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News & Knowledge

Valuable Insight for Making Your Operation Safer, More Productive and More Efficient

From blogs, and technical briefs to case studies and application reviews – read and download some of our valuable examples of metalworking waste stream solutions, new technology and the challenges facing others in your industry with today’s material handling applications. To see how you can join our other customers who are profiting more from properly managing their scrap and fluid handling processes, contact us.

What Is Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) and How Does It Work?

Published August 13, 2026. Last updated August 13, 2026. Quick Answer Zero liquid discharge (ZLD) is a wastewater management approach in which a manufacturing facility treats and recovers essentially all of its process wastewater on site, so no liquid effluent leaves the plant as discharge. ZLD systems typically combine pre-treatment (ultrafiltration, oil-water separation), concentration (reverse osmosis), and vacuum evaporation to […]

How Does Industrial Wastewater Treatment Work?

Published August 13, 2026. Last updated August 13, 2026. Quick Answer Industrial wastewater treatment uses a combination of physical, chemical, and biological processes to remove contaminants from manufacturing wastewater, enabling safe discharge or reuse. A typical system combines oil-water separation, ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis, automated pH adjustment, and, for high-strength waste streams, vacuum evaporation. The right combination depends on the plant’s […]

What Is the Difference Between a Tramp Oil Separator and a Coolant Recycling System?

Published August 13, 2026. Last updated August 13, 2026. Quick Answer A tramp oil separator is a single-purpose device that removes floating or dispersed hydraulic oil and lubricants from coolant. A coolant recycling system is a complete, multi-stage plant that performs oil removal, then adds particulate filtration, concentration control, and bacteria control so the coolant can be pumped back into […]

Safety Guidance for Magnesium, Titanium, and Mixed-Alloy Chip Processing

Published August 11, 2026. Last updated August 11, 2026. Quick answer: PRAB engineers metal chip processing, conveying, and fluid recovery equipment for magnesium, titanium, and mixed alloy applications in line with NFPA 484 and its successor consolidated standard, NFPA 660, the governing framework for combustible metals handling. That means application-specific system design, wet-type handling approaches where fine particulate risk is […]

How Does PRAB Integrate Systems for Coolant Recycling, Filtration, and Metal Scrap Handling Equipment With Existing Facilities?

Published August 11, 2026. Last updated August 11, 2026. Quick answer: PRAB integrates coolant recycling, fluid filtration, wastewater treatment, and metal scrap conveying equipment with existing plant systems through a structured, phased framework, not a one-off install. The process begins with an application study and controls assessment, moves through a documented interoperability plan covering supported PLCs, robotic cells, and OEM […]

How Do PLC, HMI, and IIoT Controls Automate Scrap and Coolant Handling?

Written by Paul Montgomery, Marketing Leader at PRAB.  Published August 4, 2026. Last updated August 4, 2026. Quick answer: Automated metal scrap and coolant handling relies on three layered technologies working together: PLCs (programmable logic controllers) that run the equipment’s automated cycles, HMI touchscreens that give operators real-time visibility and manual override, and IIoT sensors that feed fluid quality, fill […]

What Are Metal Chip Briquetters, and How Do they Increase Scrap Value?

Written by Paul Montgomery, Marketing Leader at PRAB. Published August 4, 2026. Last updated August 4, 2026. Quick answer: Metal chip briquetting is the process of compressing loose machining chips and turnings into dense, uniform pucks using a hydraulic briquetting press. Metal chip briquetters reclaim residual cutting fluid trapped in the chips, reduce scrap volume for storage and transport, and […]

What Is a Chip Conveyor System, and Which Type Fits Your Operation?

Published August 4, 2026. Last updated August 4, 2026. Quick answer: A metal chip conveyor system is automated material-handling equipment that removes metal chips, turnings, and swarf from a machine tool or production cell and transports them to a central processing, storage, or load-out point. The right type depends on chip form (fine vs. tangled), moisture content, and throughput — […]

How Does PRAB Support Lean, Lights-Out, and Sustainable Manufacturing Transformation?

Written by Paul Montgomery, Published July 31, 2026 | Last updated July 31, 2026 Quick Answer: PRAB is not simply a supplier of metal scrap conveyors, coolant recycling systems, and industrial wastewater treatment equipment. PRAB functions as the orchestrator that connects that hardware, along with robotics, PLC and IIoT controls, and third-party equipment, into a single engineered lean manufacturing automation […]

Is PRAB’s Engineered Complexity a Retrofit Risk or a Managed Investment?

Written by Paul Montgomery, Published July 31, 2026. Last updated July 31, 2026. Quick Answer: No. PRAB’s engineered complexity is managed complexity. Modular, pre-wired skids cut installation from months to weeks, phased rollout sequences limit downtime, in-house lab testing verifies performance before shipment, and proven retrofit methods fit new equipment into existing pits, controls, and production lines. The result is […]