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Posts Tagged ‘construction’

Equipment Highlight: Surface Grinder

Posted on: September 29th, 2016 by Jazzy Elliott

A surface grinding machine is used to produce a smooth accurate finish on metallic materials.

The team at PTL knows that the finishing touches on a job can show the difference between a professional project and an amateur attempt. One of the many ways we are able to provide perfect finishing is by using a surface grinder.  

A surface grinder is a machine that is used to accurately and intricately remove unneeded layers from a surface in an effort to smooth the top most layer. A surface grinder is used to provide the greatest level of accuracy and detail, difficult to achieve by hand. It is also a better option than trying to grind a surface by hand because it’s less time consuming.

A surface grinder consists of a table, capable of moving forward and backward as well as side to side. A surface grinder also has a magnetic chuck that will hold the metal in place during the grinding process. The piece that does the majority of the work on these machines is the grinding wheel that rotates and is also height adjustable. There are several options for grinding surfaces that can be used on the grinding wheel including:

When these abrasive particles on the grinding wheel contact the metal, they act as tiny cutting tools, each particle cutting a tiny chip. Grinding wheels don’t actually remove material by a rubbing action, the process is as much a cutting action as drilling, milling, and lathe turning!

To learn more about the industrial and machining services we offer at PTL visit our website, or contact us today!  At PTL we utilize more than 30 years of industrial experience to tackle our industry’s toughest challenges with innovative solutions.  

 

Sources:

Stanford

eHow

American Machine Tools

 

The Science of Slides

Posted on: September 7th, 2016 by Jazzy Elliott

At PTL, we work in the worlds of physics and engineering every day.

While these topics may sound dull to some, there is an element of these areas of science in almost everything we enjoy on a daily basis. This includes awesome things like water slides!

With the summer winding down, you and your family may have enjoyed a water slide or two by now.

Here is a tiny peak into the science behind this refreshing summer thrill!

Let’s start with the basics of how water slides are built. Most water slides consist of smooth pieces of fiberglass, supported by a very strong metal frame. Smaller slides can be formed using one piece of fiberglass, but more complicated water slides are made of several sections held together with a series of heavy duty bolts.

Much like a rollercoaster, gravity is the driving force that gets slide goers from the top to the bottom. In fact, engineers take several factors into consideration to help you have a safe ride down. These include:

In order to regulate speed, engineers also consider the depth of the water at every step of the slide’s progression. Water acts as a barrier that lubricates the space between the slide and the rider, as well as a force to help push you along. We all know water slides are a fun treat, but it can be easy to forget the hard work and science that goes into making them safe to enjoy!

While we don’t often work on things like water slides here at PTL, we are equipped to take on projects large and small. From steel building erection to facility relocation and maintenance our talented team is ready to tackle the engineering and physics behind the everyday issues you face. Give us a call at 931-647-0675 or come see us at our office in Clarksville, TN. You can also check us out on Facebook! Allow us to use our over 30 years of experience to help with your project today!

Sources:
How Stuff Works: Science
National Geographic

Keep Your Steel Building Cool

Posted on: July 28th, 2016 by Jazzy Elliott

Are you taking the right precautions to keep your metal building cool in the heat?

Summer is full of fun activities: lots of family time, cookouts, and sometimes even vacations! One thing we can always count on in the summertime is HIGH temperatures, especially in Tennessee and Kentucky! So, how you keep the temperature cool inside your metal buildings this summer? Check out this list for some handy tips!
1) Consider Your Insulation

Help control rising temperatures inside your steel building by ensuring that you are using the best insulation. Make sure your insulation is up to current building codes; this is especially necessary for older metal buildings. Once you have done this, check to see if your insulation is at the minimum recommended R-value for your area. The majority of heat is transferred through the attic, so make sure to be extra thorough in this area. Proper insulation will work wonders for temperature regulation in both the warmer and cooler months.
2) Choose a “Cool” Metal Roof

Not all metal roofing materials are created equal. Opt for a metal that is lighter in color or even one with a reflective coating. These selections absorb less sunlight, and therefore transfer less heat into your steel building. This is great energy efficient way to keep your building cooler with the added benefit of lowering your AC bill!
3) Install Awnings or Metal Canopies

The addition of overhangs to your building’s design can help reduce the amount of sunlight that is directly hitting the exterior surface. This will help keep the interior temperature of your steel building cooler. If you don’t like the appearance of awnings or other overhangs, a similar effect can be achieved by integrating protective landscaping around your steel building’s exterior. Trees and shrubs, placed correctly, can provide shade in the summer that will help keep your building cooler!
If you are in the market for a steel building of your own, you are in the right place! The talented contractors at PTL are experienced in metalwork on jobs large or small. In fact, we are even an official Butler Building® contractor. Contact us online today or give us call at our office in Clarksville, TN at 931-647-0675. We would love to help you build a metal building perfect for all of your needs!

Source:

Whirlwind

PEMB: Pre-Engineered Metal Building

Posted on: April 27th, 2016 by Jazzy Elliott 1 Comment

A pre-engineered building is the perfect choice for a wide range of structural and aesthetic design choices.

Pre-engineered Metal Buildings are typically known as buildings that are all metal but that isn’t always the case. The major difference between the metal building and the other systems is the way the system is designed and the nature of the components. The design of the PEMB is processed through complex software that analyzes each of the various members at all locations along the lengths of those members.

Materials

Historically, the primary framing structure of a pre-engineered building is an assembly of I-shaped members. A computer is used to design the beams for these building. They are designed to meet the required maximum load at each point along the length of the beam. This is why you see tapered beams and columns in a metal building. This is one of the reasons that metal buildings are less expensive than other types of buildings. The I beams are then assembled to form the entire frame of the pre-engineered building. Once the frame is in place our teams will use a variety of materials (dependent on each project) to create the outer walls, roofing, and interiors. Some of these materials include:

Advances in computer-aided design technology, materials, and manufacturing have helped grow the amount of styles available when you are designing and customizing a PEMB to your exact needs

Design

When designing a pre-engineered building, engineers consider the clear span between bearing points, bay spacing, roof slope, live loads, dead loads, collateral loads, wind uplift, deflection criteria, internal crane system, maximum practical size, and weight of fabricated members. Once all of these factors have been determined and input, the designers will then select the most efficient I beams size for their projects based on the computer’s recommendations.

Energy Efficiency

Because buildings account for such a significant amount of the energy consumed in the world, choosing materials and designs with sustainability benefits provides one of the biggest opportunities to be environmentally conscious. There are a wide variety of insulation systems that significantly improve the performance of the roof insulation. Also, an efficiently designed pre-engineered building can be lighter than conventional steel buildings by up to 30%. Lighter weight means less steel, and a potential price savings.

At PTL we offer a variety of services that include installing PEMB, as well as complimentary construction and fabricating services. To learn more about your options when building a PEMB, contact us today. At PTL our reputation for customer satisfaction and quality, as well as competitive pricing, and experience makes us a trusted source for businesses of all sizes.

Sources:
Wikipedia
Butler Buildings
Andras

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