Custom Manufacturing Tips and Trends

Powder Coating Antique Patio Furniture

Thu, 14 Nov 2019 16:30:45 GMT

Antique Patio Furniture

We just coated these antique patio chairs for one of our customers in Satin Black over a good epoxy and zinc primer for corrosion prevention. Needless to say, Fred is real happy!

Stainless Steel Custom Railings Commercial and Residential

Wed, 13 Nov 2019 19:40:57 GMT

Custom Commercial and Residential Railings

Custom Railings Commercial and Residential Applications: One of a kind American made NEVER rust Custom Railing Systems. Designed and manufactured by Van Industries, Incorporated at our Birdsboro Facility. All railings exceed all international unified building codes for strength and safety. For details and an estimate please send an email to vanindustriesinc@msn.com with your drawings/plans or give us a call at 610-582-1118 and mention this website advertisement!

*Optional LED Illuminated Post Caps available

Job Well Done!

Wed, 13 Nov 2019 19:17:52 GMT

Ford Steel Rims just coated

Before - yuck! After - Wow! Special Epoxy applied for extra corrosion protection, an additional coating of a good zinc primer then top coated Bengal White. Nice job Mike!

Why Dyno Test an Engine?

Thu, 06 Jul 2017 22:03:17 GMT

If you’re reading this article, you probably already know what it means to dyno test an engine. In short, you power up the engine and add a controlled amount of resistance. From the test, a dynamometer measures your engine’s force, torque, and horsepower. Depending on your career or hobby, these are significant numbers.

But is finding out how many horses you have under the hood the only reason to dyno test an engine? Absolutely not. There are solid, practical reasons to dyno test an engine, bragging rights aside.

Here are a few of them:

To Help Keep Your Engine Running Properly

The computerized dynamometer provides accurate torque and RPM numbers. And then it can accurately measure horsepower. Whoever is tuning your engine now has a basis for changing the engine’s tuning, or they might even recommend changing the engine itself.

These are some of the variables that can be tuned using this method:

Intake manifold selection

Ignition timing and advance curve

Primary tube diameter and length for the headers

Carburetor spacers

Cam grind and timing

Carburetor size and jetting

For an Engine's First Run

It makes sense to do the first run of an engine on a dyno. Engine break-in routines specified by cam and ring manufacturers can be accomplished under controlled conditions. Blow by can even be monitored as the piston rings seat. The engine can be pre-lubed and pre-heated before every start.

To Find Out the Temperature of Your Exhaust Gas

When it comes to tuning your carburetor—jetting, size, spacers, and fuel distribution—knowing your exhaust gas temperatures is as important (or maybe even more) than horsepower and torque numbers. You could save yourself a major engine repair with this information.

To Get a Written Record of Your Engine's Performance

A dyno test will give you details about each test, weather conditions on the day of testing, and graphs of your engine's performance. You can compare your personal performance experiences with the dyno numbers so you can make future adjustments or modifications.

Additional information from the test can indicate both torque and peak torque, plus horsepower, volume metric efficiency, the temperatures of the cylinders and pistons, airflow -- I.e., measurements of virtually every engine function.

Contact Us For Professional Dyno Tuning Services!

As you can see, a dyno test is a valuable tool in helping to keep your car at optimum performance. Even if you aren’t interested in racing, it can be an important element in your maintenance program.

The engine shop at DMC2 Products can help you with dyno testing and so much more. The shop features a SuperFlow SF-902 dynamometer, which is a hydraulic (water break) dyno, which is the most popular type of dyno used in race engine shops, and very cost effective. To learn more about the SF-902 click here .

Contact us online or call us at 610-582-1118 to learn more!

What is Abrasive Blasting?

charlie@vanindustriesinc.com (Charlie Leiendecker) — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 21:33:19 GMT

You’ve seen the results of the process in many places. It is used to refurbish old buildings and to create three-dimensional signs. It can create works of art and engrave a cemetery monument. It works well for cleaning everything from boat hulls to stone works to industrial structures. Its proper name is abrasive blasting, although it often goes by the catch-all term, sandblasting.

How Does It Work?

While the first abrasive blasting process was patented in the late nineteenth century, today’s operation is significantly more sophisticated and entails a variety of methods. Essentially, a stream of abrasive material is forcibly propelled under high pressure against a surface. The blasting material can remove rust and contaminants, smooth a rough surface, create a shape, or even make a smooth surface rough.

Either compressed air or a centrifugal wheel is typically used as the propellant, while the blasting material can be aluminum oxide, garnet, steel shot, glass, or sodium bicarbonate. Depending on the application, a more abrasive material (steel shot) or a milder version (glass beads) is used.

There Are Many Versions of the Blasting Process

Wet blasting involves an abrasive media, compressed air, and water to get the preferred finish on a surface. The addition of water to the mix results in a smooth and consistent finish. A variety abrasive media can work with this method and depends on the type of finish that’s needed.

Bead blasting utilizes small glass beads to remove impurities from a metal surface. It is one of the most gentle, inexpensive, and environmentally friendly methods of blasting, leaving behind no residue and posing no health or safety concerns. The beads are available in different shapes and sizes, which can provide a variety of finishes.
Wheel blasting is an airless process in which centrifugal force propels an abrasive against a part. It is a high velocity operation—the wheel spins at 3600 rpm—that can be used to clean large areas efficiently and quickly. Because it does not require compressed air, wheel blasting is used on bigger parts where air blasting would be too expensive. The downside of this method is that there is a limit to the type of abrasives that can be used, and the high velocity could damage certain components.
Hydro-blasting uses pressure and a stream of water to remove any buildup without damaging the surface.

This is not a complete list of abrasive blasting methods, and it’s always advisable to check with a reputable shop that has experience in blasting such as Van Industries to make sure that your parts and components are receiving the correct type of abrasive blasting.

Are You Considering Abrasive Blasting For Your Next Project?

Contact Van Industries online or call us at 610-582-1118 for more information or to request an estimate.

Protect Your Vehicle’s Components With Ceramic Coating

Thu, 06 Jul 2017 21:12:29 GMT

You’re very meticulous about the look of your car. You hand wash it regularly, and it’s never without a wax coating to protect its beautiful exterior. Inside, the dash is dust-free, the seats are immaculate, and any gravel that was dragged in has long been vacuumed from the mats.

Now, it could be time to look at some of the other areas of your vehicle that might not be getting the same amount of attention—namely, those critical exhaust components that are regularly exposed to abuse.

Here are some of those parts and the reasons to consider ceramic coating:

Save Yourself Heartache and Money

Headers, exhaust pipes, and turbo parts are exposed to corrosive road chemicals, extreme heat, and internal exhaust gasses. And they are expensive to repair. The right coating can help you avoid the effects of these threats to your vital components.

In addition to preventing rust on your exhaust parts, some coatings can protect them from rocks, dirt, and other debris that have found their way onto the road. Ceramic coating can be a valuable weapon in the fight against the enemies of component longevity—heat, chemicals, and gasses.

Reduce Thermal Cycling

As you probably already know, your components can get very hot and then cool down, putting them through a thermal cycle that can weaken the metal. Turbo housings, for instance, can go from red hot to green cool quite quickly. Other parts are susceptible to heat concentration because of their shapes.

Ceramic coatings can help reduce both the thermal cycle and the surface temperatures, adding life to your turbo and exhaust parts by preventing metal from degrading.

Keep Your Components Looking Great

Ceramic coated components may have an enormous practical advantage over non-coated parts, but there is an aesthetic side to them as well.

Also, the variety of available colors in ceramic coating provides an opportunity to create a customized look for your vehicle that makes it stand out from the crowd.

Make Sure You Choose Quality Ceramic Coating!

Van Industries can apply a variety of ceramic coatings for applications ranging from industrial to automotive to firearms. Contact us online or call 610-582-1118 to speak with one of our experienced technicians to learn what may be the best approach to your ceramic coating project.

Should You Choose Powder or Ceramic Coating?

Thu, 06 Jul 2017 20:54:31 GMT

What's the Better Choice for Your Next Project?

Decisions. Decisions. You’re making them every day. Some are big and important; others are small and trivial. But they all have one thing in common: You need the right information so that you can make the right decision.

Take the type of coating you’ll use on your new parts, for example. There are options out there, each with its pros and cons. So, you need to know what they are before you can make a sound decision.

When it comes to coatings, it usually boils down to a choice between powder vs. ceramic. Which one should you use? Here they are. See which one works better for your application.

Powder Coating: Tough and Resistant to Abuse

Powder Coating is applied as a free-flowing, dry powder. The process uses static electricity and compressed air to cause the electrically charged powdered plastic to adhere evenly to your part’s surface. The part is then baked at a certain temperature for a specified time, which melts the powder and allows it to flow together and cure to a hard finish that adheres to the underlying metal.

The Advantages of Powder Coating

You will have a variety of powders from which to choose. They come in different compositions to match your intended use. There are many colors and finishes to coordinate with the overall project. Any conductive metal can be a candidate for powder coating. At Van Industries, we can powder coat an amazing variety of items, including automobile frames from antiques to customs to Ford F350 Extended Cabs!

No matter what material you decide to coat, it will be considerably more durable if you choose powder coating over paint. If you want to do it yourself, consider a source like DMC2 Products, a company of Van Industries, Inc. to purchase high-quality powder coating colors in quantities as small as one pound .

Ceramic Coating: Adding Life to Your Components

Ceramic coating is a high-solid paint product which is concentrated with ceramic powder. Initially developed for the aerospace industry, the process is now used throughout the auto industry on components that include exhaust manifolds, headers, mufflers, and intake manifolds.

Ceramic coating is applied with a high-volume paint gun and compressed air. Parts are usually baked beforehand to get rid of impurities and to burn off any old paint or grease.

Why Use Ceramic Coating?

The ceramic coating process gives parts a durable finish that reduces heat transfer. It also inhibits corrosion, making metals last longer. Ceramic coated components resist most stains and are impervious to oil and fuel. In addition to adding life to your components, ceramic coating creates a thermal barrier, in some cases cutting radiant heat in half and reducing temperatures under the hood.

And, the Winner is… Actually, both of these coating methods are excellent! Use the information above for input in selecting what is best for your next project.

Need Help? Contact Us!

Van Industries has experience in both powder and ceramic coating, and we can help you determine which is best for your particular application. Contact us online or call us at 610-582-1118 for expert advice for all you powder or ceramic coating needs.

3 Advantages of Waterjet Cutting

kris@vanindustriesinc.com (Kris Keller) — Tue, 21 Feb 2017 22:30:36 GMT

Learn the benefits of this amazingly versatile cutting technology

With waterjet cutting, a flat piece of material is placed on a table and, guided by a computer program, a cutting head moves across the material. An abrasive is drawn into a high pressure water stream of 60,000 psi, and sent through a tiny hole. That’s how a waterjet works. That thin stream of water, traveling very fast, will quickly cut most materials.

Because the stream is so small (typically about .020” in diameter), parts can be nested tightly on the plate, resulting in a minimum of wasted material. Some waterjet machines come equipped with multiple heads with multiple cutting capabilities, thus helping to reduce production time and saving considerable costs for the machine shop and their customers.

But these are not the only advantages of using waterjet to manufacture a variety of parts.

Here are 3 Waterjet benefits for our customers:

A Waterjet cutter can cut through almost any material

The combination of water, abrasives, and high pressure make nearly any material a candidate for the waterjet. These are just some of them:

Stainless steel
Carbon steels
Tool steels
Titanium
Hastelloy
UHMW
Copper
Ceramics
Granite
Wood
Kevlar

Little fixturing means quick setup

In most cases, the only fixturing that’s needed are a few weights placed on the material. The low sideways force—meaning that cutting the material does not push it--also means that parts can be nested closely so less material is wasted.

While smaller parts might require tabs to prevent them from falling into the tank, the overall absence of complex fixturing helps keep costs down and gets the customer’s parts to them sooner. It also means that it's fast and easy to change materials and that no tool changes are required. All materials use the same cutting head, so there is no need to program tool changes or worry about multiple tools.

Almost no heat on your parts

The temperature of your parts will show little change throughout cutting as opposed to thermal cutting methodologies. Any heat that is generated will be absorbed by the water and returned to the tank. The only rise in temperature comes when piercing a thick metal part. Otherwise, everything remains at room temperature.

Since there are no heat affected zones on your material, there will be no hardening or warping of your parts. And, you can have previously heat-treated parts machined on the waterjet.

Rely on Van Industries for Waterjet Cutting and More

We have the waterjet machines to meet your needs, including large format capabilities. Bring us your part or drawings, and we’ll give you a competitive quote. Need a cutting estimate in a hurry? We can turn it quickly!

We also have complete CAD/CAM capabilities and many other services.
Visit http://www.vanindustriesinc.com for more information or call us at 610-582-1118.

The Pros and Cons of Stick Welding

matt@vanindustriesinc.com (Matt Godek) — Thu, 09 Feb 2017 22:54:56 GMT

Its official name is Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), but it’s usually called stick welding. This type of welding employs an electrode (stick) and can be used for welding almost all the ferrous metals and other metal types, too. It is among the most widely-used welding processes.

During stick welding, the electrode or welding rod, which has a flux-coated core wire, is used to carry the current and provides most of the metal weld. After the electrode tip touches the metal surface, high heat energy melts both the rod and metal base and creates the weld.
As the flux coating vaporizes, it forms a layer of gas and slag that protects the weld from any contamination. The welder then chips the slag off the weld bead after welding is completed.

Because of its portability, stick welding is used in fields like heavy equipment repair, construction, pipeline welding, and similar industries.

Like other methods of welding, stick welding has its defenders and detractors. Here are some of the pros and cons of this oldest method of welding.

Stick Welding Advantages

Stick welding has certain distinct advantages:

Stick welding is effective even when it’s windy or raining
The equipment required is not very expensive
It needs no external shielding gas, which saves money
It’s less sensitive to paint, corrosion, and dirt at the welding point, saving time on pre-welding clean-up
It’s easy to change rods for different metals
The ground clamp can be attached far from the welding point

Stick Welding Limitations

To be fair, there are some disadvantages:

Compared to other methods of welding, stick welding is slow
It is a more complicated process, which requires a welder with skill and experience in stick welding
It is time-consuming to chip away the slag that formed during the weld
It can be difficult to weld thinner metals
The welding rods must be replaced more frequently than in other types of welding
There can be excessive spatter, rough surfaces, and porosity with stick welding

Make Sure You Hire Skilled Welders

At Van Industries we employ highly skilled welders, so you can be confident that your work will be in experienced hands. Although in most cases other welding options are preferred, if stick welding is best for your project then our professional welders can deliver that service for you.

To learn more about our welding services call us at 610-582-1118 , contact us online , or go to our Custom Welding Services page.

5 Methods Used in Industrial Laser Cutting

charlie@vanindustriesinc.com (Charlie Leiendecker) — Fri, 20 Jan 2017 21:02:03 GMT

Maximizing laser cutting efficiency

You may already know that laser cutting is a precise method of cutting a shape from a given material—often carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum--using computer-aided design (CAD) to direct its path. You might also be aware that the laser beam, once focused on the material, either melts, vaporizes, burns, or blows it away with a jet of gas. But what you probably do not know is that technology has developed methods and techniques that can save time and keep wasted material to a minimum. And if you happen to be purchasing these parts for your business, you may be the beneficiary of these cost-saving innovations.

Here are five methods that make efficient use of the industrial laser cutter:

1. Common-line cutting
With common-line cutting (CLC) the parts are arranged so that they share a common edge with adjacent parts whenever possible. This method allows for only one laser cut where two would otherwise be needed. Kerf compensation is automatically applied, so parts are dimensionally accurate, and there is little or no wasted material.

2. Fly cutting
Fly cutting is a high-speed laser cutting operation. When cutting a grid of squares or rectangles, for instance, all sides are cut quickly without any speed reduction or adjustment of the z-axis. That’s because the laser beam is programmed to turn on and off very rapidly, saving the head from having to rise and plunge continuously.

3. Merge pierce points
Similar to common-line cutting, this approach to initiating a series of cuts starts with a single pierce point. The piercing point then serves as a hub which allows the laser to move out to cut a part before returning to the place of origin. From there, the torch can proceed on to cut a new part, using the existing pierce point.

4. Slug destruction
Slug retention means the slug is hanging up at the cut's start or stop point after the shape has been cut. This remaining slug poses a risk to both the parts and the machine. Programming the laser to avoid a possible tipped-up slug is one way to handle the issue, but many operators opt to program the laser to cut out the middle before it becomes a slug. It is the surest technique for avoiding a $10,000 bill to replace a head that had a high speed collision with a slug.

5. Stitch-cutting
Another laser cutting technique, stitch cutting, leaves small tabs on the cut line and allows components to be bent by hand and then welded. This method allows all components to stay together in the proper orientation and it becomes a self-fixturing assembly.

Contact Van Industries for all your laser cutting needs

The professionals at Van Industries use all of the latest laser-cutting methods to save you money and provide you with high-quality parts. We are located within easy driving distance of Allentown, Philadelphia, Lancaster, Harrisburg and Reading, PA for all your machining, welding and cutting needs, and we also serve Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, West Virginia and beyond.

Click here to learn more about our laser cutting services or call us at 610-582-1118 .

MIG and Arc Welding: What's the Difference?

matt@vanindustriesinc.com (Matt Godek) — Fri, 09 Dec 2016 00:04:54 GMT

Test your welding knowledge!

While MIG welding represents a large segment of our business here at Van Industries, arc welding—or stick welding, as it’s often called—continues to be an essential service that we offer our customers. But what’s the difference between these two methods? Here’s a brief comparison:

MIG Welding

MIG (Metal Inert Gas) welding requires three things: electricity to produce heat, an electrode to fill the joint, and shielding gas to protect the weld from the air. MIG welders consist of a welding gun with a trigger that controls the feed of a small electrode. The wire is fed from a spool and is accompanied by the protective gas. The operator monitors the amount of weld being used to join the two base metals. The process can be automated by using robots.

Because the wind can make it nearly impossible to get a solid weld, almost all MIG welding is done indoors.

Basic Arc Welding

What happens when a piece of equipment can’t be brought indoors for a repair weld? Well, you take your arc welder outside and complete the job there. Arc welding , appropriately called shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), uses the electricity from the welder and passes it through a rod. At the point of contact it arcs and creates a temperature that can reach 7,000° F. Now the rod begins to melt, and the coating around it creates a shield from any oxygen that could contaminate the weld.

What do MIG and Arc welding have in common?

Safety: All welding is dangerous. Proper equipment and techniques are required!
Joint preparation: The joint area must be clear of rust, oil, water, and paint
Electrode selection: The wire or rod must be right for the material
Machine set-up: Amperage and polarity must be set correctly
Technique: While any welding is a science, it is also very much an art

Trust Van Industries with all your welding and fabrication needs

Welding should be left to the experts. Let our professionals assist you with your next welding project. Click here to learn more about our welding services or call us at 610-582-1118 .

Robotic Welding Advantages

matt@vanindustriesinc.com (Matt Godek) — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 22:07:12 GMT

Robotic welding has several advantages, but sometimes manual welding can be a good choice, too.

Let’s say you’re looking to have some parts fabricated, and welding is one of the operations. In your search for the right fabricator, you notice that some of the shops have both robotic and manual capabilities while others offer only manual welding services. Should it matter to you how the job is completed, as long as the price is competitive and the quality is acceptable?

The short answer is “Yes, it should!” Depending on the quantities you need, the turnover time you require, and the type of weld you must have, robotic welding can offer several benefits over manual welders.

Here are a few key advantages of Robotic Welding:

Welding consistency

When all of the production factors are managed properly, robotic welding yields highly consistent results. The software that is used to create a program for your parts ensures that every one of them will be welded to the specifications of your project and that all of your completed products will have the characteristics you expect.

Welding accuracy

By reducing human error through automation, you can count on your products being welded accurately every time. The accuracy from robotic welding also cuts waste, reduces manpower, which means there will be less reworking such as machining, grinding, and additional welding. All of this can translate into lower per-part costs for you.

Welding speed

Sometimes you need your parts yesterday. While robotic systems can’t perform that miracle, they can maintain an ideal production speed over 24-hour shifts with minimal downtime. Unlike manual welders, there are no fatigue factors, meetings, or breaks to consider in scheduling your products.

Sometimes manual welding can be the right choice

Of course, sometimes stick welding—or another standard welding method--is the best way to handle your job, and we can help you there, too.

At Van Industries, we have a full range of robotic and manual welding services. We offer the area's largest robotic welding cell, which includes a Motoman EA 1900N Robotic MIG welder that can make short work of your parts. With a vertical reach of 134 inches and a horizontal reach of 75 inches, plus dual rotary headstock/tailstock positioners, our Motoman is waiting to tackle your most demanding production runs!

We can help with all your welding needs!

Click here to learn more about our welding services. If you’d like to discuss the best option for your welding project, please contact us online or call us at 610-582-1118 .

Can You Polish Something that is Powder Coated?

Thu, 08 Dec 2016 20:07:05 GMT

Yes, polish it, but do it right!

Powder coating is a durable and attractive finish that can be applied to a wide variety of products. The coating is resistant to impact, moisture, ultraviolet light, chemicals, and adverse weather conditions. Because of its hard surface, powder coating has fewer risks of scratches, abrasion, fading, and chipping vs. painted surfaces.

One of the advantages of powder coating is that it requires little or no maintenance. There are, however, some areas—such as a powder coated surface on that special vehicle, for instance--which you want to have looking its best at all times. Or there might be some minor fading on your powder-coated patio furniture that you want to restore to its original luster.

Can you safely polish a powder coated surface?

Cleaning and polishing a powder coated surface is a recommended way of keeping your products looking good. And, if special care is taken, it can also repair minor abrasions and fading.

Here are 7 steps to safely polish your powder coated surface:

Add one cup of detergent to a full bucket of water. Mix thoroughly.
Immerse a soft clean rag into the mixture and wring it out.
Gently clean the powder coated surface with the cloth.
Soak the cloth and use it to rinse the surface as many times as needed to remove the solution. This is a significant step. You don’t want to polish the powder coated surface until it is thoroughly clean.
Using a clean, soft cloth, apply a polishing compound that is specifically designed for powder coated surfaces. *Note: Some compounds are not recommended for chrome, chrome like finishes. Read manufacturer’s instructions before application!
Let it dry, and wipe away any excess.
Finish by applying a coat of automobile wax . Allow it to dry (check the package for drying times) and buff it to give it shine.

Polish it right the first time!

You can take other approaches to polishing your powdered coated items. The one given here is safe and straightforward. But there is something else to consider (in the area of prevention) that is equally important: use a reliable powder coater.

Here at Van Industries, we use only the highest quality powders to give your parts a finish that is both durable and eye-catching. From automobile frames, micro sprint frames, modified frames, motorcycle and auto rims to home appliances, patio furniture, commercial and residential railing assemblies and playground equipment, our powder coating process ensures high-quality results and fewer concerns about maintaining it. Click here to learn more about our powder coating services or Contact Us for help with all your powder coating needs.

What is CNC Milling?

matt@vanindustriesinc.com (Matt Godek) — Tue, 25 Oct 2016 21:17:20 GMT

It's a "subtractive" form of machining. Here's how it works.

Milling

Milling is a form of machining that is used to shape a piece of metal or other solid material by using a rotary cutting tool (often with multiple cutting edges). The cutting tool removes material as the piece is fed into it. Milling is a “subtractive manufacturing process” ; the raw material is clamped to the table, which moves into the milling cutter removing small bits of metal commonly referred to as chips. The cutter can spin at a variety of speeds (RPMs). The feed rate (usually in inches per minute) is the pace at which the piece moves through the cutter.

Milling, like drilling, uses a rotating cylindrical cutting tool to spin and cut down or shape the material. The difference is that the cutter on a milling machine can move along multiple axes and create a variety of shapes, holes, and slots. The material being cut can also be moved in different directions. Milling Machines are usually grouped by the number of axes on which they can operate. X and Y designate horizontal movements on a flat plane such as side-to-side and back-to-front. Z represents up-and-down movements. W represents diagonal movements. Most modern milling machines offer 3 to 5 axes.

CNC - Computer Numerical Control

Early milling machines – which have been around since the early 1800’s - were manual. Technological advances created Computer Numeric Control (CNC) milling machines. A CNC mill is controlled and driven by a computer that reads and stores computer codes that are written by a machinist or programmer. This code (a variant of G-code) provides detailed and often intricate step-by-step instructions for how to machine the material. The computer uploads these instructions into the machine tool. CNC revolutionized the milling process by making it more precise and quicker with the ability to produce shapes that would have been impossible using a manual mill.

CNC Milling Applications

Just about any material that can be drilled or cut can be machined using a CNC mill. That includes alloys, aluminum, brass, copper, stainless steel, titanium, PVC, nylon, and other plastics. Depending on the amount of material to be removed and its hardness, the right cutters and drills are selected to complete the job quickly and accurately.

Contact Van Industries for All Your CNC Milling and Machining Needs

A wide range of industries and manufacturing needs can be accommodated by CNC Milling machines including electronics, automotive, medical, and military.

From CNC mills and lathes to 300-ton presses and more, Van Industries is equipped with the best machinery and the technical expertise to produce your parts accurately and efficiently every time!

Click here to learn more about CNC Milling and our Machine Shop services .

Is Waterjet or Laser Cutting Better for Your Project?

charlie@vanindustriesinc.com (Charlie Leiendecker) — Wed, 12 Oct 2016 20:03:58 GMT

Here are some quick tips to help you decide.

Van Industries offers both Waterjet and Laser cutting—and we can help you decide what’s best for you. Of course it’s always good to understand how the operations differ and how our shop will help you choose the right machine for your parts. Here’s a quick primer for you.

What is a waterjet cutter?

The waterjet cutting operation uses water and garnet that is compressed to create as much as 60,000 psi to cut a wide variety of materials that include carbon and stainless steel, rubber, titanium, Hastelloy, aluminum, tool steels, plastics, granite, glass, and the list goes on. Because the jet stream is .030” in diameter, parts can be positioned (nested) so that there is little wasted material.

Some other advantages to waterjet cutting

• Cuts material up to 10” thick

• Tolerances as close as +/-.005”

• Burr-free parts

• No heat-affected zones, so no distortion or warping

• Multiple heads that cut production times, translating into lower-costing parts

What about laser cutting?

Laser cutters work by aiming a powerful laser beam onto a material. Capabilities vary from 24ga to 1/2"tk carbon, stainless steel and aluminum. Also, certain wood products, plastic and rubber can be cut.

Some of the qualities of laser cutting

• Less wasted material: The narrow beam melts or vaporizes the small width of material it burns

• Sharp details: Inside corners can have precise sharp corners if required.

• Little heat: The beam's energy is applied only where it’s needed; the heat surrounding the cutting area is minimized.

What can we do for you?

We currently have one water jet and two laser cutters to meet most any need. If you bring us your part we can reverse engineer it for you. We also have complete CAD/CAM capabilities. Please click below for more information on our cutting and other manufacturing services.

LIST OF SERVICES

WATERJET CUTTING SERVICES

LASER CUTTING SERVICES

5 Great Reasons to Powder Coat Your Products

Thu, 06 Oct 2016 18:07:19 GMT

Not only does powder coating look great, but ...

In the world of manufacturing, there are two primary ways to finish your parts—you can either use spray paint or powder coating. While the traditional method of painting has worked reasonably well for many years, powder coating has become the fastest growing finishing technology in North America. Today it represents a growing portion of all industrial finishing. And there are excellent reasons for its increasing popularity.

What is powder coating?

Powder Coating is a method of applying a protective finish to almost any type of metal. The powder is a mixture of finely ground particles of pigment and resin that is electrostatically sprayed onto the surface to be coated. The charged powder adheres to the electrically grounded surface of the part until the powder is heated in an oven and fused into a smooth coating.

There is a wide selection of color choices and finishes that include flat, satin, gloss, high gloss, metallic, clear, iridescent, fluorescent, and glitter.

Five advantages of powder coating

There are many benefits to powder coating your products. Here are just five:

1. Durability: Parts that are powder coated can resist chipping and other damage due to the specific milage application vs. hand painting.

2. Flexibility: Another significant advantage for powder coating is its flexibility and ability to bend and yield without cracking or flaking. This flexibility works well for the transportation industry where the products are subject to vibration and twisting on the road.

3. Environmental: There are also environmental advantages to powder coating. Since there are no solvents or volatile organic compounds (VOCs), there is no damage to the environment during application. Any waste from the process is also not hazardous and can be safely disposed of in a landfill.

4. Economics: The biggest economic benefit comes from its transfer efficiency and minimal waste. Nearly all of its spray is transferred successfully. Also, the powder mixture is relatively inexpensive.

5. Production: Powder coated products come out of the oven after the manufacturer's specific cure time. We recommend a 24-hour wait time before installing a project!

Van Industries uses only the highest quality powders, and our comprehensive powder coating process ensures consistent, high-quality results every time. To learn more about our powder coating services, click here to contact us , or view our Powder Coating page.

Powder Coating or Painting - How to Decide

Mon, 03 Oct 2016 18:35:08 GMT

Both have their advantages. Here's what you should know.

When you need a finish on your metal products, you likely will turn to one of the two biggest players in the market—the painters or the powder coaters. The decision is easier if you understand each process and are aware of the advantages of using one over the other. Let’s start with the procedure itself.

Paint vs. Powder Coat PROCEDURES

Painting is the traditional process of applying a liquid paint to a metal product for finishing. Before painting, the metal part must be thoroughly cleaned. A sprayer, pump, or some other sort of pressurized vessel is employed to deliver the wet paint. The paint is applied until the product is evenly coated with the desired thickness of paint.

Powder coating is a finishing process in which a coating is applied electrostatically to the metal’s surface as a dry powder, and heat is used to finalize the coating. The powder can be polyester, polyurethane, epoxy, and acrylics. As with painting, the product must be cleaned, giving close attention to the removal of any debris and oil which could prevent the dry powder from attaching correctly.

Paint vs. Powder Coat CHARACTERISTICS

Both painting and powder coating provide a finish for metal parts that is available in a variety of colors, but that’s where the similarities end.

Durability: Powder coating results in a thick, dense finish of .006” to .010” on metal products. Along with its ability to bend and yield, the extra thickness can mean a more durable and longer-lasting finish than traditional painting, which dries to about .001”.

Quicker turnover: On-time delivery is essential today -- the sooner you get your parts returned, the better for your schedule. Powder coated products are quickly available for use. Wet painting (except for ceramic coating) can require multiple coats and a longer cure time.
Environmental: The environment is a universal concern. It’s good to know that powder coating is an environmentally safe finishing process. Powder coating residual is safely disposed of.

Van Industries uses only the highest quality powders, and our comprehensive powder coating process ensures consistent, high-quality results every time. To learn more about our painting and powder coating services, click here to contact us , or click below for more information.

CUSTOM PAINTING SERVICES

POWDER COATING SERVICES

CERAMIC COATING SERVICES