What is Fabrication?

Some items that we rarely give any thought to are made by a proven process that uses raw materials to form and shape them. This process is called metal fabrication, and is a value added service to any business who seeks it since it adds value to different stages of manufacturing. But what are some of the processes involved with metal fabrication? What products are at the end result of this process?

Raw materials are sourced by the fab shops to do a job for their client that involves cutting the metal to the correct size.  Some of these materials include plate metal, pre-formed metal, fittings, castings, and welding wire. Special tools are used like cutting torches and band saws to get accurate cuts. But how do some everyday things like hand rails get rounded over? These are rounded over and bended by tube bending machines and rolling machines to achieve a smoother finish. The sum of the parts are then welded together, sent to a cooling machine, then sand blasted, painted, and polished to perfection.

This is just a short summary of fabrication processes, and if you’re business is looking for used fabrication equipment, be sure to visit your website at MachineryNetwork.com!

What Products are made by a Plastic Injection Machine?

The plastic injection molding machine is the most common method of producing parts out of plastic material in the world. It produces an abundance of products that we use or come in contact with every single day of our lives. Just take a moment to think about how many plastic parts you have in your own home, it’s a lot isn’t it?! From household items to medical products, we’ll run through several items that are made by a plastic injection machine.

A Frisbee or flying disk is one of the most common items people use for recreation at the park, and there are even leagues all over the world and a sport built around it. Commonly given as a company gift or prize with a company’s logo on it, it’s a great novelty item as well. Household items such as bottle caps, Tupperware lids, and prescription drug container caps are all common forms of lids that are made; as well we the bottles and containers themselves are made by plastic injection machines.

If your business needs to connect with customers with the use of plastic goods, visit our website for only the best in used plastic injection molding machines and heavy machinery!

The Three Types of Liquidation

At Machinery Network Auctions, we do more than just auctions. In some cases, liquidations can work out better for the buyer than an auction because they can buy them at a lower cost than what’s possible at regular heavy equipment auctions. There are several different types of liquidations, and we have broken them out to make it easier to understand which is which.

·         Orderly Liquidation – These types of liquidations are the opposite of a forced sale, instead they are sometimes referred to as an orderly sale. This is when assets are sold on an open market without pressure to sell them as quickly as possible, and for whatever price is offered for them.

·         End User Liquidation – This type of liquidation is usually dealing with winning bidders of government equipment when they liquidate some of their machinery assets. It is usually accompanied by a shipping document letting them know where it’s going.

·         Bank Liquidation – This is the most common form of liquidation, when a business either goes bankrupt or the company no longer exists, the assets are sold off and the proceeds go back to the creditors that initially loaned them the money.

For any further questions you may have on liquidations, feel free to send us an email at info@machinerynetworkauctions.com and we’d be happy to help!

Uses and types of Lathes

A lathe can be used to make a multitude of items such as machine parts, furniture, pottery, and almost anything you can think of that you use in your daily life. Materials are secured on an axis and are spun so that the worker can use tools to work the material into the shape that they want. From regular items like plastic ware, bowls, spoons, forks, to tables and furniture, these machines are essential in shaping these products. There are many types of lathes that can be used to form and shape items, and we’ve compiled a list of them.

·         Turret Lathe – This is a turret that rotates so that it is easy to work the material with several tools, and it has up to eight operations that it can perform.

·         Wood Lathe – A belt driven lathe that turns wood, you can change the speed by moving the belt to different pulleys on the machine.

·         CNC Lathe – This is a computer based lathe that the used inputs the program. This machine is amazing at cutting contours in items that are curved without needing special tools.

These are just a few types of lathes that your company can use to form products. Find out more on used machinery auctions and locations when you are in need of these types of machines by visiting MachineryNetworkAuctions.com!

Used Woodworking Tools for Your Business

Industrial woodworking machinery can often times be thought of as larger versions of conventional woodworking tools that you can find at a local hardware or big box store. If you’re searching for this type of machinery, you know this is not the case. These machines can range from complex to simplistic, but as a buyer you want a reliable machine that can last for decades and not just a few years. These machines can help you and your woodworking business accomplish its short and long term goals.

One such woodworking machine that’s been critical in mass producing products is the CNC machine. Regular everyday items such as baseball bats, electric and acoustic guitars, toys, cribs, storage bins, even art and decorations can be made and perfected by modern CNC machines. Without these machines, we as humans wouldn’t be able to mass produce products that many find essential for hobbies, decorations around the home, or recreations.

The used woodworking machinery experts at Machinery Network would be more than happy to help you with any questions or concerns you may have about used machinery. Don’t see a machine you want on our site? We’d be happy to notify you when we find one and have it in stock! 

Used Plastic Machinery Buying Guide

Buying used plastic machinery can be a huge undertaking for a manufacturing startup or new business. You need to be able to pick out the right feature set that you need to carry out daily production needs and goals. Plastic machinery is generally used to mold and shape materials into the plastic shapes that you want, and this can go through two different type of plastic manufacturing. Thermosets are generally used for one time shaping, so once the plastic is set in the mold it cannot be melted down and reshaped. Thermoplastics on the other hand do just that, they can be made to the shape desired, melted down, and reformed as needed.

Plastic machinery varies vastly, and there are many types of machines that do different things. Incorporating the aforementioned manufacturing processes, other types include vacuum forming, which is a type of thermoforming that uses plastic sheets that are stretched over the mold, the sheets are then sucked around the mold. Injection molding is a very popular way of manufacturing, using either thermosets or thermoplastics. The plastic is heated and then mixed until it is in a workable molten shape; a device resembling a screw shoots the plastic into a mold. The plastic is the ejected once the mold is set.

These are just some of the machines that can be used for the plastic industry. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at info@machinerynetwork.com!

Aerospace Machinery: Technology is Changing, Are You?

The Aerospace industry is best known for its complex innovations and skill when it comes to machinery. It is also important to realize that with these great strengths, there are also areas that are lacking. Here are a few areas to set your Aerospace business ahead of the game when it comes to technology and efficiency.

-          Long Build Cycles – Long build cycles are a very common concern for many aerospace manufacturing facilities. The way that a business would normally fight this issue is with increased machinery within their complex. The better answer can be found with new types of machinery to diversify the production aspects of the business. Consider contacting machinery auctioneers to have a cost-effective way of owning newer technology without the financial commitment.

-          Consistency is the New Normal – Take a look through your current inventory of machinery. During this time, check to see that the functioning of machines, that do a similar job, are nearly identical. This will cut down on training time and give the opportunity to add new technology capabilities to current machines.

-          Custom Is Best – Your machinery should not be fighting your efforts. When looking at expanding into new technologies, consider that what’s best for other aerospace manufacturers, might not be what works for your business. Set up time to work with new machinery to your facility. This would include time to customize each machine to work with you to receive the best possible results.

Let technology be your friend in the aerospace machinery industry. Consider these options for increased productivity.