Indoff - Modular Buildings - Weblog

Work Positioners

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 09:52:32 CDT

Reduce back strain while maintaining or, many times, increasing work flow. EZ Loaders are true ergonomic tools in every sense of the word. They are designed to eliminate worker bending by automatically raising and lowering pallets during loading or unloading without the use of mechanical springs. EZ Loaders also allow easy pallet rotation so the worker does not have to reach or strain. As the load weight changes, the EZ Loader automatically adjusts, keeping the top of the load at a convenient working height. The patented pneumatic operating system found only in the EZ Loader has proven to be the top choice of industry professionals worldwide.

Lift Assists

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 14:57:55 CDT

Vacuum Lifting Systems

Vacuum lifters are ideal cost effective solutions for handling bags, boxes, cartons, sheet materials, drums and other common payloads. A wide range of standard and special tooling is available to pick a variety of shapes such as: electronic and computer system components, refractory, signature logs, pallets, furniture, reels, rolls and multiple payload handling for more productive palletizing or de-palletizing. Vacuum Lifters are designed to suit all environments: Warehouse or production floor Hazardous and explosion proof Low headroom Wash down Food and pharmaceutical grades to 316L stainless steel.

Roll Up Doors

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 11:00:56 CDT

High Speed Doors Reduce Heat Loss and Clear Window Allows Light Into Work Areas. Portable Wireless Door Controls Attach to Forklift, Keeping the Operator from Having to abandon the Vehicle to Open the Door. Doors Reduce Noise from Adjacent Areas and Control Airborne Contaminants . They Separate Inside Work Areas and Discourage Intruders When Product is Used as an Outside Door. Installations are Available in Motorized, Spring Assist, Chain Hoist Operator and Manual Hand Crank.

Add Square Feet Inside Your Current Facility

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 14:38:58 CST

A free standing mezzanine is a great way to add usable square feet to your facility. This 2,600 plus square foot mezzanine provides 10’ under-clearance for a manufacturing process on the ground while utilizing all the space above for bulk storage. Columns were placed on a 17’ x 19’ pattern and construction allowed for 125PSF floor loading using roof deck under lament with a Resindek floor suitable for pallet jack traffic. Installation was completed in two days with virtually no disruption to ongoing processes. Mezzanines are ideal for creating modular office space and generally can be considered for much shorter depreciation schedules than permanent construction..

Noise Reduction

Wed, 09 Jan 2008 16:27:14 CST

Why Sound Proofing? Exposure to too much noise can cause irritability, loss of concentration, loss of productivity and even hearing loss. Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) occurs when exposure to noise at various loudness levels over an extended period of time. Noise travels in waves, and when sound encounters a solid object, it can bounce back and form an echo. This is called reverberations, and often markedly exacerbates an already noisy environment.

One solution is hanging acoustic curtains, available in heights up to 25' and hang from a curtain track and roller system

A Goff's PAS "Portable Acoustic Screens" easily move and reconfigure instantly, creating work cells to contain noise. The PAS model is available in panels 54" wide by heights up to 12' and attach to our own 1 3/16" square aluminum freestanding frame.

Both types of the above sound barriers are available in barium loaded vinyl/fiberglass quilting or vinyl coated fiberglass quilting only.

Curtain Walls

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 09:52:46 CDT

An effective and economical method for partitioning an area is the use of industrial curtains. At a minimum, a 14 oz reinforced vinyl and/or 20 mil clear PVC material is recommended for indoor applications. The material should also meet NFPA 701 Flame Retardation standards and any other state or local requirements.

While many applications call for a 7'-10' barrier, these curtains are available in heights of 80' plus. Typical uses include Paint, Welding, Sanding and Wash Bays plus they can be used as Aircraft Partitions, Clean Room separation, Food Processing or just Room Partitions. Barrier curtains can come in a variety of colors and can have a clear strip at eye level if desired.

Modular Tanning Rooms

Fri, 06 Jul 2007 12:38:11 CDT

How do you quickly create multiple, private spaces for a tanning salon?

Ebtech's unique E-wall system provides advanced customization and flexibility for your tanning salon needs. E-wall panels provide the quality and performance of permanent walls without costly maintenance and construction fees. Each system is engineered to your exact layout and specifications. In addition, the layout can be easily expanded with space-saving "thin walls." E-walls are constructed with durable hardboard/melamine in a variety of finishes and panel surfaces. These panels can be easily reconfigured to accommodate changing needs.

In addition to convenience, E-walls convey a polished and clean appearance that fits with any tanning salon décor. Built-in wire raceways between panels conceal unsightly electrical pipe and boxes. A variety of top-quality door options are available: space-saving sliding doors are available for smaller rooms, while larger spaces may lend themselves to standard hinged doors.

Storage Rack Failure

Tue, 15 May 2007 07:59:24 CDT

Preventing storage rack failure should be a priority for any facility using these systems. A routine inspection program should be instituted using individuals competent in this subject.

Following are four main causes for rack failure but should not be construed as the only causes.

Operator error

Poor design

Installation errors

Problems with the floors

Operator damage through errors made while operating lift equipment seem to be the most common reason cited. Excessive, repetitive damage that can be directly attributed to this cause in any facility should be cause for alarm and the immediate institution of further training, monitoring, and disciplinary action.

Before any disciplinary action is taken, it would be wise to check for poor design. Most rack purchased today through reputable channels will also be in compliance with RMI (Rack Manufacturers Institute) standards. These standards demand a high level of design to be in compliance. Poor design of the layout and beam/frame spacing may be causing operator induced damage. Many designers and owners, in an attempt to maximize the cube will lay a system out to minimum requirements. Minimum aisle size for a given fork truck means the operator better be perfect and in a high thru-put environment, that’s unlikely to happen. Within the rack structure there’s vertical lift-off; 6” between top of load and bottom of next beam is a good rule of thumb. Horizontal spacing; 3” spacing may be okay but 4” is better. Pallet overhang; 2” overhang front and back allows for a wider frame base but 3” overhang front and back allows for more operator miscalculation. Wire decking or front to back supports also allow more error.

Installation errors can range from inadequate anchoring (or no anchoring) to no leveling and squaring. A professional crew will not leave a site like this.

Floor problems should be noted and corrected prior to installation and if noticed at a later time, steps taken to correct and rack reinstalled.

Forklift-able Buildings

Mon, 26 Mar 2007 16:39:08 CST

Forklift-able Buildings are engineered to change with the changing requirements of your company. With "built in" flexibility, these buildings are delivered complete and ready to go to work for your company, and all it takes is a forklift to put your new office where the action is. Across your plant with a forklift or to the top of the building with a crane or helicopter.

Forklift-able offices can be used indoors or outdoors. On a modular basis they can be added to or subtracted from, and even made into double story offices. No disassembly or reassembly required. No lost parts or lost time.

SPEED

SPACE Industrial Buildings

Mezzanines

Thu, 08 Mar 2007 07:59:59 CST

“Free Standing” mezzanines or “Work Storage Platforms” are not attached to the building other than being anchored to the floor. These structures enjoy the same benefits of Modular Buildings from and accounting standpoint along with the ability to be reconfigured and moved when necessary. Mezzanines are often built to support an In-Plant Modular Office where free access underneath is required for other uses.

Because a mezzanine creates additional “floor” space, a building permit may be required based on locality. It’s a good idea to check and comply with local codes and obtain permits where necessary. Permit approval can range from accepting a manufacturer’s approval drawing for municipal files to requiring a “stamped” drawing with engineering calculations. Mezzanine design is region specific. As an example, it's not a good idea to disassemble one in the midwest for re-assembly on the west coast without consulting the original manufacturer. Seismic design requirements will come into play and may make this mezzanine useless or expensive to modify.