Mainland Machinery Ltd

Breakdown? Emergency Repair Needed? We Can Help!

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emergency repair

INDUSTRIAL SERVICES AND EMERGENCY REPAIR WORK

Whether an unplanned shutdown, equipment breakdown, or you need a Millwright on site, you want repairs and work to move ahead in a timely manner with limited downtime. We all know the significant costs that are associated with extended downtime and plant closures – and we all want to avoid them. Even a planned shutdown is a risky process, and needs to be carefully planned for, and every possible situation taken into account.

In James R. Koelsch’s article How to Keep Shutdowns From Becoming Disasters, he touches on some very interesting points regarding “inability to recognize risks and the lack of systems specifically designed for startups”. Many are unprepared to deal with shutdowns and unexpected issues on larger scale, no matter how much is done to avoid them.

You may not have the internal man-power, technical knowledge, or time to try to solve the issue at hand. Thankfully, there are others who are well set up for such events and are at the ready to assist.

A well-versed, prepared Field and Industrial Services Team will have the safety qualifications, technical knowledge, and year of experience to ensure that whatever your issue at hand is will be dealt with promptly and properly.

With our dedicated Field Crew of Millwrights, Welders and Fabricators available at the ready, Mainland is here to help. Our field personnel have the latest safety certifications, have a wide range of industry experience, and are comfortable working in many industrial settings.

Don’t be caught off guard by an equipment breakdown or unforeseen shutdown; let Mainland’s Industrial Services Team help get you back up and running with minimal downtime.

To learn more about Mainland’s Industrial Services Team and the emergency repair solutions offered, check out the website, or give us a call. We would be glad to discuss preventative measures, provide an inspection report, or head out to help.

 

Mainland Machinery Ltd

Industrial Services: Helping Your Next Project Succeed

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HELPING YOUR NEXT PROJECT SUCCEED

industrial services

Install, Maintenance & Overload Labour Services at the Ready

Did you know that Mainland offers a wide range of industrial services? Our team of Millwrights, Welders, Fabricators and Project Managers are at the ready to help your next project succeed.

Our field personnel have the latest safety certifications, have a wide range of industry experience, and are comfortable working in many industrial settings.

SERVICES PROVIDED

  • Installation
  • Millwrighting
  • Maintenance
  • Commissioning
  • Overload Labour
  • Plant Inspections
  • Decommissioning
  • Preventative Maintenance
  • Equipment Repair & Service
  • Troubleshooting & Maintenance
  • Electrical/Control System Installation
  • Emergency Breakdown Call Out Service
  • Equipment Installation & Commissioning
  • Civil/Structural Installation ie: Concrete, Formwork, Structural Steel

To learn more about our Industrial Service offerings, or to contact a member of our staff to make an appointment , visit the Industrial Services page.

Mainland Machinery Ltd

Robotic Welding

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robotic weldingThings to Know About Robotic Welding in Metal Fabrication Shops

Robotic welding tools have many advantages — they cut staffing costs, speed up production, and can be built to scale for your projects. By taking humans out of the equation, many welding projects see significant savings, but robots aren’t right for every workplace.

Welding cells are a lot less expensive than they were a decade ago, and they work better than they first did. Still, there remains much to consider in determining if a robotic welding system is right for you.

Potential Savings

Robotic welding costs less in energy and labour than traditional welding, and this helps the installations pay for themselves over time. The weld that a robot uses can be bought in bulk, and might save you even more money.

Robots aren’t prone to the same errors humans are, so they don’t tend to over weld. An 1/8th of an inch too much weld bead may not seem like much to a human welder, but it can double filler metal costs.

All these savings add up, and to calculate whether robotic welding is the right choice for you, it helps to calculate your long-term savings. If you don’t feel confident to do the calculations, go to a robotic welding integrator or an OEM for guidance.

Potential Challenges

If your business works with several different complex parts in your welding projects, robotic welding might not be the right choice for you, since humans can still handle these problems more accurately than robots. On the other hand, robotic welders work best with repeatable part designs, speeding up production significantly on high-volume products.

Depending on your needs, you can work to create consistent flow in your welding projects to make best use of robotic cells and keep your business moving.

Many first time users are also concerned that their robot will be difficult to program, but that is an unnecessary concern. Most robotic welding systems use simple visual interactive programs, making them easy to use for most knowledgeable workers.

Safety Concerns

Modern robotic welding cells are fully automated but still need human interaction to keep operations running smoothly.

In order to keep human operators safe, many robotic welding machines come equipped with an interlocked door, which the operator must open to access the machinery. While these are a great safety feature, opening doors takes time; so high-productivity cells might need an alternative safety solution.

The past few years have seen the introduction of new robotic standards in the U.S. that focus on maintaining safety (and productivity) in the workplace. For a full understanding, check in with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the American National Standards Institute, or the International Organization for Standardization, which all publish information for manufacturers.

These standards come with certain working advantages, including new safety regulations that allow programmable safety controls. That means designers can build smaller robotic cells, relying on safety controls for precaution rather than building cells that would cover any possible motion. The new standards also allow people to load and unload robots and work with the robot welders more closely.

As standards keep changing, the important thing is to keep up to date. Thankfully, many of these new standards are built to help you run your business more smoothly.

Mainland Machinery Ltd

Proper Welding Safety for Miners

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welding safety for minersProper Welding Safety for Miners

Mining is a hazardous work environment. There is a risk of death, which is why miners must wear protective gear and follow safety guidelines. One of the most dangerous activities for miners is welding in a closed environment – especially underground. Even if all the safety rules are followed, the welder is in constant danger, because a spark could set off an explosion. Therefore, welding is usually done in locations where there is ample space.

However, when the mine is being built, welded metal arcs hold the entire structure of the mine together. They keep the ground overhead from collapsing down into the mine. That is when miners face the dangers of welding in a cramped enclosed area. In order to protect oneself while welding, safety must be a priority.

A number of accident scenarios may occur if proper precautions are not taken. These scenarios can include:

Electrocution

An electric shock can occur if you touch two metal objects that have a current between them. High voltages of electricity can cause major injuries, or even death. This is why it is important to avoid touching any metallic object directly, while welding within a mine. It is also necessary to insulate yourself from the ground, to help reduce the risk of suffering from an electric shock. Additionally, since water conducts electricity, you must remember to wear dry clothing that will help protect you from electrocution.

Extreme Inhalation of Fumes and Gases

Welding fumes can be extremely dangerous when inhaled in large quantities. Since mines usually have an air shortage, the gases emitted from welding procedures can become twice as dangerous in the small confined spaces. To help protect you from inhaling excessive fumes while welding, there have been exposure limits set by various agencies. Based on these limits, there should never be an overexposure to hazardous gases, because it can be injurious to your health. Furthermore, proper ventilation should be provided within your work area such as an exhaust system or fan.

Explosions or Fires

Welding creates high temperatures conditions, which may lead to fires or explosions. To avoid any chance of fires, it is best to remove all flammable materials from the welding area. As a rule, every workplace is required to have fire extinguishers and alarms on site. This requirement ensures worker safety in the case of a fire. If the mine contains flammable materials that cannot be removed, a second person should be appointed to watch the procedure to watch the welding sparks.

Injuries from Lack of Protective Gear

Wearing the proper gear is important for miners due to their high risk work environment. While welding, you should be fully clothed and avoid rolling up your pant cuffs or sleeves. You should wear a welding helmet and safety goggles, which prevent sparks and debris from injuring your face or eyes. Thick leather boots and gloves should be worn to protect your hands and feet from the welding heat.  Additionally, it is best to wear protective earmuffs to avoid hearing loss caused by the loud noises in the mines.

The right safety procedures can help protect you from severe welding related injuries or death. Therefore, miners and their employers must make safety a priority. If safety guidelines are followed, the risks of welding underground in the mines can be reduced.