Gas Forge Furnace Safety Tips

When it comes to molding steel parts for manufacture, nothing provides the necessary intense heat and metal bending capability like an industrial gas forge. Used by blacksmiths and other steelworkers to produce a variety of functional and ornamental shapes, modern gas forge furnaces are easier to use and significantly more efficient than their ancient counterparts.

Although the gas forge furnace has become a much safer tool, thanks to improvements in engineering over time, there are still a number of potential dangers that require great care and proper training to avoid. The following safety tips can help you operate your gas forge properly and prevent unnecessary accidents and injuries.

Safe Use of Gas Forge Furnaces

When using metalworking machinery in any capacity, safety is of the utmost importance. Always employ the following gas forge safety tips to reduce risk and actively prevent industrial accidents.

• Make sure that everyone who will use the forge is educated in furnace use and chemical nature of propane.

Education is the best prevention. Only experienced metal bending professionals who have been trained in safely using the forge and managing the propane tanks should be cleared to use the machine. Be sure that all users are aware of the basic chemical nature of propane and understand its unique risks and storage requirements.

• Never walk away from a hot forge.

Your gas furnace should always be monitored while in use. Always make sure that at least one person who is cleared to use the forge is present when the forge is hot, even if the fuel line has been shut off.

• Keep flammable items out of the forge area.

Even the tiniest spark from your gas furnace can lead to a fire, especially if you store flammable items in the same room with the forge. Keep wood, fabric, cleaning supplies, and other common flammable items away from the forge area, and be sure to keep a chemical fire extinguisher on hand in case of an emergency.

• Regularly inspect your gas forge furnace and propane cylinders for damage or wear.

Prevent breakdowns and keep your forge in optimal shape by scheduling regular inspections and performing any necessary maintenance. Make sure that only sufficiently knowledgeable individuals perform this inspection and maintenance. Any significant damage could lead to risky malfunctions, and any buildup of dirt or dust could combust without warning.

Trust the Safety and Efficiency of the Quantum Nargesa H1, H2 and H3 Furnace

The Quantum Nargesa H2 furnace is a propane-powered gas forge ideal for heating and reshaping steel parts. Featuring two independently-functioning burners, a working temperature of 1300º C, adjustable pressure, and much more, our industrial H2 propane forge has the power and flexibility needed to create high-quality molded steel products.

Safety features include a pressure reducer, flame check valve, thermal device valve, metal safety screen, easily replaced standard components, a fully mounted design, and careful packaging to prevent damage during shipping.

Whether you're an independent blacksmith or a large manufacturing company, trust the quality gas forge furnace products from Quantum Machinery Group. To learn more about the Quantum Nargesa H2 furnace or any of our other metalworking machinery, browse the products on our website or call us at (909) 476-8007.

Everything You Need to Know About Power Hammers

Do a brief search on YouTube for the words “hydraulic press.” You will quickly discover that, strangely, society seems rather obsessed with watching presses smush everything from pencils to even diamonds. Those of us in industry know that’s because it’s easy to marvel at the sheer force hydraulics provide—this metalworking machinery is simply impressive to watch and use.

For as much power as a hydraulic press exudes, it simply isn’t always the best tool for the job. Primarily, it’s slower, and that can slow a shop down so much that it’s no longer efficient. Instead, many shops use high-impact, high-pressure power hammers. Both devices operate on the same technological basis, but there are differences.

Power Hammer Basics

What the heck is a power hammer, anyway? This technology isn’t new; in fact, it harkens back throughout human history much further than even the hydraulic press. The original power hammer was often called a forge hammer, and it relied on steam to build pressure and propel the device, but today’s versions use pneumatics or electricity instead.

How a power hammer operates is simple: Like a hammer, it quickly travels downward when force is applied on the opposite side, striking whatever object you place under it. Because they use some form of pressure that builds up force first, the strike occurs much faster and with far more force than if you were using a hand hammer or even a hydraulic press.

Power hammers are also very large in size when compared to other equipment. The more force you need, the larger the machinery, and advanced models may take up as much as four cubic feet of space in your shop or more.

These larger machines also produce smoother, more equalized results because the sheer mass of the device absorbs vibration and movements through weight. That’s a boon for operators and the projects they complete—size improves comfort and outcomes all around. You can expect one of these larger machines to weigh up to 12,000 pounds.

Training and Safe Use

As with any other piece of industrial equipment, no worker should have access to a power hammer without proper training. The most common accidents relate to negligence—getting hands in the way of the hammer, wearing loose clothing that becomes caught in the machine, or being hit with flying debris (especially in the eyes). Much like a hand hammer, hitting your fingers will result in injury (and likely finger loss, too). That’s what makes having a safety protocol so important.

It’s also common for workshops to experience too much vibration or movement, even in larger devices. As any equipment company will tell you, the machine can only work correctly if you use it correctly in the first place. If you find your large-scale power hammer is uncomfortable to use with a high amount of recoil, it may be that it’s off-center or that you aren’t placing your dies and pieces in the right zone. Occasional calibration is the best way to keep everyone safe.

Where you place the material isn’t the only consideration; each project will demand a precise amount of pressure and material movement, too. Often, it’s best to run a test prototype before nailing down these numbers, adjusting the rate of fire as you go. Most brands and machines will provide average numbers for common projects within the manual.

If these warnings seem rather doom and gloom, don’t feel too stressed out—truthfully, power hammers are remarkably safe when used correctly. If you follow a proper safety protocol, they may even be more safe than handheld devices! Whether you’re using your power hammer for metalbending or something else entirely, it’s just a fantastic device to have around. If you’re considering a power hammer for your shop, give us a call at Quantum Machinery Group—we can help you explore your options!

Maintaining Strong Growth in the Manufacturing Industry

Improvements and innovations in technology have been a significant driving force for many industries. Many businesses today fail because of an inability to keep up with the times. The manufacturing industry heavily relies on getting the most productivity out of the least amount of resources possible, especially when it comes to metalworking machinery and metal bending. How much a production business embraces the advancements in technology and education plays a large part in determining their success.

Intelligent Use of Analytics

The manufacturing industry has held the same business model for a long time: selling a single complicated and intricate product to a customer with warranty and a service contract for repairs and maintenance. It’s worked for a long time, but it’s become less feasible over time due to changes in technology and real-time data flow.

Many manufacturing companies are moving toward an updated version of this business model to keep with the times. Selling a single piece of complicated machinery is still viable, though many customers want more from their purchase than just a user manual and repair options a phone call away.

New technology and apps enable manufacturers to integrate real-time updating software and components into their products. They use this information to work with their clients daily to tweak performance levels to their needs and know when the product requires maintenance.

Manufacturers that actively work with their clients to optimize the product will see a greater return on their investments. Building customer loyalty and retention opens up opportunities for more lucrative ventures down the road.

Educate Your Workers

Educated employees are always a valued asset for any business, and their worth has only increased with time. It’s imperative that contemporary manufacturing workers are knowledgeable about current trends in technology. Hiring more workers used to be a more feasible solution in the past, but finding employees that know what they’re doing is more crucial now than when manufacturing was in its adolescence.

STEM education is one of the keys to satisfying this need for smart workers. Ensure that your workers have the training and knowledge they need, whether you’re hiring fresh college graduates or providing supplemental education for your current workforce.

Operational Data Is Your Gold Mine

Improving efficiency is the name of the game in the current state of modern manufacturing. Creating more efficient production lines or methods is always beneficial, but maybe you’re hitting a brick wall. Maybe the cost of re-doing your infrastructure is too expensive or requires more research and development. Many manufacturers are facing these challenges, so they’re looking to squeeze every ounce of productivity out of what they have now.

Keep tabs on the operational data of your machines and devices to learn how to get the most out of them. Improving your efficiency by a few percent makes a big difference whether you’re mass producing or focusing on a single item. Your competitors are doing the same thing, so investing into advanced data collection technology is a great way to stay with, or ahead of, the curve. Quantum Machinery Group understands how to implement high-tech solutions to exceed your business standards. Our experienced staff and machinery can help you push your company ahead of the rest and bring innovation to your metalworking machinery.

Women in Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing

When you think about metalworking machinery manufacturing, you might picture this industry as being a “males-only” industry. However, you would be sadly mistaken. While, indeed, there are more men that work in this particular industrial segment, women still make up a decent percentage of workers.

In fact, women started getting into manufacturing back during World War II (WWII) when men were being drafted for the war effort. Women started taking over many of the positions previously held by men. Globally, there was a significant increase in the number of women working in manufacturing from the period between 1940 through 1943.

Even Queen Elizabeth II did her part. She joined the UK’s armed forces and worked as a mechanic repairing military vehicles and was also a military truck driver! Here in the United States, “Rosie the Riveter” became an iconic image that promoted women’s roles in manufacturing during WWII.

Many women worked in factories building airplanes, military vehicles, and automobiles. Other women worked in machine shops as machinists producing related parts and components. While the dominance they established during WWII declined after the war, many women continued to work in manufacturing.

Today, women still make up around one-third of the workers in manufacturing. In fact, they have held steady at this rate since the 1970s, with little change. Some women have even started their own metal fabrication and machine shops!

What the Future Holds for Women

As technologies continue to advance, women will need to adapt just like their male counterparts. This means pursuing educational opportunities in computer programming, industry-specific software applications (i.e., CAD, CAM, etc.), and ongoing training to ensure they can operate advanced machinery.

The younger generation of women that is considering entering the metalworking industry needs to focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) coursework and related degree programs through trades schools and universities.

Women will be important to fill gaps being created as technologies continue to advance. Even as artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and other automation continue to grow in manufacturing, the demand for skilled workers to operate the AI, robots, and machines will also continue to increase.

If the United States hopes to compete globally with other metalworking businesses, they will need to adapt by hiring more women. In fact, U.S. trade schools, universities, and businesses in metalworking manufacturing have started to take more of an interest in recruiting women and encouraging them to pursue careers in this field.

Just in two short years, schools have seen a jump in young women’s interests in going into manufacturing. In 2015, only 12% of women were actively working toward a career in manufacturing. Now, in 2017, this has grown to 29%. It is expected the rate will continue to grow over the next decade and could potentially reach as high as 50%.

Here at Quantum Machinery Group, we applaud women already working in manufacturing, and those women actively working toward a career in metalworking. For all of your metalworking machinery and equipment, please feel free to contact us at (909) 476-8007 today!

Sources

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_in_World_War_II
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_women_in_World_War_II
3. https://www.census.gov/newsroom/blogs/random-samplings/2017/10/women-manufacturing.html
4. http://www.themanufacturinginstitute.org/Initiatives/Women-in-Manufacturing/~/media/3B9BF94AEF0A46A5B755D17F1F1336BC.ashx

How Tech Is Taking a Front Seat on the Factory Floor

The public perception of manufacturing hasn’t changed much from the factories of the past. Nonetheless, there have been many changes in the industry. Employment rose from 11.5 million jobs in 2010 to 12.3 million jobs in 2016.1 U.S. manufacturing is also being transformed by technology.

Manufacturing output has increased, and The New York Times reported that manufacturers are producing 47% more than 10 years ago. Automation, robotics, and advanced metalworking machinery and other manufacturing technologies are, in part, responsible for the trends.

These modern innovations were merely conceptual, just a few years ago, but are impacting the industry today.

3D Printing: Manufacturers can produce metal and plastic products quickly and boost factory productivity. Design-to-production is more efficient and lead times are reduced. Factories can build machine parts and prototypes less expensively and with less waste than before (3D printing involves building up rather than cutting material away).

Robotics: The adoption of robotics is crucial to maximizing automation and productivity. By 2013, there were 1.2 million robots operating in factories and warehouses around the world, and 1.5 million in 2014.2 Robots are becoming more suitable for complex tasks; in 2016, Everwin Precision Technology4 replaced 650 people with 60 robotic arms at a factory in China, reducing the demand on people to perform often difficult and dangerous tasks.

Computers: The Internet of Things has shaped a new revolution in which machines and sensors allow communication. Factory equipment can even respond automatically to conditions, such as low fluid levels, and can generate work orders. The process reduces maintenance costs and downtime.

Cloud computing is connecting multiple manufacturing plants and enabling companies to share data across facilities anywhere on the globe. Aside from speeding production, this improves product quality and consistency.

Up and coming tech includes nanotechnology, which is already enhancing material properties at the molecular level and making computers faster. Augmented reality is in its early stages, but the concept of receiving instructions, guidance, and notifications via sophisticated eyewear won’t go away. It also has the potential to improve safety, training, and data retrieval.

Technology Is Adding Manufacturing Jobs

The demand for skilled labor is high. It’s also providing opportunities to participate in specialized programs, including those focused on laser technology. Well-paying jobs can be found without incurring the costs of a college degree.

At the same time, many older workers are getting ready to retire. The students of today are immersed in technology from a young age. As they enter the workforce, they’re already privy to applying computers and tech to their daily lives. One can, therefore, see how easily tech is taking a front seat on the factory floor; for millennials, there is a high potential for finding rewarding and satisfying work.

Quantum Machinery Is Helping Fuel the Factory Tech Climate

We offer the latest in metalworking machinery, laser technology, and sawing, bending, shearing, embossing, and welding systems found on factory floors all over the world. For more information about our products and their benefits, contact us online or call 909-476-8007.

Sources

1. https://www.brookings.edu/blog/techtank/2016/06/02/how-technology-is-changing-manufacturing/
2. https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/08/upshot/the-economy-is-rigged-and-other-presidential-campaign-myths.html
3. https://www.brookings.edu/blog/techtank/2016/06/02/how-technology-is-changing-manufacturing/
4. https://www.huffingtonpost.com/william-morrow/6-technologies-transformi_b_10405528.html