Our ongoing improvement of drum ring closing procedure has revealed that torque value is the best criteria to determine full closure. In the past instruction, we indicated that gap-width was the primary criteria. Though all our drums are tested using both gap and torque, we believe that torque can compensate for surface friction, climate variations and metal hardness. Therefore, effective September 25th, 2006, we have revised our Closure Instructions to indicate torque to 55–60 ft./lbs. All shippers of hazardous materials are responsible for following the closure instructions that accompany all UN or DOT marked packagings. DOT requires that a container must be closed to instruction when filled prior to transport (CRF 178.2(c)). Before releasing the container into transportation, the shipper should verify the tightness of closures to determine if the effects of heating and cooling or gasket relaxation have resulted in the need to re-torque the closure. Closure instructions are NOT generic and must be current to the date of manufacture. Skolnik provides closure instructions for every product manufactured. If you need a current copy, contact customer service or go to: http://www.skolnik.com/closureinstructions092506.pdf.
Drum It Up
STEEL DRUM INDUSTRY NEWS, TRENDS AND ISSUES
Archive for October, 2006
As Metal Thickness Increases, The Gauge Decreases… Why?
Though common knowledge, few people know why the thickness of steel diminishes as the gauge increases (ie: 16 gauge steel is thicker than 20 gauge steel). The explanation comes from the early development of a steel gauge measurement system in which the control measurement was based on a 1″ thick steel plate. The 1″ thickness of the steel was measured in diminishing fractions such as 1/14″ thick, 1/16″ thick, 1/20″ thick, and so on. The bottom number of the fraction became an easy identifier and eventually was adopted as the “gauge number.” Thus, 1/16″ became 16 gauge and 1/20″ became 20 gauge. The concept makes sense but without explanation, the converse number is often confusing. By taking the gauge number and returning it back to a fractional format, one can discover the actual nominal thickness dimension, in inches, of sheet steel.
Wine Harvest Results In High Stainless Drum Demands
With the wine harvest of 2006 in full swing, the demand for our stainless wine drums has reached an all time high at Skolnik. Our stainless drums are designed for winemaking in all stages of development, fermentation and maturation. Stainless steel excels in terms of product integrity, longevity and purity of materials. It‘s these properties that are making the stainless drum ideal for wineries and vineyards. Contact us if you would like more information about using these drums in your wine production facility.
