Effective Cost Control: Keys to Reducing Haul-Away Expenses in Metalworking

As operational costs continue to rise, metalworking facilities are searching for any advantage they can find to minimize expenses. Effectively managing costs wherever and whenever possible is becoming paramount. One of the more controllable expenses is haul-away costs, which can be reduced with improvements in waste stream process management.

Additionally, as pressure mounts to collectively reduce the carbon footprint of commerce-driven activities, reining in transportation tasks in metalworking will be vital to achieving sustainability goals while also lowering larger-than-necessary expenses like transportation costs.

Reducing haul-away obligations for metal scrap and fluid waste is a logical place to start. Fortunately, a fully automated metal scrap processing system can position metalworking companies of all sizes for success in this regard.

Less to Move = Lower Haul-Away Costs and Reduced Liability Risk
Effective recycling practices are playing an increasingly important role in cost and risk management in metalworking. Here are three ways how turnkey, automated metal scrap processing systems directly contribute to waste stream optimization:

  • The system shreds light to moderate wads of turnings to create flowable chips for a volume reduction that is up to 4 to 1. Lower volume means less scrap to haul away. If your operation isn’t performing this step in the process, you are likely paying much more in haul-away costs than you need to. Plus, properly processed metal scrap also garners a higher value from metal scrap recyclers.
  • Utilizing a briquetter will not only help increase the value of metal chips, turnings and swarf, but modifying the scrap in this way saves space and allows the operation to send the most material per trip to scrap recyclers. Again, this allows you to get the most out of your haul-away costs, while also enjoying a larger payout for your scrap metal.
  • The automated metal scrap processing system wrings the chips to collect cutting fluids. The reclaimed fluids can then be filtered and recycled back into the machining process. This helps you cut unnecessary and costly waste from your operational processes. Additionally, because metalworking companies are still liable for their metal scrap during transport, removing cutting fluids that coat the scrap can help lower the impact on the environment if an accident were to occur.

Advantages of Turnkey Metal Scrap Processing Equipment
Along with cutting down high haul-away costs, compact metal scrap processing systems also provide three key advantages to metalworking shops:

  • Automated processing reduces manual labor, which can be especially helpful when resources are already at a premium
  • Pre-wired, pre-plumbed systems significantly simplify start-up
  • A skid-mounted system with forklift pockets makes it easy to move the system around the shop for maximum flexibility

With the ongoing cloud of uncertainty around production costs, it’s critical for operations to control what they can. Improvements in waste stream management through automated metal scrap processing can help lower haul-away costs and reuse valuable fluids to further save on unnecessary expenses.

To learn how a turnkey metal scrap processing system will benefit your operation, visit PRAB.com and connect with a chip processing expert today.

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