Industrial

What Types Of Businesses Use Overhead Cranes?

Integrity Crane and HoistOverhead cranes are a common sight on manufacturing floors across the country. But, many people don’t fully understand this heavy equipment’s full value and utility. We recently sat down with Tennessee-based Integrity Crane and Hoist representatives to learn a little more about overhead crane systems.

Q: What type of applications are an overhead crane and hoist system useful for?

Integrity Crane and Hoist: There are many different reasons that a business might use an overhead crane. They are most often found in industrial settings in an assembly line, transportation department, warehouse, loading and unloading dock, or packaging station. They can be located in a single spot or designed to move about the building. 

Q: Which industries most often use an overhead crane and hoist system?

Integrity Crane and Hoist: Manufacturing, construction, steel mills, distribution, mining, food processing, gas and petroleum, beverage plants, and automotive plants are the most common. In a manufacturing environment, a crane moves large and cumbersome pieces from one department or location to another. In construction, you might see an overhead crane lifting beams as a building goes erect. For mining, an overhead crane and hoist would be used to transport gravel, coal, ore, or other material from the mine or mining equipment to another location. Beverage and automotive plants deal with heavy materials and supplies. Instead of utilizing manpower, these types of businesses use cranes.

Q: What is the primary purpose of using a crane?

Integrity Crane and Hoist: Safety is the number one reason that businesses use cranes. However, they also create a more efficient work environment, and cranes can free up floor space from large items and materials being transported through a warehouse.

Q: What are some common bits of terminology that someone new to the manufacturing or construction industry might need to know about overhead cranes?

Integrity Crane and Hoist: Overhead crane and hoist systems are built of many different components, including the girder, end truck, and trolley. You might also hear terms, such as axial load, drag brake, running speed, and span, thrown around in any of these settings. Our best advice for anyone thinking about a career in an industry that utilizes a crane and hoist system is to ask lots of questions and, if possible, receive professional training on the equipment.

For more information about Integrity Crane and Hoist, visit the company online at Integrity-Crane.com.

Cybersecurity

No Typewriter, No Problem: Mechanical Keyboards Are Back

ImageQuestIf you grew up in the 1990s, you probably remember your first typing class, which either took place on an actual typewriter or an old-fashioned computer complete with a mechanical keyboard. According to cybersecurity service firm ImageQuest, these were replaced in the late 90s and early 2000s by membrane-style keyboards, partly because they are cheaper to manufacture. But, the clicky-clack you remember is back in style, and ImageQuest explains why.

Q: What is the difference between a membrane and mechanical keyboard?

ImageQuest: A mechanical keyboard has a faster response and offers tactile feedback when typing. A membrane keyboard feels a bit like pushing into a deflated balloon filled with sand. Mechanical keyboards are often larger, and they can be fully customized for each user with things like larger letters, lights, and special shortcut keys.

Q: Why would anyone want a louder keyboard?

ImageQuest: It’s easy to wonder why you would not want something completely silent while you work. But, if you’ve ever worked in cybersecurity service, IT, or writing, you know the satisfaction of the feedback from the keys. Gamers, especially, like the quickness and precision of mechanical keyboards. IT professionals across the globe treat them as prized possessions, often showing them off in the office as something to be envied.

Q: What are the drawbacks of a membrane-style keyboard?

ImageQuest: A membrane keyboard has advantages, for sure. However, when you type more than just a few minutes each day, it’s easy to see that your productivity goes down. Membrane keyboards typically offer a less pleasurable tactile experience and, due to the innate design of the equipment, they are actually much less accurate for people who type quickly.

Q: Are there any safety considerations to allowing my employees to bring their own mechanical keyboards to the office?

ImageQuest: There can be, yes. Mechanical keyboards often come pre-equipped with gaming software or additional USB ports. If you are one of our cybersecurity service customers that strictly adhere to our recommended “Zero Trust” security model, you should implement procedures and safeguards that prohibit employees from using these ports or installing software.

Q: Where can I get a mechanical keyboard?

ImageQuest: There are many different ways that you can buy a mechanical keyboard for yourself or for your staff. We recommend Nashville-based Mechanical Keyboards.com, which offers fully assembled keyboards as well as materials that let you build your own.

Curious about the Zero Trust security model? A cybersecurity service expert from ImageQuest can fill you in and help you take control of your company’s digital security. Visit ImageQuest.com for more information.

Education

Why Should I Consider An Educational Evaluation For My Child?

Currey IngramChildren with known or suspected learning differences may not thrive in a conventional academic environment. If you think your son or daughter has ADHD, dyslexia, or another processing disorder, an evaluation can point you in the right direction of tools and services that can help them overcome their challenges. Today, Currey Ingram Academy, one of the most sought-after boarding schools in the South, shares insight on three important educational evaluations: psychoeducational, speech-language, and occupational therapy.

Q: What is a psychoeducational evaluation?

Currey Ingram Academy: A psychoeducational evaluation can be summarized as a professionally performed assessment that helps identify a child’s weaknesses and strengths. A parent might seek this type of assessment if they notice persistent behavioral problems, social withdrawal, and poor basic academic skills in foundational areas, such as writing, reading, or math. Many students undergo a psychoeducational evaluation after receiving low standardized test scores or based on a teacher’s recommendation. While not all boarding schools in the South offer psychoeducational evaluations and assessments, Currey Ingram Academy’s Diagnostic Center is open to non-students from ages three into adulthood.

Q: How do I know if my child needs a speech-language evaluation?

Currey Ingram Academy: Speech disorders are not uncommon, but they can derail a child’s academic experience. Whether your child attends one of the private boarding schools in the South or is registered for public education, their ability to sequence information, retell stories, and speak clearly is crucial to their academic success. A speech-language evaluation can help by identifying delays or auditory, verbal, or communication impairments so that your child can receive the help they need to intake, output, and process information clearly and completely.

Q: What does an occupational therapy evaluation look for?

Currey Ingram Academy: A typical occupational therapy evaluation assesses a child’s gross, fine, and visual-motor integration skills. We will look at their ability to perform common self-care acts as well as their handwriting and other actions that require physical, spatial, and coordination skills. Deficits in any of these areas can have a significant and negative effect on a child’s experience at home and at school. It can also affect relationships from the playground and friendships early in life to relationships with colleagues and the boardroom later in life.

Q: What type of therapy or intervention services should I seek after an evaluation?

Currey Ingram Academy: There are many different types of services you might consider for your child. Once you’ve undergone a psychoeducational, speech-language, or occupational therapy evaluation, the test administrator and their team can offer specific suggestions. You will have lots of options, including private therapy or enrolling in one of the boarding schools in the South that specialize in educating children with learning differences.

The Diagnostic Center at Currey Ingram Academy is located in Brentwood, TN, just south of Nashville. We offer services to both students and nonstudents, and our primary concern is ensuring that no child is left behind. For more information, visit us online at CurreyIngram.org.

Security

Don’t DIY Your Business’s Cords And Cables

Clear Link SystemsIf you’ve ever avoided moving your TV, surround sound, game systems, and modems because of the mess of cords behind your entertainment system, you already know how disorganized cables can get. Now, imagine how chaotic your business’s computers, servers, and other equipment might be if you ever have to rewire. Expert cabling solutions can help. 

Today, we speak with Nashville, TN-based Clear Link Systems about how keeping your equipment’s cables organized can benefit your business.

Q: What does “cabling solutions” mean?

Clear Link Systems: This is essentially the process of keeping data cords and cables organized. A professional data cabling service can implement a system to track which wires go to what equipment. There are many benefits to this, including reduced downtime and cost efficiency when it’s time to add or remove equipment from your tech system set up.

Q: How does organizing cables reduce downtime?

Clear Link Systems: First, if you have to reorganize your office, somebody has to disconnect all of your equipment. This is not as simple as simply removing a plug and hoping the power cord matches when it’s time to reconnect. Most of your systems are interlinked not only to power but also to servers, the internet, and often each other. A professional cabling solutions provider will know which cords to uninstall and reinstall and in which order so that only certain your equipment is off-line for as short a time as possible. This allows for some members of your organization to continue working and, perhaps most importantly, reduces the possibility that your customers will miss out on contacting you if needed.

Q: What is a core organizational layout?

Clear Link Systems: A core organizational layout is essentially a diagram of the infrastructure of your cables. Your cabling solutions provider can reconfigure your cables and track where each goes. In some cases, wires may be color-coded so that your IT team can more easily recognize each type of cable.

Q: What type of equipment can benefit from cable organization?

Clear Link Systems: For the most part, anything that deals with communications is a great candidate for professional cabling. Your VoIP phone systems, fiber optics, audio, alarms, security cameras, network, video cabling, and even your wireless network can all benefit from cabling solutions that keep you organized and on top of your game.

If you’re looking for a cabling solutions provider in Nashville, Clear Link Systems has you covered.

Uncategorized

Spring Spruce Up Tips For Your Roof

QE RoofingSpring cleaning season is here, and that means you’re already prepared to get your hands dirty. But, if you’re not also ready to take your efforts outside, you are doing yourself a disservice. Now is the perfect time to show your roof and gutters a little bit of love.

When you live in the South, your roofing system gets to experience all four seasons (sometimes during the same week), so it has to work 100% of the time. Today, QE Roofing of Franklin, TN answers a few questions about spring roof maintenance.

Q: How often should I clean my gutters?

QE Roofing: That depends on where you live and how clogged up they might get. Middle Tennessee is a great example of a location where homeowners may need to clean their roofs and gutters more often than normal. Where we are located (in Franklin, TN), we have lots of trees. Roofing and gutter systems can get overwhelmed with falling leaves. Ideally, you’ll clean your gutters out at least twice each year, at the beginning of spring and once the leaves begin to fall come September/October.

Q: How can I clean my gutters safely?

QE Roofing: Start by assessing your comfort with heights. Then, make sure that you have another person to hold the ladder steadily. Grab a pair of heavy gloves and a gutter scoop or large, rigid cup. Stand where your eyes are approximately three feet above the top of the gutters, which gives you ample arm reach to work in three to four-foot sections. Once each line of gutters is clean, have your helper on the ground hand you the water hose so you can give them a quick flush.

Q: What are some things that I can look for on the roof that might indicate a problem?

QE Roofing: You should examine your roofing system at the beginning of each season and after strong storms, including tornadoes and heavy snowfall. If you are already on the ladder, take a quick look at the shingles. Are there any missing or damaged? Is the flashing around your chimney or air vents still in place? When you are satisfied that things look good from the top, take a walk around the perimeter of your home. If you see any holes or indentations, you might want to call a roofing inspector to see if there is something you’re missing. Similarly, if you notice discolorations on your ceiling, you may have a leak.

Q: I have a metal roof. How can I keep it in top shape?

QE Roofing: Keep debris cleaned off your roof. If any grime is present, use a soft-tip pressure washer and gently wash the roof. It’s best to be on a ladder or rope and harness since once metal becomes wet it is very slippery. Do not pressure wash screws as this can damage the neoprene washers that seal them. If you ever have any doubt, call a professional like QE Roofing.

Your springtime cleaning efforts should not end with the pantry and the floors. Make sure your entire house is ready for the tumultuous spring season by channeling some of your energy onto the roof.

QE Roofing provides professional residential and commercial roofing services in Franklin, TN and the surrounding areas.

Interior Design

What’s Your Style?

The Linen Duck

Moving season is upon us, and that means an opportunity to personalize a new space. But, how do you know what you want? We recently sat down with the experts at The Linen Duck, a full-service interior design firm and furniture store in Franklin, TN, to discover how they get inspired.

Q: What are some different elements that go into a home’s interior design?

The Linen Duck: Everything inside your home contributes to its style. The carpet, wall color, curtains, furniture, and light fixtures all work together to give you a palette upon which to decorate with photos, artwork, and other trinkets that showcase a family’s personality. For those new to design, we suggest visiting local shops, scrolling through Pinterest, and even looking at magazines and real estate websites for inspiration.

Continue reading What’s Your Style? →

Chiropractor

All About Overland Park Family Chiropractic Dr. Justin Grabouski

Grabouski ChiropracticGrabouski Chiropractic has been serving families in the Overland Park area for years. But, how much do you know about Dr. Justin Grabouski? One of his patients recently sat down to ask him several burning questions, and we learned a lot! 

Dr. Grabouski became a chiropractor after his own experiences with sports injuries.

All through high school and into college, Dr. Justin Grabouski had the ambition of becoming a medical doctor. This is because his family relied heavily on traditional medicine – his mother was a nurse. Things changed during the end of a college baseball season when, as a young athlete, he was injured on the field. After working with trainers, physical therapists, and receiving all sorts of injections, he realized nothing was really working. At the advice of his head trainer, the future Overland Park family chiropractor went for his first chiropractic adjustment. Long story short, it aided in his recovery and he finished an important season. Today he works diligently to provide the same type of relief and healing that he received from this first chiropractic experience.

Dr. Grabouski continues to receive chiropractic care.

Dr. Justin Grabouski is more than just a family chiropractor. He is also a chiropractic patient. Dr. Grabouski says that he receives adjustments at least twice each week, and he has two primary goals for his own care. First, he wants to ensure that he does not reinjure any of his existing injuries – he has already had five orthopedic surgeries – and, second, he wants to keep his immune system strong. He says that chiropractic helps do both while keeping his digestive issues and seasonal allergies in check.

Dr. Grabouski knows that many people have misconceptions about chiropractic.

As a family chiropractor, Dr. Grabouski treats patients of all ages. But, he has noticed that many people have common misconceptions about chiropractic care. One of those is that the chiropractic adjustment can hurt. Dr. Grabouski utilizes a gentle technique that works with the body’s natural alignment, rather than popping and twisting. There are hundreds of ways to “adjust” a patient, and the technique he uses effectively promotes healing in a gentle way. Another is that chiropractic care is just for back and neck pain. As a family chiropractor, Dr. Grabouski has helped patients with a wide-range of conditions, including headaches, scoliosis, knee injuries, digestive issues, whiplash, and more! He also says that chiropractic is safe and effective even for newborns, and his youngest patient to date was just 19 hours old!

There is so much that people can find out by simply talking to their healthcare providers. Today, we would like to thank our patient and friend Jesica Williams for her recent post, “Diving Deeper with Chiropractor Dr. Justin Grabouski.” Dr. Grabouski welcomes questions and hopes to have an opportunity to be your family chiropractor.

Visit the FeelMoreGooder.com blog for the full interview.

Grabouski Chiropractic taking appointments! New patients, visit the website to complete your on boarding paperwork or to schedule an appointment.

Audio Visual Company

DK Audio Video Shares Tips On Event Planning

DK Audio VideoIf you’re planning a big event this spring, you’re going to need audio and video equipment. Today’s guest, DK Audio, an AV rentals company serving Denver and surrounding cities, shares insight on what you need to know.

Q: How important is my AV setup?

DK Audio Video: Your audio video setup is one of the most crucial components of any successful event, particularly corporate meetings and presentations. Without proper sound, for example, only people in the first few rows may hear your message. The larger your attendance list, the more important it is to have a sound system, projectors, and AV technicians in place.

Q: Why would I host a corporate meeting off-site?

DK Audio Video: There are many reasons that you might choose to take your company’s presentation away from the conference room. One consideration is space. If you simply don’t have a room large enough to accommodate your entire staff, then look for a venue that does. Further, your preferred venue might even offer some AV equipment that can help you set up for success.

Q: Are there any questions that I need to ask my AV rentals company when getting a quote?

DK Audio Video: Absolutely. Start by confirming how long it will take to get set up. Unless you are hosting the event on your own property, you may have time constraints, and you want to ensure that your installer has ample time to make sure things are right. This is also a great time to let them know if there are any restrictions or obstacles that you’ll need to get around, such as lack of an elevator for moving larger pieces of equipment to a non-ground floor level.

Q: Will all of my speakers have the same AV requirements?

DK Audio Video: That depends. Some speakers require a large projector screen so that they can show attendees what, exactly, they’re talking about. Others may simply need a clip-on microphone and lights to follow them around.

Q: What are some pieces of AV technology that can set my event apart from others?

DK Audio Video: If you’re looking for top-notch AV rentals in Denver, ask your advisor about things like on-screen captioning, interactive screens, or live social media feeds. You can also talk about installing screens throughout your venue so that your presentation can be viewed from multiple locations. Keep in mind that AV requirements can vary drastically from one type of event to the next, so even if you think you have seen it all, there may be something else your technician can recommend that will help you truly stand out when it is your time to shine.

Q: Do you have any advice for the day of set up?

DK Audio Video: Designate one person to act as your coordinator. This may be somebody from the venue or someone on your staff. This individual should be responsible for overseeing equipment set up, confirming with technicians that everything is functional, and even rehearsing with guest speakers and AV techs. 

DK Audio Video offers A/V rentals throughout Colorado Springs, Denver, Fort Collins, and Aurora. For more information or for your custom quote, email us today at info@dkaudiovideo.com.

Water Damage Specialist

Here’s What Happens During the Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration Process

Rytech NashvilleFire and smoke can cause extensive damage to your property. Your home could even suffer from extensive water damage as firefighters hose it down to put out the fire. Here’s what to expect during the fire and smoke damage restoration process. 

After submitting your insurance claim, get in touch with a reliable fire and smoke damage restoration company like Rytech Nashville. Their team will be onsite to assess the nature and extent of the fire and smoke damage and plan the appropriate course of action.

For your safety, it’s best to consider off-site housing or staying at a hotel while the fire and smoke damage restoration process is ongoing and until the authorities confirm that your property is structurally sound and liveable. If securing your belongings is a concern, most fire and smoke damage restoration companies will provide board-up services to prevent incidents of theft. A proper board-up should include using plywood bolted from inside the property over windows, and the front door should also be locked.

Soot and smoke can leave lasting or even permanent damage, and the smoky odor can linger in rooms and on your furniture. Professional fire and smoke damage restoration teams have the tools and skills to remove smoke and soot from ceilings, walls, and other surfaces and mitigate possible losses.  

All restorable items are cleaned and disinfected while odors are removed using industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment.

Water damage should be addressed immediately

If left unattended, the water used to put out the fire can lead to mold growth, which opens up a wide range of property – and even health – issues. Rytech, Nashville’s leading water damage restoration expert, provides professional water damage assessment and reliable water damage restoration services. Middle Tennessee residents trust Rytech’s IICRC-certified technicians for their water damage restoration requirements post-fire or otherwise. 24-hour emergency services are available. Get in touch today for a no-commitment consultation.

The duration of the restoration process will mainly depend on the size of the property and the extent of damage. A small home with minimal damage could be restored in a few days, whereas it would take almost six months to rebuild a large home completely. Work with a seasoned team like Rytech Nashville to get your life back on track as soon as possible.

Rytech Nashville is a leader in the water damage restoration and mold remediation industry. The company has reached exponential growth from its humble beginnings in one location and currently provides service to 49 major markets across 25 states. Call (615) 751-8445 for more information.

Pest Control

Pest Control in Bentonville, AR: An All-Year Endeavour

Alder Pest ControlWe tend to think of pest control as something we only need to do in the summer. After all, that’s when mosquitoes are most active, right? Yes, but there are many other bugs and other bothersome creatures that can wreak havoc on you and your home. Some of them are most active during the cooler months.

If you live in the Bentonville, AR area, pest control should be a priority throughout the entire year. Three reasons: cockroaches, rodents, and termites.

There are around six dozen species of cockroach in the US, and many of them live in the South. Although the vast majority make their home outdoors, cooler temperatures will send many looking for shelter, which they can find in your home through cracks and crevices. The most common types of cockroach to be on the lookout for include German, Asian, and Smokey Brown cockroach. Further, although most closely associated with Florida, Bentonville, AR pest control professionals note that palmetto bugs (the American cockroach) are also common.

Rodents are most common indoors during the fall and winter. Rats and mice, which can spread more than 30 different types of diseases, also seek warmth and food as cool temperatures take over. Your pest control company can help reduce the number of rodents in your home by sealing entry points and taking other measures to reduce reproduction. Of special note to parents and pet owners, Alder Pest Control uses chemicals that are safe for the rest of your family. Technicians are further trained in protocols specific to each pest control job.

Termites are not as active as cockroaches and rodents during the winter, but preventative pest control is the best medicine here. In Bentonville, the moderate climate means that some of the 2800 termites species may never burrow underground. These wood-destroying insects can eat at the foundation and frame of your home, and they will often bore holes in walls and furniture.

Regardless of what type of pest you are trying to keep at bay, DIY pest control methods aren’t always enough. Although trimming vegetation to more than 20 inches from your home’s foundation, putting food away at night, keeping the house clean, and eliminating dark, damp areas where bugs can hide will help, only a professional will know which species are waiting for you to let your guard down.

Alder Pest Control has experts ready to help with your nuisance issues year round. Call 479-802-0087 for your appointment.