S&W Manufacturing News

Leveling Mounts:
Why The Right Choice Is a Critical Business Decision
and
The Wrong Choice Could Spell Manufacturing Disaster

In today's lightning-fast business climate, manufacturers face a myriad of decisions that can make or break multimillion dollar deals. Marketing, shipping, distribution, customer concerns and relationships, government regulations, product fabrication, and style are big issues that manufacturers have to wrestle with daily. Given the maze manufacturers must navigate, the choice of leveling mount for their next project might seem inconsequential. That would be a big mistake.

The choice of leveling mount for the next batch of product that rolls off factory floors may not be on the busy manufacturer's radar. Yet, this humble part can play a vital role in the long-term profitability for manufacturers and their customers. Conversely, the wrong choice could lead to cost-overruns, work stoppages, part replacements, or even product recalls for manufactured goods that are already out the door, but not functioning properly.

Imagine, if you will, what damage it would do to a manufacturer of sensitive computerized machinery when internal networks misfire because the product wasn't operating on a level surface. What if a packaged foods line manufacturer had to halt work on the factory floor because a conveyor machine slipped out of the line? A recall, or work stoppage, could result in untold chaos all because the proper leveling mount wasn't specified or provided.

Leveling mounts have become a vital component for products such as conveyor machinery, appliances, arcade games, storage and shelving, and even furniture and store fixtures. For every application, there is a leveling mount product that is appropriate. And new inventions are coming onto the market every year that offer even more opportunities for astute manufacturers.

Before selecting a leveling mount, manufacturers should analyze a multitude of factors that will help them make the right choice. These factors include the end product's usage, weight, style, cost, housing, portability, mechanical considerations, and even geographic locations around the globe.

Leveling mounts are made to accommodate every conceivable variation of manufactured products' needs. Furthermore, within each classification, or style, of leveling mount, there are dozens of choices in size, finish, thread width and depth, and stud length and width. And if a manufacturer requires a special leveling mount, it can be custom-made to suit an individual need.

Buyers do need to consider how a the newly manufactured product will be used and what significance the choice of leveling mount will offer the end-user. Knowing some leveling mount basics could make this business decision easy.

Starting at the Low End

Price is often a key component of a product's marketability. To keep costs down, manufacturers often want to buy the least expensive components on the market. For items such as light duty appliances and sheet metal frames stamped levelers are a popular choice. These inexpensive items would add just .12˘ to the cost of a washing machine, for example. As long as aesthetics is not part of the marketing equation, the stamped leveler allows the end user to operate their device on uneven basement, store, or factory floors.

If the product is used in a more industrial setting on a durable factory floor, a hex mount might get the job done. Used for sheet metal enclosures and appliances for light duty industrial applications, hex mounts can help level surfaces for important machinery or storage devices where sensitive material and equipment are placed for safekeeping, yet price out at only .04˘-.08˘ per unit.

Rattle mounts also add just pennies to the cost of a product, yet provide a bit more functionality, for any motion-sensitive machines, such as home gaming and vending machines, or light industrial equipment on factory floors. Rattle mounts are easily adjustable and help extend part life by protecting sensitive components from the jarring vibrations caused as a natural part of a product's use.

A Step Above The Basics

Low-end, basic machine leveling mounts will often not be enough for a user's real needs or marketing goals. Heavier equipment, such as commercial video games and packaging conveyor machinery, which could be placed in compromised locations, (think high-risk urban areas, or industrial factory settings) might require a sturdier leveling mount, or a leveling device with more functionality.

High end machines might require more sound dampening capabilities, something an enhanced leveling mount can provide. Some buyers require a more aesthetically pleasing design, one that enhances the overall look and feel of the product being manufactured. Most machine leveling mounts are made with a variety of options to suit an individual buyer's exact needs.

Finishes

Levels can be made in a variety of finishes. The type of finish a buyer specifies depends on his circumstance. As an example, if a setting calls for wash-downs and sterilization involving chemical solvents, a leveling mount must have a stainless steel finish. Whereas, a water wash-down setting might justify selecting a less-expensive Delrin base with a stainless stud. Food and drug manufacturers must comply with FDA regulations. The type of leveling mount used with processing and packaging machinery could be scrutinized by regulators. Clear zinc, nickel plating and black oxide finishes are other options for aesthetic, as well as technical reasons, and can be applied to most any type of leveling mount.

Base Designs

Probably the single most standout feature of a typical leveling mount would be the design of the base. Leveling mount buyers should consider the base design of a leveling mount as it applies to the end users' needs.

A base design could be flat, or peaked. Rounded or sharp edged. Wide or narrow. Each design is suited for specific applications. For instance some manufactured items must rest their weight on the flat base of a leveling mount for stability. Others must rise off the floor in case of flooding, or other reasons.

Another consideration is a final item's anchoring ability. S&W Manufacturing has pioneered a polymer molded base which features a pop-out lag hole. The pop-out lag hole is useful for bolting an item to the floor of a factory to prevent vibrating machinery from slipping out of line. Also, the pop-out lag hole can allow heavy duty products to be bolted down during shipping to prevent shifting while in transit. Some companies located in earthquake zones will bolt heavy machinery to factory floors to protect workers and property in the event of an earthquake.

For other applications, pop-out lag holes might not be desirable. These could include bacteria-free clean rooms or food preparation areas.

To Slide or Not To Slide

If a machine is bolted down, it's not going to move. But some products that use levelers are required to slide, or be transportable. End users don't want their machinery sliding around on their own accord however, so non-skid pads can be affixed to machine leveling mounts to prevent slippage and cushion vibration.

Sometimes heavy machines must be moved or dragged across rough floors. In that case, glue-on pads can peel off; quite an irritant. For this reason, S&W has developed the SnapLock™ technology. The SnapLock™ technology allows a leveling mount to provide stability and prevent sliding. At the same time, SnapLock™ allows itself to be dragged or scooted across a factory floor without comprising the grip of the non-skid pad.

To Swivel or Stand Firm

Leveling mounts can be made with either fixed or swivel technology. If buyers need machine leveling mounts that swivel, they must consider carefully how the mount is constructed. Leveling mounts can bear huge amounts of weight. For this reason, cheaply constructed swivel mounts can break, snap, or come apart. Buyers should ask that only the finest materials and designs are used to support their end products.

Vibration Control

Leveling mounts can support great amounts of weight, provide uncompromised anchoring ability, and level uneven floors for the protection and safety of personnel and property. They can also help with vibration control and noise.

Consider conveyor machinery that is constantly in motion, precision injecting molding devices, or computer controlled robotics that perform precise movements. One slip -- and a million dollars worth of raw material is wasted. An anti-vibration leveling mount can add even more stability while also cutting down noise. These savvy devices not only provide custom leveling capabilities, but also minimize the shaking, vibration, and noise that such devices can create.

How much does it weigh?

Leveling mounts can support and level tens of thousands of pounds. Buyers should consider the best, most secure, leveling mount for their particular application. The Mighty Mount, for instance, can support upwards of 12,500 lbs. of machinery per square foot.

Looks are NOT Deceiving

Industrial strength machine leveling mounts are fine on factory floors and hidden under cabinets and baseboards, but sometimes the leveling device is a visible part of the look and design of an item. Sleek, contemporary, ergonomically designed furniture, shelving, or point-of-purchase displays might be spoiled by clunky base pads. For this reason, aesthetically pleasing bases and custom finishes are available to help buyers carry their vision for a product or manufactured item through, all the way to the floor.

Ready for the Next Step?

The Level-It™ leveling mount is a versatile product that is suitable for thousands of light, medium, and heavy-duty applications. Level-It mounts come in a variety of configurations including base design, finish, size, and swivel or stationary versions. Level-It is the standard workhorse of the leveling mount business - these mounts are reliable, durable, and dependable.

PolyMounts™ are machine leveling mounts configured with an inexpensive, yet versatile, base made from a corrosion resistant glass-reinforced nylon. The base material is often less expensive than stainless steel or metal base designs but provides the same benefits. The PolyMounts also provide anti-vibration, and noise reduction functionality when combined with an elastomer pad. Available with pop-out lag holes, the PolyMount gives end users the option of anchoring the mount to the floor. Additionally, S&W Manufacturing has developed a technology, called SocketLock that will lock the stud in place in the PolyMount base, giving even more functionality to the very popular and affordable PolyMount leveling device.

Low Profile machine leveling mounts are ideal when the weight of an item must be supported on the base of the leveling mount, as well as the stud screw. The low profile base comes in a variety of finishes and can accommodate anti-vibration and anti-noise functionality in addition to its leveling capabilities.

For serious anti-vibration applications, Anti-Vibe® has been developed to meet the needs of manufacturers of all types of machinery and sensitive instruments. When specified properly, Anti-Vibe mounts can isolate transmitted machinery vibrations by up to 98%.

Finally for heavy loads, the Mighty Mount provides unprecedented support at affordable costs. Supporting loads up to 12,500 lbs per square foot, the Mighty Mount also protects sensitive equipment from external shock and vibration.

When to Buy

The best time to consider buying the leveling mount is during the prototype phase of a manufactured product. Call your leveling mount provider and explore the variables and choices before final design. Considering the type of leveling mount required during the conceptual phase of a new product's development could save time, money, and heartache.

Additionally, smart marketers might find ways to add extra functionality to their next product with a thoroughly researched leveling mount selection: noise reduction, anti-skid functionality, anti-vibration capabilities, and anchoring ability (especially in earthquake zones) could enable a smart marketer to recoup their leveling mount investment, and then some, by adding these benefits to a bottom-line price justification.