Features

silicone
 Features

Between a shock and a hard place: silicone for electrical applications

While silicone-based life may be the subject of what many consider to be science fiction, the role that silicone has played in life on our planet is of significant interest to the scientific community. Scottish chemist and molecular biologist Alexander Graham Cairns-Smith advocated in his 1987 book Clay Minerals and the Origin of Life that early life on earth could have evolved from a type of silicate.  The material sciences company Dow was among the first in industrial business to invest in silicone chemistry for the manufacturing sector in the late 1940s, and presently accounts for about 50% of the world’s production of silicone products.  As they continue to invest in silicone technologies, Duncan Rankin, Customer Manager at Dow,  believes that silicone chemistries are relatively unchallenged when it comes to potential solutions for electrical product developments. “Silicone rubber compounds have characteristics of both organic and inorganic materials and offer a number of advantages not found in organic rubbers,” says Duncan. “Silicone rubbers have fine electrical properties, good chemical stability, flame retardancy and superior resistance to heat and cold.” The Dow SILASTIC™ 9161 RTV Silicone is one example of a product that is highly geared toward specialised electrical applications. With a rubber-based curing agent, it seals and protects heavy duty cords and cables for up to 25 years without requiring further maintenance.  “The 9161 is for niche applications,” says Duncan. “It is often used in large, high-voltage junction boxes for sealing cable connections. These junction boxes can hold around a gallon of liquid and the silicone is poured inside of the box around the cables. Then a rubber-based catalyst is poured in to cure the liquid.” BSC National Product Manager for Adhesives and Sealants Michael Rowe, explains that the volume of silicone for these kinds of applications is large, but it also requires very little maintenance once implemented.  Read More
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lifting
 Features

Lifting standards with Titan

The word ‘Titan’ brings to mind the Titans in Greek mythology – giant, powerful deities, whose name in the modern era is synonymous with strength and muscle. Whether or not this influenced the naming of Australian company Titan Lifting Technologies, it remains appropriate nonetheless, as the local manufacturer is renowned for its robust stainless steel rigging equipment as well as other products within their range. According to BSC Product Manager David Malthouse, the Titan precision Stainless Steel gear has a wide range of applications in the food and agricultural industries, and he is enthusiastic about the recent addition of these products to the BSC portfolio. One example he provides is the suitability of the Titan rigging gear to fishing applications. “Lots of companies use galvanised rigging wire, but the Titan products are specifically stainless steel. Over time, galvanising will degrade and corrode, but stainless steel will not,” he explains. “This Stainless Steel rigging gear can be used on trawlers, fishing boats, fishing nets that attach and drag behind the boat, and the swing arm wiring as well. It lends itself to any marine type of application because it is strong, tough, and the stainless steel material used is marine grade and corrosion-resistant.” In Tasmania, WebsterBSC are often working with customers in the fishing industry. “Our guys in Tassie WebsterBSC are heavily involved in helping customers there with rigging. Fishing companies – particularly those with large fish farms – use a lot of rigging gear between their sites,” he elaborates. “Our Hobart staff frequently go out on site to these customers, to calculate and fit their rigging. They also certify and test. This is particularly important, as rigging equipment needs to be recertified periodically to remain compliant with occupational health and safety regulations.” Read More
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 Features

Making industrial ventilation a breeze

Proper ventilation in an industrial manufacturing environment is a critical factor to the health and safety of the workers and the quality of the final product, according to BSC Product Manager David Malthouse.  “Industrial facilities have a lot of airborne particles such as dust, dirt, and vapours from the chemicals being used in the manufacturing process,” says David. “These can pose a significant health risk and should be considered as a hazard in the workplace.”  Being a major supplier to industrial manufacturing segment, BSC is well positioned for demonstrating and facilitating the implementation of proper ventilation on site to plant managers. “The technical team at BSC regularly make site visits, in order to assess and make recommendations on how to improve the overall quality of the air in manufacturing plants,” says David.  “Automotive and mobile equipment parts manufacturing facilities, smelters and  refineries, and even food processing plants each need to mitigate the risks of toxic air contamination,” he elaborates, “The best way to do this is by installing a good quality extraction fan system that will draw out contaminants and cycle in cleaner air.” David frequently sources extraction systems from Fanmaster and considers them to be his preferred choice. “Fanmaster extraction systems are specially designed to fit the purpose of ventilating industrial scale operations and their engineered systems have delivered excellent results for customers,” David enthuses.  Australian family-owned and operated business, Fanmaster has been operating for over 21 years and has extensive knowledge of ventilation and extraction as an importer and manufacturer of heating, cooling, ventilation, and extraction equipment.  Troy Lopez, General Manager at Fanmaster, explains how BSC has been helpful as a distributor in engaging more customers. “The BSC network and market reach is amazing,” says Troy. “The strength of their communication channels and adept ability to really listen to suppliers has shown us that they really view our working relationship as a partnership.”  Fanmaster offers a range of extraction system to suit industrial applications, available with different types of airflow and extraction methods such as axial flow fans, wall exhaust units and roof exhaust fans.  According to Troy, Fanmaster offers several types of industrial extraction fans ranging from Filtering Systems, Portable Ventilators to Fixed Ventilation Systems.  Read More
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