Category: Industrial

Aluminium Extrusion Manufacturing Process



Extrusion is the process to change the structure and shape of different metals. Some of the metals that are commonly extruded include aluminium, copper, lead, magnesium, zinc, titanium etc.

As aluminium is malleable in nature, it is easy to extrude. Specific dies are used for the aluminium extrusion process. These steel dies have opening of the desired shapes. Primarily, this process can be of two types – hot and cold. For hot process, precise heating is very important. It is done above the aluminium’s recrystallization temperature. While, cold process is done at room temperature or near room temperature.

To obtain superior quality and improved surface finished aluminium extrusions, accurate temperate and its monitoring is vital. The finishing increases the durability, strength and its appearance. In the process, a billet is heated at the temperature of 400 C to 500 C and is pushed through the die under pressure to create preferred profiles. The shape, structure and specifications vary according to the requirements of the product, customers and its application.

The company’s manufacturing aluminium extrusions prefer extrusion process over welding as it gives product with constant cross section. The strength and lightweight (strength-to-weight ratio) of this metal makes it popular among customers. Its several other properties gives it edge over other metals. These are cost-effective, corrosion-resistive, flexible and durable.

The prime source of aluminium is bauxite ore and Feldspar to some extent. Some of the fields where the this metal’s extruded shapes are used include transportation, building and construction to name a few.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average – The World’s Most Famous Stock Market Indicator



We’ve all heard “the Dow is up” or “the Dow is down” at some point in our lives, even though we might not have fully understood exactly what it meant at the time. Whether you know it as “The Dow Jones Industrial Average,” the “Industrial Average,” the “Dow 30,” or simply as the “Dow,” the Dow has shown how 30 large, publicly owned U.S. companies have performed during a trading session for over one hundred ten years. Theoretically, how these 30 stocks perform should represent the entire market. By tracking the fluctuations in both good times and bad, the Dow gives an important insight to investors into the ever-changing financial landscape.

Dow Jones History

The Dow was founded by Charles Dow in May of 1896, making it the oldest stock index still in use today. It got its name from its founder as well as his business associate, statistician Edward Jones. They decided to use twelve of the leading U.S. industrial companies, thinking that these companies would be an excellent indicator of the U.S. economy. Out of the twelve original stocks, only one is still currently part of the index today – General Electric. Since its origin the Dow has since grown to represent 30 companies, and although the Dow does not represent industrial companies any longer, they have retained the “Industrial Average” name.

Dow Jones Components

Some of the current components of the Dow are companies like American Express, Verizon, McDonald’s, and Wal-Mart. Only one of the original 12 components of the Dow is still a part of the index (General Electric), and the remaining 29 can change as market conditions warrant. For example, in 2008 Kraft Foods replaced AIG, and Chevron and Bank of America replaced Altria Group and Honeywell. When changes like this occur, the scale factor used to calculate the index is also adjusted so as to not directly affect the average.

Essential Industrial Supplies For Bridge and Road Construction Workers



While the economy may still be in recession, there are still many roadway and bridge construction projects being approved. In strong part due to stimulus money, firms are getting awarded many construction jobs through the federal and state governments. To ensure safe work sites for both the benefit of every worker and for compliance to safety guidelines and laws, specifically designed industrial equipment is the key to outfitting workers with the right PPE to do their jobs safely.

Along with general industrial workplace safety threats, road and bridge construction sites have their own set of hazards. Utilizing the right type of industrial supplies to address and mitigate each hazard will lead to safe work sites and compliance with industry best practices.

Let’s take a look at a number of industry hazards and identify what industrial supplies can be applied to reduce risks and the potential for injuries and lost time.

Hazard Identification And Prevention

Construction crews on roadways and bridges face a good number of unique and general hazards. Matching industrial equipment and personal protective equipment to every hazard will create a safe work environment.

Flame and fire risks are not typically associated with road and bridge work, but they are still present. Gasoline and diesel fuel are used in abundance to power construction vehicles, power tools, and generators. Solvents and resins are also highly combustible and widely used. With flammable materials in the presence of hot work, flash fires are a work site hazard. Industrial supplies, including industrial apparel made from flame resistant materials, can reduce intense heat hazards. These materials will not melt to a worker’s skin when exposed to intense heat and are also self-extinguishing.

High elevation work on bridges and even near utility and pipe trenches creates falling hazards. Fall arrest systems and lanyards are vital to preventing falling injuries and deaths. Tying off to a structural support with fall protection industrial equipment can save lives on the job. In the same vein, falling tools or materials can cause problems for workers below. Industrial equipment such as hardhats and face shields are vital to preventing injury.

After many workers from our previous generation retired, they realized they had suffered significant hearing loss. Construction job sites can cause two types of hearing loss. Loud noises that cause actual pain will produce instant hearing loss and even elevated noise levels will cause long-term hearing loss over the course of a workday. Hearing protection is the best way to save one’s sense of hearing for each day and over an entire career. Whether it is earplugs or earmuffs, hearing protection is vital for occupational health.

Industrial Apparel

Construction work is a tough job, especially on work wear and uniforms. High quality industrial apparel is important for providing a layer of protection against cuts and abrasions, as well as the environment and weather. Clothing has to be durable with high thread count, reinforced seams, and heavy duty rivets that fit well enough to not present a hazard around moving parts, but still provide flexibility to react on the job site.

Industrial apparel can be manufactured to address multiple hazards by integrating flame resistant and waterproof materials or high visibility stripes and coloring.

Roadside Visibility with Industrial Supplies

The big hazard for work on active roads and bridges is passing motorists. At night or during any low light conditions, the risk is even greater. Wearing brightly colored and fluorescent clothing is not adequate for protection against traffic. In fact, it will only provide visibility of up to 250 feet for oncoming traffic. At highway speeds, cars will take up to 1,200 feet to come to a complete stop.

Industrial equipment is used to increase visibility for roadside workers. Federal guidelines have set visibility requirements of 1,280 feet for workers on the job who are exposed to motor vehicle traffic. This is accomplished by retro-reflective materials. This material will actually focus and reflect light back to its source, illuminating workers to both motorists and construction vehicle drivers.

Adding retro-reflective industrial supplies to worker apparel and PPE is the only effective way to achieve the proper level of nighttime visibility. The basic idea is to highlight the human form with retro-reflective clothing and bands. The best level of high visibility clothing consists of a reflective band on a helmet, a high visibility vest, and a vertical reflective strip on a pair of trousers.

Overall, industrial supplies are designed to keep workers safe and productive. With the expected increase in government-funded bridge and road construction projects in upcoming years, it is more important than ever that all workers are outfitted with proper industrial equipment and apparel.