In the diversified economy of the 21st century, tens of thousands of manufacturing facilities operate throughout America and other industrialized nations. Depending on the product, these factories may utilize basic metal fabricating, plastics molding, or wood shaping machinery, or they may feature elaborate ranges of highly sophisticated processing and assembly machinery extending over many acres of floor space.
But one thing they all have in common – they all involve fluids of one kind or another, fluids used to lubricate machinery parts, lubricate materials being processed, cool heated surfaces, carry materials through stages of processing, clean, etc. And wherever fluids appear, spills are possible – even likely.
Take a relatively simple production line scene – a machine shop. Drill presses, brakes, shears, drop presses, lathes, digitally controlled milling machines – most of these involve lubricants and coolants for efficient operation. Many have coolant sumps and coolant circulating and application systems. Leaks and spills are inevitable. To control, contain, and clean up these leaks and spills, a wide variety of absorbents is used. Absorbent pads and rolls, socks, pillows, tablets, mats, plus loose absorbents, all find their place around a machine shop, helping to prevent slip-and-fall accidents and other spill-related risks.
In a rolling assembly line such as found in an appliance factory, boat works, automotive or recreational vehicle factory, or aircraft factory, in addition to lubricants used on the line machinery, washing and painting fluids may also be involved. Because of the need for keeping the floor clear, spot applications of loose absorbents are more likely to be used, with the possible addition of specialty absorbents for toxic chemicals.
High-tech assembly lines such as those for electronics equipment may not have many gross liquids spills, but instead a severe requirement for cleanliness. Here perhaps absorbent pads and mats would exclusively replace loose absorbents in areas where spillage does constitute a concern.
Of course, the spill problems on some production lines are evident. The forming, pressing, drying and calendaring equipment used in paper production; or all the various washing, cutting, cooking and canning equipment found in food processing operations use a massive amount of water plus various chemicals. Often the situation is not so much cleaning up spills as controlling them within tolerable limits. Canneries and meat packing plants also require the use of food-production-compatible absorbents. Pads, socks, booms and biodegradable loose absorbents are indispensable tools in this continuing task. custom socks