Nobody wants their fabrication equipment to overheat, it’s not just a hassle but can be dangerous as well. Fortunately, there are some simple steps that fabricators and operators can take in order to ensure their machinery stays cool during operation. In this article, we look at ways to keep your fabrication equipment running safely and smoothly.
What Is Fabrication Equipment?
Fabrication equipment refers to the machinery and tools used in the manufacturing and production of various products. This includes equipment such as metalworking machines, welding equipment, and machining tools that are used to shape and assemble materials into a finished product. As they are such integral elements of manufacturing, it is important that they are properly cared for, and ensuring they do not overheat is a key element to the maintenance of fabrication equipment.
How Do You Keep Fabrication Equipment Cool?
Keeping your fabrication equipment cool is a necessity, but how exactly do you go about doing it? Below we share expert tips to properly maintain your fabrication equipment and ensure it continues to work safely for years to come.
1. Utilize Natural Cooling
Utilizing natural cooling is an effective way to keep your fabrication equipment cool while minimizing energy costs. One of the most popular methods for natural cooling is installing a standard chiller, which uses a heat exchanger and chilling fluid to reduce temperatures as needed. This can be an especially useful tool during summer months when indoor air quality becomes hot enough to cause damage to sensitive components.
It’s important that you maintain correct temperature levels by regularly checking your filter bank, keeping it free of dust and debris buildup. Additionally, implementing regular cool breaks throughout the day can further improve air quality indoors and help prevent potential health issues caused by excessive heat exposure. This strategy also maximizes employee productivity since studies have shown that taking frequent breaks throughout the day can lead to better performance overall. By optimizing natural cooling techniques, you can successfully keep your fabrication equipment at appropriate temperatures without incurring high energy costs.
Reduce heat with solar control film
2. Choose The Right Location For Your Equipment
Choosing the right location for your fabrication equipment is an important step in maintaining a cool environment. When selecting a location for your fabrication equipment, you should consider how much space will be needed for your cooling components. The configuration of the devices may also affect their operation.
For example, if too many air-cooled chiller units are placed close together they may not work effectively at absorbing heat from the environment. You should also think about whether any additional ventilation is necessary to keep the temperature constant inside the facility. Additionally, take into account the cost of installation and maintenance when deciding where to install your equipment.
Essentially, you need to ensure that you have a space large enough to fit all the types of chillers you need as well as a space that has adequate ventilation. This will ensure that your temperature control systems can work properly and that your equipment will not become too hot.
3. Understand Heat Dissipation
Heat elimination from metal fabrication machines must be managed carefully to maintain a cool process and ensure the safety of employees. To accurately eliminate heat generated by these machines, it is essential to understand the source of heat and how best to dissipate this energy into the surrounding environment.
First, you need to identify any potential sources that generate high levels of heat within your facility. Once you are aware of these hot spots, you can leverage solutions such as cooling air or liquid systems in order to minimize temperature fluctuations and reduce overheating risks associated with operating machinery at higher temps. Educating not only yourself but also all employees who work with this equipment is essential if you want to successfully manage the hot temperatures of your equipment.
4. Utilize Fans, Coolers, And Other Cooling Devices
When it comes to keeping fabrication equipment cool, fans, coolers, and other cooling devices are your best friend. These cooling techniques can help reduce energy consumption and keep temperatures in an acceptable range. These cooling devices are the simplest solutions but are extremely effective and require low maintenance.
Having cooling devices installed on job sites is also important for providing workers with a comfortable working environment. They can provide a powerful stream of air that moves throughout the entire workspace, helping to evenly cool off areas that may not get direct airflow from an open window or door.
5. Invest In Solar Control Film
Investing in solar control film can be a great way to keep fabrication equipment cool on the shop floor. Solar control films are designed for a variety of surfaces but work particularly well for stainless steel and flat sheet metal, which is often found in manufacturing plants. These films reflect sunlight away from windows, helping maintain more consistent temperatures on the manufacturing floor. This creates not only a more bearable working environment for employees but also a cooler environment to allow fabrication equipment to function at maximum capacity.
Solar control films are an effective solution when it comes to keeping your fabrication equipment cool while still allowing natural light into the environment. Not only do they reduce energy costs associated with cooling large areas of machinery or products but also help prevent potential damage due to excessive heat exposure. With their reflective qualities, these films offer a cost-effective option that improve productivity and ensure optimal performance levels across all operations within a manufacturing plant.
The impact of solar control films
6. Regularly Inspect And Clean Your Equipment
Regularly inspecting and cleaning your fabrication equipment is an essential part of maintaining a cool shop. This will not only help you keep your machinery in optimum condition, but it also ensures your equipment is safe to use. Make sure you take time to properly inspect each piece of equipment against all safety regulations to make sure they are in good working condition. Employee safety should be your priority, meaning regular checks are a necessity.
During these checks, you should be looking out for any potential issues that might be causing overheating issues with your equipment. When you regularly inspect and clean your equipment, you increase your chances of identifying problems before they become dangerous or expensive to fix. It is therefore in your best interest to frequently inspect and clean your equipment.
7. Keep The Work Area Well Ventilated
Ventilation helps draw out heat and moisture, which can cause damage over a period of time. This makes it important for businesses to ensure their work areas remain well-ventilated throughout the day. The best way to do this is by opening windows or installing fans in order to let air circulate around the space. Doing so will not only help keep the room cooler but also reduce humidity levels, making it less likely that mold and mildew will form on equipment surfaces. Furthermore, keeping doors open while working with fabrication equipment can allow more airflow into the space, helping to maintain an optimal temperature.
Window Film Services
Installing window film is an ideal way to reduce temperatures and prevent fabrication equipment from overheating. At Protex Canada, our solar films reduce 99% of the sun’s UV light and reject up to 79% of the solar heat, ensuring your equipment can continue functioning at optimal levels. We also take care of the entire installation process, so you can focus on your work.
We sell multiple types of solar control films, including:
- Clear View series
- Neutral series
- Metallic series
- Specialty series
- Exterior series
