Deken Product News

Slide-A-Matic Expands its Product Line

2011-09-14T09:59:00.000-07:00

Deken Power recently released a new, retractable, sliding panel safety fence called Slide-A-Matic. The concept is unique because the fence does not require an overhead suspension system or floor track system in order to operate. Instead, the fence rides on non-marking swivel casters that permit the gate to be retracted to the width of a single panel (51-inches), and then rotated as much as 180-degrees to provide complete access to the entire opening. We know of no other product that can do this. It is a particularly attractive feature for areas that require total access for robotics, machine loading or servicing.

Slide-A-Matic can be interlocked, and we will custom install perfectly aligned mounting pads that are specific to a customer's particular interlock system. In addition, the sliding latch can be simply padlocked to prevent unwarranted intrusion.

Slide-A-Matic has an automatic leveling feature that allows the fence to adjust for factory floors that are uneven. This assures a smooth extension/retraction and swivel process and removes the possibility of binding.

The product is now available in lengths from 2 to 6 panels. As an example, a 6-panel fence will protect an opening of up to 20-feet. Two fences can be mounted at opposing angles to create a pen that is totally accessible from both sides when retracted. Most remarkable is the fact that a six panel fence, when retracted, is less than 6-inches thick, yet when extended, it is strong and rigid with no sagging or bending.

Slide-A-Matic is now available in standard heights of 42-inches, 48-inches and 76-inches. Horizontal closure distances are:

2-Panels, 95-inches (7-ft. 11-in.)
3-Panels, 137-inches (11-ft. 5-in.)
4-Panels, 175-inches (14 ft. 7-in.)
5-Panels, 209-inches (17 ft. 5-in.)
6-Panels, 240-inches (20 ft. 0-in.)

You can obtain a comprehensive look at Slide-A-Matic, including Product Features, Specifications and Sizes, Floor Plans, Drawings, and a Photo Gallery at www.extendamatic.com. Additionally, printable PDF files can be dowloaded to assist plant managers in planning their guarding profiles.

More to come . . .

New Extendamatic Website on the Way!

2011-08-18T14:21:00.000-07:00

It's been a couple of years now since the Extendamatic website was constructed and frankly, it's getting a little long in the tooth.

We have made several notable modifications to the Extendamatic product and recently released a new line of sliding panel safety gates called Slide-A-Matic. It's time to do a better job of showing our stuff.

The website will be divided into two sections, one for Extendamatic and one for Slide-A-Matic, as they are two entirely different animals. Each product will have sections that show Product Features, Options, Specifications, Floor Plan Designs, Available Sizes and Product Drawings to help plant engineers plan their safety guarding projects. The Photo Gallery will also be updated.

One of the neat features will be the ability to download printable PDF files of each section to have on hand at meetings and to use as pass-arounds.

I know that for a lot of you rebuilding a website is pretty boring stuff. However, it is indeed a challenge and a good way to express some creativity and exercise some brain power. I hope that when you finally get a look at it you won't say, "What were you thinking?"

I'll keep you posted . . .

Extendamatic 2-Hand Anti-Pinch Control

2011-07-25T15:16:00.000-07:00

First Photo: Anti-Pinch Control engages automatically when gate extends.
Second Photo: Extended Gate about to lock-up when retracted.
Third Photo: Two hands needed to complete retraction process.

From time to time we've had safety engineers express concern over the possibility that the Extendamatic gate in itself represented a pinch hazard. We have resolved this issue by adding a two-hand anti-pinch control to the gate and it is now standard equipment on the product.

The mechanism itself is a steel blocking device with a ball-handle attached to it that drops into position by gravity when the gate is extended. It is important to note that any purported pinch hazard only exists during the last few inches of the retraction sequence. That's when the control kicks in.

Here's how it works. When the openings in the links diminish to a distance of 2-3/4-inches during the retraction process the gate locks up. It cannot be fully retracted unless the operator manually disengages the control by placing his left hand on the ball handle in order to deactivate the lockup. At this point in the closure sequence, the operator has his left hand on the ball handle of the anti-pinch control and his right hand on the ball handle at the other end of the gate. Both ball handles are located at a comfortable to operate safe distance above the gate mechanism where it is not possible to put your fingers into harm's way. At the same time, the operator's body position creates a block that keeps any third party onlookers at bay.

We have never considered Extendamatic to be a pinch hazard and this is borne out by a 15-year+ record of operation with no occurrence of operator injury. Some of America's largest companies rely on Extendamatic to keep their employees from dangerous machines, while at the same time providing them with the total access they need to load and service those machines when required.

You can view Deken Power's guarding products by clicking here.

More to come . . .

Deken Power No Longer Manufacturing Coil Storage Systems

2011-03-09T11:25:00.000-08:00

We have recently had a significant number of inquiries into our coil cradles and coil storage systems. Regretfully, we have discontinued the manufacture of these products in order to dedicate our resources to the development, marketing and distribution of our retractable guarding products.

We have had such a positive industry-wide acceptance to our Extendamatic and Slide-A-Matic retractable safety guarding with a distinguished list of customers that includes BAE Systems, AK Steel, Severstal Steel, Nestle, Nissan, Toyota, Novelis, Dresser-Rand, Bloomingdale's, and the U.S. Missile Test Station in China Lake, California. Retractable guarding products have become a passion with us and we are grateful to those companies who support our products and continue to buy them.

In other news, our new 42-inch high Slide-A-Matic gate has passed all of it's tests with flying colors and our first order for the new design ships next week. I should have photos and product details on the website shortly.

A comprehensive look at Extendamatic and Slide-A-Matic guarding is available at our website. Click here.

Stay tuned, there's more to come . . .

How to Kill a Good Comedy Routine

2011-02-16T11:19:00.000-08:00

The first two photos were taken after manufacture and set up
to simulate the application. The third photo is the actual installation.

Ever since I can remember one of the great slapstick comedy gambits has been that of some poor sap inadvertently walking into an unguarded floor elevator opening. While it may be funny cinema, in real life it is a clear and present danger and when one of these mishaps occurs it isn't very funny at all. Serious injuries may occur and the legal and medical ramifications can be extensive.

That's why we were pleased to receive a call from Bloomingdale's who needed 3-sided protection around a floor elevator opening. The guard had to provide solid fall protection, be quick and easy to deploy or retract, and provide complete, unobstructed access to the elevator opening when required. This one was right up our alley.

We used an 8-foot Extendamatic as the basis of the guard, then fastened a custom-designed swinging end panel to it which allowed it to fold to the side. A steel drop-pin to the floor keeps the assembly from wandering when deployed. At the other end, two solid steel arms serve the double duty of providing end protection as well as being a latch mechanism to secure the guarding when in service.

To retract the guarding an operator simply raises the two latching arms and retracts the gate out of the way. Pretty Slick!

This is such an uncommon use of Extendamatic that I decided to showcase the versatility of the product. A comprehensive look at Extendamatic and Slide-A-Matic guarding is available by clicking here.

Stay tuned . . .

Update on the new Slide-A-Matic guarding.

2011-02-02T12:13:00.000-08:00

When a new product is released it is always interesting to track its acceptance in the marketplace and to see what changes customers are suggesting. Such has been the case with the new Slide-A-Matic guarding.

Our standard 76-inch high model was no sooner out of the gate when we were asked to come up with models that were 8-feet high and 42-inches low. That makes sense, of course, as both are fairly standard heights for industrial enclosures. We are prototyping these models now and I will keep you posted on their release dates.

The latest challenge has been to protect a span of 40-feet in an aircraft hangar. This is a difficult task for a panel gate that requires no track or suspension system; and that can be easily swung to the side by a single operator. Guess what? I knew all along we could do it.

I sincerely hope that those of you who follow are experiencing the same significant uptick in business that has occurred for us recently. America is on the move again and it is exhilarating to be part of that march forward.

A comprehensive look at Extendamatic and Slide-A-Matic guarding is available by clicking here.

Regards

Cost is King. Maybe Not!

2011-01-11T09:04:00.000-08:00

Today's reality has dictated that companies (including yours) refine cost cutting to a whole new level. When making a purchase, lowest cost wins!

Too often, however, lowest cost is determined by immediate, up-front expenditure rather than the value received over the life of one product over the other. This has made the selling of quality American made guarding more difficult, and I would be lying if I said otherwise. That's because those who make the buying decisions focus primarily on the immediate dollar cost of a product without taking into account the industrial, economic, social, behavioral and environmental impact that the purchase will have on their business.

"Wow!" you say, "It's just a gate, or fence, or whatever."

Right. And an iPhone is just a telephone.

A lot of thought went into the development of Extendamatic and Slide-A-Matic industrial guarding so that these products would provide substantial value over and above their ability to guard/fence an area. They are strong, rigid products that will provide many years of factory use and abuse. Should damage occur, they are repairable (you do not have to discard and start over). They are simple to install and require no maintenance. Additionally, they are easy for your employees to operate, which improves efficiency while providing safety. Because they retract AND swing to the side, your workers enjoy total, unrestricted access to a machine or production area. How's that for efficiency? And how much are you saving in operator time, insurance costs and costs related to an injury that could occur without this type of guarding? I suspect that in the long haul more money is actually saved with our products than is initially spent on their purchase.

No guarding is ever sold by us unless we understand its particular application within your operation, and provide to you the modifications or configuration adjustments required to be absolutely certain that the product will be a valuable asset to your enterprise over a very long term. That's why some of America's foremost manufacturers rely on Extendamatic and Slide-A-Matic guarding to keep dangerous areas safe and secure. It's a responsibility that we take seriously and it is evidenced in the quality of every product we ship.

So the next time you need a safety fence, or gate, or whatever, think of the purchase in terms of sustainability and the added value that a wise decision can bring to your business.

You can get a comprehensive look at Extendamatic and Slide-A-Matic guarding by clicking here.

More to come . . .

An Unexpected Application for Slide-A-Matic

2010-08-04T10:57:00.000-07:00

I'm always interested in the many different ways that industry uses Extendamatic and now the new Slide-A-Matic guarding. Here's one I've never heard before.

A major manufacturer in Colorado has production equipment that generates a lot of heat. In order to vent the heat and protect the equipment, they open the building's overhead bay doors. This works well, except it creates a safety and security problem, because there is no protection to keep unauthorized personnel from simply "walking in".

By installing an 8-foot tall Slide-A-Matic panel gate with 2-inch welded wire mesh at each bay door, the area now becomes secure and the venting process is uninterrupted. Additionally, the bay doors can be brought down to rest on the top of the Slide-A-Matic guard to create a 100% closure. The Slide-A-Matic gate can be padlocked to further insure security. The beauty of this system is that when the guarding is not needed, the panels retract into a tight package that swings to the side completely out of the way and the bay door can then operate in it's normal fashion.

Slide-A-Matic is a new product and was developed with the robotics industry in mind. It provides the cage type guarding that robots need, but retracts and rotates out of the way to provide complete access to the machine for servicing, etc. However, as we are finding out there are many other uses for the product as well as many uses that are still to be discovered.

I'll keep you posted. You can view a movie and specifications on Slide-A-Matic by clicking here.

Slide-A-Matic. A new concept in Safety Gating

2010-06-30T19:24:00.000-07:00

Slide-A-Matic from Deken Power is a safety/security gate composed of a series of interlocking sliding panels that rotate into position and then extend, panel by panel, to a latch post where it is firmly secured. A single gate can close off up to 14-feet, and you can double that if you bring two gates together from the left and right. The gate is unique because it does not require the confines of a suspension or tracking system in order to operate, making it free to rotate to the side when retracted. It operates smoothly, even on an uneven floor.

Slide-A-Matic is designed to guard industrial production and robotic areas that require high-visibility protection, but also require unobstructed access for servicing, loading equipment, and machine set-up.

Gate construction is all steel. Individual panels are 51.5-inches wide. Total thickness of all 4 panels when retracted is less than 4-inches. Standard gate height is 77-inches, however, that can vary depending on the application. Swivel casters are heavy-duty 3-inch poly olefin. The sliding steel latch can be operated from either side of the gate and is pad-lockable.

A brief demo movie of the gate can be downloaded at: http://www.dekenpower.com/slideamatic/movie/slideamatic-1.m4v

Contact Ken Hortness at Deken Power toll free at 888-420-7188.
E-mail khortness@extendamatic.com.

Slide-a-matic Panel Gate Now Available

2010-06-15T16:39:00.000-07:00

Retractable, Rotating, Panel Guarding without Tracks or Suspension
• Slide-a-Matic retracts to the size of a single panel and has a 214º rotation capability. Single panel width is 51.5 inches. Panel heights can vary.
• Cover up to a 14-foot opening with a 4-panel gate.
• Can be double gated (one from the left and one from the right) to cover up to 28-feet of in line opening.
• Two gates can connect at various angles to provide 2-sided protection to an area.
• Slide-a-Matic’s auto-level feature permits smooth operation, even on an uneven floor.
• Positive latching system that can be padlocked.
• Thin, compact, retracted profile. A 4-panel gate is only 3.75-inches thick when retracted.
• Available in 2, 3 and 4-panel models.
• Insert choices of welded wire (std.), expanded steel, or other materials.

Slide-a-matic's tall panels and pad-lockable latch has only a small gap at the floor, thus qualifying it as a security gate as well as a safety guard or fence. As one example, it will be perfect guarding for manufacturing robots, permitting complete denial or complete access to the machine, depending on preference.

You can view a short movie of Slide-a-Matic at:
http://www.dekenpower.com/slideamatic/movie/slideamatic-1.m4v

How strong is Extendamatic guarding? Let's take a sledge hammer to it and see!

2010-05-07T10:38:00.000-07:00

Recently Nabors Offshore Drilling ordered 2 of our gates to conduct an impact/function test to see if Extendamatic could stand the type of punishment that is dished out daily in an oil rig environment. We didn't realize at the time that the test was to simply beat them up with a sledge hammer.

NOTE: If the movie does not play you can view it at:
http://www.dekenpower.com/extendamatic/ExtendamaticTest-1.mov

I am deeply grateful to them for sharing the video, because it clearly demonstrates just how solid a product Extendamatic is. It also has prompted us to make two revisions to the product design.

First, the end stanchion that houses the operating mechanism for the gate has been beefed up. This component has not once failed in 15-years of operation, however, seeing that it is prone to damage when forcefully stuck by a sledge hammer, we decided to make the component even stronger.

Secondly, we are incorporating a 2-hand anti-pinch control into the gate operation. A few people have voiced concern over the fact that a careless person could get his fingers caught when retracting the gate, so we have addressed that issue as well. With the new design, the gate locks up before a pinch can occur; the operator must then activate a release with his free hand in order to complete the retraction. I'll post a movie on this feature when it is available.

You can get a comprehensive look at Extendamatic guarding by clicking here.

More to come . . .

Slide-a-matic Panel Gate Ready for Release

2010-04-06T15:25:00.000-07:00

For some time now I have been talking about the release of an entirely new gate that consists of a series of sliding panels, and I am proud to announce that the finishing touches are being applied to it as I write.

More on that in a minute. First I need to explain the concept of our gates and how they are different, because after all, scissor and panel gates are not new. What is new is the unique engineering and versatility of deployment that we build into our guarding products, which allows them to stand on their own, deploy and protect with ease, yet retract and fold completely out of the way, granting unobstructed access to a machine or an area. This uniqueness also makes our products somewhat difficult to classify, because they can be a gate, a guard, a barrier, a fence, or any combination thereof.

Scissor gates (the most common being the ones you see covering storefronts) generally require overhead suspension and a tracking rail because they are floppy and cannot support themselves. They can open and close in a straight line, but that's it. Sliding panel gates are much the same, requiring suspension and tracking systems in order to operate. They have no versatility.

In regards to our Extendamatic scissor gate we have engineered it to stand rigidly on its own, so that it can expand and retract with ease, as well as swing completely out of the way when not in use. In my opinion, it is the most versatile guarding system available today. That's probably why it is currently keeping workers safe in many of America's major manufacturing industries. You can see it by clicking here.

But let's get back to the new panel gate which we have trade marked Slide-a-matic. The standard sliding panels have a height of 76.75-inches (although they can certainly be taller or shorter), and each is 51.5 inches wide. A 4-panel gate when deployed can close off a length of 14-feet. When retracted it is the width of a single panel with a thickness of only 3.5-inches! And it can easily rotate to the side. Amazing! Two Slide-a-matic gates (one mounted to the left, the other to the right) can be brought together in the center, effectively closing off a length of 28-feet. Additional versatility is provided when 2 gates are configured to join at right angles to form a pen.

Slide-a-matic's tall panels, with only a small gap at the floor, qualify it as a security gate as well as a safety guard or fence. As one example, it will be perfect guarding for manufacturing robots, permitting complete denial or complete access to the machine, depending on preference.

We have had a lot of interest in this product and are anxious for its release. A comprehensive review of it will be available on our website shortly, and I will announce it in this blog along with product photos.

More later. . .

Integral Die and Large Parts Washer

2010-03-29T13:49:00.000-07:00

Cleaning the gunk off of grungy dies or large parts is a snap with Deken Power's Integral Die and Large Parts washer. It comes in 4 standard models with working areas of 8-ft. x 12-ft., 8-ft. x 14-ft., 8-ft. x 16-ft. and 8-ft. x 18-ft. Dies or large parts can be positioned for washing via overhead crane or forklift (DL Model).

The master control provides the operator with control over: On/Off; Pump On/Off; Cleansing Solution Temperature; Air Blow-off (drying wands); Emergency Off; Makeup Water Condition; Ozone Generating Unit, and; Low Water Level Shut-off, if necessary. The electrical system is 480/60 3-phase power in.

Construction is heavy-duty welded steel consisting of heavy-wall seamless steel tubing, continuous welded with powder coat finish. Cleaning solution tank assemblies are welded and formed stainless steel. Weight capacity is 500 or 900 lbs. per sq. ft. deck loading.

A 1,000 or 2,000 psi pressure pump delivers cleaning solution to both high-pressure spray wands which are conveniently located on opposite diagonal ends to allow complete access to all sides of the die/part that is being washed. Additionally, two high-efficiency compressed air, stainless steel drying wands provide for blow-off and drying of the die or part.

This product is packed with features such as Retractable heavy-duty clear-view, sure-fold contaminant curtains, closed loop dual filtration system with built-in oil skimmer, cal-rod heaters, bacteria and odor prevention system and an easy-empty system for complete evacuation of fluids into a 55-gallon drum.

No other die washing system even comes close to the power and durability of this system. You can get a comprehensive view of the product by clicking here.

Gangnail Press for Smaller Lumber Sizes

2010-02-12T09:16:00.000-08:00

In the previous posting I discussed the heavy-duty Gangbuster Sr. gang nail press. Deken Power also manufactures a bench model press for joining lumber sizes 1x3, 1x4, 1x6, 2x3, 2x4 and 2x6. In the manufactured housing industry, it mounts to the side of a tops or side wall table, however, it can be used in any industry that requires quick and safe joining of lumber in the above mentioned sizes.

The Gangbuster Jr. is a self-contained unit that is foot-pedal actuated. The foot pedal is guarded for operator safety. Additional operator safety is assured with a thick Lexan Guard that does not allow the press to operate when in the open position. Strong magnets hold the gang nails in position and the operation cycle presses both gang nails into the wood simultaneously. The entire cycle takes only 7-seconds.

This product is a great way to "stretch lumber" on the fly. If you think that Gangbuster Jr. or Sr. can fit into your production process, I invite you to visit the website for a comprehensive look at the products. You can get a comprehensive look at Gangbuster Jr. by clicking here. If you want to view the Gangbuster Sr. heavy-duty gang nail press, click here.

Stay tuned.

Gangnail Press for Building Manufacturers

2010-02-10T13:12:00.000-08:00

Deken Power's Gangbuster Sr. gang nail press delivers a whopping 42-tons of clamping pressure, simultaneously setting both top and bottom gang nails in one smooth operating cycle. The press is mainly used for joining lumber used as floor joists in building applications and can handle 2x6, 2x8 and 2x10 wood sizes.

This is a stand-alone, high-speed production press that is designed to safely maximize throughput in the manufacturing and assembly floor joists. The unique feature of this press is that it pushes both pieces of lumber together tightly for an almost seamless joint, an HUD requirement. The lumber is automatically clamped to a fence during the gang nailing operation, assuring straightness every time. The Gangbuster Sr. determines the quality of the splice joint, NOT the operator.

Safe operation is always front and center. This product complies with or exceeds federal OSHA and all state and local safety requirements. The operator pushes OSHA two-hand controls to start the operating cycle. The machine shuts itself off automatically when not in use.

You can get comprehensive information on the Gangbuster Sr. from the Deken Power website.

On my next blog, I will discuss the Gangbuster Jr., a smaller, side-mounted table unit for joining lumber sizes ranging from 1x3 through 2x6.

There's a lot more to Deken Power than you think

2010-02-03T12:12:00.000-08:00

I write about Extendamatic safety guarding and coil cradles so much that you probably think that we are a two-product company. Not so. This will be the first in a series that highlights the many products and services that Deken Power provides.

Many of you, for instance, don't know that Deken Power is a Master Distributor of fluid power products. If you're in manufacturing, this is important to know, because fluid power is your lifeline and when failures occur, you need a relationship with a reliable supplier.

The complexity of offerings is huge and you need to visit our website to fully appreciate what we can do for you. As an example, if you're in a specialized industry such as food, medical or the cement industry, we have the knowledge and expertise to provide you with the products that are unique to you. We also specialize in locating discontinued and hard-to-find items.

Free Product Testing
Customers within our geographic area are invited to bring a component that is not operating properly into our facility for bench testing. Out of the area customers may send the component to us for prompt testing and resolution of a problem.

Repair Department
Our repair technicians all have years of experience repairing and rebuilding fluid power products. Many have been "factory trained" to guarantee your rebuilt products have long life — just like the original brand new product!

Consultation
Our in-house engineer is available as a free service to consult with you on unique problems or applications.

For the past 26 years we have been a leading force in the distribution of fluid power components to manufacturers nationwide. We invite you to view our website.

More on our manufactured products in the next blog.

Extendamatic Heavy-Duty Industrial Guarding

2009-12-02T15:18:00.000-08:00

Safety is hard to sell because it is largely regarded as an expense that does not contribute directly to the bottom line, particularly during a down cycle. Some companies, however, make it a priority regardless of the economy, and this year I am grateful to them for the support and acceptance they have given to Extendamatic guarding and the hard working Americans that manufacture it here in California.

I was amused to find that the employees of a company that recently installed Extendamatic gating couldn't stop playing with it. Apparently the smooth, floating action makes it fun to operate. Who knew? Now I can add to my list of selling points, "Buy one for the fun of it!."

Without exception, every first-time purchaser of Extendamatic this year has expressed surprise and delight in the product's quality, durability, ease of operation and all-round aesthetic beauty. No accident! We decided at the very beginning that this was going to be a superior quality engineered product (as are all of our products) with precisely machined components that work together in harmonious fashion. It also means a premium all-weather powdercoat finish that you can stand back and admire. Indeed, Extendamatic's very presence is a visual testament to a company's concern for worker safety. And now, on top of it, they're fun!

In other news we have been quietly developing a new gating concept that is a series of sliding panels that not only retract to the width of a single panel, but also swing away in much the same manner as Extendamatic does. Sliding panel doors are not new (my grandfather had one at either end of his barn), however, they all require either an overhead or floor mounted tracking system (or both), and are limited to operating in a straight line. Our's requires neither, providing the versatility required to make the gating rotate and quickly disappear when complete access to a machine or a production area is needed.

There are several benefits to the new sliding panel gate in addition to the retractable swing-away feature.

The panels can consist of welded wire or steel mesh which is ideal for robotic encasement where there is always a danger of a flying part. As well, plexiglass panels can be inserted for completely unobstructed viewing. Panels can even have solid inserts that contain signage or, heaven forbid, advertising.
The panels can be up to 6 feet tall (or more) with only a 3-inch gap at the floor, so this model can serve as a security gate as well as a safety guard.

I hope to have photos of a prototype soon. Several of our customers have already expressed interest in the product and we have high hopes for it.

More later.

Link to website

There's a change in the wind. Something's up.

2009-10-11T14:42:00.001-07:00

I haven't posted for awhile because it's been a slow summer and without anything substantive, I didn't see any point in just adding to all the white noise that's out there.

However, we've recently received some very nice orders for product, both for Extendamatic Guarding as well as for cradles for steel coil storage. Additionally, the number of inquiries into our products has increased greatly. I sincerely hope that this good fortune has spread to the rest of you as well.

For me, this increase in business has brought into focus the impact that this has had on our immediate community of suppliers, for we, too, rely upon our family of associates to spring into action and get the job done when an order arrives. Welders, machinists, assemblers, box makers, powder coaters and truckers, all hard-working Americans who are glad to get the work, are busy once again. I have to admit that there is a certain amount of pride in being able to deliver that work to them. And, when we call someone to give them a job only to find that because of economic hardship they are no longer there, we've sadly lost yet another member of our family. It hurts. Yes, it's personal.

This would be a great spot to get philosophical and sentimental, but I'll spare you that. I just want to take a moment and thank those corporate decision makers who are once again starting to invest in American products, built by American workers for the benefit of us all.

Regards,
Ken.

Extendamatic Panel Gate to be Released Soon.

2009-08-17T14:22:00.000-07:00

For awhile now we have been experimenting with a new gating concept that utilizes sliding panels. Sliding panel doors and gates already exist but they usually require an overhead suspension system for their support. Our goal is to provide what is essentially a self supporting panel fence that can protect an area in excess of 25 feet and yet retract to the width of a single panel and swing away to provide complete access to an area.

Why is this important? Industrial production areas need to be guarded, both for security and to satisfy OSHA worker protection requirements. They also need to be accessed by loading and servicing equipment. Conventional fencing and gating is fixed and does not readily provide this needed access. In addition, robot areas need to be fenced because a robot can occasionally throw a part, unleashing a missile that could potentially injure someone. Extendamatic Panel Gating will provide a perimeter protective screen that can support itself on an open floor and yet retract to a small footprint and swing away.

It is my belief that the new Extendamatic-PA sliding panel gate will be just the ticket for manufacturing production areas that are difficult to guard and secure. We are prototyping it now for shipment to a customer and should have photos and specifications posted to our website soon.

This new gate slides open panel by panel. The unique thing about it is that it does not require an overhead suspension system. The first model is 6 feet tall and will be able to open to approximately 14 feet or anywhere in between. The Extendamatic-PA is supported by an Anchor Post at one end and an optional Latch Post at the other. Two gates can be mounted left and right and brought together to close in the center. That's an impressive 28-feet of protection that collapses down to 53-1/2 inches at each end and swings away.

Key features include:

Sliding panels have a gap of only 4" at the floor.
Gate panel height can vary depending on your application (Standard is 6 feet).
Gate can be mounted close to a machine because an individual can not reach through, over, under or around it, a key OSHA requirement.
Once retracted (53-1/2 inches) the gate can be rotated out of the way 180 degrees.
A variety of panel inserts are available (2-in. x 1/8" welded wire mesh is standard).
Extendamatic-PA can be installed in conjunction with traditional perimeter fencing.
Less expensive than the Extendamatic-SC (Scissor gate).

Deken Power's Extendamatic-SC scissor gates are well known for their rigidity, durability, versatility and ease of operation and every one of those qualities will be built in to the new Extendamatic-PA.

Dresser-Rand takes delivery of custom designed Extendamatic Security Gating

2009-08-05T20:31:00.000-07:00

Above photo is the right half of custom gate design

It's always nice to conquer a challenge.

Recently Dresser-Rand asked us to design a large double gate as a matching complement to five other Extendamatics that they already have on the floor for the purpose of guarding. This particular set of gates needed to secure an area where valuable inventory is stored.

This presented a design and engineering challenge because the gate (set of 2) needed to be 6 feet high, secure a span of 20 feet and have a small gap at the floor. At the same time it had to provide full access to the area.

Needless to say, this is a lot of freestanding iron and it had to be designed with Extendamatic's signature characteristics of ease of operation, smooth, gliding expansion and retraction, as well as swing-away capability. Not necessarily an easy task for so much bulk. We also threw in cane bolt drop pins with padlocks to secure the gating to the floor and a set of locking handles for additional security. We are proud of the result.

Extendamatic guarding can be a benefit to your operation as well. I know of no other product that can deliver such a strong presence and yet swing away and contract to next to nothing. At the same time, when retracted, it grants full access to an area for loading, servicing or maintenance. It can also be internally wired for interlock or alarm activation.

You can get a comprehensive view of the product at www.extendamatic.com.

What a difference a word makes!

2009-07-30T09:00:00.000-07:00

For at least 15 years we have specialized in retractable guarding to protect factory employees who must work in close proximity to dangerous machinery. In the past, a lot of our work has been in the steel processing industry, a manufacturing segment that has recently been hit hard by the recession. To be frank, in this economy the installation of effective guarding is frequently considered to be a discretionary expense that can be put off until the champagne once again flows — or at least until an OSHA inspector creates a previously absent sense of urgency.

So, I've recently been pouring over OSHA reports to see which industry segments have significant guarding violations, hoping to uncover a new market for Extendamatic guarding, and hopefully to do some good at the same time. Among others, the oil drilling companies stood out. It appears that OSHA visits drilling sites on a regular basis. Who knew?

But most intriguing to me was how retractable guarding could be a perfect solution for protecting workers in a hazardous, compact area such as an oil rig. At least in theory. After all, perception is not always reality and I needed to know for certain.

I began calling drilling companies both large and small, some with serious OSHA violations and accompanying fines, and others that were as clean as the proverbial whistle. I was both pleased and surprised at their interest in my spiel, particularly when I uttered the magic word — retractable! It seems that guarding that virtually disappears when not in use is of keen interest to them. As one safety director put it, "If you can blow me away, I'll be calling you back." I gave him the website address and am now staring at the phone in the eager anticipation of his return call.

One word. Retractable. It's power is amazing, because it reveals possibilities that never before existed. What was confined and difficult to guard is now easy — what was potentially dangerous is now safe.

I wonder if Extendamatic guarding will work on submarines?

A Rant on Business Practices in General

2009-07-22T17:31:00.000-07:00

Times are tough in business, and when things are tight any expense that doesn't contribute to the bottom line is jettisoned. That's understandable. Companies have to take certain actions today to assure they will be around tomorrow. However, we have been shedding American employees for some time now, not because they don't contribute to the bottom line, but because they don't contribute enough to the bottom line.

I once heard the saying, "Corporations don't cry". It's one of those tidbits that leave an indelible imprint on the mind. Whenever I call an American company and end up talking to someone named "Howard", who I know damned well is halfway around the world, I can actually hear the bubbling sounds that my boiling blood is making.

I know I'm not alone. I am in communication with people every day. Today, one of my customers expressed delight when I answered his question about where Extendamatic gating is made. "Right here in the U.S.A.", I said proudly, and added, "by Americans". I don't purport to know if that's important anymore. All I know is that it's important to me!

Maybe it's because I'm older and remember stuff, like how I used to be able to approach a cash register and simply buy something without the pathetic exercise of club cards and tracking systems that make transaction time intolerable and personal privacy invadable. Or, how about trying to call a company hoping to get an intelligent, helpful person on the line instead of a recorded menu with a "bridge to nowhere". Yeah, I remember stuff. Corporations may not cry, but I swear I can hear them laughing at me.

What's sad to me is that this has become the normal accepted business model and it is not one that we subscribe to at Deken. We now have a generation that doesn't know what it means to wind a watch, so business activities and transactions that place the burden of inconvenience squarely on the customer are now considered normal. Nobody seems to remember what it used to be like. At Deken, we do. And we strive to bring that personal and caring experience to everyone we meet.

Developing the Perfect Coil Cradle #3 of 3

2009-07-17T15:58:00.000-07:00

(Third and final in a series of short blogs on steel coil storage systems)

Steel coil cradles are probably the most traditional way to store steel coils. By themselves, however, they can score or mark the outer perimeter of a precious coil, so they are to a degree limited in their value. Various methods of combining steel with wood blocks/chocks have been used in the past to alleviate the scoring problem (even by us), but wood eventually splinters and degrades requiring clean-up and replacement.

We've solved this problem by attaching high strength polymer pads to the steel cradle at the points where the coil rests. I hesitate to use the word indestructible as it is misleading, however, these high strength polymer pads are about the closest thing to it. They are very strong, do not shatter and offer many years of coil perimeter protection. One would expect a material such as this to be very costly. Not so. While they do add to the cost of a basic steel cradle, we feel the additional expense is minimal, particularly when you consider the savings you gain from having undamaged coils. Of course, you can also buy a basic steel cradle without the PolyPad protection.

Deken's steel cradles are manufactured according to your specifications for coil width and diameter. They have the flexibility of either being mounted directly to the factory floor or left freestanding so they can be repositioned to various locations when required. In both configurations, you can stack coils 2-high, however, in the case of free standing cradles they must be linked so that they remain in alignment and cannot spread apart from the downward forces applied by the top coil. Steel connector links are provided for this purpose. You can store coils that weigh 100,000 lbs. or more.

These durable cradles are inexpensive to buy and cost nothing to maintain because they are maintenance free.

For those of you who have pride in your factory's appearance, Deken's steel coil cradles are powder coated safety yellow, which makes them both attractive and highly visible. When multiple units are properly configured, you can efficiently index your coil inventory so that your crane operator will have an easy time placing and retrieving coils safely.

Link to website

Developing the Perfect Coil Cradle #2

2009-07-14T10:50:00.000-07:00

(Second in a series of short blogs on steel coil storage systems)

We've done a lot of research into the use of high-strength polymers in the manufacture of coil cradles and are confident that these new products will make a significant positive impact on safety and efficiency. They meet all eight of our criteria for the perfect coil cradle (see previous blog) — most notably they are cheap to buy.

PolyPlus Cradles have many features:

You can safely store coils weighing over 100,000 lbs.
Coils can be safely stacked 2-high
They are non-marking
You can fasten them directly to the floor or use them as free standing units
They are strong, durable and maintenance free
They are inexpensive

Deken has been making floor mounted adjustable coil racking systems for over 15-years and we've reached the conclusion that they are cumbersome, inflexible and expensive to build and maintain. Assigning each coil its own cradle is the best solution in our opinion, as they can be free standing or floor mounted — your choice. It's nice to have choices! On top of that, a row of 10 PolyPlus cradles will cost less than a 10-coil floor-mounted racking system hands down.

Our research indicates that most companies generally store and use coils that are relatively consistent in their diameter and width (for example, 48" to 54" diameter by 60" wide). During manufacture, we simply adjust the width of the resting pad to produce the correct distance needed between the chocks. We do this without passing on any added tooling and setup costs to the customer. If a company uses several different coil sizes, it is no more difficult or costly to provide them with their desired range of cradle sizes.

We are currently experimenting with a design for a self-adjusting PolyPlus cradle that will automatically expand and retract to accommodate a wider range of coil diameters. I'll keep you posted.

If you are looking for an inexpensive solution to spiff up a junky or unsafe coil storage area, Deken's PolyPlus cradles are worthy of your consideration.

And for you guys who want steel cradles — my next blog is for you.

Link to Website

Developing the Perfect Coil Cradle or Saddle

2009-07-11T15:30:00.000-07:00

(first in a series of short blogs on steel coil storage systems)

I've seen a lot of designs for storing steel coils and some are more sophisticated than others. At one end of the spectrum you just kick a 4 x 4 block of wood under each side of the coil and chain them together so they don't roll. It works and it's cheap, but if you have a lot of coils (row after row of them) you end up with splintered wood and rusted chain scattered all over the place. It's a safety and management nightmare. At the other end of the spectrum are highly sophisticated systems that do a great job but are not necessarily affordable to everyone with a coil storage problem. There are also some products that fall in between, but none that meet all of our criteria for the perfect coil storage cradle.

The Deken Criteria for the Perfect Coil Cradle

IT MUST BE CHEAP. Cheap to buy that is, not cheaply made. Coil cradles are an expense and no one wants to spend any money on them. Sure they improve plant safety and operational efficiency, however, they contribute nothing to a company's bottom line.
It must be able to accommodate a complete range of coil sizes. Coil widths can be as wide as 96-inches. Diameters vary, too, generally from 36-inches to 72-inches.
It must safely store a steel coil that can weigh over 100,000 lbs.
It must be able to support the weight and forces required when coils are stacked two high on top of each other. You can only imagine the mayhem if a 100,000 lb. coil gets away from you (that's gotta hurt).
It must be non-marking. We tend to think of steel as indestructible, however, exterior damage and abrasion to the outer layer of a steel coil is costly and wasteful.
It must be portable enough to be moved from one location to another within the plant with relative ease, or alternately, permanently mounted to the factory floor.
It must be durable enough to sustain the pounding and abuse associated with the coil loading and unloading cycle.
It must be maintenance free.

While the available range of coil storage products address some of these criteria, we at Deken have strived to meet them all, and we have done so in such a way that our customers have choices. Some customers believe that coil cradles should be made of steel (us old dogs don't learn new tricks easily). Others embrace the economy and convenience of our new high-performance poly-plus cradles that will soon be available. Still others prefer steel cradles with non-marking poly-plus pads. As well, others want to see some custom touches that are unique to their application. It's nice to have choices.

I will continue this story and spotlight our coil storage products over the next few days. Stay tuned.

Deken Power Welcomes Jim's Supply

2009-07-08T19:32:00.000-07:00

It's always a good feeling to have a plan come together. We've just shipped a set of 3 linked coil cradles to Jim's Supply in Bakersfield, California. These cradles each accommodate a 36-inch steel coil and allow two more to be stacked on top. In other words, 3 coil racks can safely store 5 steel coils (very efficient). In addition, each cradle is padded with a non-marking PolyPlus covering that prevents marking and damage to the steel coils. The cradles bolt together so they cannot spread when the second layer of coils is stacked on top of the first.

Jim's Supply has locations in both Central and Northern California. They manufacture and distribute a complete line of vineyard products for a flourishing California wine industry, as well as fencing, gates, chutes, pens, etc. for a robust livestock industry. And they ship internationally!

What's that got to do with steel coils you say? I'm glad you asked. Because Jim's is also a notable full service steel service center that distributes hot and cold rolled steel products, expanded metal, grating, steel tubing, new and used steel pipe (and it doesn't stop there).

The company has been a key supplier since 1959. Their corporate office is in Bakersfield, California. You can learn more about them by going to their website at: http://www.jimssupply.com.

More on Deken's steel coil cradle product line in another blog. This is exciting stuff.

You can also follow me at http://twitter.com/khortness

Where does our stuff go?

2009-07-06T20:17:00.000-07:00

I started to write about the revelation I've recently experienced in trying to design the perfect cradle for storing steel coils (next blog). However, my mind kept drifting to the manufacturing environments where our product will be used.

I've had the pleasure of touring a stamping facility where you could literally eat off of the floor. I've also visited a factory where simply walking across the production area, at the very least, would guarantee a compound fracture.

Some companies are just damn proud of their operations. Their appearance is akin to the personal grooming regimen that I go through no less than once a day. Factories have a resemblance to people, the older you get the more it takes to maintain your image (ear and nose hair, eyebrows, etc. — you get the picture). However, if you are proud of who you are, you do your utmost to look your best every day (do corporations have personal dignity?). What's it take to preserve your image and make your workplace safer and more pleasant? Pride in your workplace and the investment of some extra time. If there is some cost involved I'm pretty sure it is dwarfed by the resulting benefit.

I used to have a trick that I used when interviewing a potential new employee. After the interview, as a courtesy, I would walk the applicant to his/her car. Yikes! I learned more from looking into that car than I did during the entire interview (are you sure you don't live in this thing?). I knew immediately if this person would enhance or distract from our working environment.

We design our products to enhance your corporate image, while improving safety and increasing productivity. Just putting a Deken product on your floor will make you look better, feel safer and be more productive. The rest of your environment is up to you.

Extendamatic Heavy-Duty Industrial Guarding

2009-07-02T14:40:00.001-07:00

Guarding heavy industrial production machinery presents unique challenges. Many of these machines are absolutely huge and being too close to them during an operation cycle can be hazardous (even deadly).

OSHA has guidelines that say these machines must have guarding in place and that is far enough away that an operator cannot reach over, under, through or around the barrier and make contact with the machine. It's not as easy as enclosing the machine with fencing, because in most cases it is necessary to have complete access to the machine for the purpose of loading material, servicing, etc. In many cases this involves heavy equipment such as loaders and cranes, sometimes operating on rails. Stationary fencing by its very nature just doesn't cut it.

15-years ago Deken's Extendamatic guarding was conceived to address this problem and, indeed, the original units are still in use today. Extendamatic provides a significant barrier that collapses to approximately 15% of its extended length. Additionally, it can rotate 252 degrees allowing it to be folded back out of the way when not in use. Unlike other scissor-type mechanisms that tend to be floppy, Extendamatic is extremely rigid, so much so that it can support itself without a wheel (up to 100-inches), which gives it the ability to clear floor obstructions such as rails, conduit, etc. It is intricately engineered and balanced to practically float open and closed.

Operator safety is enhanced further with the addition of an electrical interlock. Extendamatic can be internally wired to the control panel that operates the machine. When the gate is closed from the outside, the machine will operate. If the gate is opened while the machine is in operation, the machine shuts down.

I could go on and on, however, if you have an interest a trip to www.extendamatic.com would be worth your while.

I also invite you to follow us on Twitter

Welcome to the Deken Blog!

2009-07-01T10:55:00.000-07:00

Some of the best finds in life are the little known secrets we come across now and then that have a positive impact on our lives going forward. We are confident that the product information you find in these posts will be of benefit to you.

Deken Power had its origins back in 1974 when it started out as a distributor of fluid power products, serving the Orange County and Los Angeles areas. The owner, Dennis Hurst, left an industrial design career in Detroit to relocate in California and become an entrepreneur.

The distributorship grew quickly with some surprising twists. Fluid power customers continually kept coming up with manufacturing problems for which there was no solution. Dennis would step up to the plate, and using his industrial design background, would design and manufacture a machine that solved the problem. Most of these products were one-of-a-kind solutions and were not generally considered to be marketable. However, that is no longer the case.

We have reviewed the considerable list of products that have been designed over the years and some gems definitely stand out for their broad market appeal. These are now being actively promoted and sold throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico (thanks to the power of the internet) and we will be highlighting them here in subsequent posts.

We recognize that to an extent we are working at a disadvantage. All of the products we design and manufacture must meet the requirements of being strong and durable, attractive in appearance, maintenance free, easy to repair or replace if damaged, and be cost efficient. These products serve niche markets, so they are not made with the same manufacturing cost efficiencies you get when you make a gazillion of them. Additionally, they are made here in the U.S.A. (I'll get going on that topic in another post). So cost efficient doesn't mean that they are the cheapest. It means that the value you receive is, in return, worthy of your investment.

At Deken we are still serving two different markets. We are one of the best fluid power distributors you will ever find. As well, we design and manufacture some pretty nifty industrial stuff. You can view our website at: www.dekenpower.com.

Stay tuned.