Industrial-grade liquid paint markers are essential tools for various applications, including manufacturing, welding, fabricating, construction, and MRO. However, to ensure optimal performance and longevity, it is crucial to properly prime and store these markers.
Here's a simple guide to walk you through the process of priming and storing your industrial-grade liquid paint markers to help you get the best results from your Markal® markers and extend their lifespan.
]]>Industrial-grade liquid paint markers are essential tools for various applications, including manufacturing, welding, fabricating, construction, and MRO. However, to ensure optimal performance and longevity, it is crucial to properly prime and store these markers.
In this article, we will guide you through the process of priming and storing your industrial-grade liquid paint markers, helping you get the best results from your Markal® markers and extend their lifespan. Please note that Markal® has liquid paint markers for general-purpose applications, as well as formulations beyond general-purpose marking criteria, that meet high-performance requirements for specific industrial applications.
Detailed information about the safe handling and storage of specific Markal® markers can be obtained by visiting the Resource page on our website and downloading the Safety Data Sheet for the marker.
Priming liquid paint markers is a necessary step to activate the paint flow and achieve consistent, vibrant marks. Follow these steps to prime your Markal® liquid paint markers effectively:
Proper storage is vital for preserving the quality and lifespan of your Markal® liquid paint markers. Here are some guidelines to follow:
Properly priming and storing Markal® industrial-grade liquid paint markers is crucial for achieving optimal performance and maximizing their lifespan. By following the steps outlined in this guide, product users can ensure consistent paint flow and preserve the quality of their Markal® markers. Remember to prime the markers by shaking them well, depressing the nib, testing the paint flow and performance on the desired surface, and securely recapping the marker when done. Store your markers horizontally, away from extreme temperatures and other chemicals. By adopting these practices, you can enhance your marking experience and get the most out of your Markal® liquid paint markers.
About LA-CO Industries, Inc.
LA-CO Industries, Inc. is a family-owned global manufacturing company specializing in industrial products since 1934. Its mission is to complete the world’s jobs through ink and paint expertise. Brands of LA-CO Industries include: Markal® hand-held industrial markers, Tempil® temperature indicators, LA-CO®branded plumbing chemicals, and the All-Weather® brand of livestock identification products.
LA-CO Industries-branded products can be found at over 4,000 distributors and are currently sold in more than 70 countries. For more information visit www.lacoindustries.com.
]]>LA-CO Industries, Inc., a family-owned global manufacturing company specializing in industrial hand-held markers, temperature indicators, plumbing chemicals, and livestock identification products, today announced the promotion of Benjamin Kleiman to President. In this new role, Mr. Kleiman will be responsible for overseeing the leadership team and for key decisions to champion the success of the company and those who work there.
With this promotion, LA-CO Industries, Inc. is advancing into its fourth generation of family leadership. Mr. Kleiman has been with LA-CO Industries for over 19 years and has held a variety of sales and marketing roles, including Vice President of Sales and Marketing. In his most recent role as General Manger, he was responsible for overseeing numerous upgrades to the operations and commercial teams. Mr. Kleiman empowered his team to lead with data-driven decisions, improving the company’s operational effectiveness, including: strategic customer investments, overall inventory reduction of 15%, and a 50% increase in customer order value and order efficiencies.
“It is with great pleasure that I announce the promotion of Benjamin Kleiman to President,” said Steve Smith, CEO of LA-CO Industries. “Benjamin’s commitment over the last 19 years has been essential to the continued strength of LA-CO Industries.”
Of the recent promotion, Mr. Kleiman says, “I’m humbled by this opportunity to expand upon the legacy started by Dr. Lester Aronberg 89 years ago and advanced by my grandfather, Charles Kleiman and father, Dan Kleiman. Aside from supporting the hardworking individuals who use our products in the industries we serve, I am most proud to be entrusted with fostering an environment that supports the people who work here. LA-CO Industries is, and will continue to be, a place where people can develop themselves and build a career doing something they enjoy.”
About LA-CO Industries, Inc.
LA-CO Industries, Inc. is a family-owned global manufacturing company specializing in industrial products since 1934. Its mission is to complete the world’s jobs through ink and paint expertise. Brands of LA-CO Industries include: Markal® hand-held industrial markers, Tempil® temperature indicators, LA-CO® branded plumbing chemicals, and the All-Weather® brand of livestock identification products.
LA-CO Industries-branded products can be found at over 4,000 distributors and are currently sold in more than 70 countries. For more information visit www.lacoindustries.com.
Failure. It’s not a word many people these days seem comfortable hearing. Gloria Biard, Product Development Chemist, is a firm believer that the word failure is just that, a word. One that doesn’t need to be reframed. There’s much more substance to her beliefs about the definition of failure, as it underlies her motivation to conquer obstacles she’s faced while forming her career path in science and chemistry.
“My family moved here from Puerto Rico, probably late 40s, or early 50s. We moved into a German-Polish neighborhood, but I grew up in a Hispanic household. In those days, it wasn’t expected of girls to go to college or get a job that required higher education. It was more along the lines of getting married, having babies and that’s the end of it. So, I didn’t go (to college) right away,” Gloria reminisces.
“Even in high school,” she continues. “I was told, unless you’re a straight-A student, you’ll get a job as a file clerk. That’s what you should aspire to. It always stuck with me in the back of my mind.” That statement, on top of being a self-proclaimed average student who struggled with advanced mathematics, triggered Gloria to make a life-changing decision in her 20s. She decided to enter college in the field of chemistry. “I decided to pursue something difficult for me. Something that would discipline me,” Gloria recalls. “So first, I took a lot of math. When I began to take chemistry, I realized how much I enjoyed the subject and became immersed in my studies.”
Through dogged determination, Gloria achieved her goals and obtained her degree in organic chemistry with a minor in math. She was the first in her family to break the mold, go to college, and graduate. “It wasn’t easy. I worked full-time and went to school part-time. It took me about 8 or 9 years to finish.,” she says, “When I got that degree, it was an affirmation that I had the drive. That I could do it. I didn’t need somebody telling me I could be a file clerk when I could be a chemist.”
After graduation, Gloria began looking for her first job in the field. The goal was to be able to support herself and stand on her own two feet. “I thought I could just work for a place doing tasks like washing beakers all day or be a lab tech,” Gloria remembers. “But my first manager, he saw something in me. He thought that I would be a good research and development person. That became my first position.”
Gloria studied, researched, and learned during her time in R&D. She found that she had a natural skill for it and gained the confidence she needed as an adult entering the workforce at a later stage in life. This instilled an excitement for her work that she continues to carry to this day. When asked what she likes the most about her field, she says, “It’s challenging. You have the science to prove what you’re doing is right. The challenge is developing a formula that will work. You also need creativity to think out of the box. I’m good about that.”
Making ink or paint doesn’t follow an exact science. “It’s a little bit of everything – science, math, materials, and creativity – it’s like cooking.,” she says. “You can make up a recipe based on theory and know-how or have one ready to cook. Sometimes it doesn’t work. You need to keep trying with different variables. Once you have success, it makes up for everything else.”
Reinforcing her outlook on failure, Gloria emphasizes the need to be willing to keep trying and problem-solving, no matter how many times it takes. “You have more failures than successes in the development industry. The science of chemical reactions doesn’t necessarily achieve what you’re attempting to put into place.”
“Development failures are roughly around 90% and the success rate is about 10%,” she continues. “You need to be thick-skinned; should love the science that goes behind it and enjoy working in a lab-type environment. It's fun, it's challenging and it's frustrating. It’s for the type of person that’s not willing to give up. To me, that’s the satisfaction of being in this field and my definition of achieving success.”
There were more successes and failures on Gloria’s journey. When asked what she considers one of her most memorable lab moments, Gloria recalls something she learned from her beginnings of product development. “Once I had developed a product for a company that was never tested in production. It didn’t work. That became a lesson learned to never develop without verifying success in production. It’s not that you’re failing, but you’re learning along the way. You find out what not to do and what doesn’t work the way you may have expected. That leads to success down the road.”
Gloria says her defining moment came when she received Excellence Awards for the innovation of two products that were developed for the Electronics and Semiconductor Industries. “I wasn’t expecting it (the awards) but that was the moment for me,” she said. “It was a team effort and that’s the moment where I thought, ‘I’ve made it.’”
Achieving success has never been a solo endeavor according to Gloria. She fondly cites several people along the way that had an impact on the way she views life and her career. “My mom became such an independent woman when she came here,” she says with a proud smile. “She didn’t know English, so she had to learn. She didn’t have a choice. She had to do what she had to, to survive. She worked many different jobs and was an incredibly strong person. She was very creative; I think I got that from her.”
Included in her attributions were mentors and managers that put faith in her abilities during a time when she was having doubts. “They were instrumental in helping me,” Gloria credits. “I can’t say I’m successful because I did this, or I did that. It’s always a team effort. My success was dependent on everybody that’s helped me along the way. My success was their success.”
That’s a mantra that Gloria carries forward through her work at LA-CO Industries, Inc. For over twelve years, Gloria has had her hand in developing many popular products for the globally known Markal® brand, which makes marking tools for industrial professionals, tradespeople, and DIYers all over the world. She’s also a point of technical contact as one of LA-CO’s Lab Tech Experts, assisting customers with product questions and technical information.
“I started right off the bat at LA-CO Industries in R&D. It was a completely different industry for me since it was paint,” she says. “It doesn’t matter what you formulate with because you have that knowledge. Solvents will react a certain way, resins, and so on. My manager at the time was Tim Torkelson and he was great at this. He showed me how our products are made, and with his guidance, I was able to come up with new products and modify others.”
“We have several product categories,” she continues, referring to the brands Markal® markers, LA-CO® chemicals, Tempil® temperature indicators, All-Weather Livestock Markers®, and Tempilink® inks for specialty applications. “I’ve been fortunate to be involved in processes for each one of them, developing, modifying, or helping in production. There are so many different products that we develop and manufacture at LA-CO Industries; it's always an interesting and exciting challenge."
Gloria has had her hand in development across a spectrum of products, from livestock markers to sterilization inks, and even more recently formulations designed for aerospace. To name a few products specifically, Gloria has worked with many of our liquid paint markers like Paint-Riter®+ Rough Surface (XT) and Paint-Riter®+ Heat Treat (HT), as well as solid paint, like All-Weather® Paintstiks® and the Quik-Stik® line of markers.
She’s additionally embraced opportunities to mentor and help recently graduated interns get started looking for positions within the field. Whether it’s testing out the latest formulation or shaping the upcoming generation of chemists, Gloria’s style is thorough explanations that include why she does something, not only how.
“Some people don’t give an intern much guidance or advice, but there's a reality to life. When you're younger, you're on top of the world and think you have nothing to worry about. Life is not easy, or always black and white. It’s gray. You must be flexible. If you want to do something that you like, you should sit down and write what you want to do. From there, go and seek positions that interest you,” she advises. “They’ve always called me the Lab Mom for things like that.” By the grin on her face, you can tell she loves the nickname.
When asked what it’s like working in the lab at LA-CO Industries, Gloria smiles and says, “We love the lab, we have fun, we work, but we laugh and enjoy our jobs. If somebody needs something or struggles, we’re there to help each other. We sometimes disagree with each other, but at the end of the day we have each other's back.”
Well, it’s time to get back in the lab, Gloria. There are more "failures" to explore to reach the next innovation in industrial marking. 😉
LA-CO Industries, Inc. takes pride in supporting the hardworking contractors and workers that build the world’s greatest bridges, ships, automobiles, aircraft, homes, office towers, power plants, and many other engineering marvels. We’d love to see what you’re working on!
Share your mark with our products by tagging us on social channels and using #themarkofwork.
]]>From sunrise to sunset, you work hard to keep your farm thriving and productive. You know what to expect from your farm’s daily operations including how your animals are going to react in normal situations, however, sometimes the unexpected happens and disaster strikes. Is your farm ready to handle it?
Like any other home or workplace, farms are not immune to the fallout of emergencies and disasters. Disastrous events can be natural, or people-made and can happen anywhere, at any time, and be caused by many different factors. Examples of common disasters related to farming and livestock are:
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The best chance of recovery from unexpected events like these, is to plan and prepare for the possibilities ahead of time. OSHA and Ready.gov have lists of hazards to be aware of that should be considered in your disaster response preparations as well as tips for planning.
Creating a disaster preparedness plan or EAP (Emergency Action Plan) for your farm is an important part of being ready for emergencies. The consideration put into your plan will have an impact on how well the emergency can be mitigated and how quickly your farm will recover from damage and/or losses. Livestock owners should take extra consideration for their animals; especially if the farm specializes in large animals, due to their size, care, transportation, evacuation and/or potential sheltering needs.
As a vital component of your disaster plan, disaster kits should be ready and available for your farm. Disaster kits can be made with many of the supplies regularly on hand and be further customized for people and the various types of animals your farm supports. Ideally, kits should contain a mix of items that are used for emergency purposes as well as items used daily. If you live in an area that experiences seasonal changes, you’ll need to make sure that your plan and supplies are appropriate to the season.
Access to water, and plenty of it, should be of utmost importance. You’ll need water for your family and your livestock, for at least a few days. Water should be available for hydration use as well as sanitary purposes. Be sure to add those considerations to your calculations so there is enough water in reserve for your entire farm. Food for people should include non-perishable goods that don’t require cooking or special preparation. It’s a good idea to include items such as can openers, utensils for eating and garbage bags as well. Calculate enough feed availability that’s appropriate for each type of animal supported on your farm.
First aid kits should always be readily available for both humans and animals. During an unplanned disaster, having first kits becomes even more of a necessity since it could have a direct impact on the health and condition of those living on your farm. First aid kits should have items like assorted size bandages, gauze pads, antibiotics, cleansing agents, compresses, scissors, shears, tweezers, wraps, blankets and any other items you might use for care and basic treatment.
Important personal documents should be ready to go on short notice. Include personal contact information, your insurance agent and current policies (property and medical), banking information, veterinary contact, police, fire and emergency contact info of someone who lives outside of the effected disaster area. Contact information for your local humane organization, agricultural extension agent and emergency management agency is also highly recommended.
If a disaster strikes your area, you may need to move your livestock to a safer location. Cages, halters, leads, ropes, trailers and other animal handling and logistical equipment will help make it easier and quicker to get animals to safety.
Have a set of tools set aside for emergency use in an easily accessible place. Include a shut-off wrench, pliers, shovel, an all-purpose knife, a portable, battery-powered radio, PPE, flashlights and plenty of extra batteries as well as any other tools to make the situation more manageable.
Keep a current list of all your animals, their locations, feeding records, veterinary papers with vaccinations and vital tests, photographs and proof of ownership. Each animal should have physically marked identification that matches your records.
Common ways to physically mark your animals for identification include neckbands, markers like All-Weather® Paintstik®, tattoos, branding, ear tags or microchips. Include your contact information, for example marking your phone number on the animal’s hide with All-Weather® Paintstik®, so they can be returned to you in the event of separation or sheltering situations.
When it comes to marking animals, you’ll want to make sure that marks are both durable and highly visible. Consider adding All-Weather® Paintstik® to your farm’s disaster ready kit. All-Weather® Paintstik® is a safe and effective way to mark your animals while ensuring these conditions are met. All-Weather® Paintstik® is a non-toxic, temporary, solid paint marker, created specifically for animal identification and marking needs. Due to its durability, weather and water resistance, it won’t remove easily in wet or dry conditions and has been in use at dairy farms and ranches across the globe for over seven decades. By adding All-Weather® Paintstik® to your disaster ready kit, you can increase your farm’s ability to be prepared for any last-minute animal marking needs with a reliable marker that’s quick to use, small enough for pockets and safe for the health of your livestock.
All-Weather® Paintstik® can be used for more than scrawling identification across the hides of your livestock. There will likely be other scenarios in which you’ll find the need for categorization and sorting of livestock, especially during a disaster or emergency event. An example of this is the ability to quickly triage and mark your livestock for veterinary intervention using a MCI (multi-casualty incident) response model. Animals may be found with injuries of varying degrees or deceased. The ability to quickly identify and communicate findings with others, especially for animals that need immediate attention, can be imperative to the health of your herd.
Since All-Weather® Paintstik® is available in 10 different colors, multiple colors can be easily used to quickly sort your herd through the color-coding process pre-defined in your disaster plan and in accordance with your animal health care provider. Red marks typically indicate Priority I or critical condition, yellow marks typically indicate Priority II or urgent condition, green marks typically indicate Priority III or minor injury/normal condition, and black marks typically indicate animals that are dead, dying or need to be humanely euthanized from mortal wounds. Some MCI models include additional categorization with orange and blue coloring.
example MCI model color categorization
It’s important to work with your veterinarian, local and state emergency animal health care providers to plan for and include scenarios like this in your farm’s disaster plan. It can help minimize confusion and chaos by prioritizing treatment urgency for available resources using their preferred triage method. It can ultimately increase your farm’s recovery in the aftermath of disaster and related events.
To make sure everything you’re working for is fully protected, your farm’s emergency action plan should be regularly reviewed and practiced. Include any changes to livestock, property, and inventory needs. Disaster kits should be placed in a secure, centralized location that’s easily accessible. Disaster kits and tools should be regularly checked for completeness and safety to ensure that items are refreshed and in good working order. Your people should be aware of your farm’s disaster plan, its contents and the location of disaster kits and tools should an emergency happen.
Remember that it may take emergency services time to be able to get to your location in addition to helping provide further resources for your farm’s needs. Plan on being as self-sufficient as possible. While planning for disasters can be a daunting task, it’s a worthwhile investment of your time and resources that can make an incredible impact on the safety and recovery of your farm in the event of an emergency.
We’d love to see what you’re working on! Join the conversation and share your mark on social media. Tag us and use #themarkofwork.
LA-CO Industries, Inc. takes pride in supporting the hardworking contractors and workers that build the world’s greatest bridges, ships, automobiles, aircraft, homes, office towers, power plants and many other engineering marvels.
Kate Moon studies the latest blueprint for the next piece she’s going create. She figures out her calculations, pops in her ear buds, lowers her hood and picks up her torch as she willingly welcomes the darkness she has come to associate as her zone of peace and comfort. It hasn’t always felt this way. It’s been a long, hard-fought struggle for her to get to this place in her career. One she almost stopped pursuing altogether years ago in Philadelphia, where she grew up and got her first introduction to the metalworking world.
In her early 20’s, Kate began working mainly in demolition and contracting jobs. She grew bored with the work after some time and began to seek out other possibilities. Through her personal circles, she discovered the first spark of interest in welding through a friend who had been learning metalwork. He recommended she visit the welding school he was attending so she signed up for a tour to begin a journey that would change her life in many ways.
Kate stops at this point and blows out a shaky breath. She uncomfortably clears her throat before continuing. “When I went there, I felt like I wasn’t accepted at all,” Kate recalls hesitantly about her school tour. As Kate continues to recollect her interactions with the long-time instructor who gave her the tour, you can hear the faint trickle of the stress she once felt creeping into her voice as she relives the moments. “He told me that only one woman had ever graduated from the school and they’ve been running for years. He’s been there for like 30 or 40 years. He also pointed out that there were no women’s changing rooms. I was like, alright, I guess I’m not going here. It felt very unwelcoming.”
Kate later moved from Philadelphia to Detroit when she was 25. She bought a house for $9,000 and decided to fix it up on her own. She framed out rooms, ran her own plumbing, did the electrical, gas lines, put-up drywall and began restoring her new home in-between continuing to earn a living as a contractor. “We just got our furnace turned on like 2 weeks ago (it’s now January), after 3 years of living here without heat.” She says. “We have a wood burning stove so there’s been a lot of wood chopping.”
During that time, she met Sarah and Lily, who had gone through the Women Who Weld® program two years prior to Kate’s arrival in Detroit. They all formed a close friendship and Kate was told about the program. The two women soon became Kate’s inspiration to join.
Women Who Weld® is a nonprofit organization founded by Samantha Farrugia that teaches people how to weld and find a career within the industry. They currently have single-day introductory workshops, week-long classes and year-round welding opportunities for individuals who are interested in learning the basics and stepping down a new path.
“As soon as I found out about Women Who Weld®, I met Samantha. We became friends immediately. She’s not just my instructor, she’s a really good friend that I could call if I needed anything.” Kate states fondly.
Since completing the program, she did continue to face adversity including belittling, looks of confusion and people questioning her presence at welding job interviews. “It was so hard. There were so many other things I still had to learn,” Kate remembers like it was yesterday. “I never went to college so I felt like there were so many things that I didn’t know. It would put a lot of pressure on me and I’d get flustered.”
Yet she never gave up. After several more years of hard work, through low-paying jobs, self-teaching and people who took the time to mentor her, she was able to overcome many of the difficulties that blocked her way. “I spent a lot of time pushing a broom on the ground,” she recalls. “But I also got to learn how to do other things like TIG welding with metals like aluminum and steel.”
Kate felt solidly a part of the welding industry with more confidence and experience under her belt. For a while, she worked in custom fabrication making things like railings, staircases and other big projects. “I liked custom fabrication a lot because it was always something different.” Kate says excitedly. “I walked into work and got handed a blueprint. I just made whatever the paper said.” She also has several pieces that she’s welded in her own house.
Currently, she’s welding for a local furniture company that specializes in building furniture using reclaimed lumber from abandoned buildings. She welds the metal framework for the furniture and then passes it off to their carpenters for the woodworking. During her projects, Kate uses Tempilstik® to check the surface temperature of metals, Markal® Silver-Streak® with Silver-Streak® Leads, Markal® B® Paintstik® as well as soapstone as her tools for making a variety of marks.
When asked about her tattoo of the Markal® B® Paintstik®, Kate gets excited about one of her favorite topics. “I really love trains and train culture.,” she says. “There’s a history of Markal® and railroads. A lot of the rail workers from as far back as the 20s and 30s are known for using Markal®. It’s been around for the longest time. It’s just a known thing for anyone who’s into it.”
Metal and railways is an infatuation she’s had since she was a child. Growing up in Philly, Kate lived on a one-way street with her mother. Freight trains would pass through twice a day near their home. She liked to go out and watch them pass by every chance she had. “I would be thinking, wow, this is so beautiful! Trains are so cool!,” she says. “I was this young girl that was totally obsessed with trains and their history. That’s why I got the tattoo.”
She continues, “The Markal® B® Paintstik® is the classic go-to marker. They’re just all around the best. They’re oil-based, last-long and they have all different colors. I even have an old box of Markal® B’s from the 60’s, I don’t use them, but that’s how much I like them.” Kate pauses and laughs, “I even collect the empty wrappers and make stuff from them.”
Nowadays, Kate enjoys creating welded pieces for others though her job and side projects. She describes it as an amazing way to create ideas and make them a physical reality. “When people asked me before what I did for a living, I would just say I’m a contractor. Now when I’m asked, I’m really excited and proud to tell people that I’m a welder. They’re really excited about what I do too,” she says happily.
Kate’s happy to be able to pay it back. She’s also an instructor for Women Who Weld® where she’s teaching and bringing the world of welding to others. “Getting into Women Who Weld® and having the opportunity to teach others how to weld is the most magical job that anyone could have asked me to do. It’s everything I ever wanted to do all in one. To help people and to teach them.”
Taking a moment to reflect on her journey to get to this point Kate says, “I know it might sound silly and it shouldn’t be a thing, but no one should really care about whether you’re a woman or a man working in this field. I feel really good about what I’m doing and I like to think I’m giving other people the opportunity to know that it’s possible for them to be able to work as a welder too.”
Kate continues to actively learn, sharpen her skills, seek opportunities to weld and restore her home. In the future, she hopes to start her own shop in Detroit with the addition of expanding into blacksmithing.
We’d love to see what you’re working on! Show us your mark of work using our products on social media by tagging us and using #themarkofwork. You may be the next feature on our social channels.
LA-CO Industries, Inc. takes pride in supporting the hardworking contractors and workers that build the world’s greatest bridges, ships, automobiles, aircraft, homes, office towers, power plants and many other engineering marvels.
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There are three types of markers to choose from in industrial marking: solid paint markers (crayons), ink-based markers and liquid paint markers. Each type has advantages and disadvantages that can make one marker more ideal for a specific application over another. Solid paint markers are the longest lasting and most durable which make them harder to remove than temporary inks or paints. Inks have the fastest dry time, yet the fewest colors. Liquid paints have the most vibrant and broadest amount of colors, but have longer dry times than inks, and are the most expensive of the three types. This article focuses on the differences of ink versus paint markers. Further details about the differences between the three types are discussed more in-depth in the article “Quality Doesn’t Have to Leave a Mark”.
Surfaces type and surface quality are primary considerations when choosing a temporary industrial marker. Whether it’s ink or paint temporary markers, surface types for temporary markers are typically made of solid, non-porous metal, iron, steel, aluminum, glass, ceramics or plastic. Non-porous materials ensure that the inks or paints don’t absorb into the surface so no residual marks, commonly referred to as ghosting, are left after removal. Porous surfaces absorb inks, dyes and paints, effectively trapping them inside the material where removal is more difficult and ghosting occurs. Not every temporary marker will mark well on all of these surfaces so noting manufacturer recommendations for surface marking and characteristics of the marker is important.
Surface quality should be made of clean, dry material. In most cases, surface quality should also be non-painted and un-treated, however some temporary markers are made to accommodate these qualities as well.
Other factors that should be included in consideration are:
Test marks should always be performed before heavy use to ensure end results are as intended.
Usage of temporary marking lies mainly in the automotive market (manufacturing, work-in-process identification, part re-work items, inspection and witness marks, coding, quality-control, inventory, finishing) and after-market (dealers, auctions, rentals, repair shops, junk yards) followed by construction, fabrication, shops and even - although not categorized as industrial - restaurants. Have you ever snapped a photo of hand-drawn window art or advertising?
You can probably think of many more places you've seen or applications you believe would benefit from temporary marking.
Markal® has been the leading manufacturer of industrial marking tools and provider of solutions for industrial applications for over 85 years. Below is a comparison chart of Markal® temporary ink vs temporary paint markers to help you choose the right marker for your application.
See a full comparison chart of Markal® temporary ink vs. temporary liquid paint markers.
Whether you’re writing on metal, glass, plastic or ceramics, there is a Markal® removable marker that is available for your application. Situations for these markers can vary, however these durable industrial markers are up for the challenge with quality marking that lasts as long as you need them and removes easily when you don’t. Which removable marker from Markal® would you use and for what application?
We’d love to see what you’re working on! Show us your mark of work using our products on social media by tagging us and using #themarkofwork. You may be the next feature on our social channels.
LA-CO Industries, Inc. takes pride in supporting the hardworking contractors and workers that build the world’s greatest bridges, ships, automobiles, aircraft, homes, office towers, power plants and many other engineering marvels.
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Safety marking and safety signage in the workplace is an important component of an overall safety program - and color is key to making it instantly recognizable. It helps people identify the nature of a hazard at a glance. OSHA's safety color code regulation makes use of primary colors which have general, commonly understood associations. Red in the workplace, for example, represents danger or the need to immediately stop an action or a movement, just as it does in traffic stop signs. Yellow denotes a warning. Red warns of a certain hazard, while yellow alerts people to potential threats. In short, colors are an effective way to raise awareness about hazards and help prevent incidents.
"Visual communication in the workplace is standardized by signs and color codes and has become an important method for communicating hazards. OSHA and ANSI have identified specific safety colors for consistency within the U.S. It is imperative that employers maintain their safety signage within the workspace to properly communicate potential hazards and keep their equipment compliant. To assist in this maintenance, Markal® has created Paint-Riter®+ Safety Colors liquid paint markers which are formulated to make durable marks that meet the OSHA and ANSI color standard for safety identification. Paint-Riter®+ Safety Colors markers can be used for touch-up work of safety-colored equipment or signage and can be used for OSHA compliant general marking applications."
- Don Rice. Senior Product Manager, LA-CO Industries, Inc.
Red - Per OSHA 1910.144. red shall be the basic color for the identification of: Fire protection equipment and apparatus. It should also be used to indicate:
Yellow - Yellow shall be the basic color for designating caution and for marking physical hazards such as: Striking against, stumbling, falling, tripping and "caught in between."
Light is made up of wavelengths, which fall along various parts of the spectrum and thus, appear to be different colors. When we "see" a color, light travels into the eye and interacts with receptors in the retina. Those receptors send messages about perceived color to the brain, which activates familiar associations with the colors being seen. Yellow is the most visible color in the spectrum, and the first one the eye will notice. Red, which also has a long wavelength, is the second most visible. In color psychology, though, red is the most intense hue, which is why it is universally used to warn of impending danger.
In order to comply with the regulation, managers must conduct a thorough safety assessment of the facilities and applications for which they are responsible, and identify areas, equipment and tasks which should be marked with red or yellow. In addition to the uses specified in OSHA 1910.144, red and yellow can be used to draw attention to:
Industrial grade paint and ink markers may be used to comply with OSHA 1910.144. Choosing the right markers requires identifying the types of surfaces on which they'll be used and determining whether the markings will need to be fast-drying, and permanent or semi-permanent. Paint markers, for instance, are optimal in situations that require wear- and extreme-temperature resistance. Ink markers are appropriate where the markings will need to be semi-permanent, as they can be removed with solvents. Paint markers can be used on smooth, rusty or clean surfaces and in operations that require quality control during manufacturing, and then a clean surface for painting, powder-coating or plating. There are low-corrosion markers that are appropriate for use on stainless steel and other alloy metals. WMHS
OSHA 1910.145 recommends additional color coding:
Markal® has been the leader in industrial marking tools since 1934, and over the years we've evolved to better adapt to the changing needs of our customers.
We’ve overhauled our Markal® brand and its family of products for, and with, people like you in mind. Learn more about our rebrand and how our industrial markers and products looks and packaging have been updated to easily communicate their benefits for industrial applications.
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Markal® has been the leader in industrial marking tools since 1934, and over the years our brand has evolved to better adapt to the needs of our customers. Our goal for our rebrand isn’t to change for the sake of change, but rather to overhaul our brand with the users of our products in mind. We have focused these changes on three main areas:
Quality, dependability, and reliability are at the core of what we do. Our portfolio of products has been trusted for decades by professional tradespeople who rely on its diverse lines of tools and solutions to help get their work done effectively and safely. Over the years, the Markal® brand has had many different looks and developed many trusted sub-brands. This worked for professionals who previously knew and relied on our products and could identify them on sight, however, the variety of differences in branding resulted in a mixed basket of products that weren’t consistent or identifiable within the trusted Markal® name. The solution to this dilemma was to rethink, restructure and rebrand our product lines to reflect the core Markal® characteristics our customers have come to know so well.
Trusted products will be unified under the Markal® name, providing consistency across categories.
Markal® still remains true to its core of quality, dependability, and reliability. That will not disappear. Our high-quality formulas remain the same. The changes are largely reflected in the revitalized appearances of our logo, product names and packaging to deliver a more consistent and streamlined product classification system.
Our previous Markal® logo has served us well with its traditional, bold style that was our recognized trademark for over eight and half decades. It will always make us proud and stand as a sign of what we’ve accomplished so far, but as our journey with you continues, we believe our new look should embody that feeling. Our new Markal® logo is versatile, clean-lined, digitally-optimized and modernized with stronger, more legible characteristics in a forward-moving, industrial style; a visual tribute to the tough, hardworking tradespeople we proudly support every day.
The traditional Markal® logo changes to a new, modernized Markal® look.
Our sub-brands also received a modern makeover with a sharp focus on retaining the valuable connections and recognition of existing product names. We’ve streamlined our naming conventions for our sub-brands to clearly communicate product benefits for industrial applications through an intended critical action. Now our Markal® brand products will be more informative at-a-glance and look like this:
Legacy Naming System Examples
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New Naming System Examples
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We’ve also introduced a new labeling system for unified visual branding, including color indicators, packaging design, as well as legacy designations for current customers who are used to the traditional products’ look.
As you will see, across nearly all branded materials, the Markal Angle plays a major role. It’s the angle of the leading edge of all banner graphics, the slope of large graphic elements and the angle of our italicized logotype.
It’s who we are as a brand and visually communicates where we’re going—forward.
For high-performance, application specific and specialty marking, our new Plus Series premium lines can be easily identified by the plus (+) after the sub-brand name as well as the silver label and packaging.
The Mark of Work™New High-Performance, Application Specific Plus Series
The combination of categorization, branding, color indication, packaging, legacy designations and the new application specific Plus Series, results in a more concise and easily identifiable brand with products clearly labeled for specific performance applications that appeal to both our existing and new customers. This is the new look of Markal®. This is #TheMarkOfWork
We’d love to see what you’re working on! Show us your mark of work using our products on social media by tagging us and using #themarkofwork. You may be the next feature on our social channels.
LA-CO Industries, Inc. takes pride in supporting the hardworking contractors and workers that build the world’s greatest bridges, ships, automobiles, aircraft, homes, office towers, power plants and many other engineering marvels.
]]>When you’re working “under the hood,” you can expect that things are going to get hotter than a sweltering summer day. You’ve got enough to think about to make sure you’re physically coping with heat-related stress without the additional worry of a compromised job site due to heat damage.
Heat damage can be an unexpected and costly consequence of common brazing, soldering, and welding applications. The high temperatures involved can be especially dangerous to your project and its components. Add to that the further challenge that not all brazing, soldering, and welding can be done in wide open spaces. This is where a heat barrier product can assist with keeping things cool.
Heat barrier products can be used to protect the surrounding components and materials of your project from costly heat damage during brazing, soldering, and welding applications. They instantly cool the surrounding components of your work area by protecting surfaces from heat, fires and discoloration that can be caused by the close proximity of heat from torches and guns.
Whether soldering, brazing, or welding, heat can cause significant damage to sensitive materials and components or surrounding areas. These excessive temperatures cannot only damage items in a work area but can also create both health and safety hazards. LA-CO recognized the need to protect components and materials from torch heat, in a user-safe formula, and developed Cool Gel®. Made specifically to withstand brutal temperatures when other materials can’t, Cool Gel® was designed to keep your jobsite productive, safe and free of damage by helping reduce the danger of fire and heat damage to work area components and surrounding materials. It’s easier to use than a heat blanket.
Considerations when selecting the right heat barrier product to use are dependent on, but not limited to, the type of work to be done, material or surface conditions and the job site itself. Some of the top questions you might take into account are:
Cool Gel® is safe, non-toxic, harmless to skin, and odorless. The unique, no-drip gelled formula sticks easily to lead-free surfaces without dripping or run off, can withstand hot temperatures, and can be easily reapplied to make working in tight areas safer. The clear, non-staining gel absorbs heat before it can harm vulnerable surfaces and evaporates within 48 hours leaving no residue and eliminating cleanup. Using Cool Gel® provides assurance your job can be completed without costly heat damage to expensive equipment or surrounding finishes.
Thoroughly shake the bottle and spray Cool Gel® on the components and surfaces surrounding the area you’ll be working on. Avoid spraying the surface where the flame will be applied. Cool Gel® instantly sticks and activates to provide immediate heat protection while you continue your work on your intended area. Reapply as needed for longer lasting heat protection. Once your work is completed, Cool Gel® evaporates within 24-48 hours leaving no residue and eliminating additional time for cleanup or cleanup in areas that can’t be easily reached.
Cool Gel® is commonly used to protect against heat and fire damage in the following applications:
See how Cool Gel® works in a welding application.
By using a heat barrier spray, you will protect your work including lead-free valves, rubber seals, gaskets and painted surfaces from heat damage saving you save time, money, and potential hazards on the job site.
Cool Gel® can be purchased on our website or from any of our distributors. If you’re a distributor looking to add Cool Gel® to your inventory, please contact us here.
Cool Gel® is proudly made in the USA
]]>Many of us take driving a vehicle for granted. We rarely think about the time and effort that was put into manufacturing the car that we operate, and the processes that have been developed to produce a more efficient and safer vehicle.
Many of these advancements are rewards of more advanced quality control initiatives, and are an integral part of the automotive industry because it ensures additional oversight to help eliminate manufacturing defects. With these advanced quality control processes in mind, it’s not surprising that most people don’t know that something as small as a marker plays a huge role in quality control.
The automotive tier supplier market is one of the largest users of marking for quality control identification in manufacturing. Process and quality improvement systems implemented by manufacturers in the past thirty years require constant human interaction, inspections and approval identifications to support various well-known improvement systems that include:
Marking these automotive components helps manufacturers identify the part has been inspected and meets the preset quality standards. However it isn’t uncommon that, for aesthetic purposes, these marks will eventually need to be removed after inspection is completed. Unfortunately, not all markers offer the advantage of an easy removal.
Lasting Quality That’s Meant to be Erased
Despite their name, permanent markers are still able to be removed but generally require grinding or the use of harsh cleaners or solvents. Grinding can damage sensitive parts and many of the chemicals that are required are extremely high in V.O.C.’s or can contribute to serious health concerns. For this reason, many manufacturers are constantly looking for a safer, easier, and faster way to meet QC guidelines and not have marks interfere with the finished product.
For this reason, removable markers are the preferred option for quality control because they leave a mark that dries fast, can be easily removed with water or light detergents, and won’t interfere when parts that are to be electro-coated, primed or painted. Because they are engineered to be removed without leaving a residue or “ghosting”, manufacturers can benefit greatly because marks will not bleed through or interfere once the top paint coat is applied.
With all of the news of vehicle recalls over the past couple of years, consumer satisfaction and brand loyalty are even more important in the automotive industry. The removable markers can easily be overlooked, but they are highly effective in helping manufacturers ensure that their automobile is as dependable as their customers expect.
Choosing the Right Removable Marker
In the world of removable marking, automotive industries may elect to go with one or more of three different products: 1) crayons; 2) inks; and 3) paint pens. These three types of markers offer many distinct advantages and disadvantages, and one may be more ideal for a specific application than another.
Crayons
Crayons are the ideal marking tool to apply on rubber and tires, plastics, and other rougher or possibly dirty surfaces. Compared to other marking products, crayons are often a more economical option and tend to work better on more porous surfaces. However, they are more limited in their color selection and, since the tip size is large, marks tend to not be as fine making it difficult for more detailed marking.
Inks
If dry time is a concern for your operation, ink markers may be the best option for you as they typically dry within seconds. They are relatively inexpensive, have bright and vibrant colors, and are a great option for use on bare metal, glass and other non-porous surfaces. Some ink products can even be removed with water or simple cleaning solutions. Because inks are dye-based, they don’t offer a large color selection and don’t show up well on dark materials, and may leave a ghosted mark on porous surfaces.
Paint Pens
Because their fine tips allow for more detailed marking, a broader assortment of colors for improved coding and tracking, and relatively fast dry time (<1 minute), paint pens tend to be the most commonly used type of removable marker in the automotive industry. There are different formulations of paint pens that allow the user to control how easily they want a mark to be removed. Certain markers can be removed with detergents, while others can be removed simply with water, which eliminates the use of harsh chemicals. For all their positives, paint does have a longer dry time than ink markers, and they tend to be the more expensive marking option of the group, so may deter more economical users.
The Right Tool for the Job
Quality control is a key strategic focus in the automotive industry to retain and gain as many customers as possible, as well as, to reduce costs, waste, and produce a more efficient manufacturing system. While the quality control process can be very detailed and a daunting process for many manufacturers, it is important to remember the integral role that marking plays in the success of a well-grounded program, and using the right products can be a significant advantage.
Manufacturers worldwide have a variety of marking tools to choose from as to what fits their needs the best. Every marking tool has its own advantages and disadvantages. To fully maximize the quality of work, removable marking products offer the best solution to get the job done right.
]]>What safety tips do you follow to make sure you are being safe and producing safe welds?
To learn more welding products offered by Markal.com, including Bloxide weldable primer, temperature indicators,heat protection products, and welding markers, please visit any of welding categories.
To learn more welding safety tips check out these sources:
https://www.millerwelds.com/resources/article-library/12-tips-for-improving-welding-safety
https://www.ishn.com/articles/103728-all-about-welders-flash-or-arc-eye
https://www.atlantictraining.com/safety-tips/welding-safety-tips.php
]]>
The Markal PRO's all-metal and refillable construction, built-in sharpener, and one-click advance provide years of reliability and ease-of-use. Welding refills make torch-resistant marks that will not burn or rub off and are ideal for fine line marking during metal layout and fabrication. These highly visible marks illuminate when cutting or welding.
Specially engineered for accurate temperature indication in pre-heating, interpass and post-weld heat treating applications, Tempilstik is the original temperature-indicating stick with the best combination of precision and convenience for surface temperature measurement.
Cool Gel can be used during welding, soldering or brazing job to protect components and materials from costly heat damage. Cool Gel's unique, no-drip gelled formula evaporates within 48 hours, eliminating cleanup.
Silver-Streak® and Red-Riter® welders pencils make torch-resistant marks that will not burn or rub off like soapstone.
Bloxide is a versatile, weldable primer with a unique aluminum-based formula that eliminates cleaning or removal before welding, thus saving time and labor costs. Enhanced by corrosion preventative features, Bloxide can be applied to a wide range of metals for extended periods of storage, assisting in producing X-Ray quality welds.
]]>Markal.com has four certified and low corrosion products that provide durability, permanence, and accuracy that workers need, while meeting industry standards that are required.
Certified Valve Action® Paint Marker
The Certified Valve Action Paint Marker is a liquid paint marker that is pre-certified to contain low levels of chlorides, halogens, low melting point metals and sulfur making it safe for use on stainless steel and other alloy metals where corrosion resistance is a requirement Each manufactured batch is individually analyzed and certified to meet U.S.A. and International nuclear and military specifications.
Engineered to meet:
Thermomelt® Certified
The Markal Certified Thermomelt HEAT-STIK is a quick method to accurately measure metal surface temperatures and equipment while being pre-certified to meet nuclear and military low-corrosion specifications for stainless-steel fabrication and other super alloys. The 20 available temperatures are lot traceable for jobsite documentation.
Engineered to meet:
The low corrosion paint formula for the Nissen Low Corrosion Fine Point Paint Marker is safe for use on stainless steel, alloys, and other superalloy metals and will not contribute to unwanted corrosion, degradation, or pitting from use. The plastic fine point nib makes marking on the smallest parts, easier than ever
Typical properties:
Nissen® Low Corrosion Solid Paint Marker
The Low Corrosion Solid Paint Marker will not contribute to unwanted corrosion, degradation, or general weakening to stainless steel and various other alloy metals for use in highly sensitive equipment. Durable plastic barrel protects from breakage and the bright, easy-to-see marks won't chip, peel, fade, or rub off and paint is specially formulated to make long lasting, smooth marks on a variety of surfaces.
Typical properties:
To learn more about these products and see some additional Oil and Gas Products, visit the click here.
]]>The Tempil® Tempilstik® is designed to make temperature measurement simple and accurate, even in the varied conditions of a pipeline. What other benefits are there to using the Tempilstik for pipeline welding and repairs?
Accuracy
Tempilstik is a temperature indicating stick that instantly melts when it reaches the designated temperature. Hitting that exact temperature is important to make sure your weld is solid. Some temperature measurement tools can have accuracy issues because they require calibration or because you are not able to touch them directly to the surface you measuring. Tempilstik is touched directly to the surface of your material and is accurate to within +/- 1% Fahrenheit and +/- 3% Celsius which eliminates fears of inaccurate temperature readings.
No calibration
When welding, it is vital that you reach the correct temperature when pre-heating your materials. Most thermometers require you to take the time to calibrate in order to get reliable, accurate measurements. The Tempilstik gives you 100% reliability without having to spend time and money calibrating.
Wide temperature range
Tempilstiks are available in 116 temperatures that range from 100°F (38°C) to 2000°F (1093°C). This wide range of temperatures makes it easy to find the temperature you need for welding and can make find multiple sticks to ensure you are in your temperature zone easy as well.
Compliance requirements
Tempilstik is engineered to comply with preheat requirements of AWS D1.1, ASME Code Sec I, III, and VIII, ANSI/ASME Code B31.1. and B31.3 making it safe a variety industries including oil and gas.
To learn more about the Tempil Tempilstik, visit the product page or reach out to our Customer Service Team at customer.service@laco.com.
]]>Markal.com has put together our top marking and temperature indicating products for use in the aerospace industry.
Dura-Ink+ Aerospace Marker
Dura-Ink®+ Aerospace is a pre-certified ink marker that meets strict aerospace specifications. An element analysis report is published for each batch to guarantee low levels of chlorides, halogens, sulfur and low melting point metals specified by GE D50TF8 and Rolls-Royce EMS 56752 Specs.
Paint-Riter+ Aerospace Paint Marker
Paint-Riter®+ Aerospace marker is a pre-certified liquid paint marker that meets strict aerospace specifications. An element analysis report is published for each batch to guarantee low levels of chlorides, halogens, sulfur and low melting point metals specified by GE D50TF8 and Rolls-Royce EMS 56752 Specs.
Security Check Paint Marker
The Security Check Paint Marker is a liquid paint torque marker. The specially formulated paint is designed to crack to show movement or tampering and the extended tip allows for marking on components of all sizes.
Tempilabels
Tempilabels temperature indicating labels are designed to deliver immediate, accurate and reliable readings in a wide variety of applications. The labels are available in single or four temperature strips and can quickly be applied to almost any surface.
Thermomelt Certified
Pre-certified to meet nuclear and military low-corrosion specifications for stainless-steel fabrication and other super alloys, the Markal Certified Thermomelt is a quick method to accurately measure metal surface temperatures and equipment. It is available in 20 temperatures and each batch is individually tested and certified.
]]>Marks created in the trucking industry need to be as durable and dependable as the trucks themselves. Whether marking tires for repair or torque marking engine bolts, Markal has a marketing product that will work for you.
Torque security paint marker
The paint marks of the Security Check Paint Marker crack for visual indication of loosening or tampering of bolts and parts. The extended tip allows for precise marks on big or small pieces
Security Check Paint Marker is ideal for marking bolts in the engine to check for vibration and the lugnuts to prevent tampering or loosening.
Removable liquid paint markers
The unique paint of Pro-Wash D & W makes bright and durable marks until you want to remove them. The marks can be removed from non-porous surfaces without ghosting or leaving any residue. Marks can be removed with water or mild detergent making sure that your marks are seen when they need to be and removed fully when they don’t.
Pro-Wash is ideal for quality control, assembly, and part identification.
PRO-LINE XT is a liquid paint marker designed for marking on rough, rusty, and dirty surfaces and the paint utilizes an enamel resin to provide enhanced wear-, weather-, and chemical-resistance. The durable nib is designed to let the paint flow from the marker without getting clogged with dirt or rust making it ideal for marking in the most extreme circumstances.
Pro-Line XT is ideal for marking parts, trailers, and doors.
Multi-purpose permanent solid paint crayon
The B Paintstik solid paint marker combines the durability of paint in the convenience of a crayon. This versatile marker can on rough, rusty, smooth, dirty oily, icy, wet, dry or cold surfaces and is weather- and UV-resistant. With the ability to mark on almost any surface, the B Paintstik is the perfect general use marker.
The B Paintstik is ideal for general marking on doors, tires, trailers, parts, products, and more.
*https://hdstruckdrivinginstitute.com/semi-trucks-number]]>1. Use tools and machines properly
2. Be aware of your surroundings
3. Be safe in the cold weather
4. Follow procedure, don’t take shortcuts
5. Wear your protective gear
6. If you see unsafe conditions, let a supervisor know
7. Take breaks
8. Stay sober
9. Practice correct posture
10. Reduce workplace stress
*source: https://employment.findlaw.com/workplace-safety/osha-faqs.html
]]>
The J.P. Nissen Company was founded in 1923 to manufacture markers for the textile industry. Since then, the Nissen® brand has been continuously expanded to include markers for all industrial purposes, with extra emphasis on products for the metal-marking industry.
In bringing together the Nissen line of products with the Markal® and Tempil® brands, LA-CO Industries now provides the best combination of industrial marking and temperature indicating products to all customers and markets, serving the widest range of needs across the globe.
“We are thrilled to welcome Nissen to our family of high-quality, right-for-the-job marking solutions, and to provide another high-performance product line to industrial trade professionals around the world,” said John Hardin, CEO of LA-CO Industries.
“It’s exciting when competitors become partners,” said Benjamin Kleiman, Director of Marketing at LA-CO Industries. “Broader market coverage, more innovation and an even higher level of customer satisfaction in marking solutions is our combined future.”
The Nissen product line includes metal roller-ball, liquid paint, solid paint and low corrosion industrial marking products. Bulkley Capital, LP advised LA-CO Industries on the acquisition.
About LA-CO Industries
Based in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, LA-CO Industries manufactures a diversified portfolio of industrial brands including Markal marking products for industry, Tempil industrial temperature indicators, LA-CO plumbing and chemical products and All-Weather livestock marking products. Celebrating 83 years in business, LA-CO Industries continues to grow, adding new products and new ideas to guarantee each LA-CO Industries product is exactly right for the job.
For media inquiries, please contact Benjamin Kleiman of LA-CO Industries, Inc., at 847-427-3266 or bkleiman@laco.com. You can also visit us online at markal.com, tempil.com, laco.com or www.allweathermarker.com for more information]]>]]>
Transport- Transporting products and work is a necessity that has to be controlled in order to avoid wasteful time or distance. This can add cost that the customer would NOT like to pay for because it does not change or transform the product in any way. It is also important that the product does not stay in this phase of the process long because it can run the risk of being damaged, delayed or lost. The longer a product lasts in transport, the longer there is no value being added to it.
Quick Tip: Quite often using bigger equipment for more general use can be a huge transport waste. Smaller more dedicated equipment can help eliminate some of the extra waste in transportation. An example is the Stylotube; a dot marker that can help dedicate parts to areas in order to reduce transportation in a rather effortless way.
Inventory- It is important to keep an eye on inventory! Product that is sitting around is not adding value. No matter what state of process it is in, if it hasn't been sold, it is cash that is being tied up and lost with the inventory. In the end it can once again lead to unhappy customers.
Quick Tip: To initially help clean up inventory, using a marker such as the Valve Action Paint marker to mark stock can assist in organization. Using different colors to code what is new vs. old or any method that works best for the company.
Movement/Motion- Motion or movement has similar waste to transportation except, it is referring to the movement of equipment or operator. Movement has the potential to be a large waste because of the opportunities it presents to lower efficiency. Imagine the time that an operator spends lifting, searching around for items or moving items instead of assembling and adding value to the ultimate product.
Quick Tip: The extra movement or use of equipment can wear it out, it can possibly cause friction that will damage it. To measure if it has reached a certain temperature, sticking a Tempilabel on a machine can determine if equipment is being overused.
Waiting- Waiting and delays is a waste because waiting or delaying anything means the product is costing money while losing value. Work in progress goods may be sitting around untouched which can be an indication of unbalanced processes in the flow.
Quick Tip: Waiting can mean inventory sitting out without a purpose. Marking this inventory temporarily to know where it stands in the process may be useful. Using a marker such as the PRO-WASH can help identify inventory that has been a waste.
Over Production- This waste is the worst out of the 7 because it includes aspects from all the other wastes. When the processes are not effective and efficient, it can lead to overproduction. Inaccurate forecasting can also cause this waste as well as tradition in a company. If it's the way "it has always been done" this waste can go on and no one will blink an eye to it. In the end it is valuable time and energy going into the production of objects that later on go to sit and collect dust- all at the extra cost of the company, hurting the bottom line.
Over Processing- The waste of over-processing is simply adding more value to a product than the customer needs. It can be painting a piece that will never be seen or polishing a space that does not require it. This includes extra labor and it can come from not having a standardized process or not knowing what exactly a customer needs or wants.
Defects- Last but not least is the waste of defects. When a product or service is not what the customer requested due to a mistake, the company has to take the fall on extra time and labor used to fix this defect. There are many ways that a defect can be caused by, such as bad process design, poor equipment maintenance or bad employee training and culture.
]]>Anyone who has participated in LEAN Manufacturing knows that it is a lot of work but in the end can be incredibly rewarding. LEAN is the continual pursuit of waste elimination in processes through the use of four key principals: 1) Respect for the individual; 2) Leader as teacher; 3) Seeing with new eyes; and 4) Seeing with your own eyes. It is something that LA-CO Industries has been hoping to implement for a while and we have finally been able to do it with our first company Kaizen.
READY SET GO . . .
So how did we do it?
A cross functional team was assembled to kick off the LEAN Manufacturing journey at LA-CO to optimize the flow of materials and information in and out of the manufacturing process. Utilizing a Kaizen Blitz, this cross functional team over a 5 day period reviewed the current state, brainstormed improvement ideas, implemented the improvements, and trained fellow team members in standard work and visual controls while reducing the process to eight (8) steps from the previous thirty-two (32).
As the business has grown through the years, the process and timing of material flow into the manufacturing area has created some congestion and TIMWOOD. TIMWOOD is an acronym for the seven deadly wastes:
T - Transportation
I - Inventory
M - Motion
W - Waiting
O - Over processing
O - Over production
D - Defects / Rework
Not only did the team improve the process, we were able to establish a culture of PIF. Be Passionate in what we do, be Innovative in out thought process, and have Fun while doing it.
Have you had any success with LEAN Manufacturing or a Kaizen project that you would like share? Send us your story on our Facebook pages or at marketing@laco.com.
]]>
Need a new headlight? No need to take your car to the auto shop when you have some flashlights, bungee cords and electrical tape lying around the garage.
http://wonderfulengineering.com/60-most-ingenious-and-funny-diy-ideas-solutions/
Want to quickly cool a room without having to spend money on a ceiling fan? All you need is some duct tape and a small fan for this custom and efficient focal point.
https://www.instagram.com/p/tNtXigo4SL/
Short on space, but want to add another half bath to your house? No worries – just install a toilet and half a door for this space-saving solution.
http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/renovation/news/a32031/home-improv ement-fails/
No need to waste money on a costly shower head if your dream is to bathe under a waterfall. Simply install the nozzle from your garden hose for a customizable shower experience.
http://www.dailydawdle.com/2012/08/25-horrible-and-hilarious-fixes-25-pics.html
Nothing wakes you up faster on a cold, winter morning like air conditioning blasting in your face. Easily replace a missing control knob in your car with a valve wheel handle so you can change the heat settings with ease and for a fraction of the cost of a new knob from the car dealer.
https://www.reddit.com/r/funny/comments/1ob8kv/my_dads_solution_whe n_a_control_knob_broke_off_in/
Do you have a favorite MacGyvered fix you’ve seen? Send to us at marketing@laco.com or on our Facebook!
]]>
The versatile liquid paint in the Valve Action® Paint Marker makes it easy to mark your tools! Choose the colors you need and color over the writing and measurements. Wipe away the excess paint and you have marked your tools that are now ready for organizing. Whether you need them marked for safety, clarification or ownership, this is an easy, durable way to do it!
Check out this YouTube video to see how it’s done! https://youtu.be/YfrqWybidfk
You can use a Tempilabel® to see when an exact temperature is reached! It can be used on the contents going in the oven such as baking pans, or a general oven-safe piece! Receive exact temperatures for cooking or other projects that require heating in your home.
The PRO-MAX® marker can help you fill in those pesky scratches and dings that pop up on your car. It has a broad tip for good coverage and control. Pick your color and get to fixing. Any other project that requires a paint touch-up, grab a PRO-MAX® paint marker and go.
Have a life hack or unique use for a LA-CO Industries product? We would love to see it! Send us your unique uses at marketing@laco.com or post them on our Facebook!]]>
BKcreations1
We make custom metal wall designs from whimsical to fine art.
We have been creating handmade Metal Art for over a decade. We started with local craft festivals in 2004 and then started our online presence in 2011
Please visit us at https://www.etsy.com/shop/BKcreations1
When designing a piece of art we look to see what is current in the marketplace and also design based on the needs of our clients asking for custom/personalized one of a kind piece.
The wonderful thing about owning a small business is we rarely experience the same day twice. The most satisfying thing for us is being able to help our clients turn their vision of a personalized custom project into a finished design. We get immense personal enjoyment when we see the artwork completed and afterward get feedback from our client that the design has exceeded their expectations. We thrive on feedback, it propels and inspires us.
]]>It is no wonder that there are millions of resources available to help the DIYers of the world. Whether you are just beginning, or an expert crafter, these 10 resources can help you with any project! Ready! Set! Do-it-yourself!
With over 60 different sources listed, the Ref Desk is guaranteed to have a website or forum that will help you with any project! Topics covered include furniture building, bug removal, furnace and plumbing repairs, and even a page on fixing your iPhone! Visit the Ref Desk at http://www.refdesk.com/doitself.html
DIY Network is more than a TV channel. The channel also has a very informative website, DIYNetwork.com. Filled with how to guides, videos, and a blog, DIYNetwork.com caters to a wide range of skill levels and has over 30 categories of howto guides.
The DIY Network also has a YouTube page that has a library of howto videos that grows every day. Topics range from home improvements to athome crafts. They have also done several live streams with personalities from their shows.
Doityourself.com not only offers hundreds of howto guides and information articles, but gives you a chance to submit your own projects onto the website. Pictures, information, budgets, and tools can be added to each posting so you can share the amazing things you have done and see what projects others have completed.
Diychatroom.com allows you to reach out to other DIYers and talk about any project, question, or issue you might have. With over 30 categories and thousands of conversations happening at any time, diychatroom.com has the answers you need.
DIY Creators YouTube channel is the perfect channel for all the part time DIYers of the world! The creator of the channel is a part time DIYer himself, and has over 60 videos that focus on furniture/home decor, woodworking, concrete, and product reviews. There is even a series called "Limited Tools" that is geared specifically towards beginners. To check out DIY Creators click here!
Everyone knows that Lowes stores are filled with associates that will help you with projects, but did you know they also have a YouTube channel? With nearly 800 videos, including a series starring the DIY Guy, the Lowes YouTube channel has a video that can help you with any project.
The DIYZ app makes getting help on projects as easy as clicking a button. The app includes howto guides, live video chats with expert advisers to get your questions answered and tool recommendations. The DIYZ app is available for download on Android and Apple devices and has minimal costs associated with the live chats.
WikiHow App
WikiHow makes over 180,000 howto guides available at your fingertips. Articles range from instructions on building shelves to ways to survive a bear attack and feature stepby step instructions, photos, illustrations, and videos to make learning how to do anything easy! The WikiHow app is available for download on Android and Apple platforms and is completely free.
Four guys who actually take part in making/DIY, talk about all aspects of making and DIY. They do not go into stepbystep instructions for projects, but focus on making/DIY as a whole and all the pieces involved both in the shop and out. The perfect listen while you are working on your own DIY projects. Click below to listen!
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To help combat unemployment among veterans, organizations across the country have developed apprenticeship programs within the trades to educate veterans and help them establish their careers. These training programs range in length, are offered across the country, and focus on the welding, HVAC-R, electrical, plumbing, sprinkler fitting and machining, and finishing trades.
United Association Veterans in Piping
“To ease the transition back into civilian life, the United Association established the UA Veterans in Piping (VIP) Program to equip military service members preparing to leave the service with sought after skills that can lead to lifelong careers in the increasingly in-demand pipetrades.”
Trade Focus: HVAC-R, Welding, Sprinkler Fitting
Website: uavip.org
Telephone: 410.269.2000
Workshops® for Warriors
“Workshops for Warriors (WFW), is a State-licensed, board governed, fully audited, 501(c)(3) nonprofit school founded in 2008. The mission of Workshops for Warriors is to provide quality training, accredited STEM educational programs, and opportunities to earn third party nationally recognized credentials to enable veterans, transitioning service members, and other students to be successfully trained and placed in their chosen advanced manufacturing career field.”
Trade Focus: Welding, Machining
Website: workshopsforwarriors.org
Telephone: 619.550.1620
Troops to Trades
“Troops to Trades is a program of the Nexstar Legacy Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3), that provides scholarships and career contacts within the plumbing, heating/cooling and electrical residential services industries. It works with small to mid-sized businesses across the United Sates to help them locate potential employees, especially technical service employees.”
Trade Focus: Plumbing, HVAC, Electrical
Website: troopstotrades.org
Telephone: 651.789.3366
Painters and Allied Trades Veterans Program
“The mission of the Painters and Allied Trades Veterans Program is to assist transitioning veterans from military service to civilian careers in the finishing trades industry. The International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) is dedicated to providing service men and women the tools necessary to be successful in a rewarding career in construction.”
Trade Focus: Finishing
Website: pat-vp.org
Telephone: 855.380.VETS
Helmets to Hardhats
“Helmets to Hardhats is a national, nonprofit program that connects National Guard, Reserve, retired and transitioning active-duty military service members with skilled training and quality career opportunities in the construction industry.”
Trade Focus: Electrical
Website: helmetstohardhats.org
Telephone: 866.741.6210
All this information is also available for download at Slideshare.net
]]>Many accredited schools within the United States offer educational programs designed to prepare students for successful careers in the trades. These programs range in length, are offered across the country, and focus on the welding, HVAC-R, electrical, plumbing, sprinkler fitting, and steamfitter-pipefitter trades.
Hobart Institute of Welding Technology
“Hobart Institute is committed to helping individuals develop marketable welding skills through quality training at minimum cost. We are also committed to making industry more competitive by conducting training to solve welding related problems. Hobart Institute strives to develop new and better welding training methods and training materials, and to make welding training available to all. The Hobart Institute of Welding Technology does not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, color, religion, sex, national origin or age.”
Education Focus: Welding
Website: welding.org
Telephone: 800.332.9448
Welder Training and Testing Institute (WTTI)
“WTTI has offered students the necessary occupational training and certifications that can lead to employment in the welding field for over 44 years. WTTI is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) and licensed by the Pennsylvania State Board of Private Licensed Schools”
Education Focus: Welding
Website: wtti.com
Telephone: 800.223.WTTI
Missouri Welding Institute (MWI)
“Our philosophy is to train superior welding craftsmen to fulfill their dreams. It is our goal to prepare our students for a broad background in welding with many diverse employment opportunities.
Missouri Welding Institute is dedicated to providing its students with a sound occupational education. We strive to enable students to develop the attitudes, knowledge, quality and skills necessary for them to be effective as a person, a family member and a citizen in an era of rapid social change.”
Education Focus: Welding
Website: mwi.ws
Telephone: 800.667.5885
Coyne College
“Every Coyne College degree and diploma is backed by more than a century of career training excellence, along with our commitment to every student’s academic and career success. Student services – from tutoring to technical advising to career development and job placement assistance – are structured to enhance career preparation by addressing each student’s unique needs.”
Education Focus: HVAC-R, Electrical
Website: coynecollege.edu
Telephone: 800.707.1922
Refrigeration School, Inc. (RSI)
“At RSI we offer career focused training. RSI offers training programs for entry-level careers in heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC/R), residential and commercial electrical wiring (maintenance electrician), and solar installation.”
Education Focus: HVAC-R, Electrical, Solar Installation
Website: refrigerationschool.com
Telephone: 888.943.4822
UA
“The United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States, Canada (UA), affiliated with the national building trades, represents approximately 340,000 plumbers, pipefitters, sprinkler fitters, service technicians and welders in local unions across North America. We also honor a federation agreement with both the Australian Plumbing Trades Employees Union (PTEU) and Irish Technical, Engineering Electrical Union (TEEU).”
Education Focus: Welding, Plumbing, HVAC-R, Sprinkler Fitting, Steamfitting-Pipefitting
Website: ua.org
Telephone: 410.269.2000
]]>While there is a lot of debate over who actually founded the day, both Peter J. McGuire and Matthew Maguire claim to have founded the holiday, we know for sure that Labor Day can be traced back to 1882 in New York. On September 5th, 1882 leaders of the Central Labor Union wanted to celebrate the workers with a parade honoring their work and festival for them and their families. They wanted their demonstration scheduled for the first Monday in September because it coincided with a conference being held by the Knights of Labor, who are one of the biggest and most powerful unions. While participating would mean sacrificing a day of wages, more than 10,000 people showed up to march in the parade and join the festivities.
It was not all smooth sailing for Labor Day though. Some were reluctant to participate because of the violence that was seen during protests on International Workers’ Day in Chicago. On May 4th, 1886 protesters demanding an 8 hour work day erupted into violence when someone threw a bomb into a group of police, killing one. In an attempt to control the crowd, police shot into the group and killed an unknown number of people. This protest, which became known as the Haymaker Affair, lead to a crackdown on labor groups as Americans became fearful of radicalized movement members.
However, even with some people leery of the idea, Labor Day celebrations continued in New York. In 1885 and 1886 municipal governments in New York had started passing ordinances for the celebration, which had officially been moved the first Monday in September in 19944. Even though New York was the first state to propose making Labor Day a holiday, on February 21, 1887, Oregon became the first state to pass a law making it an official holiday. New York, Massachusetts, Colorado, Connecticut, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey would quickly follow suit. By 1894, another 23 states had passed legislation for Labor Day and in June of that year, Grover Cleveland officially declared Labor Day, the first Monday of September, a legal holiday.
Today, Labor Day is still a legal holiday and is celebrated with parades in New York, Chicago, and other cities all over the country. So this year as you are enjoying a parade and an end of the summer barbecue or packing up your white jeans make sure to remember to celebrate the American worker and everything they have done for our country.]]>“Fluorescent colors are quickly gaining in popularity, due to their outstanding visibility,” said Benjamin Kleiman, Director of Marketing. “Combining fluorescent colors with our durable, easy-to-use, twist-up Quik Stik makes this marker ideal for use in almost all applications.”
The gel-based paint is ideal for marking on smooth or rough surfaces up to 400°F, dries quickly and makes the most vivid marks imaginable in most industrial settings. The airtight, self-storing cap ensures each new fluorescent color stays bright, clean and ready to use at a moment’s notice. All Quik Stik markers are made at the Markal factory in the United States.
Additional information about Markal’s four new fluorescent colors is available by calling 847-956-7600 or visiting www.markal.com.
About MARKAL Markers
A division of LA-CO Industries, Markal is the leading manufacturer of hand-held and automated industrial marking solutions, offering unique and innovative products for global industries including: metal production, ship building, automotive assembly, welding and metal fabrication, building construction, lumber/timber processing, and many more.
About LA-CO Industries
Based in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, LA-CO Industries manufactures a diversified portfolio of industrial brands including Markal® marking products for every industry, Tempil® industrial temperature indicators, LA-CO® plumbing and chemical products and All-Weather® livestock marking products. Celebrating 82 years in business, LA-CO Industries continues to grow, adding new products that are exactly right for the job.
For more information about LA-CO Industries, please contact Benjamin Kleiman at 847-956-7600 or bkleiman@LACO.com.
]]>ELK GROVE VILLAGE, IL. – August 5, 2016 – Introducing the Markal® Stylotube Dot Marking System designed for hands-free, high volume dot marking applications for all types of industries. The Stylotube family of products includes the PN200, the more compact PN200D, and RS.2000 replacement cartridges available in 11 different colors. Built tough to easily withstand the demands of high-volume marking, the Stylotube Automated Marking System makes a clear mark on rubber, steel, iron, aluminum, plastic, and even textiles. Features include the refillable steel holder to keep hands and clothing clean, and three different tips that can mark on both smooth and rough surfaces.
“Markal has always been known for hand marking,” says Benjamin Kleiman, Director of Marketing for LA-CO Industries, “but more and more customers are asking for automated marking solutions. That’s why we’ve created the Markal of automated marking systems.”
Additional information about Markal’s new Stylotube Automated Marking System is available by calling 847-956-7600 or visiting www.markal.com.
About MARKAL Markers
A division of LA-CO Industries, Markal is the leading manufacturer of hand-held and automated industrial marking solutions, offering unique and innovative products for global industries including: metal production, ship building, automotive assembly, welding and metal fabrication, building construction, lumber/timber processing, and many more. Markal helps industries communicate important information by creating products that are always right for the job.
About LA-CO Industries
Based in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, LA-CO Industries manufactures a diversified portfolio of industrial brands including Markal® marking products for every industry, Tempil® industrial temperature indicators, LA-CO® plumbing and chemical products and All-Weather® livestock marking products. Celebrating 82 years in business, LA-CO Industries continues to grow, adding new products and new ideas to guarantee each LA-CO Industries product is exactly right for the job.
For more information, please contact Benjamin Kleiman at 847-427-3266 or bkleiman@Laco.com.
]]>Do you know what type of marker is most used around the globe? Do you know the difference between a permanent and temporary mark? Test your knowledge about markers with our quick quiz by simply answering each true or false question.
So how did you do?
Answers:
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