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WHAT IS ECO-SOLVENT PRINTING?

When you’re looking to print and produce high-quality images, there’s a never-ending number of options. Which printer to use, what type of ink cartridge to purchase and what material to print upon? A further decision you’ll need to contemplate is whether you want your printing to be eco-solvent.

The benefits of eco-solvent printing

Eco-solvent inks have their colours suspended in a mild biodegradable solvent, which means that the ink has virtually no odour as they don’t contain as many volatile organic compounds. They’ve been around since the early 2000s and originally were designed for general signage work.

The lack of smell is a real plus point for eco-solvent inks. In some solvent inks not only do you get a strong smell during the printing process, meaning you need to consider the placement of your Ecosolvent Printer, but they can also leave an odour on the printed material itself. This can rule out printing onto material which will be displayed or used indoors.

Having less volatile organic compounds also means that the eco-solvent printing cartridges are not so damaging, or deteriorating, to your printer components and as such you won’t need to do full system cleans quite so often – although as with any type of printing you will need to do regular cleaning and maintenance of your printer from time to time.

Eco-solvent printing does require more heat in order to dry and this can affect the type of material you can print on. What’s more, the ink is not as durable as solvent inks. While it’s adequate for outdoor printing work, it’s best to only use it for applications which need to last a year or two.

Choosing between solvent and eco-solvent print

While there are clearly a number of benefits to eco-solvent printing, it may be that for the type of printing you wish to do, choosing eco-solvent ink may not be right for you.

As we have already touched upon, eco-solvent ink is not ideal for all types of material due to the heat required to dry it. If you need to use thin, cheap vinyl then solvent ink would be better.

If cost is a factor, you should be aware that eco-solvent inks are more expensive than solvent inks, due to the number of benefits that you get with eco-solvent printing. However, they are widely used by businesses and individuals who are just starting out, or who have a medium-sized printing need. Industrial printing is still typically done with solvent inks.

Finally, you’ll need to check what type of ink is compatible with your large format printer. If you know from the outset that you wish to use eco-solvent inks, you need to ensure that they are compatible with your Eco Printer.

How Does the Sublimation Process Work?

Just like any printing process, sublimation starts with the design stage. Coming up with a good design is crucial since the chosen image on the computer is the one that will reflect on the final print.

The design is then printed on a heat transfer paper, also known as sublimation paper. This paper is explicitly used for the transfer of the image when exposed to heat. A sublimation paper uses CMYO colors. Hence, the Sublimation Printer used must also accommodate the same. Luckily, most of the modern printers can alternate between the CYMK and CMYO colors.

After printing the image, the next process entails the heat transfer of the artwork to the final material. In this case, the material used must support sublimation printing. Polyester and polyester-coated materials are typically used in the process because they produce permanent prints. Other materials such as cotton are also an option, although the print won’t be permanent.

The heat transfer process requires a heat source. Depending on the material, there are different heat source options used. These include a heat transfer machine, flat bend machine, cups sublimation machines among others. A specific amount of heat must be used to produce a quality image, and the image must be allowed to cool off to guarantee durability.

It is evident that the “next big thing” in the personalization world is UV printing, but what makes it so great? What can you do with a UV Printer that you can’t do with sublimation or some other color printing method? And finally, is the equipment worth the price? Before answering this, I should clarify for the benefit of newbie readers what this is. A UV inkjet printer is a lot like the inkjet printers we use to print documents in the office. The main difference is they are designed to print on other substrates besides paper, plus they use a UV light source to cure the inks after they are deposited onto the item/substrate.

I’ve been using a UV printer for a couple of years now and I think I have discovered a fair share of the good and bad points of the process. First, the bad points: Two come immediately to mind. One is that these printers don’t print on everything. Although some salespeople may make it sound that way, the truth is, there are countless products just begging for UV images but the inks won’t adhere properly. It does print on most things, especially if you use an adhesion promoter. This is usually a liquid that can be applied with a paper towel prior to printing. A couple of UV Roll To Roll Printers on the market actually allow you to install the promotor like an ink allowing you to “print” the liquid prior to printing the ink. Although this may sound like a good idea, I question the wisdom since this would require relinquishing one or two nozzles for this purpose. I would much prefer having those nozzles available for white or clear inks.

Note, too, that dishwashers and microwaves are death to most UV printed items. Although a couple of ink companies are said to be working on inks that will withstand the rigors of a dishwasher, current inks that I’ve seen just can’t cut it. This doesn’t eliminate printing on cups and glassware but it does require a warning label at the very least.

Second, as I have pointed out in previous articles on this subject, these printers require a lot of attention compared to most of the other equipment you might have in your shop. Lasers, rotary engravers and sublimation equipment all stand maintenance free when not in use but this is not the case with a UV Flatbed Printer. I have made a rule that I print something every single day, without fail, to keep the heads clear of clogs.

As for the good points, there are many. Using adhesion promoters, you can print on many different substrates, including wood, most plastics, acrylic, metal, leather, plaques, stretched cloth, paper, poster board, ceramic and glass (glass and ceramic probably won’t be dishwasher safe). Some of these materials, along with the materials made specifically for UV printers, will print just fine without an adhesion promoter.

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What is an Oxygen Generator?

Oxygen Generator

s separate oxygen from air so that the gas can be fed into industrial processes in real-time or stored in pressure tanks. Oxygen generators are used in dozens of industrial applications ranging from gold mining to aquaculture to life support.

Normal ambient air is made up of 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen and other trace gases like argon and CO2. In order to remove the nitrogen and trace gases, an oxygen generator is used.

The smallest oxygen generators are no larger than a soda can, while industrial oxygen generators can fill a room. However, all oxygen generators have the same purpose: to provide a safe supply of concentrated oxygen gas.

Businesses who need bulk oxygen gas often start by purchasing tanks of the gas from other companies who fill those tanks using an industrial oxygen generator. If their need for pure oxygen is large and ongoing, it may be cost-effective to purchase their own oxygen generator system and produce oxygen on site. While the up-front cost of the machinery is significant, the cost per cubic foot of oxygen generated is 1/3 to 1/2 that of purchasing bulk oxygen, so over time, the oxygen generator can pay for itself.

One example of this is hospitals that pipe oxygen into patient rooms. Instead of using bottled oxygen, most hospitals have one or more Industrial Oxygen Generators in the building. A system of pressurized pipes are used to flow oxygen to each room.

Types of Oxygen Generators

Pressure Swing Adsorption Oxygen Generator

Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) is the most common method of producing oxygen at an industrial scale. PSA generators separate nitrogen from ambient air inside a pressurized tank filled with Zeolite. Zeolite is a natural or man-made mineral that acts as a “molecular sieve.” It is this ability to “sort” molecules by size that makes zeolite so useful. The larger nitrogen molecules are adsorbed by the sieve material while the smaller oxygen molecules drift past and are collected. Pressure is then released, the nitrogen molecules are vented to the atmosphere, and the tank is pressurized again.

Using PSA will result in 90-95% oxygenated gas. Further refinement can be achieved by repeating the process until over 99% “pure” oxygen is generated.

As a side note, the PSA process can also be used to generate nitrogen by collecting the nitrogen molecules and venting the oxygen. PSA is also used in the large-scale commercial synthesis of hydrogen used in oil refineries and in the production of ammonia for fertilizer.

One special kind of Medical Oxygen Generator is more commonly known as an oxygen concentrator which is used as an alternative to oxygen bottles for home health care. While the up-front cost of the machine is more expensive than oxygen cylinders, they are safer than bottled oxygen and over time less expensive than having oxygen tanks delivered to the home.

Oxygen Concentrator

s are normally sold through medical supply houses and can be purchased with a prescription from a physician.

Membrane Oxygen Generator

Membrane oxygen generators use a compressed air stream passed through semi-permeable materials that allow for the passage of specific molecules. Under pressure, smaller oxygen molecules pass through the membrane, filtered out and collected leaving a stream of nitrogen flowing out the opposite end of the membrane. While membrane-type generators are not as common, they are considered to be more reliable because there are no moving parts that can fail.

Chemical Oxygen Generator

A chemical oxygen generator is a device that releases oxygen by a chemical reaction. A container of inorganic salts called “superoxides” or sodium chlorate is ignited. As they heat they give off oxygen until the compound is consumed.

Because of their long shelf-life, stability and small size (about the size of a can of soda) chemical oxygen generators are used in commercial airliners. Mounted over the seats, each generator can produce enough oxygen for 2-3 masks for 10-20 minutes. A similar device is called an oxygen candle. It works using the same principle of releasing oxygen with heat, and is used as a personal safety oxygen supply in mines, submarines and on the space station.

How a Nitrogen generator works

Nitrogen Generator

s are separated from other molecules within a clean, dry compressed air stream. Pressure Swing Adsorption technology is used here as well, to isolate nitrogen molecules from other molecules in compressed air to leave nitrogen at the desired purity at the outlet of the generator. For some applications, such as tire inflation and fire prevention, relatively low purity levels (between 90% and 97%) are required. Other applications, such as food/beverage processing and plastic molding, require higher levels of purity (from 97% to 99.999%).

Industries that use Nitrogen

Electronics, Steel, Welding/metalworking, Lighting, Oil & gas, On-Board Inert Gas Generation System (OBIGGS), Ammonia production, Helium purification, Product transfer, Packaging.

A variety of systems are available for generating industrial oxygen and nitrogen, including all-in-one skids that combine a compressed air system (to supply the required stream of dry compressed air) with an oxygen generator or nitrogen generator. Ask an air system professional about the best solution for generating oxygen and nitrogen in-house.

It’s only a little bigger than a computer monitor, yet as cases surge and with oxygen cylinders in short supply across several states, the concentrator is among the most sought after devices for oxygen therapy, especially among patients in home isolation and for hospitals running out of oxygen.

How are concentrators different from oxygen Cylinders and LMO?

Oxygen concentrators are the easiest alternatives to cylinders but can only supply 5-10 litres of oxygen per minute (critical patients may need 40-50 litres per minute) and are best suited for moderately ill patients.

Concentrators are portable and unlike LMO that needs to be stored and transported in cryogenic tankers, need no special temperature. And unlike cylinders that require refilling, concentrators only need a power source to draw in ambient air.

What is an air compressor? A look at the types and working principles.

An Air Compressor is a power tool that is used to convert power into energy, usually stored as pressurized air. Air compressors several methods to force more air into a cylinder/cylinders, thereby increasing the pressure. The compressor shuts off when the pressure reaches its upper limit, and it rests in the tank until a need arises.

Compressed air can be used for a variety of applications by using kinetic energy as the tank depressurizes. When the compressed air reaches its lower limit, the air compressor turns on again to re-pressurize.

Filter Element

s are one of the most crucial parts on your injection molding machine. It is a key component and one of the greatest contributing factors to extending the life of your machine. Much like your kidneys, filter elements keep circulating fluids free from contamination and particles, which means your valves, pumps and hydraulic components will work properly.

Because of the importance of filter elements, you should ensure they are part of regular maintenance checks and that you replace filters as soon as they fail. In this article, we will go over signs that your filters are failing, how often you should change your filters, and the worst-case scenarios if you ignore your filters.

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Everything you Need to Know about Industrial Furnaces

Chapter One – What is an Industrial Furnace?

A furnace is a direct fired device used to provide heat for industrial processes that require heat in excess of 400° C (752° F). Any industrial application that relies on heat to create a reaction or heat materials for production uses an Industrial Furnace. Of the many types of equipment and machines used for production and processing, furnaces are the most reliable. Through the combustion of fuels and gases, raw materials and products are heated by direct or indirect contact.

The construction of a furnace includes heat exchangers, air and flue blowers, fuel control, burners, pilot or ignition device, control circuitry, and a thermostat. Though these are typical components, furnace designs vary to meet the need of an application or function. Furnaces differ mainly by the types of fuel and how combustion is initiated. Regardless of the differences of operation, all furnaces serve the primary purpose of providing heat.

Chapter Two – How Industrial Furnaces Work

Different furnaces function differently and burn different types of fuel. For many years, furnaces were powered by wood or coal; this required constant refueling for continuous heat. Modern furnaces have moved on to fuels that are supplied automatically.

How a Furnace Works

The critical element in the operation of an efficient and economical furnace is its fuel. Though coal and wood were used for many years, they polluted the environment, required constant feeding, and made it difficult to keep a steady temperature. Modern furnaces have fuel fed directly into the furnace at a controlled rate or operate using electricity to maintain even temperature.

Fuel fired furnaces are the most widely used. The nature of the fuel determines the design of the furnace but is not relevant to modern furnaces. As with any type of heat operated device, the supply of oxygen is important to the furnace‘s efficient operation.

Electric furnaces use induction or resistance heating. The efficiency of electric furnaces, and the fact that they do not release flue gases makes them environmentally ideal. Unfortunately, the operation of an electric furnace is expensive.

Resistance heating is the most expensive type of electric furnace, and it uses a circulating fan to maintain temperature uniformity. Resistors are made of various types of materials or the load to be heated may serve as a resistor.

With induction heating, electricity passes through a coil that surrounds the load. The frequency of the current is determined by the type of load. The coils are water cooled to prevent them from overheating. Induction heating is used for heating a localized area of a workpiece.

Furnace Burner Types

The fuel is supplied to the burners where, predictably, it is burnt. Most Experimental Furnaces have more than one burner that can be mounted in different sections of the furnace depending on its design. The burner has an oxidizer to change the chemical energy into thermal energy. The type of fuel used in a furnace is determined by the burners. They mix the fuel and air and ignite them. Burners must be stable, cost effective, reliable, and energy efficient, and they must have proper flame dimensions.

The components of the burner include the nozzle, mixing tube, downstream connection, and air fuel ratio control. The fuel and air are mixed to produce the best quality flame; forced air is required for the mixing process.

The modern cell culture Incubator is much more than a box in which to keep cells warm. Talk of maintaining humidity, IR sensors, HEPA filters and decontamination cycles loom just as large in reviews and ads as mentions of temperature control. Yet how the box is heated (and perhaps cooled), how temperature uniformity is maintained and the speed at which the set point can be obtained and restored remain the heart of an incubator’s functionality.

After they’re set up, and if left undisturbed, most incubators can maintain a 37°C temperature to within about one-tenth of a degree. To do this, they rely on one of two technologies. The first surrounds the box with water, making use of water’s large thermal capacity to keep things inside at a constant temperature. The other option is to heat the air inside the box more directly. Each technology has distinct advantages and disadvantages related to humidity, decontamination and more.

Industrial Drying Ovens are among the most common pieces of equipment found in factories across the US. Simply known as dryers, these versatile pieces of machinery can be used for an array of reasons across a multitude of industries.

They can also be built to fit virtually any factory layout as long as the facility meets a few basic requirements.

In this article, we’ll discuss the different types of industrial drying ovens, their benefits, and the industries they are most commonly used in.

What are Drying Ovens Used for?

Despite the fact that most people associate the word oven with the benefits of baking, industrial models are present in food manufacturing, pharmaceutical, and even in painting processes.

The main job of an industrial oven is to remove moisture from substances or products. This means that it can be used for evaporation, incubation, sterilization, baking, and many other procedures. Keep in mind that industrial ovens vary in size, capacity, and shape, depending on what they are used for, so the perfect model will depend on the application it’s given.

In the laboratory, it is important that all the right tools and equipment are present if a research study or set of experiments is to be carried out correctly. Choosing the correct equipment can be especially important if budgetary constraints are to be considered. Researchers should always be mindful of these factors and the unique needs of the study being carried out before choosing what to use in the laboratory setting.

Over the years, a staggering amount of specialized lab equipment has been developed, with modern-day computer-aided equipment taking more of an active role in all kinds of projects. For the engineer, this is no different than any other scientist, as the demands of their particular field of study need specific, specialized lab equipment if their work is to be carried out to the best of their ability. Some of the essential Laboratory Equipment for engineers is discussed in this article.

Mechanical Hand Tools

The basics of any engineering toolkit, mechanical hand tools also have their place within the laboratory, whether it is a small research lab or large commercial enterprise. Simple tools including wire strippers, shear cutters, precision screwdrivers, leads, and alligator clips should all be on hand to make complex tasks much easier and help with the basic tasks.

General Laboratory Equipment

As the needs of a project can be varied, it is prudent to have general lab equipment on hand to carry out the functions necessary for accurate testing. This can include freezers, hot plates, fume hoods, and Bunsen burners.

Multimeter

A multimeter (otherwise known as a multitester or VOM) is an essential piece of equipment that is one of the most widely used tools in engineering laboratories. They can either have analog or digital displays and measure voltage, current, and resistance. There are two versions of the multimeter – hand-held and bench instruments, which can measure values to a high degree of accuracy.

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Facts About Scandium

Scandium is a silvery metal that is soft and has a density of about three times that of water. Scandium is a transition metal and is also considered a rare earth element due to similar chemical properties (such as difficulty in extracting and in separating from other elements) and existence in the same ores, according to Chemicool.

Scandium is the 31st most abundant element on Earth, according to Periodic Table, with about 22 parts per million abundance by weight in Earth's crust, according to Chemicool.

Scandium is scattered thinly and has been found in over 800 minerals. Within these minerals, scandium is found in its oxide form (Sc2O3, also known as scandia or scandium oxide), according to Scandium Mining. There are many commercial uses for scandium even though the cost of scandium is typically high – several thousand dollars per kilogram for scandium oxide and up to a few hundred thousand dollars per kilogram for pure Scandium Metal, according to Chemistry Explained.

History

Russian chemist Dmitri Mendeleev, inventor of the periodic table, predicted the existence and properties of scandium (which he called "ekaboron" — similar to boron) in 1869, according to the New World Encyclopedia. Lars Fredrick Nilson, a Swedish chemist, when examining the spectra of the minerals euxenite and gadolinite, discovered the element in 1879. The element was named for the Latin word for Scandinavia, "Scandia," due to the minerals in which Scandium Oxide was at that time found to exist only in the Scandinavian Peninsula, according to Peter van der Krogt, a Dutch historian. Per Teodor Cleve, a Swedish chemist, made the link that the new element discovered by Nilson was the same as the proposed element described by Mendeleev.

In the first attempt to isolate scandium, Nilson and his team processed 10 kilograms of euxenite and were able to produce about two grams of scandium oxide. According to the New World Encyclopedia, metallic scandium wasn't produced for the first time until 1937 by Werner Fischer, Karl Brünger, and Hans Grienseisen, German chemists. In 1960, 99 percent pure scandium was produced.

What is a master alloy and how is it different from a traditional alloy? And why is the use of Master Alloys so important in the field of jewelry? We find out in this article.

Most of the alloys in our catalog fall under the definition of master alloy and the question of what exactly is meant by this definition may arise.

An alloy is a compound made up of two or more elements, of which at least one is a metal. The characteristics of an alloy such as hardness, strength and even color are generally different from those of the elements that constitute it, for example copper and tin, both relatively soft, form the more resistant bronze.

An Aluminium Based Master Alloy is a particular type of alloy designed to be added to a pure metal, in our case gold or silver, in order to modify its characteristics. A pre-master alloy is a master alloy from which a fundamental element has been subtracted. In our field, it is generally a master alloy from which silver was stolen for logistical reasons.

Why it is necessary to use a master alloy? Most Pure Metals are not suitable for technical applications. Pure gold, for example, is extremely soft; this feature makes it easily workable and is one of the reasons for its success in jewelry, but a jewel made of pure gold would easily bend if treated without too much care and would not have sufficient wear resistance. The same considerations apply to silver. For this reason, pure gold is generally transformed into a gold alloy, according to the standard proportions indicated in twenty-fourths, or carats (K).

Until the Second World War, the most popular alloys were mainly formed by three elements: Gold, Silver and Copper.

With the evolution of technique, jewelry has required increasingly specialized performance from alloys, this has led to the need to study the use of new elements to be added to precious metals, which are able to drastically change their characteristics. So we went from having alloys composed of two or three elements, to new formulations that come to contain even 10, effectively increasing the complexity of the product.

What characteristics can a master alloy act on?

Once added to the precious metal, a Calcium Based Master Alloy can affect:

Color

A feature especially requested by users of gold, whose color can be changed to pink, gray-white or various shades of yellow.

Hardness

Perhaps the most important feature, as gold and silver are relatively soft when in their pure state. The hardness is controlled through the Rare Earth Master Alloys both directly, with the simple addition of alloying elements, and indirectly, making the precious metal capable of undergoing hardening heat treatments.

Melting temperature

It is another important parameter that in some applications it is useful to be able to control. Suppose we need to weld a joint, to do this we can use a particular alloy, which must melt at a lower temperature than the metal that forms the edges of the joint, in this way we will perform a particular type of welding called brazing.

The control of the melting temperature is also important in the case of casting with wax setting of stones, where too high a temperature of the metal could irreparably damage the stones.

Fluidity

Fluidity is an important factor especially in investment casting applications. It can be described as the ability of a liquid metal to faithfully fill an elaborately shaped pattern, such as a grid or filigree.

Generally, the fluidity of precious metals increases as the casting temperature increases, but this can cause some side effects, such as interference between metal and refractory material, or evaporation of low-melting alloy elements. To overcome these problems, some elements, such as silicon, can be inserted in the master alloys for investment casting, which are able to increase the fluidity in the liquid state of the metal. In this article we have talked in detail about the role of silicon in investment casting alloys.

Metalmen distributes a wide range of pure metals for all your application requirements. Pure metals are those metals that have not been alloyed with other metallic elements; commercially High Purity Metals are 99% pure minimum. Some of the metals listed below are available as commercially pure and many can be manufactured to be extremely pure, often 99.999% minimum, referred to as “five nines min.”

For example, Aluminum 1100 is considered to be commercially pure aluminum – it is 99% pure minimum. Our high purity aluminum can be manufactured up to 99.999% pure. Please note that we will seek to attain the purity level that you request; for example, 99.9%, 99.99% min. If your application demands pure metals, call us or send us your request for quote (RFQ). Our staff is prepared to work with you to determine the purity or dimensional options available to get you the pure materials that you need. Please note that not all metals can be made in all form at high purities.

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Things You Need to Know Before Buying LED Strip Lights

Are you looking to switch up the look of your home? LED STRIP lights are a great way to make a major but inexpensive change to the look of your home.

Adding this kind of lighting is very versatile. You can place it behind, underneath, or around objects in your home to add a unique and multi-layered look.

If you’re considering buying a strip of LED lighting for any room of your house, first read these seven things you should know.

They’ll help you know everything you need to know in order to be prepared for adding a beautiful type of lighting to your home or office space.

1. Add Drama and Flair

The most common reason that people add LED lights to their home is to add a form of lighting that is unique and visually appealing.

It’s amazing what a difference these little lights will make. They are strong and powerful, so they emit quite a lot of brightness. Yet they are very small and compact, so they can be easily hidden when added to a room.

People use LED lights to add intrigue to any room.

Line your headboard in your bedroom for a nice lighting source that is unique compared to your typical lamp. Line the mirror in your bathroom for a beautiful glow.

Add LED lights to pieces of art, your home office, wall decorations, and more to add depth and dimension.

2. Easy to Install

LED strip lights add a major difference in the look of a room, and they are super simple to add.

Installing LED lights in your home is very simple. Most strip lights come with an adhesive backing. All you have to do is carefully stick them on wherever you want them.

By finding a clean, dry, and level spot to apply your lights, you can make the process as easy as possible. Usually, people choose to place the lights in a more hidden and subtle space.

For example, lining the underside or backside of furniture or appliances will hide the actual strip of lights but still display the lighting in a prominent way. Even if you line the backside of a TV or computer monitor, the lights will reflect off nearby walls.

Strips of LED lights add a nice glow to any room.

3. Dimmable

Before buying WATERPROOF LED STRIP lights, you should be aware of some of their best features.

The fact that LED lights can be dimmed makes them all the more appealing. They can be turned up bright to shine, or take on a mellow brightness to just add a simple glow.

Dimming a room full of lights can create a very intimate atmosphere. Dimmed LED lights are ideal for a bedroom or bathroom, where you may prefer the lighting down low.

4. Energy Efficient

The biggest reason people love using LED lights is how efficient they are. They save quite a bit on energy costs and last extremely long.

Many people consider LED lights to be the lighting of the future since they are so effective.

It’s important to keep them out of landfills when they do finally expire, but other than that, they’re a great lighting choice if you want your lights to last forever!

Energy efficiency is one of the main reasons that LED strip lights are so popular. They are much more energy efficient than other types of lighting.

What is LED backlight rigid bar?

When buying LED RIGID BARs, you must choose products from regular manufacturers, and recommend our products when buying. It is very formal after all.

There are two kinds of LED light bars, namely LED flexible light bar and LED backlight rigid bar. Whether it is a flexible LED light bar or a LED backlight rigid bar, they all have the same product characteristics: low-voltage DC12V or DC24V power supply, very safe, normal service life of more than 30,000 hours, at ambient temperature -30℃-+60 It can work normally at ℃, and you can choose different colors such as normal white, warm white (normal color), cool white, red, yellow, green, blue, etc. according to the different lighting environment. The color temperature can also be selected as: warm white (2700 -3500k) color temperature is suitable for gold lighting; natural white light (4200-5500K) is suitable for gemstone, jade, jade lighting; positive white light (6500-7500K) is suitable for diamond, platinum display lighting, etc.

Applications of LED backlight rigid bar

LED backlight rigid bar lighting is used in many places.

LED backlight HIGH VOLTAGE RIGID, the rigid light bar is made of PCB hard board to assemble the circuit board, the lamp beads are useful for plug-ins and patches, but the most used ones are patch, and different lamp beads are used according to different needs. The advantage of the LED backlight rigid bar is that it is easier to fix, and it is more convenient to process and install. With the V-shaped aluminum groove base, it has the advantages of high brightness, adjustable light-emitting angle, and the length can be customized according to actual use requirements. The disadvantage is that it cannot be bent at will. Not suitable for irregular places. Commonly used in: jewelry showcase lighting, display cabinet lighting, cabinet lighting, wardrobe lighting, specialty store decorative lighting, lighting art lighting, advertising light box lighting, and hotel, guesthouse, home villa decorative lighting, etc.

Features of LED backlight rigid bar

Briefly introduce the characteristics of the LED backlight rigid bar.

The common standard size of LED backlight rigid bar is 0.5m or 1.0m. Its luminous colors are generally warm white, white, red, green, yellow, blue, RGB.

The 0.5M LED backlight DIFFUSE LED can be connected with 7 pieces, and the 1.0m 3 pieces can be connected together. Installation method: fixed or adjustable. The LED backlight rigid bar has the characteristics of low power consumption, low heat generation, no glare, and impact resistance. Low voltage DC 12V, 24V power supply, high safety and reliability. The LED backlight rigid bar illuminates the viewing angle of 120 degrees and can be used in different places.

Light emitting diode (LED) modules are self-contained devices that contain a chain of LED emitters. They are the perfect lighting solution for a variety of applications, from channel letters and advertising to narrow profiles that are hard to reach with traditional bulbs, lamps or tubing. LED MODULEs are a creative light source available in a variety of colours, brightness levels and beam angles; the only choice you really need to make is what size of module would best suit your lighting project.

In this article, we introduce the three types of LED modules available from WeLoveLEDs: small, standard and large. These LED modules share many of the same benefits, but there are some key differences and things you should keep in mind before buying. We’ve also highlighted where you can go for more detailed information and advice.

Small LED modules

Owing to their size, small LED modules make perfect light fixtures in narrow profiles and applications where space is limited. They are particularly effective in channel or shallow built-up letters for signage and display units. Small LED modules are also ideal for creating an atmosphere for celebrations or events, such as parties, weddings or romantic evenings in with your partner.

Compared with fluorescent lighting, small LED RGB MODULEs are far more efficient and have no issues with flickering or heat. They are incredibly safe and versatile, and are designed with economy in mind, with some such as the SGNANO LED Module boasting an IP67 rating for internal and external use and a lifespan of up to 50,000 hours. However, this module is only available in pure or warm white, so if you would like something more colourful, try the ROCK RGBW LED Module.

For more information about the benefits of small LED modules and some of the best in the WeLoveLEDs range, head over to our expert guide.

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Solar Water Pumps: Things To Know and Tips For Use

Mechanical pumps have a lot of uses nowadays. They are common in pumping water from wells, aquarium filtering, pond filtering and aeration. When it comes to water pumps, the main use of this device is the exchange of fluids such as water.

From agriculture to the energy industry, pumps are found in a wide range of applications. The main working principle of a water pump basically depends upon the positive displacement principle and kinetic energy which helps pushing the water.

Solar water pumps are a relatively new concept in mechanics. A Solar Water Pump system is commonly seen in residential and commercial uses, as well as for irrigation of agricultural land. Through solar panels, the pump can eliminate the cost of energy and provide a more feasible option that uses energy from the sun (and not fuel-burning mechanisms) for pumping water.

Introducing solar-powered irrigation for poor and remote areas

In times when the entire world is switching to solar, using the sun’s energy in water pumping systems can significantly help and accelerate the development of agriculture in African countries and many other poor remote areas. This concept is known as solar-powered irrigation and is used in many regions nowadays.

The truth is, solar energy might be the easiest way for farmers to produce energy, especially for those living off the electricity grids with poor infrastructure around their homes. Therefore, the use of DC Solar Water Pumps in agriculture is becoming increasingly popular. The concept of solar irrigation represents a virtuous circle—when the sun shines, it feeds the irrigation system and feeds the crops which are dependant on water in sunny weather. Therefore, a large quantity of energy is being released right at the time when it is needed the most.

Solar irrigation is a concept that works through solar water pumps. Below, we are describing them in detail.

What is a solar water pump and what are the most popular types?

As we discussed before, solar pumps present a clean, simple and energy-efficient alternative to traditional electric and fuel-driven pump sets. They are part of an environmentally friendly approach in agriculture and can be used to exploit every region, whether its developed or poor.

Due to their immense potential for productive use and agricultural productivity, Submersible Solar Water Pumps are now powering more and more agriculture projects. Knowing that 40% of the global population relies on agriculture as its main source of income, access to water remains an ongoing struggle for many people. This is what solar aims to change and introduce a cost-effective future for around 500 million small-scale farmers all around the world.

The main components in a solar pumping system include a photovoltaic (PV) array, an electric motor and a pump. Solar water pumping systems, on the other hand, are classified as either direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC) systems based on their motor’s ability. Recently, the concept of brushless DC (BLDC) motors for solar pumping water applications was presented as well.

Advantages of solar water pumps

The first advantage of solar pumps is that they are reliable in regional and remote areas. A perfect example of this is Africa, which is one of the poorest remote regions in the world with an abundance of water—but also the most dominant region when it comes to most days of sun in the year. On the flip side, Africa is thought to possess 9% of the world’s freshwater resources which translates to around 4,000 km3 of water per year. Deploying Surface Solar Water Pumps in Africa is, therefore, the perfect alternative to any other fuel-based sources—and an alternative which can stimulate life in every part of this continent.

Easy to transport and relocate, solar water pumps can be organized as per the needs of the farm and have extremely low operating costs. Both of these are major advantages, paired with their cost-efficiency in the long run, show that a solar water pumping system is the perfect solution for regions with sunny days and plenty of water on their grounds.

Are solar water pumps worth the investment?

One important thing to note when it comes to solar pumps and irrigation systems is the fact that their costs have dropped significantly in the past few years. According to new research from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), there will be a 59% cost reduction for electricity generated by solar PV by 2025 compared to the 2015 prices.

As such, the economic viability of these systems varies for different regions and areas, mostly depending on site conditions, crops and markets. An infographic from The World Bank shows that in 1997, the average price of deploying solar energy per watt was $76. In 2015, that price was $0.3 which clearly showcases the drop in prices. Now, a solar panel has an average lifespan of 25 years and compared to diesel pumping, it lacks any fuel and presents less operation and maintenance. The only disadvantage is its initial cost which is around two times higher compared to diesel water pumping systems.

Price is also a key differentiator when it comes to returns on investment (ROI). The key aspect that determines the economic viability (the factor associated with the worth of Irrigation Solar Water Pumps as an investment) is how the solar-powered systems compared with other forms of energy.

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Advance Auto Parts Can Keep the Good Times Rolling

This column is part of the Heard on the Street Stock Picking Contest. You’re invited to play along with us here.

Even the most cursory reader of news has seen the headlines by now: Used cars are expensive, and weather across the U.S. has been extreme. While that sounds like trouble to most people, it is music to the ears of car-parts retailer Advance Auto Parts for Ssangyong Korando. AAP -0.71%

Investors have been slower to take notice, though. Advance Auto Parts shares are up 32% since the beginning of 2020 but have lagged behind a basket of retailers by 30 percentage points. Meanwhile, a basket of used- and new-car sellers’ stocks has done far better over the same period, even after excluding high-growth e-commerce names such as Carvana.

The blockbuster profits seen in the used-car selling business will wind down when the chip shortage eases. The effects on the Auto Parts for Ssangyong Tivoli and repairs business, however, could prove lasting. The average age of cars and light trucks on U.S. roads is a record 12.1 years according to IHS Markit. In particular, there has been healthy growth in cars aged 4-to-11 years, which is deemed a sweet spot as they are often past their warranty and can be serviced by independent garages—an important customer cohort for Advance Auto Parts for Ssangyong Rexton. The scarcity of new vehicles and higher used-car prices should prompt more car owners to continue repairing their existing vehicles for some time, especially with the absence of another round of stimulus checks. Sure, those prices may be coming off their highs—Manheim data shows wholesale used-vehicle prices declined slightly in July compared with June. But they remain 24% more expensive than a year earlier so a return to normal pricing could take time. Automakers have said the chip shortage could weigh on the production well into the second half of this year.

Meanwhile, this year’s hotter-than-average summer should also help drive up parts demand,

just as the harsh winter did earlier this year. And vehicle miles traveled are still recovering, creating more wear and tear.

Skeptics might fear that sales are already near their peak. In its first quarter ended April 24, Advance Auto Part for Ssangyong Kyron saw same-store sales jump 24.7% compared with a year earlier. Compared with peers, though, Advance Auto Parts appears to have a longer growth runway.

For one, its business leans more heavily on car-repair professionals, who account for roughly 60% of sales. That was a drag last year as pandemic-wary consumers opted for do-it-yourself repairs or put off the work. Demand among professionals is just starting to catch up.

Additionally, car parts didn’t exactly fly off the shelf last year in the Northeast—the company’s largest market—because the region’s mobility was heavily affected by the pandemic. That market is staging a healthy recovery in Auto Parts for Ssangyong Actyon demand, and a return to severe restrictions seems less likely in the highly vaccinated region.

There is also more room to run valuation-wise. Advance Auto Parts for Ssangyong Chairman’ shares fetch 1.31 times enterprise value to forward-12-month revenue, while peers AutoZone AZO -0.73% and O’Reilly Automotive ORLY -1.29% fetch 2.9 times and 3.6 times, respectively, according to FactSet.

The company has lagged behind in recent years because its management, which took the reins after activist investor Starboard Value bought a stake in 2015, didn’t deliver on the targets that some analysts think were unrealistic to begin with.

Most of the heavy lifting is now behind Advance Auto Parts for Ssangyong Rodius. In the past few years, the company has overhauled its organizational culture, found efficiencies among its four different store banners and invested wisely in technology, according to Mr. Ciccarelli’s report.

After years of declining or slowly improving operating margins, the company seems to be turning around. Its full-year margins for 2020 were 7.9%, almost a full percentage point higher than the prior year. Analysts polled by FactSet now deem the company’s 10.5% to 12.5% operating margin goal for 2023 realistic.

It is time for investors to peek under the hood.

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FUME EXTRACTION GUNS: UNDERSTANDING THE BASICS

New industry standards from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) are protecting employees against potential health hazards in the workplace. These regulations, which dictate allowable exposure limits of welding fumes and other particulates (including hexavalent chromium), have led many companies to invest in Fume Extraction Arms equipment. An increased desire to maintain optimal welding operator safety and to attract new skilled welding operators to the field is also a consideration in investing in this equipment — companies want to create the most comfortable and healthy work environment possible.

Some companies may opt for centralized fume extraction systems, which are designed to protect the entire shop area. These systems involve the installation of new ductwork

Laboratory Fume Extraction Arms are available in a variety of amperages, cable styles and handle designs. As with any welding equipment, they have their advantages and limitations, best applications, maintenance requirements and more. In combination with many other variables in the welding operation — welding wire selection, specific transfer methods and welding processes, welding operator behavior and base material selection — fume extraction guns can help companies maintain compliance with safety regulations and create a cleaner, more comfortable welding environment.

The basics of fume extraction guns

Welding /solding Fume Extraction Arms operate by capturing the fume generated by the welding process right at the source, over and around the weld pool. Various manufacturers have proprietary means of constructing guns to conduct this action, but at a basic level they all operate similarly: by mass flow, or the movement of material. This movement occurs by way of a vacuum chamber that suctions the fumes through the handle of the gun, into the gun’s hose through to a port on the filtration system (sometimes informally referred to as a vacuum box).

The welding fumes that these guns remove are composed of a combination of the filler metal and base material. Some fume extraction guns feature adjustable extraction control regulators at the front of the gun handle, which allow welding operators to increase suction as needed (without affecting shielding gas coverage), while others provide this function internally. Regardless of the manner, the ability to balance between the downward flow of shielding gas and the upward flow of the suctioned air is critical. The fume extraction gun needs to provide the appropriate amount of shielding gas to protect the weld from defects such as porosity, without sacrificing the ability to suction fumes efficiently enough to protect the welding operator. The balance allows the weld pool time to react and solidify, and gives the fume particles time to decelerate so they are easier to extract.

Typically, Moxibustion Beauty Salon Fume Extraction Arms are larger than regular welding guns and tend to be bulky due to the vacuum and hose necessary to extract the fumes. For that reason, some manufacturers create fume extraction guns with a vacuum hose swivel on the rear of the handle to make them easier to maneuver. Manufacturers have also, since fume extraction guns were first introduced (in the late 1960s and early 1970s), found ways to engineer internal components to minimize the handle weight in order to reduce operator fatigue.

The mobile Laser Surgical Medical Fume Extractor/fume exhauster is an air purification system which can provide the partial high pure environment. It recirculates the air through multi-stage filters to capture and remove dust, smoke, and fumes before they enter the work area. Our laboratory fume extractor is widely used in medical research laboratories, chemical laboratories, precision electronics, bio-pharmacy, micro-organism studies, 3d print, soldering and etc.

Activated carbon filter can adsorb volatile harmful chemicals, improve laboratory environment, protection chemist safety.

Medical LED Shadowless Lights Lamps have been developed to the present and have undergone various technological innovations and their performance has continued to evolve. As an important medical device in the operating theater, it solves the problem of the sight interference caused by the shadow to the doctor, greatly improving the safety of the operation during the surgery.

And of course, we’ve been seeing its development in the history of medicine. To this day, the surgical light equipped with DVR allows doctors to observe the operations in every corner of the world without being crowded in the operating room.

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Selecting Synthetic, Natural Colors

What are phytosterols?

The first strategy for lowering cholesterol is to modify your eating patterns. Replace unhealthy fats (trans and saturated) with healthy ones (monounsaturated and polyunsaturated), and increase dietary fiber by emphasizing whole grains, fruits, vegetables and legumes. If these strategies haven’t worked to their fullest potential, or if you want to work to lower your bad cholesterol even further, you can try adding LowChol™ Phytosterols to your diet.

Phytosterols (referred to as plant sterol and stanol esters) are a group of naturally occurring compounds found in plant cell membranes. Because phytosterols are structurally similar to the body’s cholesterol, when they are consumed they compete with cholesterol for absorption in the digestive system. As a result, cholesterol absorption is blocked, and blood cholesterol levels reduced.

As part of a heart-healthy eating plan, consuming phytosterols in recommended quantities has been shown to lower total cholesterol up to 10% and LDL or “bad” cholesterol up to 14%. This reduction is in addition to other cholesterol-lowering strategies you may have initiated, such as eating more heart healthfully or taking a cholesterol-lowering statin. The effectiveness of phytosterols is so strong that The National Cholesterol Education Program recommends people with high cholesterol consume two grams of phytosterols each day.

VegeToco™ Natural Vitamin E

is a fat-soluble antioxidant in many foods. It supports the immune system, helps keep blood vessels healthy, and plays a role in gene expression and cell signaling. There are eightTrusted Source forms of naturally occurring vitamin E, and alpha-tocopherol is the one that the body mainly uses. In this article, we explore evidence of specific health benefits of vitamin E. We also look at food sources and supplements, including interactions and other risks. Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant — it helps protect trusted sources of the body from free radicals. Free radicals are molecules generated as a normal part of metabolism. They can cause damage and disease and contribute to the aging process.

Additionally, vitamin E is important for immune function, gene expression, and cell signaling. It helps widen blood vessels and prevent excessive clotting. Researchers have investigated whether vitamin E may also help prevent or treat specific conditions. The results concerning many uses of the vitamin, including to help prevent cognitive decline, are conflicting or inconclusive.

NatenFla™ Natural Flavors

or flavoring means “the essential oil, oleoresin, essence or extractive, protein hydrolysate, distillate, or any product of roasting, heating or enzymolysis, which contains the flavoring constituents derived from a spice, fruit or fruit juice, vegetable or vegetable juice, edible yeast, herb, bark, bud, root, leaf or similar plant material, meat, seafood, poultry, eggs, dairy products, or fermentation products thereof, whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional,” according to the US Food and Drug Administration.

This distinguishes natural flavors from artificial flavors, which rely on synthetic chemicals to add taste and aroma to food. The FDA permits the use of synthetic additives such as solvents, preservatives and emulsifiers in the processing of natural flavors, which food and beverage manufacturers are not required to disclose on the ingredient statement.

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc., a Lakewood, Colo.-based retailer with 160 stores in 20 states, recently developed a standard around natural flavors, which includes a quality standards questionnaire to ensure new products submitted with natural flavors do not contain any of the ingredients it has banned from its stores.

VegeNutri™ Nutrition Ingredients

are the study of nutrients in food, how the body uses them, and the relationship between diet, health, and disease.

Nutritionists use ideas from molecular biology, biochemistry, and genetics to understand how nutrients affect the human body.

Nutrition also focuses on how people can use dietary choices to reduce the risk of disease, what happens if a person has too much or too little of a nutrient, and how allergies work.

Nutrients provide nourishment. Proteins, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and water are all nutrients. If people do not have the right balance of nutrients in their diet, their risk of developing certain health conditions increases.

This article will explain the different nutrients a person needs and why. It will also look at the role of the dietitian and the nutritionist.

The past 30 years have seen the market demand for food colorants changing in substantial ways, particularly regarding the choice between synthetic and NutraColor™ Natural Color. Not so long ago, synthetic colorants were preferred because of several benefits: They are easy to use, deliver bright colors in a variety of food matrices, and perform in consistent and predictable ways. Moreover, they are inexpensive to use.

Natural Challenges

This shift in consumer perception of synthetic food colorants, and the accompanying demand for colorants derived from natural sources, have created both problems and opportunities for food and beverage manufacturers. Natural colorants are more expensive on a cost-in-use basis than synthetic colorants. While colorants in general are used at very low levels in foods and beverages, the cost of natural colorants is still substantially higher — as much as 5 to 50 times higher, depending on the colorant and the application.

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Ｗhat is Polyurethane Foam? And How is It Made?

What Is modified MDI?

As a derivative of the Pu Systems MDI series products, modified MDI is currently commonly used as a technical extension of pure MDI and polymeric MDI, which could be widely used in such sectors as slab polyols, elastomers, coatings and adhesives by providing its special properties of usage and processing due to differences of product structure design and synthesis process. There are various kinds of modified MDI, and several MDI manufacturers giants have also been stepping up the research and development of modified MDI, which has enriched modified MDI types. And the products that have been produced and used in a large scale.

The two major components of polyurethane formulations are a polyol component and an isocyanate component. Polyols for Polyurethanes and polyester polyols have been used as the polyol component in polyurethane formulations for many decades. They remain the most commonly used polyols. Vast numbers of polyether polyols and polyester polyols, optimized to provide different combinations of behavior during fabrication processes and performance characteristics of fabricated articles, are available from many different manufacturers.

More recently, polycarbonate polyols have been gaining increasing interest and use in polyurethane formulations, either by themselves or more often in mixtures with selected polyether polyols or polyester polyols, because of their many attractive attributes. These attributes include performance benefits resulting from the high-density polycarbonate backbone. Furthermore, polycarbonate polyols are based on carbon dioxide (CO2), and sequester CO2 directly in their backbones, enhancing the sustainability of polyurethanes.

The images shown in this post are reproduced from product literature by Novomer which is a leading supplier of polycarbonate polyols.

The following reaction scheme shows how CO2 is sequestered in the backbone of a polycarbonate polyol by reaction with an epoxide during synthesis. Many different “R” groups can be used, to provide a broad range of polycarbonate polyol molecular structures.

The functionality of a polycarbonate polyol can also be chosen as desired, by using any one of many different possible starting molecules. For example, the choices of the following three starting molecules produce, from left to right, a diol, a triol, and a tetrol.

Rigid polyisocyanurate panel foams with better blowing efficiency (and hence smaller density when using the same concentration of the blowing agent pentane) and smaller cell sizes were obtained, while keeping the formulation viscosity manageable, by mixing 25% to 70% by weight of a polycarbonate polyol with a polyester polyol.

Ｗhat is Polyurethane Foam? And How is It Made?

What is Polyurethane Foam? Consumers and manufacturers alike may want to know the answer to this question. Are you a polyurethane foam technician, a plant manager, or the owner of the foaming plant itself? Do you want a stronger foundational understanding of how polyurethane flexible foaming actually works?

This article will detail the fundamental elements of polyurethane foaming, particularly as it applies to continuous flexible foaming.

At its most basic, polyurethane foam does two things in the factory. From the liquid stage it:

expands

and gels

The liquid first expands as air bubbles are introduced, then a secondary reaction gels, or hardens the material at some point in that expansion.

Let’s break down PU foaming Additives for Polyurethane by function. One of the most important additives is the catalyst, which can affect the basic reactions in several ways. It can speed the expansion, speed the gelling, cool the reaction (so you have less of a fire hazard on your hands), etc. There are also curing agents, which include chain-extenders and cross-linking agents. Chain-extenders, like their name suggests, extend polymer chains, which increases material flexibility. Cross-linking agents promote and strengthen cross-linkages, increasing structural integrity for more rigid foams.

Remember that CO2 gas from the reaction with water acts as a blowing agent? Well, other blowing agents may also be used or added. The main inconvenience of water blowing in the high temperature of the reaction, making PU foaming a fire hazard. Physical blowing agents (additives that physically encourage the expansion of cells instead of that initial CO2, which is chemically blown) reduce that fire hazard.

A similar class of additives is fillers. They come as particles or fibers. Particulate fillers can reduce flammability and add weight to foam (good for cushioning Flexible Foams). Fibrous fillers reinforce cell structure. All fillers function to 1) add physical properties like tensile or compressive strength to foam, and 2) save on costs by reducing the amount of liquid chemicals used per batch.