Tagged With: sawmill
UHMW – 3 Concerns
UHMW-PE is likely the best known plastic in the sawmill industry and with good reason. The material is relatively inexpensive, as engineering plastic goes, yet has a number of useful properties: impact strength, low coefficient of friction, and ease of machining among others. But no material is without its concerns or drawbacks. These are the … Continue reading
Next-Gen Bushings
Several mills on the pacific coast of the U.S. are currently running tests on a new kiln cart bushing. These were designed by Redwood Plastics’ Woodland location in response to complaints about existing bushings in the mills. The regular blue nylon was causing frustrations as the kiln carts were difficult to move. To the point that, … 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
Staying Safe With Polycarbonate
The benefits of using of urethanes, UHMW and nylon in mills is well-known; however, the benefits of polycarbonate may be overlooked. Most people are familiar with polycarbonate but perhaps do not make the connection on how this remarkable material can benefit your saw or planar mill – specifically, in regards to safety. Polycarbonate is a clear, glazing … Continue reading
Sawmill Solutions
If you are new to the sawmill industry you might be surprised by the use of industrial plastics in mills. If you look closely you may see plastics virtually everywhere in sight. Plastic sprockets, hooks, wheels, wear strips – all while mill chain is running on a bed of plastic channel. The reason for this volume of plastic is … Continue reading
The Simple SharkFin
“Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it’s worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains.” -Steve Jobs Well, we can’t move mountains with our simplicity – but we sure can move boards! The Shark … Continue reading
One Tough Bed
UHMW is well-known in the sawmill industry. Maintenance managers understand the material and the track record of benefits it provides. However, UHMW is not a ‘miracle’ plastic that makes sense in all situations. Other materials may be optimal, and sharp chain bed is one application where UHMW has an upgrade. The standard for chain bed is changing. One … Continue reading
Titanium Chain Channel
Yellow UHMW polyethylene chain channel has been a proven solution in mills for years. The plastic channel fits into existing metal channel and increases equipment life, reduces chain wear and reduces power requirements as equipment does not have to work as hard to pull the chain. Like any good technology, improvements are developed and capabilities … Continue reading
Sharks in Siberia
Recently Redwood Plastics completed a deal to send a modifed 4-grader SharkFin Board Turning System to a mill near Irkutsk, Russia. Irkutsk is one of the largest cities in Siberia and is known as a “hub” of administration and trade. The four grader system was designed to optimize quality of grading yet increase … Continue reading
Redco LUG LOADER WHEELS and 9600 IMPACT BEARINGS
Redco™ LUG LOADER WHEELS The Redco™ Lug Loader Wheel is a long-wearing, double-hardness split unit that can either be keyed to the shaft or provided to the press on. Lightweight, easy to install and extremely durable, this unit will far outlast rubber. View the product specification sheet here Redco™ 9600 IMPACT BEARINGS Introduced to deal … Continue reading