Category: News

Posted on by

Masking Tape Dispenser | AFAC’s MASK-KING

MASK-KING Masking Tape Dispenser

The Masking Tape Dispenser just makes handling your self-adhesive masking materials easier.

The use of masking tapes and self adhesive shapes can be more complicated and messy than it needs to be.

  • Finding the end of the roll
  • Sticky excess
  • Losing the right width tape
  • Having to measure which tape or spot you need

It’s a problem that’s occurred for years and of all the metal finishing plants we’ve visited, we’ve never seen a really efficient way to handles tapes and self adhesive masking products.

Buy Now!Get your Mask-King in the bag now and stock up on those masking essentials.

The Mask-King Masking Tape Dispenser is an obvious choice for anyone handling multiple widths of tapes and spots / shapes. This convenient machine allows you to rack up your tapes and shapes so they are dispensed readily with minimum wastage and tidy disposal of excess.

Using MASK-KING Masking Tape Dispenser

  • Simple, quick & easy
  • Tape is ready to use
  • Spots, dots and shapes are much easier to handle
  • Excess and waste is easier to discard
  • Workstation is more organised

Finally you can set up your masking station so you can access all the bits you need.

The MASK-KING Masking Tape Dispenser from AFAC makes using self adhesives quick, easy and tidy. Made from industrial standard mild steel and hard wearing plastics, the MASK-KING is a bench-top necessity for anyone using masking tapes and shapes.

The MASK-KING Masking Tape dispenser is a simple machine. It makes it easier to handle multiple sizes of tape and shapes in one easy to use dispenser. Tapes can be tricky enough for finding the end and for knowing which size is which on the bench. Spots and shapes have a backing you’ll want to discard of as you use the shapes.

Product Features
  • Industrial grade materials for long life
  • Maintenance-free product
  • Guide rollers for ease shape and spot dispensing
  • Sharp serrated edge for precise cutting of tape
  • Adjustable dividers to fit different widths of tape
  • Sucker feet so it stays still!
  • Holds multiple rolls and dispenses easily
  • Easily change single or multiple rolls
Product Details
  • Length: 12.32″
  • Width: 14.63″
  • Height: 7.00″
  • Max Roll Width: 12″ (305mm)
  • Max outside diameter of Roll: 6″ (152mm)
  • Core size: universal
  • Weight: 4.3kg
  • Operation: Manual
  • Dispensed Products: Tapes, Shapes, Spots, Dots, Tabs
Buy Now!Get your Mask-King in the bag now and stock up on those masking essentials.

Related Products

So that you can start using your MASK-KING Tape dispenser as soon as you receive it please add your extra tapes, shapes, discs, spots, dots and tabs here:

High Temperature Masking Tape: High Temperature Masking Tape

High Temperature Masking Shapes, discs, spots, dots and tabs: High Temperature Masking Disks / Spots / Dots / Tabs

Posted on by

Manufacture silicone rubber parts | 10 Step Production Schedule

Manufacture Silicone Rubber Parts

Manufacture silicone rubber parts

Custom Parts (Moulded) Production Schedule

Producing custom made silicone parts is something we’ve been doing for decades. We manufacture silicone rubber parts both in the UK and overseas. It’s not just silicone rubber parts we have moulded either.

All our customers have very specific needs and to maintain our zero-returns record, AFAC operates a stringent set of rules to manufacture silicone rubber parts. As you’d expect there’s a formal process we run through to ensure quality of service and solution.

From initial enquiry through to managing ongoing volume needs, AFAC will satisfy, and attempt to exceed, your expectations.

1. Parts defined

  1. It’s perfectly normal for us to expect to sign NDAs at this point.
  2. Whether you wish to manufacture silicone rubber parts that are a modification of an existing design or require a design creating from scratch, AFAC will assist you in proposing a solution to suit your requirement.
  3. To manufacture silicone rubber parts it is useful at this stage to provide .STEP files of the application required to AFAC’s design team for analysis.
    Est. 3-4 days.

2. Drawing created

  1. Our design team will create the necessary files for production to manufacture silicone rubber parts.
    Est. 48 hrs

3. Drawing approved

  1. You will be provided with PDFs clarifying design and dimensions.
  2. It’s important to check all details at this stage to ensure design meets requirements.
    Est. 48 hrs – Customer dependent

4. Drawing sent to production

  1. Acknowledgement of drawing receipt from production.
    24 hrs

5. Prototype tool created

  1. Initially a single impression prototype tool is machined from steel.
  2. Once tool is machined, prototype parts are produced to enable customer approval.
    5 days

6. Prototype parts received

  1. With production being on the other side of the world, you’ll have to wait for a plane to arrive before you receive your prototype parts.
  2. AFAC inspection takes place before forwarding the parts to you.
    5-7 days

7. Prototype parts approved

  1. You’ve now got your prototypes in your hand.
  2. These are fully testable prototype parts. You can take your time to ensure the product is fit for purpose.
    Est. 7-14 days – Customer dependent

8. Production tool created

  1. Ok, the prototypes worked, so now we need your approval.
  2. You’ll have signed the drawing off and paid for your goods in full at this point.
  3. Your multi – impression production tool is then machined from steel.
    21 days

9. Production parts manufactured

  1. Tool made, parts coming out of the mould in volume.
  2. You will have specified colour and shore value earlier in the process.
    21-28 days

10. Shipping

  1. You have a choice here but with choice comes price. It all comes down to how urgent your parts are.
  2. For volume customers we normally recommend only using air to satisfy the 8-10 week requirements until sea shipment arrival.
    Air – 5-7 days
    Sea – 8-10 weeks

Supporting quality manufacturing and metal finishing companies requiring price conscious precision masking supplies. Leading companies from the Automotive, Aerospace, Switchgear & Lighting sectors choose AFAC for reliability, service and price.

Founded over 35 years ago, AFAC has designed, adapted and developed substantial ranges of standard parts supported by a comprehensive bespoke bureau. Engineering backgrounds and family roots give AFAC that competitive edge on service.

Posted on by

The London to Brighton Off Road Cycling Event

London | Brighton Off Road

Company Director, Ryan Mullins has just signed up for the London to Brighton off road cycling event. This charity event organised by the British Heart Foundation stretches over 71 / 74 miles (depending what page you read). That 3 mile difference will probably feel like the length of England on the day……

Ryan is the son of company founder Lee Mullins and has been in charge now for nearly 3 years. Lee has taken retirement and now spends most of his time either at the local aircraft museum or tinkering with cars in his garage at home.

So why did Ryan decide on the London to Brighton off road?

Ryan is a keen cyclist and a British Cycling qualified level 2 coach. Not only does he ride bikes but he enjoys building them too. His main passion is mountain biking which he said this about.

I love getting out in the woods at the weekends. It’s so peaceful and I get a mix of adrenaline, fitness and general wellbeing. Ryan Mullins

When Ryan heard about the London to Brighton off road he had immediately said he would like to take part. 2018 seemed the perfect year for it with a combination of fitness and equipment that would form a great foundation for working up to the 70+ mile adventure. The fact it’s for a good cause too just makes it all the more worthwhile.

Ryan will be knuckling down with a training regime over the next few months which includes a 50 mile off road event more locally at Milton Keynes in the summer.

Visit Ryan’s Just Giving page here if you’d like to make a contribution to the British Heart Foundation and sponsor Ryan’s London to Brighton ride.

JustGiving - Sponsor me now!

If you’re interested in taking part, visit this link: BHF London to Brighton Off Road

 

Posted on by

AFAC have a hack for that!

As we are sure you already know, AFAC’s range of products are used throughout the finishing industry to mask areas where coating would be detrimental to the finished product. However, what isn’t generally known are the more unusual uses we’ve been contacted for over the years.

Back in the 1980’s, a range of precision made silicone rubber tubes were developed specifically to fit snugly over metric studs, to prevent the threads becoming contaminated by electro-static powder coating.  Usually these tubes were supplied in cut lengths, to suit the maximum length of thread found on weld and self-clinching studs. An increasing number of customers began to request the tube supplied in long lengths, for them to cut to lengths that suited them.

It turns out that our M4 tube was also ideal for aquarium air supplies and aquarists couldn’t get enough of it. Our standard green colour blended in with the fish tanks’ underwater vegetation and, unlike the natural rubber tubes used at the time, AFAC’s BAKEWELL silicone rubber didn’t deteriorate with time, was unaffected by the exposure to warm water and was easy to wipe clean.

And in keeping with the aquatic theme…

If you have one of those nice plastic or rubber pond liners, we all know how easy they are to fit. Dig a pond shaped hole, line it with some sand and just throw in the liner. Trim and add slabs or rocks around the edges and fill with water. Add the odd water plants, gnomes and possibly some fish.

Perfect way to relax…until one day you notice the majority of the water originally in the pond, seems to have evaporated! So, out with the hose and top it up again. Repeat until you grudgingly admit there may be a leak. However, on close examination you discover it’s not a leak, but instead it’s multiple leaks. Some head scratching later the answer is discovered.

It’s your friendly local heron.

When you are not sitting in you deckchair, the blighter drops in for a snack. It spots a fish and stabs at it, but it doesn’t always succeed in impaling the prey, but instead impales your pond liner. The more, or possibly less, fish available to him, the more or less holes in the liner.

I suffered from this phenomenon and it took me a while to twig it was all the work of the heron, but not to worry, you just need to patch the holes. Easier said than done, as I discovered.

There must be an AFAC hack for that!

Walking through the warehouse, I saw some of our BAKEWELL PLUGS being packed up to ship to a customer and I suddenly realised that these could be the solution to the leaky liner!

Back home, with a selection of sizes of the silicone rubber BAKEWELL PLUGS, I soon found one of the several alternative sizes could be pushed into the heron created holes, until the head butted up against the liner. When the pond was topped up again, the leaks were gone and the weight of the water pushing down on the head of the BAKEWELL PLUG, prevented them from coming out, while the tapered opposite end made for an easy seal.

As a by-product of the properties of the silicone rubber they are manufactured from, the plugs won’t deteriorate with time, heat or cold, even at temperatures well below zero degrees.

Quick, simple, effective, but not at all what they were originally designed to do.

Have you any interesting alternative uses for AFAC products?  We’d love to hear your stories.

The best one will be published!  (Suitability to family viewing taken into account)

 

Posted on by

AFAC are growing and it’s good news for customers!

AFAC has undergone some changes over the past 12 months, starting with the retirement of Director Lee Mullins. Son Ryan has stepped into his shoes after 25 years of supporting his father and learning the ropes.  AFAC is the end to end silicone rubber specialist and specialist rubber manufacturing.

Ryan brings a fresh approach and the enthusiasm to build further on his father’s years at the forefront.

So what does this mean to you?

On March the 1st, the full operation comes under 1 roof with a brand new custom built warehouse facility with additional staff to help support the growing and changing needs of our customers.

This means even more flexibility in service, product and provision with:-

  • Extended last order hours for next day delivery*
  • Collections available 6 days a week
  • Lower minimum order quantities
  • Reseller starter boxes
  • Selection packs
  • Over 1 million products in stock
  • Convenient location between the M1 and A1

Our bespoke facility enables us to customise orders, big and small whilst also speeding up turnaround times. Product ranges are already developing and expanding to meet the growing needs of the individuals. Be this health & safety officers, schools, researchers or specialist manufacturers.

Possibly our most exciting development is the addition of an in-house product designer who brings with him years of experience along with a 21st century approach to design and technology. The benefits of a custom design include:

  • Increased lifespan due to fit for purpose design and decreased wear and tear
  • Lower end product wastage
  • Improved labour efficiency and speed
  • Reduction in bottom line costs

In fact it’s something we do for customers all over the world already.

With over 35 years experience AFAC is the owner managed business you can rely on.

I’m sure you will agree it’s a very exciting time here at AFAC! With great strides however comes the inevitable disruption and we ask all our customers to bear with us through the move. Service continues as normal but there may be a bit of a delay in response times as we take extra care to make sure everything is in place and working efficiently.

And in the run up? Our biggest sale in history! See our promotion for details.

You will find out new facility at Unit 2 Caxton Road, Bedford MK41 0HT

Posted on by

Director Lee Mullins reflects on 35 years

AFAC Director Lee Mullins retires after 35 years at the top.

Lee Mullins had worked in the industrial fastener industry, both in spring and plastic clips, before entering the world of weldable fasteners. It seemed that most companies in that industry had restrictive practices regarding sizes of fasteners stock and minimum quantities. Lee decided he could address some of these shortcomings by forming his own company.

It was 35 years ago that Lee Mullins launched Applied Fastenings and Components as a supplier of captive fasteners for manufacturers. The company did however deviate shortly after into the supply of masking products to protect the threads of its captive fasteners as powder coating took over from wet paint spraying, the business focus moved and silicone rubber became the material of choice. Designs were developed and the masking products division launched. AFAC was born, using the initials from the original company.

We caught up with Lee to hear about the highs, lows and what the future holds.

 

What will you miss most about working for AFAC?

The relationships I have developed over the years, with both customers and suppliers. I’ll also miss the daily challenges presented by different industries. We have solved masking problems from the masking of tractor wheels, oil well electrical enclosures, motor yachts, automotive structures and even aircraft undercarriages and railway rolling stock.

How have you seen the engineering and metal finishing industry change over the past 35 years?

As most of AFAC’s customers are manufacturing products from metal, it has become apparent that many of the smaller companies have been absorbed into larger organizations, with many establishing overseas divisions, to take advantage of lowers costs. With the advent of the container ships, transport is no longer a major cost consideration. AFAC now exports a significant proportion of its products to Europe and the Middle East as a result.

What is your proudest working moment?

Designing and developing a practical masking system for powder coaters in the mid 1980’s that is still used extensively today. Proving that my ideas to give customers what they wanted, rather than dictate what they could or couldn’t have. We tried, and usually succeeded in giving the customer exactly what they needed and in the quantity they wanted. My original designs are still popular and effective over 30 years after stepping into the unknown and developing a practical masking system for powder coaters. At the time there were no products to fulfill the needs of the embryo powder coating users. Now you see so many products in day to day life and I can say “That was made cheaper and quicker, thanks to my ideas.”

Where do you see AFAC moving in the future?

Under the wing of my son Ryan, I can foresee increased sales into overseas markets, particularly in custom designed parts. This will be largely as a result of Ryan’s expertise in maximizing our internet presence, which now attracts far higher traffic levels than I would have thought possible. I will remain available to AFAC as Chairman, though I think this means I may be consulted if experience is needed!

Posted on by

Specialist bespoke metal fabrication requires specialist bespoke silicone rubber mouldings

Bespoke rubber mouldings for masking and other applications in low volume  fabrications.

There are thousands of companies producing low volume metal fabrications for specialist applications in vehicles. This isn’t just specific to motor vehicles either. The UK is not only a leading exported of motor vehicles but also aerospace, defence, shipping and other modes of transport. Trains are also produced in the UK.

The UK has always been famous for pioneering design and bespoke solutions. Whether its military conversions on vehicles, emergency vehicles or any other short production run such as motorsport, the UK is world renowned for design and bespoke manufacturing.

For manufacturers and sub contractors, the processes on short production runs can be very similar to large volume production. The main difference being that the big robotic production lines aren’t often used in low volume manufacturing, but that in its self is why the UK is so different. There are thousands of small engineering firms across the UK producing bespoke assemblies for defence, aerospace, motorsport and specialist vehicles.

By the very nature of bespoke and limited run, masking can also take on a need for bespoke applications. AFAC has over the years produced a wide variety of custom silicone rubber mouldings for these niche industries.

Case study of bespoke silicone rubber mouldings for low volume metal fabrication work

For one customer, when the military were still using Land Rovers as a principle vehicle, they were installing a radio rack into the rear of the vehicle. It was a simple design of a plate with oval holes reamed out of it to allow adjustment of the radio.

The problem was that the bolts and washers used to fix the radio to the plate were also the earthing points. As a result, an area around each oval hole needed masking to allow for the movement that had been built into the design.

Using the BAKEWELL Silicone Rubber TUGPLUG as a basis for the design, we created an oval section and then added a “washer” into the design with a sealing lip around the edge for quality of finish. The first design was prototyped and worked perfectly.

Tooling is relatively inexpensive and the production run was only a matter of a few hundred items.

The Outcome

Satisfied customer and problem solved.

Working on limited volume fabrications and have a need for custom rubber mouldings or extrusions? Get in touch right now on 0845 094 0522

Posted on by

Precision masking metal castings during finishing processes.

Rubber mouldings used in the production of metal castings.

Metal castings are central parts of engines and transmission that require precision masking. At the very least there will often be threaded holes, bores or spade connectors that need to be kept free from contamination. There are thousands of stock parts already available to cater for most requirements. Parts requiring greater precision may have more bespoke masking needs.

Preventing metal coatings from entering threaded holes, bores and contaminating spade connecters is an essential part of producing quality metal castings. Failure to mask effectively causes unnecessary rework costing time and money. Using silicone rubber masking devices to improve production quality and reduce costs is a sensible option.

The same silicone rubber devices are perfect for masking in anodising processes. Anodising applications are commonly machined parts requiring surfaces to be process free.

It’s also common to use gaskets when connecting castings to each other or other metal ancilliaries where there is fuel, lubricant or gas flow to maintain efficiency. Depending on the application, it may be a different type of rubber more suited to this kind of task and AFAC has found that Viton has the necessary qualities to resist oils and petrochemicals that can cause other rubbers to degrade.

AFAC has been supplying masking devices for castings in all kinds of applications including automotive, aerospace, rail and defence for years and in more recent years, AFAC has supplied viton mouldings to a wide range of engine and generator manufacturers.

Should you need rubber mouldings, standard or bespoke, silicone rubber or viton, get in touch right away on 0845 094 0993

 

Posted on by

Masking metal fabricated sub assemblies for rail during finishing processes

Rail industries sub contractor manufacturers keeping surfaces free of contaminants in the UK

Keeping metal surfaces free from contaminants is just as important in the manufacture of trains as any other industry.

The UK is known for pioneering and has been for centuries. One example of pioneering Britain is the railway system which is the oldest in the World. Before the railway networks became linked up they were mainly private networks but in around 1840 there was a surge in development that over the next few years saw the country’s railways become united. Mergers and acquisitions turned these small private networks into the national network we are familiar with today.

So what’s all that got to do with AFAC and silicone rubber products you may ask. Trains are manufactured and more importantly finished using the same and very similar coatings on the metalwork to protect it from corrosion. In actual fact, the underneath of trains is coated in much heavier “underseal” type coatings due to the speed of travel, metal against metal surfaces and the greater gaps between maintenance compared with things like consumer cars.

Train fabrication consists of many of the same processes as cars, trucks, planes, ships and the like. Welding, bending, degreasing, plating, coating and many other processes are small parts of what appears to users as a shiny new train.

There are hundreds if not thousands of holes, studs and areas to be left clear of coating on every single carriage that is produced and that’s where AFAC supports the rail industry in the UK. Plugs, Caps, Tapes and custom shapes are all part of the tools used by subcontractors in the manufacture of trains. AFAC’s Silicone Rubber BAKEWELL range has been leading the field in the supply of masking solutions for the Rail manufacturing industry for over 20 years.

Need help with keeping surfaces, holes or studs clear of contaminants? Maybe you’re after something to cushion 2 surfaces to stop them from rattling? Get in touch with AFACs technical team now on 0845 094 0993

Posted on by

Precision masking metal fabrication

Why is masking such an important part of precision metal fabrication?

Successful metal finishing can often be dependent on precision masking,  As the finishes applied to metal can often be hard wearing in nature, it’s important that the right masking products are used to gain the desired finish to your metal parts.

Metal corrodes, particularly steel and aluminium which most metal products are made from. The primary reason you coat or “finish” metalwork is to prevent corrosion. The secondary reason is normally visual.

The reasons you would want to mask may vary. From simple applications to complex components with varied masking needs you need different tools and components to provide the best finish.

 Why use precision masking products?

  • Quality of finish
  • Safety
  • Electrical insulation
  • Thread protection

Masking threads:

Masking threaded holes, studs and bolts.

Threads can be male or female on metalwork. There are tons of different weld on and self-clinching fasteners available for designers to choose from. The coating is not always considered at the time of design. Finishes that leave a thicker coat can cause threads to become clogged. The nature of powder coating particularly makes this hard work if you don’t mask first.

Use silicone rubber caps and plugs that are available in huge varieties of shapes and styles to suit your preference and need. Put them in just before you apply powder, bake them and take them out while they’re still warm.

Shop for powder coating caps & plugs

Masking areas around threaded holes and studs

The areas around studs and holes often need to be masked to allow for usually electrical contact points or mechanical pivot points. If there’s a moving part or electrical contact is necessary, a clean metal surface is desirable.

There are tons of different shapes and sizes of standard plugs and caps available to suit most needs, particularly on the smaller side of M10 threads you find the most choice.

Silicone rubber flanged caps and ringed plugs are the quickest and most cost effective components for precision masking holes around threaded studs and holes.

Shop for flanged caps and ringed plugs

 

Masking flat surfaces

Simple flat surfaces

There are a number of  tapes able to withstand baking temperatures associated with more hard wearing finishes such as powdercoating. High temperature tape is applied before applying powder, baked in the oven and then removed before the components cool. You can purchase all sorts of different widths of tape on rolls. Green polyester masking tape is excellent for flat surfaces but applications requiring more flexibility in the tape benefit from thinner “conformal” tape found from quality masking suppliers.

Shop for High Temperature masking  tapes

More complex flat shapes

High temperature masking tapes can also be die cut to order to suit more complex items needing flat surfaces masking. This is common on enclosures and where gaskets and seals are part of the finished design.

You’re best going to a quality supplier that deals with custom cut shapes regularly to get the best service and advice. When getting shapes cut, you want “right first time”.

Shop for custom die cut high temperature self adhesive shapes

 

Bespoke silicone rubber mouldings

Even with the thousands of variations of masking solutions already available, the right shape for may well be custom. To make things easiest for a custom moulding you need a CAD/CAM file of the component in question. If that’s not available, it’s a good idea to take some pictures or a video. Your supplier should be used to handling custom mouldings and will offer you a prototype before going to full production.

 

AFAC offer the widest range of masking products in the UK, many of which are normally available for immediate dispatch from our UK warehouse.  We are specialists in the supply and manufacture of precision masking products for the metal finishing industries.

Call us today on 0845 094 0993 to find out more about precision masking metal fabrication or click here to find out more.