November 8 is National STEM/STEAM Day, highlighting the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics in children’s education. The manufacturing of Ductile iron pipe (DI pipe) and constructing pipelines for water and wastewater infrastructure are complex processes that rely heavily on STEM principles. In this #IronStrong Blog, we will explore the intricate connections between these fields and their significance in ensuring safe and efficient water and wastewater management now and in the future.
Did you know October 14 is World Standards Day? So, why does that matter, you ask? Establishing international standards, including consumer safety, environmental protection, technological advancement, and economic growth, is vital to our lives. In this #IronStrong Blog, and with the help of two of my colleagues, Hal Eddings, McWane Ductile - New Jersey Technical Director, and Jeremy Stewart, McWane Ductile - Utah Quality Assurance Manager, we’ll discuss why standardization is critical when manufacturing Ductile iron (DI) products and what it means for consumers.
Each year, National Manufacturing Day is held on the first Friday in October, with events throughout the month to celebrate the manufacturers who make the products that keep us safe, enrich our lives, strengthen our economic and national security, and provide countless opportunities for our communities and workforce. It is also an opportunity to show students, parents, and the public what modern manufacturing is all about.
Customers will, at times, ask why manufacturing facilities are shut down. Let's face it; we live in an "I want the product, and I want it NOW world," and no one wants to hear about a shutdown. The following #IronStrong Blog, previously published and authored by former McWane Ductile Sales Representative Ben Leonard, will demonstrate what occurs during a shutdown and the main reason for a shutdown which is ultimately “YOU,” the customer.
The waterworks and water utility industry were not spared from the shortages of finished products essential to maintaining and expanding drinking water systems nationwide. However, much progress has been made in recent months to improve this situation. This updated Iron Strong Blog of a content piece first posted on March 23, 2023, will discuss McWane Ductile’s current delivery and inventory position to the waterworks community and will correct the persisting misconception that Ductile iron pipe products are currently unattainable.
There are still a few more weeks before the official start of summer, but hot and humid conditions are already upon us. Because McWane Ductile manufactures Ductile iron products in a foundry environment, ensuring our employees are safe from injury and illness, such as heat stress, is crucial. This #IronStrong Blog describes the stages of heat stress and how McWane Ductile enables employees to combat this hazard within the foundries during seasons with increased temperatures. The tips listed in this blog can also be applied at home and play.
Ergonomics is an applied science concerned with designing and arranging objects people use so that people and things interact most efficiently and safely. Reducing the risk of injury through proactive programs is one of the many ways we do our best to improve the ergonomics of the ways we make our products. At McWane Ductile and McWane corporate-wide, health, and safety are the top priority, hence the Ergo Cup.
Hello! My name is Kemery Aichele, and I am the Sales Operations & Marketing Co-Op Intern at McWane Ductile in Coshocton, Ohio, this summer. I am an upcoming senior at Bowling Green State University, working towards a major in Visual Communication Technology, a fancy way of saying photography/videography/digital media, and a minor in Marketing. In this blog, I will talk about the beginning of my internship, what I have learned, what other interns' experiences have been, and if I would recommend this internship opportunity to other students.
There are no shortcuts to making good Ductile iron pipe (DI pipe). Built upon fundamentals and protocols developed by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and the American National Standards Institute came the American Water Works Association standards (AWWA), which govern and judge the consensus fitness of products as produced. These standards strictly govern the dimensions and properties of DI pipe. What separates DI pipe manufacturers is their adherence to these standards and consistent dedication to quality assurance.
When it comes to restraining a water line, what comes to mind? Thrust blocks? Sure Stop 350® Gaskets? (locking gasket), TufGrip™ (wedge-action retainer gland), or maybe the standard default choice, TR Flex®? (Ductile iron restrained joint pipe). There is another option that might not regularly come to mind. It is known as Mechanical Joint Lock Joint or MJLJ for short. We will look at how the joint works, how it is installed, and locations where the MJLJ may be preferred.
In a continuous effort to make your job easier, we have developed an online submittal builder to quickly and neatly package your personalized presentation.
BUILD MY SUBMITTAL
Looking for answers to your DI pipe questions? Find decades of Ductile iron expertise with installation guides, videos, tip sheets, training resources, and more in our Learning Center.
GIVE ME ANSWERS
Stop struggling with those hard-to-figure field calculations and put ease and efficiency right at your fingertips with our Pocket Engineer for mobile and desktop devices.
CALCULATE NOW
McWane Ductile is proud to be a part of the McWane family of companies.
