polyurethane
Dissapator Channel – Stop The Shock
Sometimes an excellent solution to a maintenance problem is available – but the problem is nobody knows about it. Redco™ Dissipater Channel is one such product. Unique to Redwood Plastics, the Dissipater Channel is for the stretch of the mill where logs first hit the deck. The maintenance problems that occur are shock, crystallization of … Continue reading
Polyurethane Saw Blade Carriers
Redco™ Sawblade carriers made of natural HDPE (high-density polyethylene) have been a proven product for many years. However, HDPE is a commodity-plastic and will wear more quickly than higher performance materials. Redwood Plastics has recently introduced the new polyurethane saw blade carriers. Urethane is easily molded, allowing the new carriers to be produced in custom … Continue reading
Cold Weather “Bionic Hooks”
So, how was winter? Polyurethane sorter hooks are a common application in sawmills. However, depending on the location of the mill the cold weather may cause problems. Especially like what most of North America experienced in 2014! Most hooks are made from 75D urethane and can get brittle in cold weather, which may result in … Continue reading
Urethane vs. Rubber
Urethane and rubber sometimes are lumped together as materials. This is because the two materials are both elastomers, meaning when compressed they will return to 90% of their original dimensions, though there is often 100% rebound in the rubber scale (shore A) urethanes. This elastomeric property means the materials can handle impact, shock and reduce vibration. … Continue reading
Urethanes Hard At Work
UHMW-PE gets a lot of attention in the mills as it is a proven solution with decades of success in a variety of sawmill and planar mill applications. However, the versatility and unique properties of polyurethane should be given equal attention. Urethanes can come in durometers (hardness) from eraser soft, to bowling ball hard. Functionally, this … Continue reading
Sprocket Solutions
Plastic sprockets in sawmills are a tested and valuable solution that reduces wear on chain and equipment while also reducing noise and downtime. Plastic sprockets come in several types including “Snap-it”, mill chain, drive and traditional bolt-on or split. Snap-it sprockets are the cheapest and are very easy to install, a video can be found here. However, snap-it sprockets are only … Continue reading
Deadplate = Equipment Life
Redco™ polyurethanes come in a variety of hardnesses useful in many sawmill applications. Our hardest urethanes are used in bearings and sprockets in many sawmills. However, just as popular is our softest urethane: 52A durometer “Deadplate”. Deadplate serves one purpose very well – it absorbs shock and stops kinetic energy flat. As a softer elastomer, Redco™ Deadplate has … Continue reading
Pulp and Paper Solutions
Many materials age and wear quickly; bronze, brass, rubber and steel are not always the optimal material for a given application which affects efficiency and production. Using Redco™ Plastic products such as Redco™ Polyurethane and Redco™ UHMW will improve performance with little initial cost and long term benefits, as well as reduce wear and … Continue reading
Hold Down Rolls Cracking?
REDCO™ 750 & 70A DUAL HARDNESS HOLD DOWN ROLLS A customer was having a big concern over the aluminum hubs cracking on their existing R & K hold down rolls. The hubs had a tendency to crack apart well before the urethane cover even had a chance to wear. As these rolls are solid and there are 5 … Continue reading