quote:
Originally posted by M Husted:
I have a problem that for the past two years can not come up with any answer. First let me explain the application: We make fireplaces, about 150,000 per year, each one uses four refractory panels and during the mixing of these panels we install a wire mesh as a binder for each panel. These wire mesh components cost about .70 each and the math comes to about $420,000.00 per year in wire mesh. I did some testing and found if I install a few hundred strips of metal about the size of a paper match into the mix for each panel, the binding is equal to the mesh. I have plenty of scrap metal from 22 to 30 gauge and my only problem is to find a paper shredder on steroids, since I need about 2 million metal matches per day. I have talked to many companies that build machines and nobody has the answer. If anyone could solve this problem there is a round of golf at pebble beach in your future.
M Husted
VP engineering
Try to contact motor lamination fgabricators. Off-all (scrap)from stator or rotor lamination stampings have various size pieces that fall out of the slots for magnet wire windings. They will not be same shape as a paper match, but the variety of sizes may serve the function. Typically this off-all is transfered by conveyor systems into a scrap trailer and sold as recycle steel. Depending upon the stamping house you may find there is all you need.
