Dock equipment: Low-speed fans accelerate production

Stone Panels Incorporated manufactures lightweight stone veneer panels used in new construction and renovations across the globe. The company recently relocated all of its operations and manufacturing to a 166,000-square-foot facility in Coppell, Texas. In lieu of a centralized air conditioning system, the company recently installed a series of high-volume, low-speed (HVLS) fans to improve working conditions and stimulate productivity.

Working in close quarters in a humid facility had lead to uncomfortable employees and a drop in productivity. Since the company’s product generally has long lead times, any additional delays could impact order processing and profitability.

“The mid-day heat of the Texas summers can really bring work to a halt,” says Dewey Winker, facilities manager, who opted to install six 24-foot HVLS fans. “After we installed the fans, we have a much cooler and less humid work environment and we have seen lead times decrease as a result of employees’ comfort levels having improved so dramatically.”

The energy-efficient fans consist of lightweight blades made from single pieces of anodized aluminum. They create a column of air that flows down toward the floor and outward in all directions before it is pulled back vertically toward the blades to create what is known as a horizontal floor jet. By creating this slow-moving breeze at 2 to 3 miles per hour, many facilities have reported a reduction in perceived temperature equivalent to 7º to 11º Fahrenheit.

The fans also provide airflow throughout the warehouse and eliminate warm or cold air pockets for more consistent temperatures and energy efficiency. For Stone Panels, this facility-wide air flow has also shortened the curing time for the product’s finish, which was traditionally the longest part of the manufacturing process. “We couldn’t believe the difference,” Winker says. “The slow breeze has reduced the drying time from upwards of a full week, consistently down to two days.”

Kelley
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