5 Things to Consider When Building a Custom Wire Basket

May 17, 2016 | Custom Wire Baskets, Wire Forms, Coatings for Baskets & Racks, Stainless Steel Baskets

There are many different factors that have to be considered when designing a custom parts washing basket.To build the best custom wire basket for any application, there are a number of things that have to be taken into account before the first wire is even extruded and bent into shape. Failing to consider even one important factor can compromise the utility of the basket or it’s useful life.

What are the most important things that have to be considered when designing and building a custom wire basket? Here are a few examples:

1: Weight, Shape, and Size of the Parts Load

One of the first things that any custom wire basket design needs to account for are the physical dimensions and weight of the part or parts it will be carrying. Failing to build the basket in a way that fits the parts will render the whole basket useless.

2: Surface Condition Requirements for Held Parts

Beyond ensuring that parts will fit, a custom steel wire basket design should also take into account the surface condition requirements for held parts, as well as the surface hardness of held parts.

Parts with a no-scratch requirement will need to be held in a different way from parts where minor surfaces scratches/abrasions are not a major concern.

3: Chemicals Used in the Manufacturing Process

Harsh chemicals are a common element in many parts finishing processes. The materials used in a wire parts washing basket need to be able to withstand repeated, prolonged exposure to any and all chemicals used in your parts finishing processes.

This may mean using stainless steel, or using specialized coatings that are resistant to chemicals used in the process.

4: Process Temperatures and Total Exposure Time

Different metal alloys and specialized coatings will react differently when exposed to temperature extremes. Many steel alloys might lose tensile strength at high temperatures, or become brittle in extremely low temperatures.

Different coatings can be compromised by prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures as well.

Because of the effect of specific temperatures on different metals and coatings, it’s important to know what temperatures each basket will be exposed to, and for how long.

5: Environmental Factors at the Factory/Storage Site

One commonly-overlooked factor is the environmental conditions at the factory itself. More than one parts washing basket has been ruined by continuous exposure to salty sea air or other airborne chemicals and contaminants.

Knowing what might be in the air at the factory or storage site the basket will be used in can help the basket’s designer optimize the basket to resist exposure to contaminants found there.

These are just a few of the factors that need to be taken into account when designing a custom wire basket for parts washing or materials handling purposes. Finding a custom wire form manufacturer that accounts for all of these factors and more can mean the difference between efficient, long-lasting wire forms and having to place an order for new baskets just a couple of months down the road.

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