Blog |

Without processing metal scrap and recycling cutting fluids in-house, metalworking operations do not get the maximum value for their chips from the scrap dealer and cutting fluids are substantially wasted. However, with the right scrap and fluid handling equipment metal scrap can be a great source of revenue and recycled fluids can drastically cut the costs of new fluid purchases, […]

Chip control issues often lead to shortened tool life, conveyor stoppages, poor surface finishes, and increase safety hazards—greatly reducing production time. However, there are ways to recognize these issues before they occur by paying attention to the appearance of the metal chips produced. Metal chips created during the machining process are often a great indicator of overall process conditions. The […]

When choosing the right conveyor to manage metal scrap, maintenance and technology should heavily influence the decision—to increase the conveyor life and reduce maintenance issues. One of these maintenance issues is belt tension. From the time of installation, the belt stretches the longer it runs, creating slack and wear issues. Typically belts also must be visually checked for wear and […]

Research has shown that top-performing machine shops annually invest two to three times more money in capital equipment than other shops. Not coincidentally, profit margins for high performers are almost double those reported by typical shops. For all businesses, the objective is to achieve the largest possible profit margins. One way for metalworking operations to attain that goal is […]

Most manufacturing operations suffer during a recession, primarily because uncertainty increases and demand falls. But research has shown that there are some ways to avoid the negative effects through proper planning. An article published in 2002 by the Harvard Business Review found that during the recessions of 1980, 1990, and 2000, 17% of companies studied went private, went bankrupt, […]

What Does a Briquetter System Do A briquetting maching compresses loose metal chips into compact pucks (briquettes) that are up to 99% dry. Briquetting Vs Wringing Loose Scrap When it comes to loose scrap and briquettes, the briquettes are easier to store, leave little residual oil, and can bring more money than loose chips. But, there are still many […]

What are my options for filtering and reusing cutting fluid? There are many options available for filtering your spent cutting fluids. The solution will vary depending on the various factors of your specific application. PRAB offers a full line of equipment to choose from. Please contact one of our fluid filtration specialists to discuss your specific operational needs. What […]

As seen in ‘Modern Metals Magazine’   “There are critical elements necessary in the design phase that will reduce the impact of force from scrap- ensuring good material flow, reducing downtime and maintenance, and helping to keep operators focused on press output.” –Bob Anspaugh, conveyor sales engineer for PRAB Inc. Q: Why a steel belt for metal stamping scrap? A: […]

The graphite released from machining cast iron quickly fouls filtration media, preventing flow. The concentration of graphite particles, as well as the iron particles increases so that large amounts of sludge build up at the bottom of takes, lines and machine bases. To remove the sludge, production must be shut down for manual cleaning. In addition to the labor […]

After World War II, as the United States quickly transformed from an agricultural society to an industrial one and the start of the modern-day environmental movement had begun. In the first 25 years of this movement, the US spent more than $1 trillion to address environmental threats caused by commercial activities. Since that time, being environmentally responsible, has been […]