Polyurethane Metering Systems are the Heart of Every Production Environment
As the regulation and flow system between material storage and the mix head that disperses that material, the success of every polyurethane application centers on the performance and reliability of these machines. Because these systems play such an important role in your facilities and production chain, it’s critical that they be precisely configured to your needs.
For example, say your organization produces small parts or components as part of a high-speed manufacturing process (perhaps for sporting goods or medical devices). The ideal polyurethane metering system for this application would need to be a high-pressure system capable of delivering smaller shot sizes at fast speed with low throughput. This means the machine is using smaller amounts of polyurethane flowing through the system and distributing smaller amounts, yet at a much more rapid pace than a low-pressure metering system.
In this application, one-size-fits-all polyurethane metering systems would not perform to the level that you’d need to achieve your goals. While you would certainly be able to obtain a high-pressure metering system and implement it in your facility, performance is just a part of the bigger picture. What actually helps you achieve your goals is the configuration of that system. After all, your production environment isn’t the same as those of your competitors, so why should you use the same system that they are?
Here, we’ll explore just some of the many considerations that should go into identifying and selecting a proper polyurethane metering system for your production environment. Let’s dig in.
What Makes for an Ideal Polyurethane Metering System
1. Modular Design
If you were to put a standard polyurethane metering system into your production environment, it stands to reason that at some point, you’d need to either relocate the machine itself or adjust adjacent equipment and other systems to accommodate changes in process. Depending on your application, this might happen frequently, or it might be a more unexpected shift. Either way, you need to be prepared. If you were to utilize a modularly designed system instead, you’d be able to:
- Benefit from extensive customization of the device
- Be able to have the device reconfigured in place for production changes
- More effectively repair parts of the device versus the entire system
- Quickly modify the device to meet new mixing or distribution requirements
2. Variable Output and Material Ratios
Time is money, and the amount of material a system can output at different ratios translates into significant revenue gained or lost. If your system can’t meet the demands placed upon it, or efficiently change gears at a moment’s notice, the impact on your bottom line could be noticeable — quickly. With more flexible polyurethane metering systems, your organization can:
- Benefit from outputs ranging from mere grams to hundreds of pounds per minute
- Quickly switch material ratios to adapt to changing production needs
- Manage different material throughput to meet material quantity requirements
- Benefit from enhanced production capability due to more flexible outputs/ratios
3. Integration Capability
The production environments of today are not solitary systems operating in a vacuum. IoT, greater operational technology, and the need to make systems synergize means your polyurethane metering system is now part of a greater whole. As such, the need to be able to integrate these systems within a complete production chain has never been more critical. With a well-designed metering system, you can benefit from:
- More efficient use of material stored in bulk storage systems
- Create more seamless production cycles by integrating other systems
- Leverage advanced mix heads for precise distribution of metered material
- Integrate other robotics and control systems for greater accuracy and efficiency
4. Best-in-Class Maintenance and Support
The best systems are only “the best” when they come with industry-leading support from their manufacturer. Unfortunately, many systems simply don’t get the manufacturer support that their users expect (and deserve). When you’re looking for polyurethane metering systems, it’s critical to consider a partner that will not only design the right solution for you but who will also be there 24/7/365 to provide over-the-phone diagnostics as well as rapid repair services. The ideal partner will provide you with:
- Certified repair technicians that understand metering systems ins and outs
- Potential field maintenance support and 24/7 over-the-phone service
5. Environmentally Conscious Options
Being able to make a positive impact on the environment is critical for manufacturers today. Many metering systems are now capable of using Cyclo-Pentane or HFO blended into the polyurethane mix as opposed to HFCs and HCFCs to deliver a more environmentally friendly material. Depending on local regulations, different materials can be used to ensure the result is safer and more efficient for the application.
Transform Your Production Capabilities with Linden Industries
If you’ve been looking for a way to improve your production capabilities, or are tired of using one-size-fits-all polyurethane metering systems, Linden Polyurethane can provide a customized solution to your specific needs. We offer a variety of metering systems that include high-pressure systems.
In every relationship, our engineering team considers your current and future application needs to design a completely custom solution for your organization. We are proud to be the leading provider of polyurethane metering systems for multiple industries ranging from aerospace and automotive to military and sporting goods.
Ready to experience the Linden Polyurethane difference? Contact us today.
