How should you best maintain and utilize a valve plate assembly? It’s first helpful to take a look at what goes into its design and manufacturing standards. Read more below.
Whatever manufacturing industry you are in, you are sure to be familiar with valve plates and their uses. However, when it comes to ensuring that your operations run as smoothly as possible, you should know the ins and outs of this important component – the valve. To keep your business moving forward it is also important to understand valve plate assembly and the manufacturing standards that need to be met.
Meeting Manufacturing Standards
When it comes to manufacturing, the materials that are used and the design that takes shape are fundamental to a good operation. In modern American manufacturing, the majority of compressor valve plates meet the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) cast-iron standards.
Although valve plates need to meet certain specifications, they can be made from a number of materials with the most common being alloys and composite steel. The guidelines from the AISI primarily look at the composition of the steel during manufacturing, although they do recognize that some industries will require different specifications.
As well as adhering to AISI guidelines, the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) is a body that oversees the standardized testing process to ensure that, chemically and physically, all manufacturers produce valves of the same high standard. You can check steel specifications by checking the digits on the steel, the first few signifying the type of steel and the last two referring to the carbon content. While you may not necessarily pay attention to these numbers when you purchase valve parts, they will come into play whenever you are looking for replacement parts.
Understanding Parts and Their Durability
Once you have looked at manufacturing standards and are confident that the materials that are being used passed the necessary standards, it is time to think about how durable the valve plates are.
Like most components of a valve, they will be subject to wear and tear, with valve plates being particularly prone to bending or melting.
Choosing a reliable manufacturer should mean that you are buying products that are resistant to extreme temperatures (both high and low) without impairing their stability. Good quality valve plates will also be able to handle repetitive movements and sustained pressure that is inevitable when it comes to long hours of manufacturing.
For those working with chemicals and highly toxic materials, corrosion and rusting is a risk, as is water and moisture. Thinking about these factors when purchasing your equipment could result in a reduction in downtime when valve plates cease to work.
However, ensuring the durability of valve plates doesn’t stop at manufacturing standards. It’s equally important to store these critical components properly before and after manufacturing. Proper storage helps prevent unnecessary damage that could compromise their performance and longevity.
Before manufacturing, storing valve plates in a controlled environment, away from direct sunlight, extreme temperatures, and moisture, can significantly extend their lifespan. This prevents premature degradation of materials and maintains their structural integrity.
After manufacturing, careful storage remains vital. Keeping valve plates in designated Sunward Steel Self Storage units, or similar steel building storage units, can safeguard them from environmental factors that might otherwise lead to bending, melting, or corrosion. These units offer a secure and climate-controlled environment, ensuring that your valve plates remain in optimal condition until they are needed for installation.
Importance of Precision in Compressor Parts when Manufacturing
As mentioned previously, good design is essential when it comes to effective production levels when using valve parts. Precise cutting will ensure that all of your machinery functions the way that it should be and this is extremely important as any slight sign that a measurement is out will hinder operations. Not only will poor cutting halt your operations, but it can also damage all of your machinery, not just the valve plate.
With this in mind, you will want to choose a parts company that employs cutting-edge technology and that is constantly looking at how technology can improve their manufacturing so that you get the most out of the machinery.
Once your valve components are installed and operating, you should make sure that you clean and service them on a regular basis, as per guidelines from the manufacturer, and that you keep up with all maintenance so that the machinery does not break down completely.
Valve Plate Assembly Safety
Valve plate assembly is an integral part of using any compressor, no matter what application you are using. High-quality valve plate assembly is essential in ensuring that you are running a safe operation in which all of your staff can feel secure. Sure, you will not want your equipment to break down and lose you money, but it is also important and necessary to protect the people that are operating your equipment.
Injuries in the manufacturing workplace are high when it comes to poor quality equipment and poor assembly failing the people that are using it. To follow full health and safety guidelines and to pass inspections, there is no room to compromise on quality.
In order to make sure that you are meeting all safety guidelines and agency standards, it may be beneficial to ask a manufacturing supplier representative to come to your business and assess your individual needs. They can ensure that you buy the right equipment and that you have the necessary spare parts in your inventory on site, or that you have a definite plan in place for when spare parts may be required.
A professional and expert business will also be able to let you know of any post purchase support that can be offered in terms of technical support, warranties, services, and replacements. The cost of all this may be higher than you have budgeted for, but it will benefit your business in the long run.
On-site Repairs and Safety
Valve plates are fairly easy to install if you know what you are doing. If you don’t, then you really should not be attempting valve plate assembly yourself. An experienced technician will be able to reinstall a valve part or repair it if it looks like it can be redeemed, in a relatively short space of time. Quick repairs and installations will mean there is minimal disruption to your operations and that you can meet order deadlines.
It is wise to have an inventory of spare parts, particularly valve plates that can be prone to breaking down due to factors such as temperate and wear and tear, as we have already spoken about. Always be on the lookout for signs of cracking and bends and be on hand to replace valve parts at quieter periods of your operation.
Conclusion
Most of the above advice may seem like common sense, but mistakes can be made when you are working in a hectic environment. You may need to take a step back to ensure that you are doing the best for your business and customers.