Whether you specialize in the production of carbon fiber, textile fiber, fabric, film, or any other kind of fiber or web product, proper measurements of length and speed are vital to your success.

Accurate and stable speed and length measurements ensure consistent output for your fiber or web material process. Inaccuracy in a processing line can result in various problems. If you produce less material than your equipment setting indicates, you’ll upset your customer; producing too much means a profit loss for your company.

Many companies rely on the speed or length counters which are initially included on the equipment. But as time passes, how do you know that reading is accurate? 

Are you considering investing in an aluminum frame system to mount production equipment or build workstations? T-slotted aluminum extrusion systems are growing in popularity due to their ease of assembly and adaptability to changing workflows. (See our previous blog post to learn more about the many advantages of aluminum extrusion systems.)

There are many aluminum extrusion systems on the market to choose from. Here at Izumi International we highly recommend the Robotunits system, for several reasons:

Whether you’re in a traditional manufacturing industry or on the cutting edge of pharmaceutical or biomedical research, your production line is likely to need at least one fluid dispensing system.

Choosing the right dispensing system can be difficult with such a wide range of equipment on the market, from high-speed systems that dispense adhesives and greases to precision-volume dispensers for chemicals.

We’ve written a series of posts on the advantages of different dispenser types, but here is a high-level overview:

This post is third in a series about fluid dispensing systems

In a previous post, we discussed the benefits of pneumatic dispensers, which work well in many manufacturing applications. However, if the liquids you’re trying to dispense have extremely high viscosities, or varying viscosity throughout the process (as in the case of some sealants, greases, waxes, or epoxies) a mechanical dispensing system is probably the best fit for you.

Here is an overview of mechanical dispenser systems (also called displacement systems):

Consistency and Precision

Because a pneumatic dispenser uses air pressure to dispense fluids, it will force out more fluid when it’s warm and less viscous, but less when it’s cooler and thicker. This is an issue if your process depends on consistent volume rates. 

JEC World International Composites Event, the earth’s largest composites show, will be held March 14-16, 2017 at Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Center, just outside of Paris.

Drawing 37,000 visitors from more than 100 countries, JEC World is a can’t-miss event for those in the carbon fiber industry. It offers three days of presentations from experts in the field, live demonstrations of new technology, and 1300 exhibitors displaying the latest applications of composites.

One of the most commonly used types of fluid dispensers in the world of manufacturing is the pneumatic dispenser. As the name implies, these dispensers use a controlled, pressurized air source to force fluids out in either lines or dot patterns.

If you’re looking for a basic dispensing system for your product creation process, a simple pneumatic dispenser may be all that you need. Here are some of the key benefits:

This post is the first in a series about fluid dispensing systems.

A relatively new development in the world of fluid dispensers, the non-contact jet dispenser uses a jetting mechanism to drop fluids from a small height onto the substrate, so that the nozzle never touches the surface of the product.

While it’s not quite as precise as a pneumatic dispenser system in terms of creating thin lines, the jet dispenser is a great option for creating even coatings (such as underfill for circuit boards). Its more sanitary nature is also opening up new opportunities in medical research and pharmaceutical production lines.

Here are the unique benefits of non-contact jet dispensers:

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Whether you’re setting up automation equipment for a large assembly line or a workstation for a single employee, chances are you’ll need a metal framework to mount robotic parts, dispensers, or other automated assembly equipment. Many plant owners choose traditional welded steel structures for their strength and permanence. However, aluminum extrusion frames are also gaining in popularity, and for several good reasons.

Aluminum extrusion frames are a modular solution, consisting of bars of extruded aluminum with a unique T-slot design. A set of specialized connectors allow the purchaser to construct whatever structure he or she needs.

Out of all the groundbreaking innovations that sweep us off our feet, 3D bioprinting may be the most exciting one. From creating living organs like the heart and lungs to replacing damaged skin, bioprinting may one day become a life-changing breakthrough that was once only science fiction.

Here are some ways that this remarkable technology may impact us in the years to come:

Location: TD Convention Center, Greenville, SC