dispensing systems, Temperature control, Point of Application, Can / Container, automotive, temperature control systems

It has become commonplace to employ fixed displacement systems when dispensing mid-to-high-viscosity fluids like sealers and adhesives.  It makes sense.  Proper performance in these applications hinges on making sure that the right amount of sealer or adhesive is dispensed in the right place on every part.  When coupled with a robot to assure that path, speed, distance and angle to part are consistent and repeatable, it is easy to believe that the dispense job will be perfect every time.

Topics: Manufacturing, Point of Application, fluid process control, automotive, temperature control systems, automotive finishing

Below is a continuation of the previous blog post. Please click here to review What is UV and Why is It Important? (Part 1).

Topics: Manufacturing, sustainability, Printing, paint and coating, Industrial finishing, Coating Technology, coating, wood and furniture coating

The week of March 18^th I was privileged to attend RadTech’s Big Ideas Conference in Redondo Beach California.  In addition to offering a nice reprieve from the Michigan winter, it also provided some keen insight into important things happening in the field of UV.  So, for the next few pages, let’s take a look at how UV affects us in our everyday lives.

Topics: Manufacturing, sustainability, Printing, paint and coating, Industrial finishing, Coating Technology, coating, wood and furniture coating

The heat exchanger is the core device in virtually every fluid temperature control system.  Unfortunately, properly selecting a heat exchanger can be a daunting task.

First, there is the thermal load that must be transferred. Next are working pressure, flow rate, and chemical compatibility requirements.  Coupled with the thermal transfer, these determine the configuration (gasketed plate, brazed plate, shell & tube, etc.) and the materials of construction (carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, etc.). 

Topics: Manufacturing, Temperature control, Point of Application, fluid process control, temperature control systems

Industry 4.0 refers to the rapid pace of digitization in manufacturing today.

As defined in strategy+business magazine, Industry 4.0 is the combination of innovations in digital technologies—advancements such as robotics and artificial intelligence, sophisticated sensors, cloud computing, the Internet of Things (IoT), compliance with smartphones, and many other applications.

For generations, manufacturing processes and techniques have evolved and helped businesses improve their production, performance and output.

Topics: Manufacturing