Bringing Clarity to Barricades, Barriers, and the Evolution of the Longitudinal Channelizer

Posted by Tracy L Connors on

A graphic with two photos. One photo showing plastic barricades on a city street with chain link fence on a rainy day with a car turning onto the street. The other photo shows concrete barriers in the middle of the highway on a grey day. The images are surrounded by an orange frame.

For those outside the traffic control industry, the various types of temporary traffic control devices used in work zones are often a mystery. In this article, we break down the two primary categories: barriers and barricades, explaining their distinct roles in keeping work zones safe.

Understanding Traffic Barriers

Barriers are essential for protecting road workers by physically separating them from oncoming traffic. These robust devices, like the commonly seen concrete Jersey Barriers or steel-reinforced plastic barriers, are designed to redirect vehicles away from the work area. A key feature of these barriers is their ability to withstand impacts without allowing vehicles to break through the line, thus ensuring worker safety.

What Are Barricades?

Unlike barriers, barricades are primarily used to inform and guide drivers, channeling traffic away from active work zones. These lightweight devices, such as traffic drums and Type I barricades (commonly recognized as “sawhorses”), are designed to be non-threatening to vehicles in case of accidental impact. Typically, they feature white or orange colors with reflective materials to enhance visibility at night, making them effective channelizers in low-speed areas.

The Evolution of the Longitudinal Channelizer

In the 1990s, the industry witnessed the introduction of hollow plastic barriers, mimicking the look of traditional concrete barriers. However, testing quickly revealed that plastic barriers, even when filled with water, did not provide the necessary protection due to their lower weight and lack of strength compared to concrete. To meet safety standards, manufacturers began reinforcing these plastic barriers with steel—either internally with steel cables or externally with an exoskeleton. While this innovation passed safety tests, it introduced new challenges, such as increased deflection during impacts, requiring greater spacing from the work zone, which is often impractical.

Despite these limitations, the imposing appearance of plastic barriers proved highly effective in channeling traffic, leading to their evolution into what we now know as longitudinal channelizers. These devices are now widely used in various scenarios, from parking lots and pedestrian management to site security, often enhanced with chain link fencing for additional protection.

Conclusion

As the traffic control industry continues to evolve, the need for clear distinctions between barriers and barricades remains crucial for ensuring safety in work zones. Whether it’s protecting road workers or guiding drivers through complex construction areas, understanding the purpose and proper use of these devices is key. The development of longitudinal channelizers highlights the industry’s commitment to innovation, finding new ways to balance safety, practicality, and effectiveness in an ever-changing landscape. By staying informed about these advancements, both industry professionals and the general public can contribute to safer and more efficient roadways.

A visual representation of particle size and distribution in dry blended polyethylene versus particle size and distribution in compounded polyethylene

Color in Rotational Molding: How to Get the Perfect Hue in Polyethylene

Posted by Tracy L Connors on

How Does Polyethylene Get Its Color?

Ever wondered how colored polyethylene is made? It all comes down to adding pigments to the plastic. But here’s the kicker—polyethylene itself never actually changes color; it stays its original translucent white. The color you see comes from tiny particles of pigment suspended between the polyethylene molecules. Picture this: it’s like having tiny pebbles floating in a block of ice. When light hits your product, it bounces off these pigment particles, creating the vibrant color we see. The secret to a rich, even color lies in how well these pigments are spread out. The smaller the pigment particles, the more stunning the color. And guess what? The way you mix the pigments plays a huge role in this.

What Are the Best Ways to Mix Pigments with Polyethylene?

When you’re working with polyethylene for rotational molding, both the polyethylene and the pigments are usually in powder form. You have a few options for mixing them together. On the lower end, there’s paddle or ribbon mixing—affordable but basic. In the middle, you have high-intensity dry blending. And if you’re looking to go all out, there’s melt compounding, which is the premium option. As you move up the ladder from basic to premium, the pigment particles get smaller and spread more evenly, which means better-looking color and a product that retains its impact strength. This is important because adding pigments can sometimes weaken the plastic if not done correctly.

How Does Sunlight Affect Polyethylene Colors?

If your product is going to spend a lot of time outdoors, you’ll need to think about how sunlight will affect its color. This is where a lot of people make a mistake: they assume that if the base polyethylene has a good UV rating, it’ll also protect the pigment from fading. Not so! The UV additives in polyethylene are there to slow down the material’s degradation, not to protect the color. If you want that vibrant color to last, the pigment itself needs to be “light-stabilized.” So, be sure to let your pigment supplier know if your product will be out in the sun a lot—they can help you pick the right pigments.

How Is Color Added in Other Plastics Manufacturing Processes?

In processes like injection molding, blow molding, and extrusion, the material is melted in a heated barrel and then forced into the mold by a screw. The color is added into that barrel and mixed by the screw. Because there’s usually enough material in the barrel to make several products at once, changing colors means removing the old color, cleaning the barrel and screw, and then introducing the new color. It’s a bit of a hassle, which is why these molders prefer longer runs of each color before making a switch. But with rotational molding, it’s a different story. You put the dry material and pigment directly into the mold, which is then heated in an oven. Only the material inside the mold melts, so you can change colors with just a quick clean of the mold between runs. This makes it super easy to do small color batches without much downtime.

The Epic Origin Story of Our Molded Marvels

Posted by Tracy L Connors on

So you might be asking yourself, “Remcon Plastics? What have they BIN up to?” Well, first, thanks for asking! The Connors have been cooking up a new video series, and here is the first result of that collaboration. It’s called “Pete’s Product History.” Because knowing our dad, a product is never just a product. It’s a story.

In our first episode, we look at the Flat Bottom Bin with Replaceable Pallet (or FBP for those who like their BLTs ASAP). Our story begins with a challenge taken up by a young upstart who used critical thinking to transform the Meat and Poultry industry. It captures what we do best with the Remcon process: listen to our customers, observe their pain points, and develop durable innovations that delight generations. After that, we go to lunch.

So what are you waiting for? It’s like watching a blockbuster movie, but with fewer explosions and more plastic (popcorn not included, but highly recommended). Stay tuned because this is only the beginning. Our plant is full of stories that are being molded and shipped every day. Join us!

side by side comparison of the product spillage on an injection molded pallet vs a rotationally molded pallet

Why Rotationally Molded Pallets Are Superior to Injection Molded

Posted by Tracy L Connors on

When it comes to selecting the best pallets for your material handling needs, the choice between rotationally molded and injection molded pallets can be critical. While both types have their benefits, rotationally molded pallets often come out on top for specific applications. Here’s why rotationally molded pallets can be the superior choice.

Longevity: Built to Withstand the Test of Time

Robust and Durable

Rotationally molded pallets are known for their robustness. They are designed to withstand harsh conditions, including extreme cold temperatures and the impacts that are common with forklift handling. Unlike injection molded pallets, which can be more brittle and prone to cracking under stress, rotationally molded pallets maintain their structural integrity over long periods. This durability translates to a longer lifespan, meaning fewer replacements and lower costs in the long run.

Customization: Flexible and Cost-Effective

Easier and More Cost-Effective Molds

One of the biggest advantages of rotationally molded pallets is the ease and cost-effectiveness of creating molds. Engineering and manufacturing a rotational molding mold is significantly cheaper than an injection mold. This cost differential makes it more feasible to produce custom pallets tailored to specific needs in quantities as low as 1000 without breaking the bank. The low tooling costs also allow for customized deck configurations to be produced inexpensively.

Encapsulate Metal Reinforcement

Rotationally molded pallets have the benefit of being able to encapsulate metal reinforcement within the rotationally molded shell to add stiffness, particularly for specialized racking applications. Encapsulating the metal minimizes chances for rust and degradation in wet environments.

Custom Colors and Color Coding

Rotationally molded pallets offer exceptional flexibility in customization. Whether you need specific colors to align with your branding or to facilitate organization, rotational molding allows for short production runs of colors with no added expense. Additionally, it’s simpler to add or remove steel reinforcements, change the top deck configuration, or add features like a lip or roll cradle. This adaptability ensures that you get exactly the pallet you need for your application.

Hygiene: Keeping Your Operations Clean

Easier to Clean

For industries where hygiene is paramount, such as food and pharmaceuticals, rotationally molded pallets offer a significant advantage. These pallets are non-porous and easy to clean, preventing the buildup of contaminants. Stiffness in an injection molded pallet is gained by adding ribs to the underside of the deck. Unfortunately, these ribs create a criss-cross pattern of pockets that become a cleaning challenge. Rotationally molded pallets are a hollow closed shape which gain stiffness through increasing the distance between the top and bottom surfaces of the deck. Those surfaces are relatively smooth with no sharp pockets to collect dirt or mold, which is the reason rotationally molded pallets are used extensively in the food and pharmaceutical industry.

 

Conclusion

For certain applications, rotationally molded pallets are superior to injection molded pallets due to their customization capabilities, longevity, and hygiene benefits. The cost-effectiveness of mold production, combined with the flexibility to customize colors and features, makes rotationally molded pallets an excellent choice for businesses looking to optimize their material handling solutions. Their robust construction ensures a long lifespan, and their ease of cleaning makes them ideal for industries with stringent hygiene requirements.

Discover how our rotationally molded pallets can revolutionize your material handling process. Contact us now 800-360-3636 for a personalized consultation and see how we can tailor our solutions to meet your unique needs. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to enhance your operational efficiency and reduce costs!

 

If you’d like to learn more about how the rotational molding process works be sure to check out this informative post, aptly title:

What is the Rotational Molding Process?

 

Revitalize American Manufacturing with Remcon’s Innovative Solutions

Posted by Tracy L Connors on

 

Bringing Manufacturing Back to American Soil

We proudly join the movement to bring manufacturing back to American soil. At Remcon, we passionately support American businesses with durable products and innovative solutions to tackle everyday challenges. Our mission goes beyond just creating products; we seize every opportunity to support businesses that create new jobs in their communities.

Supporting U.S.-Based Innovation

We’re excited to see the Remcon Guardsafe® 36 Barricade in action at the new Intel chip plant in Ohio. This project represents a significant step toward securing the future of U.S.-based manufacturing and innovation.

Family-Owned Commitment to Excellence

As a family-owned business, Remcon strives to exceed customer expectations, proving that “Made in America” stands for excellence and reliability. Our commitment to quality and innovation means that every product we offer is designed to meet the highest standards and provide exceptional value to our customers.

Join Us in Building a Brighter Future

Join us in building a brighter future together. Whether you are a business looking for reliable solutions or an advocate for American manufacturing, Remcon is here to support you. Let’s work together to strengthen our communities and create a legacy of excellence that will last for generations.