It’s no secret that we are in an incredibly challenging and uncertain time. Along with fearing for our lives, many people are having to navigate uncharted waters in an uncertain business climate as well. The cases of COVID-19 are growing rapidly here in the US, and with it the need for additional medical supplies, on a massive scale. The manufacturing sector is starting to answer the call.
Whether it’s the Bacardi Distillery in Puerto Rico pivoting to make the ethanol needed to up hand sanitizer production, or a furniture company in Michigan called Steelcase shifting their factories to create protective gear for hospitals like masks and face shields, or, in the case of the auto industry, as President Trump compels GM to make ventilators by enacting the Defense Production Act, a Korean War era emergency law- everyone is starting to coalesce around the greater needs of our country to do what they can to fight this deadly virus on multiple fronts.
Are you converting your factory or ramping up production to provide support to our country’s dwindling supply needs? When you move machines around the factory floor to accommodate new and different production, it’s important to remember that this jostling can cause your machinery to fall out of level. As plants rush to retool and rework their factory floor to accommodate different production, it’s important to spend time leveling before you get things up and running.
A huge frame can seem strong enough to keep a machine aligned. Maybe you’re asking yourself if it’s even possible for it to have drifted out of level. No matter the state of your machine – new, used, or refurbished – die casting is a precise process. In order to maintain consistent, high quality part output, your machine needs to be level.
On a micro level, what this really means is that the two halves of the mold have to fit perfectly and evenly to keep the plate parallel and prevent flash, damage to the mold, and parting-line wear.
Most heavy duty machines have guides inside that can help mask leveling issues for a period of time. But, overtime, the guides will actually start to wear and create problems not just for the machine, but for the finished die, mold, and the product. This cascade of issues can wreak general havoc on your machine and cause you to have to replace casts as well. Replacing them can be a major expense.
Not to mention, we are in a manufacturing race against time, with lives being lost everyday due to lack of essential supplies.
Leveling wedges will speed up the installation and leveling process. Anytime you are replacing or moving a machine, spend a minimal cost putting new feet on or upgrading to a wedge. Leveling wedges are easier to install, provide better performance, and last longer than leveling feet or shims.
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