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May 21, 2015 by UniAdmin

Proactive Maintenance : Insulation

The mindset of “if it isn’t broke don’t fix it” is a thing of the past. It is a mentality that even the best of us have been guilty of from time to time. While it may sound like a good idea, it can be damaging to a company in the long run. Staying the course down a single path can lead to a business owner getting blindsided by future problems. Just because something is working at the moment, doesn’t mean that future problems won’t arise. The new trend is to start protecting your investments and wellbeing by stopping the problem before it ever begins with proactive maintenance.

Preventative Maintenance: Insulation

Stop The Problem Before It Happens = Greater Savings

Whether you’re trying to make the most of an ever-dwindling staff and budget, or looking for even more ways to trim operations and maintenance costs, preventative maintenance on equipment and facilities can help save time and money in the long run.

The key point to preventative maintenance is stopping the issue before it ever begins. While there are some expenses related to running a good proactive maintenance program, it costs less to properly maintain equipment and facilities than it does to repair the damage from a premature breakdown or early deterioration of property.

Proactive maintenance of equipment and facilities is very similar to regular vehicle maintenance. The key to keeping your vehicle running well today and down the road is routine proactive maintenance. Many times significant and expensive repairs can be avoided if the vehicle is properly and regularly maintained.

Increases Life Cycle of Applications

Regular equipment Untitled-2maintenance leads to an improvement in the overall safety and reliability of the system. Planning and management of asset maintenance improve the life cycle of the assets and keeps them performing at peak productivity levels. As a result, costly unplanned downtime is minimized; workforce productivity increases; and asset lifecycle and return on asset (ROA) are improved.

Increases Performance

Regular improvements to the process for better machine efficiency and product quality increases maintenance productivity by detecting and identifying potential equipment problems before they grow. This reduces the frequency, severity, and cost of repairs while enabling your team to avoid unnecessary and unproductive tasks.

employee-burnProvides a Safe Work Environment

More efficient and frequently maintained work environments (including equipment and personnel) lead to a safer work atmosphere. When machines break down and errors occur, accidents are more likely to happen.

Where Does Insulation Fit In?

Insulation is built upon the idea of proactive maintenance practices. Insulation does all of the benefits listed above plus more. Once installed, your insulation needs no further maintenance. So you can feel good, knowing you are doing your bit for the planet while creating a more efficient and more collaborative work environment, to reduce costs and support your organization’s work processes.

What’s Next?

You can head over to our online shopping cart and check out all of our possible solutions for your facility. For as little as $16, you could be protecting yourself, your employees, and your business for the future.

For more information about our products and UniTherm, check out our website and social platforms:

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Filed Under: Energy Efficiency, Fire Protection, From the Marketing Team, Manufacturing, Plastics Industry, Safety, Uncategorized, Valves and Actuators Tagged With: building engineering, efficiency, environment, FreezePro® Frost Protection Systems, industrial applications, insulation, ISOCOVERS Insulation Systems, lean manufacturing, overhead costs, Proactive Maintenance, protect, repair, Research & Development, thermal insulation, UniVest® Insulation Systems

April 22, 2015 by UniAdmin

Earth Day 2015: Insulation Facts Infographic

earthday-infographic

Filed Under: Energy Efficiency, Uncategorized Tagged With: Earth Day, earth day 2015, education, efficiency, energy conservation, energy costs, energy efficiency, energy efficiency projects, energy management, Energy Rebates, energy savings, environment, industrial insulation facts, innovation, insulation, lean manufacturing, lower emissions, Research & Development, save energy, thermal insulation

April 23, 2013 by Kendal White

Renewable Energy And The Crusade Towards Innovation

Renewable energy is continually replenished and non-polluting: geothermal, sun, water, and wind.  The popularity of renewable energy is growing due to high oil prices, change, government legislation, and mounting government support paired with incentives. Greenhouse gases are detrimental to the Earth’s atmosphere; these gases allow sunlight to enter the atmosphere, thus trapping heat in the atmosphere.  These rising temperatures may trigger climate change.  Greenhouse gases in North America are primarily from energy consumption due to economic growth

Solar power technologies utilize the sun’s energy to provide electricity.  Solar power supplies less than 1% of U.S energy requirements; nevertheless, solar technologies are quickly advancing.  Solar technologies used for harnessing solar energy include photovoltaic cells, passive solar designs, and flat-plate collectors. The applications used to adapt solar power into electricity are costly, yet, the substantial potential of solar energy remains.

Hydropower is the most conventional renewable energy source, and uses flowing water to produce electricity. Major dam sites in the United States include the Tennessee Valley, the Colorado River, and the Northwest.  Hydropower is suitable for supplying large electricity requirements and is the least expensive renewable energy source.

ID-10033605Wind energy applies wind turbines to generate electricity; this sector of renewable energy is the fastest growing.  Ideal placement for turbines is in an area of strong winds: Alaska, the Appalachians, and the western United States.

Geothermal energy utilizes natural sources of heat trapped beneath the Earth.  Underground hot water or steam is the conventional form of generating power.  Geothermal technologies embrace geothermal heat pumps, direct-use systems, and reservoirs.

Innovative technologies continuously attempt to improve the employment of renewable energy.

Livestock methane gas emission is a severe threat to the global climate.  In British Columbia, the Cowpower Program encourages residents to pay a slight percentage on their utility bill.  This premium will help pay for an anaerobic digester- bacteria is converted into organic material, creating energy.

Groundbreaking transportation could ease the reliance on fossil fuels for energy.  The invention of a speed vacuum train could be reality in the near future.  A speed-vac train is based upon the idea of removing the air from a sealed tub, and pressing a train through.  Conventional trains use a great deal of energy; the vacuum theory would be matched with magnetic levitation devices, allowing trains to reach 4,000 mph.

The latest in solar technology has spawned the idea of a device to trap light, which progresses the proficiency of organic solar shells by 175%.  This “black hole for light” could possibly allow for an economical, marketable solar shell.

 

Filed Under: Energy Efficiency Tagged With: efficiency, energy, environment, renewable

May 8, 2012 by Kendal White

The Evolution of Insulation

As we grow more aware of our environmental impact—and as utility bills grow more costly—energy efficiency becomes a central concern in construction projects and building updates. LEED certifications set efficient buildings apart from the rest. Pink attic insulation doesn’t quite cut it anymore.

Natural Insulation
Although it’s a hot topic now, energy efficiency—insulation in particular—is nothing new. Since the beginning of time, the Earth and its inhabitants have found remarkable ways to regulate temperature. Atmospheric gases gather in the ozone layer, water surrounds land, mammals grow fur and store body fat, birds are born with feathers, and early on, humans discovered heat-trapping material like wool.

We have always put extra effort into shielding ourselves from the elements. Early humans built their homes out of natural insulators like grass, leaves, straw, mud, ice, and mountainsides. And landscaping wasn’t always about aesthetics—trees planted near houses provided precious shade and insulation.

While keeping extreme temperatures out, people also came up with ways to generate heat within. Some buildings in the Roman Empire and ancient Korea used empty spaces in floors and walls to conduct air heated by furnaces. By 1700, Russian engineers began developing water-based systems to circulate heat.

Synthetic Insulation
With the advent of modern heating systems came the need for better insulators. After all, gas and electric systems don’t come cheap like heat from a wood-burning furnace, and they create conditions that need to be regulated in order to work properly.

In 1930, Dale Kleist, a researcher at the Owens-Illinois Glass Company, made one of those lucky mistakes that so often leads to a monumental discovery. While trying to seal two plates of glass together, he accidentally shredded the glass into tiny fibers with a high-pressure air hose. Thus, fiberglass was born and soon found its most common form in blanket insulation.

Meanwhile, manufacturers began to realize the benefit of insulating not just their buildings but their heat sources as well. This helped protect workers and equipment, save energy, and improve overall efficiency.

Custom Insulation
We’ve come a long way since adobe huts and igloos. Today, engineers use R-values (the measure of thermal resistance) to quantify and compare the insulating capability of different materials. In this way, they can combine the most effective insulators and create premium insulation.

Visit unitherm.com to learn more about custom insulation systems.

Filed Under: Energy Efficiency, Manufacturing Tagged With: attic insulation, building engineering, efficiency, energy conservation, energy efficiency, energy management, fiberglass, insulators, thermal insulation

May 4, 2012 by Kendal White

Manufacturing Matters: 5/4 Weekly Wrap Up

Another great week ripe with industry news. Here are the highlights:

Plastics News reports that the shortage of nylon 12 has led the auto industry to seek alternatives resins to use in fuel lines, connectors, tubes, and other key components. Molders and resin makers have offered a variety of possible alternatives, and automakers have established a system to begin testing.

The Huffington Post addresses the current the job market as US Congressional Candidate Stacey Lawson proposes a plan for creating jobs and rebuilding our middle class. Lawson stresses that we can by reclaim the American dream by “restoring the high-wage jobs that are the foundation of a sustainable economic recovery,” and she lays out 7 priorities to help us get there.

Clean Technica overviews the Department of Energy’s voluntary energy savings specifications designed to help building owners, operators, and manufacturers develop minimum performance requirements. The DOE recently released new specifications for lighting troffers and parking lot lighting, which could reduce energy use by 40%.

fluorescent-lights

image from cleantechnica.com

Industry Intelligence announces a new compostable bioplastic film that extends the shelf life of fruits and vegetables by up to five days. The new film, developed by Sira-Flex Resolve, creates an ideal atmosphere to better preserve stored food.

fruits and vegetables in produce isle

image from flickr, courtesy of I-5 Design & Manufacture

And in a free webinar, Design World discusses how Design for Manufacturability (DDM) eliminates many restraints associated with conventional manufacturing. The webinar examines how DDM can create plastic parts, layer-by-layer without machining, molding, or casting.

If you like the Weekly Wrap Up, follow our blog to receive more updates and industry news every Friday.

Filed Under: Manufacturing, Plastics Industry Tagged With: auto industry, efficiency, energy costs, energy efficiency, energy efficiency projects, energy management, engineering, manufacturing, plastics

May 1, 2012 by Kendal White

How to Join the Better Buildings, Better Plants Challenge

Going green. Saving energy. Encouraging efficiency. Reducing carbon footprints. Promoting eco-friendly practices. Being environmentally conscious. Conserving resources. It goes by many names, but the social movement is undeniable.

I remember seeing for the first time the trendy “Save the Planet” tees cropping up in clothing lines of popular retail stores. Years later, it turns out that going green more than a fashion trend. It is a compilation of personal and political choices that continues to build momentum worldwide.

We can see big impacts, too, when we look at the sum of our efforts. That’s why government and corporate entities promote going green, leading by example and initiating challenges to get others involved.

Better Buildings Challenge

Better Buildings, Better Plants Challenge

Last year, President Obama and former President Clinton issued the Better Buildings Challenge and extended the challenge to industrial plants for an even greater impact. Because buildings consume about 20% of all the energy used in the US, the initiative’s long-term goals include

  • Updating American buildings to make them 20% more energy efficient
  • Saving American businesses nearly $40 million in energy costs

With the help of energy efficiency products, services, technologies, and partnerships, several industrial partners have stepped up to the challenge—3M has 78 participating plants, Alcoa has 30, Nissan has 3, and GE has 125 million sq. ft. of plant space (to name a few).

But you don’t have to be a big name with copious plant space to make a difference. Think of it this way—as a little guy, your carbon footprint is already smaller so you don’t have to make such extravagant changes. Every little bit counts.

To join the Better Buildings, Better Plants Challenge

  1. Assess your building portfolio to determine energy efficiency opportunities and publicly pledge an organization-wide energy savings goal for the next 2-5 years.
  2. Announce and initiate a showcase project on 1 facility (retrofit, retro commissioning) and develop an organization-wide plan to achieve your energy savings goal.
  3. Share your experiences with energy efficiency solutions, your organization-wide energy savings, and the energy performance at individual facilities for recognition.

In return for your commitment, the Department of Energy agrees to support you via expert technical assistance, connect you to a network of allies, and provide you with national recognition. Win-win-win.

What are you doing to green your building? The Better Buildings Challenge is just one way you can contribute to the social movement. Incentives are abundant, and the payoffs reach far and wide. For starters, you can insulate your equipment to conserve energy and maximize efficiency, and when you start seeing the savings, you can move on to other areas like HVAC and lighting for a complete energy-efficient overhaul.

Filed Under: Energy Efficiency, Manufacturing Tagged With: building engineering, efficiency, energy, energy conservation, energy costs, energy efficiency, energy efficiency projects, energy management

August 24, 2011 by Kendal White

A Quick Guide to Energy Management Software

keyboard, energy management software, software, computer controlled systemsIf you’ve picked up any industrial trade journal or browsed the business section of the news for energy related topics, you’ve probably read about energy management software of some type. Everyone seems to agree that energy management software is the next big thing, but how will such systems actually help your business?

Energy management software generally provides options for evaluating effectiveness and ROI of efficiency projects or for measuring, tracking and controlling energy consumption to eliminate waste.

Software for Energy Efficiency Projects

With so many options to choose from, determining which energy efficiency projects to implement might seem a difficult task for any industrial facility. Employees tasked with reducing energy costs often have limited budgets and must prioritize new projects and plan for future implementation.

Through the Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE) division the U.S. Department of Energy offers free calculators and software tools that allow you to analyze opportunities to reduce energy costs and help you calculate possible energy savings gained from energy efficiency projects. These tools help calculate the potential return on investment or paybacks for projects, like high temperature insulation jackets, allowing you to purchase the most cost-effective projects first and achieve the greatest amount of energy savings.

Beyond software tools, the EERE also provides a variety of training courses, seminars and webinars for those interested in reducing energy costs with software. Segmented by industry, these resources offer significant insight into options available for you to reduce energy costs.

Energy Management Systems

Available as basic software that controls lighting systems or more complex systems that measure, analyze and control energy consumption, efficiency software offers many custom options for improving efficiency. Sophisticated software systems monitor every aspect of energy consumption and manufacturing emissions, store data that you can use to pinpoint energy waste and send web or cell phone alerts notifying you of any issues.

With such a large range of software options available, determining which services you need isn’t always easy. According to a recent report by business research leader Verdantix, the best method for choosing appropriate management software lies in implementing readily available, free software, choosing a reputable software provider, and clearly outlining your needs prior to the sales process.

What systems are you currently using to monitor your energy usage?

Filed Under: Energy Efficiency, Manufacturing Tagged With: efficiency, energy, energy efficiency, energy management, improve energy efficiency, lean manufacturing, manufacturing

July 12, 2011 by Kendal White

5 Keys to Survival After the Recession: Consistency vs Efficiency

Consistency-vs-EfficiencyManufacturers looking to dramatically increase profits must constantly reduce overhead costs and increase product output. Achieving this is often much easier said than done and in order to meet goals for short-term growth, many manufacturing leaders focus on the short-term solution of pushing employees to work harder, faster and more efficiently.

To actually generate sustained growth, manufactures must ensure that workers consistently follow processes and fully document problems so that management teams can review solutions, identify costly tasks and improve procedures.

Documenting: A Path to Success

Documenting and analyzing procedures requires a hybrid form of technical writing that involves many levels of company participation. Traditionally, companies outlined processes and hired a technical writer to create a static training manual for employees to follow.

Today, manufacturers who wish to implement and maintain an agile, responsive system of processes must outline a set of procedures via a company intranet or meeting-place for employees and team-leaders to contribute information about process failures and solutions.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Manufacturing Tagged With: concistency, cost reduction, efficiency, lean manufacturing, manufacturing

July 7, 2011 by Kendal White

5 Keys to Survival After the Recession: Lean Manufacturing

In a recently released report, McKinsey & Company attributes almost 50% of all US productivity growth since 2000 to manufacturers. The manufacturing industry also experienced a lower amount of job loss during the recession than any other industry. These statistics are likely reflective of the fact that manufacturing companies are increasingly developing lean manufacturing processes to develop more agile, efficient operations.

What does lean manufacturing really mean?

A quick Google search reveals that lean management, also known as lean production or lean thinking, is a production practice for maintaining product value while doing less work.

Beyond the literal definition, lean manufacturing is really a company culture or philosophy centered around finding ways to:

  • Reduce waste and overhead costs
  • Improve worker efficiency
  • Manage inventory

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Manufacturing Tagged With: efficiency, inventory control, lean manufacturing, lean production, overhead cost reduction

June 29, 2011 by Kendal White

5 Keys to Survival After the Recession

CompassThe United States economy is slowly recovering from the so-called Great Recession and many manufacturers are looking to the future. With a surge in international manufacturing, increased competition has company leaders desperately searching for ways to survive and grow in today’s volatile economy.

With manufacturer’s in mind, UniTherm is launching the “5 Keys to Survival After the Recession” series. The series focuses on ways that manufacturers can lower supply chain costs, raise profits and compete in an increasingly competitive market.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll feature ideas and strategies for ways to increase manufacturing products by focusing on innovation, reducing overhead costs and resource waste, improving consistency, and modernizing marketing efforts to increase yield.

Would you like to see your company featured in the “5 Keys to Survival After the Recession” series?  Let us know what steps your organization is taking to be more competitive and we’ll feature you throughout our series.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don’t miss the first installment of “5 Keys to Survival After the Recession,” subscribe to receive updates from the UniTherm Blog.

 

 

Filed Under: Manufacturing Tagged With: budgeting, consistency, cost reduction recession, crowdsourcing, efficiency, energy costs, innovation, inventory control, lean manufacturing, lean process, manfacturing consistency, manufacturing, manufacturing process, overhead costs, recession, reduce manufacturing costs, research and development, survival

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UniTherm Insulation Systems

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Lewisville, TX 75057
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