The fourth industrial revolution is bringing change to manufacturers as decades-old processes need to be reworked to meet the changing environment and to maintain relevance in the modern marketplace. Rethinking business processes can bring about change that leads to a win for manufacturing companies. There is one hard and fast rule in manufacturing. Machines break down. Traditionally machine breakdowns are avoided with a combination of experience and instinct, but now a new solution has risen from amongst the buzzwords that surround this revolution. Predictive Maintenance.

What is predictive maintenance?

Predictive maintenance is a method for anticipating the maintenance requirements of machines on your factory floor. Using historical data, it can predict which machines are likely to fail, which machines need service, and most importantly, figuring out the root of the problem. This leads to data collections that enable a manufacturer to improve production capabilities as their resources can $50 billion more wisely.

What are the benefits?

Four main benefits will stem from integrating predictive maintenance into your operation. The first is equipment lifespan. With data points revealing equipment needs you will be able to get more from your machines. Once data is collected long enough, you will soon be able to plan for upcoming parts cost and allocate labor and money appropriately. The second will be the downtime. Machine downtime, whether it is planned or unplanned, will both become more efficient. Unplanned downtime cost manufacturers up to $50 billion per year according to the Wall Street Journal. The third benefit is increased production. This will obviously impact revenues as each machine’s output is increased resulting in a healthier bottom line. The fourth benefit to consider is the productivity increases in your workforce. When a machine has an unplanned breakdown, the resulting rush hinders your employees’ time and production schedules. It is far less costly and time-efficient to perform smaller routine maintenance tasks.

What Predictive maintenance looks like on the manufacturing floor

Next we will look at a high-level view you can use when choosing to implement predictive maintenance into your manufacturing process. The process starts on the production line with your equipment assets which is combined with the data collecting hardware. This is where the data is collected and this then leads into the data storage portion of the system. Data storage is the point where the data is put through the AI algorithms to provide the analytical and predictive data which is then put into dashboards and alerts. While this doesn’t provide an in-depth description of each process we hope it gives you value when researching and implementing predictive maintenance into your day to day operations.

 

We see a lot of exciting changes ahead for the manufacturers we deal with every day. The modern manufacturer is far ahead of the generations past, and the fourth industrial revolution will bring manufacturers into a new age of productivity and growth. With 42 years of witnessing the change in the manufacturing industry, we cant wait to see what is next.

Thanks for reading,

Bee Clean Team

A scheduled maintenance program for your electrostatic air cleaners is an aspect manufacturers must consider. While it may seem like an expense, the return on investment is clear when it comes to employee productivity and equipment expenses. In this blog, we discuss the four key results we see our customers in the manufacturing industry benefit from when participating in a scheduled maintenance program.

Efficiency

As with most scheduled maintenance and preventative maintenance, the effectiveness of the program is top of mind. There are three different points of efficiency to consider, Air Cleaner efficiency, Energy efficiency, and Employee efficiency. In terms of effectiveness related to the air cleaner collecting, as it gets dirtier and collects further back, it becomes less and less efficient, which then leads to failure and arcing damage. Thus, with regular cleaning, the efficiency of the equipment benefits tremendously. One of the benefits of electrostatic air cleaners is the extremely low energy use as compared to comparable Media filtration equipment. Unless regularly scheduled maintenance is performed on media air cleaners, the energy use will continue to increase as they get dirty. Lastly, employee efficiency is to be considered in cases when the equipment is allowed to get dirty to the point of smoke blowing through. This results in an unpleasant working environment.

Equipment Lifetime

Scheduled maintenance of any equipment in your facility will positively benefit its lifetime. This holds true with electrostatic air cleaners. We have been servicing the same electrostatic air cleaners for 40+ years so we get to see firsthand how a regularly scheduled service prevents many of the issues that can arise with your equipment. Some things to watch for are the blowers becoming dirty, and out of balance and power supplies not outputting the correct voltage. Luckily with scheduled maintenance, a tech can quickly diagnose an issue and eliminate a problem before it affects equipment lifetime.

Financial

The benefits of a scheduled maintenance program financially are one of the most important factors. When service is neglected because of a cost orientated mindset, this may lead to what appears to be short term gain but generally will lead to costly repairs down the road. Regular service cuts down on the wear of parts such as the power supply which will have an increased load if not regularly serviced. Collection cells also get ruined with lack of maintenance, which leads to an unnecessary expense as we have seen collections cells last upwards of 25 years. Another factor to consider is the cost of overtime when a machine failure occurs. Often when the electrostatic air cleaner cannot run, the machines they collect from cannot either which adds up additional unnecessary expenditure.

Safety

The last benefit to consider is the safety of your employees. Poor working conditions resulting from improperly maintained air cleaners can result in a slip hazard or even worse adversely affect an employee’s physical health resulting in insurance claims. Air quality should be top of mind when considering regularly scheduled maintenance.

At Bee Clean Specialties, we are in business to improve employees working conditions with the solutions we provide. We can work with you to provide a solution that fits in with your budget and benefits your facility and employees. Contact us today to take advantage of our Free Air Cleaner Evaluation. As always remember if you Breathe Better, you will Work Better, and Live Better.

 

Thanks for reading,

 

The Bee Clean Team

contact@beecleanspecialties.com

847.451.0844.

Today we excitedly announce that we are launching a new logo. Over the next few months, we will be phasing out the old and bringing in the new. Our team worked to create a more meaningful logo which symbolizes who we have become. You will see the new look immediately on our LinkedIn, Facebook and website pages.

Our mission is “To protect employee health and improve their working conditions by providing clean air solutions,” and in the creation of this logo, we kept it at the forefront. The shield represents our commitment to protecting employee health. We’ve updated our well-known Bee to add some personality but still provides an element of familiarity to our customers. The last component we wanted to discuss is the addition of the clean sparkle to symbolize how we strive to provide a clean air solution.

We hope you like our new look and feel.  As we integrate this change across all our touchpoints just remember that it is still us, we are still the same people and we are always serving and helping our manufacturing customers to Breathe Better, Work Better and Live Better. Don’t forget to share your thoughts below!

Thank you!

The Bee Clean Team

The Manufacturing sector have been continuing to grow at a faster clip in recent months. In December 2018 Forbes reported Manufacturing jobs are growing at a 714% faster clip under this current administration. While this is great news for our manufacturing customers and the growth has been evident as they continue to add capital improvements to their budgets it also increases the pressure on their Human Resources departments. Read on to discover three key areas to pay attention to during this period of increased economic growth.

Employee Turnover

One of the leading causes of an employee leaving a position is poor working conditions. Air quality in manufacturing is the first way to combat poor working conditions. The studies are many of the effects that air quality have on employee morale and keeping a positive workplace. Employees now have a choice when it comes to where they will be employed, and investments in your air quality equipment and maintenance will pay dividends toward your working conditions and maintaining a positive workplace.

Employee Productivity

In a study from 2008 Researchers calculated that the improvements in air quality between 1999 and 2008 saved the US manufacturing industry $20 billion a year in productivity or 2.6% of the industry’s wage bill. Those numbers are staggering and point up how investments in your air quality will directly affect your bottom line and help you realize that poor air quality makes your employees perform worse in their job duties. Not only do improvements in air quality save you dollars regarding employee productivity but they also keep you compliant with OSHA and EPA regulations.

Recruiting

Currently, when you set out to recruit employees, you must be conscious of the increased demand for the manufacturing workforce. Some things to consider here are workplace attitude and the physical appearance of your factory. Both are a direct result of your industrial air cleaning equipment. In the picture below, you see an extremely clean and well-maintained facility. It also helps you understand how this visually affects a future employees decision to join your workforce.

With more than 40 years in the manufacturing industry working with industrial electrostatic applications, we are well suited to diagnose and help you improve your existing equipment. We wish you the best success in your Human Resource department. Contact us for a Free Air Cleaner Evaluation in our service area.

Thanks for reading,

The Bee Clean Team

contact@beecleanspecialties.com

(847)451-0844

When we are out serving our customers in the industrial manufacturing markets, we are often asked the question “I Already have Air Cleaners, Why Is There Still A Haze in the Air? This really comes down to three factors that you can audit in your facility to improve the quality of the workplace you and your employees work in.

Factor # 1 Particle Size:

Sub-micron particulates produced by manufacturing can be visible to the naked eye if larger than 7 micrometers. Some of the smaller particles are not visible to the naked eye and must be measured by a particle counter. The smoke plumes seen in the air are made up of a range of these sizes of particles. Interestingly the smaller particles can take up to several days to settle on a surface which raises challenges for employee health and morale. On a source capture system you can have particles escaping during the manufacturing process and it wont be visible to the naked eye. This is particularly a problem with manufactures who run 24/7. If you already have a source capture Air Cleaning system in place a common solution is adding an additional Ambient or Free Air system which then captures the particles creating the haze in your factory.

Factor # 2 Efficiency Rating

The efficiency rating of your Air Cleaner is another factor to consider. On a properly sized system you should be seeing an efficiency rating of over 90%. On the Electrostatic air cleaners we service we see an almost 99% collection of airborne particles. On Media Air Cleaners checking the MERV rating of your media filters helps you understand what efficiency rating you are at. Typically a MERV rating of 16 is collecting around 95% of airborne particles. Both Electrostatic and Media air cleaners need regular service and maintenance to perform at their highest efficiency.

Factor # 3 Machine Load:

Thermally generated smoke is produced in varying amounts from the different kind of job materials you run through your production equipment. If the material being used causes too much smoke this will cause your electrostatic or media air cleaner to become overwhelmed and the efficiency will fall significantly causing smoke to blow through the machine and evade capture. This problem is easy to detect because it is visible to the naked eye and if not a frequent problem the particles will settle in a few hours. If this is a recurring issue in your production facility, then you should look at adding additional air cleaning capabilities.

With 41 years working in industrial manufacturing facilities we have the firsthand experience to look at challenges in your air cleaning application and recommend changes that work within your budget and time frame. Reach out today to take advantage of our Free Air Cleaner Evaluation with no strings attached!

Thanks for Reading,

The Bee Clean Team

contact@beecleanspecialties.com

847.451.0844

You can use the following blog to help you make a decision when debating what type of media fiber you need for your specific application. A few things you need to understand before continuing to read. A MERV rating means Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value which was developed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioner Engineers – ASHRAE. MERV values vary from 1 to 16. The higher the MERV value is the value the more efficient the filter will be in trapping airborne particles. Another factor to consider is your application, this will affect the lifecycle and operating condition of the media fiber.

Cellulose and Cellulose Blend:

Cellulose media filters are widely used in industrial applications. They are primarily sourced from wood pulp and cotton which makes them very inexpensive to produce. They have a low MERV efficiency rating of 8 to 10. These are typically seen in low-cost commodity grade filters and have a short service life. Things to remember are the cost of service due to a short service life and the operating condition the media will be under in the application.

Spunbonded polyester:

Spunbonded polyester media filters are made up of 100% polyester and typically have an average MERV rating of 10 to 11. These media filters are strong and very resistant to abrasion and moisture resulting in them being used in many dust collection applications. Their lifespan is still considered shorter so this should be kept in mind but their strength makes them ideal in dust collecting.

Nanofiber:

Nanofiber is typically a layer of synthetic nanofibers that are attached to the substrate. The have a very high MERV rating from 13 to 15. They work to defend from submicron particles from getting into the substrate. This extends out the media lifecycle because the substrate is protected. They have a very good lifecycle performance vs cost balance.

ePTFE membrane:

The ePTFE is also a surface loading media. This will be found on a polyester substrate and has an extremely high MERV rating of 16. Its sturdy construction holds up to abrasion and moisture better than the nanofiber. This media has a higher cost than most and would typically only be used for specific applications that require it.

Picking the correct media filter that will provide the best lifecycle performance and value for money will help your operation improve production. Work closely with your supplier to construct the best solutions. Servicing industrial clients in the Tri-State area we know that not all suppliers are created equal for every application. Reach out if you need further assistance for a Free Air Cleaner Evaluation in the Tri State Area.

Thanks for Reading,

The Bee Clean Team

847.451.0844

There are three types of methods that are used when capturing and collecting contaminants. Our experienced technicians perform routine maintenance and repair work alongside manufacturing and commercial operators in the Tri-State area on all three types of applications. The three basic types and features that define them are below:

1. Unducted Air Cleaning: As discussed in a previous blog success in unducted systems comes when you establish a recirculating airflow in your space. The airflow is established by having the clean airflow from one precipitator blow across to the intake of the next precipitator which collects the rising pollutants along with it. The units are generally mounted on the ceiling which avoids the need for ducting which saves cost and allows easy access to production equipment. The application and design must be right for unducted air cleaning to succeed.
2. Source Capture: This is still the most recommended way to capture air for Electrostatic applications. The two ways to design a source capture system are through ducts and hoods. Through a ducted system, the containment is confined to a system of local exhaust ductwork and is transported through to the air cleaner. In a hooded system, the contaminant is released into the room air but then quickly captured by a hood normally placed above the source of pollution.
3. Central System: This application is normally used in larger manufacturing facilities. A central electrostatic System is placed in the facility sometimes outside or on the roof. A large ducting system attaches to the production equipment and the contaminant is drawn to the precipitator and collected. This design is generally used when there are rows of machines aligned with each other. This creates efficiencies with ducting and contaminant capture.

When improving or designing your air cleaning system you must understand the principles of ventilation engineering. Our technicians are trained in them and have real-world experience to bring you the most effective containment solution. We hope you enjoyed this brief explanation and we are always here to help you get the most from your existing system. Reach out today for your Free Air Cleaner Evaluation.

Thanks for Reading,

The Bee Clean Team

847.451.0844.

We here at Bee Clean are excited to announce we are hiring for a Field Service Technician Position.

What’s the Available Position?

As a Field Service Tech for Bee Clean Specialties LLC, you will be helping employees of manufacturers breathe clean air, which improves their productivity and health. We service industrial electrostatic air cleaners that take the smoke and oil mist out of the air at companies that machine parts out of metal.

What’s the Requirements for the position?

To qualify for this job, you need:

• Mechanical / Electrical Knowledge
• Ability to Climb Ladders
• Able to Carry 40+ Pounds
• Have a Valid Drivers License
• Polite, Caring Attitude

Why have a career at Bee Clean Specialties?

When you accept a position at Bee Clean Specialties you can expect the following benefits.

• Personal Time Off
• Comprehensive Health Insurance Plans
• A Learning Culture
• We Are Mission Driven

Thank you for considering ,

The Bee Clean Team

Apply Now!

Often in life, we try to go the cheap route, and sometimes it ends up costing us.  This is true when it comes to ductwork design on air filtration systems.   As we know the employee market in the manufacturing industry is very tight, everyone is trying to retain and recruit employees.  One of the factors that helps in this is air quality.

Some small changes to your filtration system can yield great returns – especially in system performance and cost of operation.

One common mistake is in the hoods or lack thereof at the source of capture.

The most common and least expensive of all hood configurations is the “raw edge hood.” It is just an open duct which stops near the source of the smoke. Hood design just doesn’t get much simpler than this approach.

Raw edge hoods, while very simple to produce, provide the poorest performance in collecting contaminants at the point of generation. This hood configuration pulls air not only from in front of the duct opening but, unfortunately, also from behind the hood opening, which makes it inefficient. This configuration also creates turbulence that, depending on airspeed, can effectively make an 8” duct equivalent to a 6” duct because of the air being compressed as it comes around the edge of the duct. (see drawing below) It also can contribute to increased energy losses and a potentially larger fan. This hood configuration option is less than optimal from a total cost of operation perspective.

There are many hood options, but one that is simple and very cost effective is the bell-mouth.  It is so named because its tapered shape resembles that of a bell.

The bell-mouth shape allows the maximum amount of air to be drawn into the duct with minimum loss. It has a flange style piece that prevents pulling air from behind the duct opening and the low turbulence of the spun bowl entry profile.  With these attributes, it not only helps bring more volume of air but also helps with the direction that the air is pulled from.

In summary, if your factory is hazy, take a look around.  Can you see where the smoke or mist is not being captured?  Are there ducts that just stop over the parts bin that can have a bell-mouth or hood added?  Are there parts of the machine the can be enclosed?  There may be some small changes that can save you large expense and help your employees stay healthy.

Thanks for Reading,

The Bee Clean Team

847-451-0844

contact@beecleanspecialties.com

 

2018 has been a blockbuster year for the manufacturing sector and this quarter has been no exception. The Industry Supply Managements (ISM) Manufacturing report released this month showed factories continuing to grow and the decade-old expansion holding up into the second half of 2018.(1) Manufacturing outputs also continued to rise. The sharpest increase occurred this month with year-on-year outputs rising to 3.1%. This was the highest since June 2012.(2).

These results show the optimism currently in the industry. As an integral part of the manufacturing industry, we see these results first hand. Our customers are adding to their production capabilities and workforce’s with great stride. Remember to maintain your air filtration equipment to avoid falls in productivity and employee complaints. At Bee Clean, our technicians are always ready to solve your air filtration needs.

 

Thanks for Reading,

The Bee Clean Team

847-451-0844

contact@beecleanspecialties.com

 

Web Source:

1. The Industry Supply Managements (ISM) Manufacturing report, https://www.industryweek.com/economy/us-factory-gauge-jumps-14-year-high-orders-jobs-climb (accessed September 28, 2018).
2. Manufacturing Outputs, https://tradingeconomics.com/united-states/manufacturing-production (accessed September 28, 2018).