Factory
There are many different products and items that are produced in factories. From consumer goods to healthcare and agricultural equipment, the variety is huge. However, despite this variety, many pieces of machinery are commonly used in factories of all kinds producing all kinds of products. Here are 10 pieces of machinery that you would likely see on any given factory floor.
Generators
No factory can run without a power supply. While most factories will have a power supply hooked up to the grid, factory owners must also be prepared for emergencies such as storms, which can knock out power supplies. Generators that produce their own electricity are essential for factories as a back-up in case of emergency, so that other machines and operations can keep running.
Storage Tanks
Factories typically require large quantities of materials and many different components to produce their products. These all need to be stored somewhere before they become parts of the assembly line, and industrial storage tanks are usually the best option. Storage tanks come in many materials depending on the strength needed, from glass, plastic, and rubber to steel, aluminum, and many more.
Pumps
Many different manufacturing processes require exact amounts of pressure to transport materials such as liquids. For this, compressors and pumps are essential pieces of equipment.
Conveyors
One of the most important aspects of a manufacturing assembly line is the transport of materials and components from one vital piece of machinery to the next. While human workers are sometimes used for this, either driving forklifts or simply carrying materials in their hands, conveyors are usually used in most manufacturing setups. Sites like Fluent Conveyors explains all of the many different types of conveyors and their applications.
Lifts
When materials need to be transported vertically rather than horizontally, lifts are often used. Industries that make frequent use of lifts in their factories include construction, mining, and automotive. You have probably seen the standard “scissor” lift before.
Mixers
Many common materials are in fact composite materials—made of multiple natural elements. For example, concrete is made of cement, water, and finely crushed stone. Mixers are essential for producing composite materials.
Centrifuges
Sometimes materials need to be separated rather than mixed together. Centrifuges are used to separate liquids from solids or even from other liquids.
Shredders
Shredders are not just limited to offices—in fact, many manufacturing firms make use of them on the factory floor. As well as standard paper shredders, industrial shredders can shred all kinds of materials such as rubber and plastic. While typically used for waste products of the manufacturing process, shredders can also be used in the assembly line itself to produce narrow strips of material.
Balers
Like shredders, balers are most commonly used for waste products. Balers crush waste into more compact forms that are easier to store, transport, and dispose of. However, balers are also used in assembly lines sometimes.
Packaging Machinery
The final stage of most manufacturing processes is the packaging stage so that products can be ready for shipping. From cardboard boxes to vacuum-sealed plastic packaging, auto packaging machinery is often used to carry out the packing process more quickly and accurately.
