Effectively implementing heavy equipment in large-scale projects requires a clear understanding of what qualifies as industrial machinery. Defining which equipment is to be applied in which setting helps establish safety standards, promote worker safety, and determine industry best practices. A key part of this is differentiating industrial machinery from traditional equipment. Industrial machinery dealers like Vander Ziel Machinery understand where equipment works best based on its purpose, scale, and operational complexity.
Defining Machinery’s Purpose
Many types of machinery have multiple applications; their purpose is defined more by the intended use. Michigan law helps in defining industrial equipment by establishing legal standards for industrial processing. The Michigan State Legislature classifies industrial processing as any activity that changes “the form, composition, quality, combination, or character” of materials that are later sold at retail or are used in the manufacturing of other products that are also sold at retail. The law goes on to further identify the activity of producing, manufacturing, and recycling aggregate products, along with the production of components used in construction as also being included in this definition.
Under this law, any equipment used in industrial processing can qualify as industrial machinery. This includes equipment used in the transportation and storage of industrial processing products during both the pre-production and decommissioning stages. Stacker cranes, dock levelers, and compactors fit into this category. The definition’s application also extends to equipment used to manufacture industrial products in the state for use outside of it. This can include manufacturing components shipped outside of the state for assembly or construction materials used in out-of-state projects. Equipment expressly excluded from this legal definition includes forklifts, skidsters, loaders, and tractors.
Assessing Equipment At Scale
Size and scale serve to differentiate equipment designed for similar purposes. Production done on a large scale requires equipment that’s built to last. Some consumer products and industrial equipment might perform the same function, yet only the latter is specifically designed to stand up to the rigors of large-scale commercial production. That often involves making such equipment bigger, bulkier, and more durable.
Hydraulic presses provide an example of this distinction. One can buy a hydraulic press to use for home projects and even small-scale construction, manufacturing, and design jobs. Yet its size and capacity limit the types of jobs it can complete. Contrast that to an entry-level industrial grade press sold by industrial machinery dealers like Vander Ziel Machinery, which weighs close to 6,000 lb, has a maximum pressure capacity of 50 tons, and would likely only be purchased for an industrial plant or warehouse.
Analyzing Operational Complexity
Large-scale machinery introduces added layers of operational complexity compared to standard consumer products. Such equipment often contains vast numbers of individual components, each of which can require great skill to maintain. Some of these tools also require a high amount of energy to power them, more than can typically be delivered across a standard residential electrical line. This may require operators, technicians, and electricians to be certified or licensed in their use and repair.
A small-scale press can typically be operated by almost anyone, and troubleshooting problems with the press may also be detailed in something as simple as an online video. Operators of industrial-grade presses might need to take extensive licensing courses to learn how to use them and then continue to familiarize themselves with revised operating procedures whenever new standards are introduced. Repairs might also require a separate service technician.
Why Defining Industrial Machinery Is Significant
Companies operating in industries where large-scale products are the norm, such as manufacturing, construction, and transportation, require suitable tools that will help them meet their clients’ demands. Utilizing machinery given an industrial grade allows them to fully optimize their production capabilities. Such equipment can require a significant investment, but the promise of it standing up to the rigors of industrial processing helps justify its expense. Industrial-grade equipment may also be necessary for companies looking to expand their product lines. Integrating new equipment into their existing processes requires that both the old and new components have similar production capacity.
Regulatory compliance demands also play a key role in classifying heavy-duty equipment. Manufacturing and construction equipment have the potential to produce high amounts of power. Occupational safety officials require that equipment meet strict safety standards to avoid unnecessary risks. Large-scale equipment can also produce equally large amounts of energy while operating. This requires owners and operators to adhere to standards regulating pollutant output and energy efficiency.
Trust In Industrial Machinery Dealers
Understanding the exact definition of industrial equipment helps clarify the need to work with reliable industrial machinery dealers. Such providers offer readily available service and support if and when equipment issues arise. Vander Ziel Machinery’s experience and expertise in the industrial equipment sector make us an ideal supplier. To learn more about our extensive inventory of products, contact us today.