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This article will take an in-depth look at wire baskets.
The article will bring more detail on topics such as:
This chapter will discuss what wire baskets are, processes, and materials used in their construction.
Wire baskets are made from a series of wires that are woven together or welded to form a shape of a basket. They can also be defined as containers that are made by use of an openwork pattern of metal.
Stainless Steel Basket by Acme Wire Products Co., IncWire baskets can be used in the same way that plastic baskets are used, like organizing or storing items in the home. These baskets are also available in grocery shops instead of the plastic types of shopping baskets. Wire baskets that are used for shopping work well for the storage of all types of items.
They can be used for storage by often hanging them on walls in garages. Wire baskets can have a look that is organic and sophisticated than plastic storage bins. Just like a see through plastic container, a wire basket allows a person to see at a glance the items stored inside.
Wire baskets do not have lids usually, unlike plastic storage containers. This is the reason why a wire storage basket is ideal for items that are used frequently, like equipment for sports kept inside a garage.
Medical Stainless Steel Basket by Acme Wire Products Co., IncSince a wire basket allows the circulation of air, it can be used for accommodating slightly damp cleaning rags to allow them to dry. There are multiple different shapes and styles of wire baskets, besides the popular rectangular with handles. For example, the shape of a wire basket can be round, square, or oval just like wicker baskets.
There are some baskets like bowl-shaped ones that are made from black metal, that are mostly used for decoration. They may also make accent pieces that are interesting for the home.
Wire baskets exhibit lower tensile strength compared to sheet metals baskets. Their weight capacity is reduced. It is easier to control the amount of open space in the wire basket for improving the flow of air and drainage. This enables faster drying and draining of parts. Using a wire basket also helps in the minimization of the time between parts washing operations.
The larger open space offered by wire baskets allows runoff from some wash processes for faster and more thorough draining. This reduces the chances of debris or sludge resettling on parts. Wire baskets reduce the need for extra wash processes to clean parts. Open space is required in ultrasonic cleaning because if there is more open space, the cleaning is more thorough. If a sheet metal basket was used, the thicker enclosure blocks the ultrasonic waves coming from the transducer.
In heat treating, the flow of air of a wire basket enables the faster getting up to temperature of the parts, than the complete enclosure of a basket made from sheet metal. It also allows for faster cooling once the process is complete. Wire baskets are ideal to enhance efficiency, speeding up the rate of production.
Wire baskets use fewer raw materials and therefore minimize the costs incurred. But more can be paid for welding operations, especially if each joint is being welded for increasing rigidity and strength for the basket.
There are a number of factors that need to be taken into account before the extrusion of the first wire and the bending it into shape.
Compromise in the utility of the basket can occur if failure happens in the process. The most important factors that must be considered during the design and building of a custom wire basket are explained below.
One of the things that comes prior in the design of custom wire baskets are the weight and the physical dimensions of the parts the basket will carry. If the basket is not built in such a way that fits the parts, it will be useless.
Gear Basket by Acme Wire Products Co., IncBesides taking into account the consideration that parts will fit, custom wire basket designs must also take into account the requirements for the surface conditions for held parts, and also the hardness of the surface of the held parts. Parts that require no-scratch must be held in a way that is different from the parts where there is no major concern of minor surface scratches or abrasions.
Harsh chemicals are common elements in multiple parts finishing processes. The materials that are utilized in wire baskets must be capable of withstanding repeated and prolonged exposure to all kinds of chemicals that are utilized in the processes of finishing parts.
A variety of specialized coatings and metal alloys react in ways that are different when they are exposed to extreme temperatures. Most alloys of steel might lose their tensile strength at high temperatures, or they become brittle at low temperatures.
A variety of coatings can be compromised by prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures. Due to the result of specific temperatures on a variety of coatings and metals, it is important knowing the temperatures that each basket is going to be exposed to and the exposure duration.
One commonly overlooked factor is the environmental conditions of the storage site or the factory. A part's washing basket can become ruined by exposure that is continuous to salty sea air, chemicals that are airborne, and contaminants.
Having knowledge of what might be present in the air at the storage site or the factory where the basket will be utilized can help optimize properties of the basket.
These are only a few of the important things that need to be taken into consideration when designing a custom wire basket for material handling processes or parts washing.
When making wire baskets, the following steps can be followed:
Measuring the space is the first thing that must be done. A basket could be sized 20 x 16 with a height of about 5 inches.
Cut the piece that is going to be the length plus the side heights. Then mark the corners of the basket with a sharpie and cut out the corner section of the wire that is unneeded. To cut one side of the corner, use tin snips. This will make it easier to secure the corners.
This includes bending the sides up by making use of a straight edge. A piece of wood could be used. After bending the sides up, nose pliers can be used for wrapping the wires for the securing of the corners.
A lot of manufacturing businesses require washing baskets and custom parts containers for the finishing processes of their parts. The material that must be used for a basket is one of the most important choices that must be considered in the design of a custom parts washing basket.
If the right choice of material is used, a basket can have a long lifetime and be used in many different applications. This is because it is capable of reducing damage to parts that are sensitive. If the wrong material is used in the basket, it may prematurely fail. This will lead to increased expenses as the basket will need to be repurchased.
Knowing the kinds of materials that are commonly available before making the choice of a material for a custom basket is very important. The following are materials that are used for making wire baskets.
Plain steel is a comparatively low-cost choice for handling baskets. Plain steel exhibits good tensile strength and it is easy to shape. However, this material also has some limitations that keep it from fitting all applications.
One limitation for plain steel is the ease in corroding of untreated steel, being prone to oxidation. If this material is exposed to outdoor conditions continuously, it can rust fairly quickly. Water and salty air can also cause rust.
A method that can be used to make steel more versatile is galvanizing it by means of a protective zinc coating.
There are two methods that are most commonly used in the galvanization process:
In this process, the steel that is to be galvanized is dipped in a bath containing molten zinc.
This method has its basis in electroplating, and it involves the application of a thin layer of zinc.
No matter which method is used, the galvanization process leaves a layer of zinc on the surface of the steel for the protection of the steel from the effects that result from exposure to the environment. This optimizes the ability of steel in the handling of moisture and corrosives. A warning in the use of galvanized steel is that its welding is associated with inherent danger, as the welding process may cause evaporation of some of the zinc, releasing toxic fumes. Galvanized steel as a material fits applications that require resistance to corrosion as a must.
There are a lot of different grades of stainless steel on the market. Two of the most commonly used alloys of steel are grade 304 and grade 316 stainless.
These alloys of stainless steel exhibit high resistance to corrosion, especially when compared to plain steel. Various grades of stainless steel exhibit different properties that are specific, but a few benefits offered by stainless steel are:
Suitability for specific applications varies on the grades of stainless steel, but grades 316 and 304 are most suitable for many different applications that include contact with corrosives.
This material also has different grades, as with stainless steel. Inconel is a term that is used in reference to several austenite alloys of nickel-chromium, which exhibit strong temperature and chemical resistance.
Inconel requires applications that involve high pressures and temperatures, because this material is too strong and is capable of withstanding enormous pressure and heat.
There are numerous types of wire baskets, each serving a specific goal depending on usage and area of usage. As mentioned earlier, these wire baskets can be used to store or organize cutlery or household objects. They are commonly made from steel as it has corrosion resistance characteristics and can handle carrying heavy items without faulting or collapsing. Following are some of the popular types of wire baskets commonly used in the kitchen and for other household activities.
The plane wire basket is commonly used in the modular kitchen because of its simplicity in handling and usage. It is constructed with dense simple steel wires which are weaved and connected to form a rectangular shaped container. These rectangular boxes have a variety of purposes as they can be used for the storage of kitchen items.
These baskets come in a variety of shapes and sizes to suit the various usages. They are very affordable because manufacturing does not involve a lot of procedures and acquiring the raw material is not difficult. These plain baskets can carry heavy materials in the kitchen without failing. Stronger baskets are made of thicker steel wire and these are known to handle even the heaviest ceramic utensils.
Plate baskets are a common basket especially in countries like India. These baskets are usually used in serving meals and holding numerous items at once. They are also used for the organized storage of kitchen utensils.
Due to the artistic design and nature of the basket, plate baskets are relatively expensive.
The cutlery baskets are made from a thick perforated sheet at the base of the basket. This type of wire basket is very important in the holding of small and thin utensils like forks, knives, and spoons. The baskets are made handier as some come with molded spaces that can be used to handle various categories of the kitchen items in separate compartments.
This type of basket is versatile and very hand because of its compartments and this means it does become quite pricey on the market.
As per its name, the cup and saucer basket is commonly used in the storage of cups and saucers. There are compartments where cups are stored separately from the saucers. Unlike the plain wire basket, the cup and saucer basket is more artistic and has a finer design.
As compared to the plain wire basket, the cup, and saucer basket is relatively more expensive.
The under-sink basket is a containment basket that is stored underneath the sink. It is used to store away cleaning items such as soaps, pads, scrubs, and detergents. It is useful in hiding away these items orderly and away from the line of sight.
This type of basket is usually painted or coated with another material to protect the steel from the agents of corrosion that may attack it in its area of usage. This type of wire basket is relatively expensive because of the extra coating.
The dish draining basket is very useful in the kitchen. It is particularly useful to drain utensils without damaging wooden furniture. At the base of the basket, there is a tray that is used to contain dripping water.
As soon as the utensils have dried, they can be picked out and organized in their respective positions. The dish draining basket is lighter and has plastic compartments. This means it cannot be used to carry heavy materials and has the potential of failing if its weight limit is exceeded.
The bin basket is very important in keeping the kitchen or household clean. The bin can be tucked away under or behind other furniture. Waste matter and unwanted products are thrown away in these wire baskets, which can then be later emptied. They keep the kitchen environment hygienic and prevent distribution of nasty odors.
The bin basket is made up of a gauze-like metal sheet with very small perforations and a wholly closed metal or plastic plate at the base of the bin. Bin baskets are relatively expensive as compared to other wire baskets.
Wire baskets are used in other places other than in the kitchen only. Some are used in surgeries, shopping baskets, and food containment units.
These trays are unique rectangular baskets with a finer wiring mesh with very tiny openings. They are usually used for the cleaning and sterilization of very small instruments. The tiny openings make sure that no instrument falls down through the basket.
There are other smaller and finer mesh baskets that have tinier apertures. They are used to sterilize small, delicate, and sharp instruments without risking cutting oneself or losing the instruments.
Wire shopping baskets are commonly used in supermarkets. Customers seeking to buy a number of commodities or products that can not be handled easily like frozen commodities use these wire baskets.
These shopping baskets are made of an array of mash woven steel wires. They are capable of withstanding heavy loads and are relatively lightweight when empty.
These types of wire baskets are made of stainless steel with a high quality vinyl coating or chrome wire plating. It is specifically used for organizing items in one spot and avoiding cluttering all over the place.
This type of basket has a dense mesh that reinforces its holding capacity and strength. It is able to hold together garage tools or any sort of equipment regardless of its weight, shape, or size.
Stated above are some of the most common types of wire baskets and how they are used. Wire baskets are not limited to the ones listed in this chapter, as there are numerous other types of baskets that are not as popular as the ones listed.
This chapter will discuss the applications and benefits of wire baskets.
Wire baskets have a wide variety of usages common in our day-to-day livelihood. These include:
This is the most common use of wire baskets in the average home. In garages or shades, wire baskets are used to hold and contain those small tools or equipment in one place. For instance, it can be used to properly hold car or machinery tools so that they can be easily accessed together in one place. In the kitchen household, it can be used to hold utensils, dishes, cups, or even foodstuff. Other adapted baskets are used as a drying rack for washed kitchen objects.
Another common usage of wire baskets is in the carriage of numerous other items together at once. Wire baskets are used in shopping malls and supermarkets by customers as they carry a number of products at once before paying. This is because wire baskets are strong and hold a heavy weight without failing. In some instances, wire baskets are custom-made to be used on bicycles as a carriage hold. There are moments when cyclists need to carry objects, and what better way than to use a wire basket strapped on the bike.
Wire baskets are used in the health environment for the sanitary cleaning of surgical instruments. Because of their porous build, it is easy to wash instruments inside them as it allows the detergent to wash down.
Some equipment needs to be heated at very high temperatures. Since wire baskets have high melting points, they are used as the container for the objects that need to be heat treated. Car material that needs to be degreased or those instruments that are cleaned in heated environments make use of wire baskets.
This is the most common usage of wire baskets in the home environment. Some wire baskets have been made to be used as frying baskets in restaurants or places where large numbers of orders need to be made. This is because of their high resistance to heat and exceptional storage capabilities. Other foodstuffs can be stored in baskets before they can be used.
Wire baskets are used to organize different goods and products during transportation. In shipping businesses, a variety of goods need to be transported, and they are organized in wire baskets.
Agricultural products make use of wire baskets as these are used to store the variety of farm produce. In some instances, they can be used as a sieving apparatus.
The wire baskets have become very useful in our daily lives because they bring in several advantages. In the shipping industry, the wire baskets make it easier to move inventory around with ease. Because one can see products through the wire mesh, it is easy to determine which product goes where. It also saves time, other than using wholly sealed boxes or containers. One can easily determine the materials they are looking for without having to open up boxes and taking chances as to where the items they are looking for are packed.
Wire baskets are also used in food processing or simple home use because they are easy to reuse and clean whenever they get dirty or spoiled. Foodstuffs that need to be cleaned, like potatoes, can be washed in wire baskets, making the task easy as they allow the dirt and water to flow through, leaving the potatoes clean.
Use of wire baskets is also economical as the material used in the manufacture is relatively cheap as compared to having wooden racks which will get damaged with time. Wire baskets can stand the test of time and withstand harsh weight and corrosion conditions.
Despite coming up with a favorable set of benefits, the wire baskets also have a fair share of demerits. First and foremost, wire baskets are not ideal for carrying confidential products or small goods. It is not professional for a security company to transport money in wire baskets to the bank, nor is it possible to hold small products for display in malls and supermarkets.
If not used expertly, it tends to lose contents through the gaps of the wire weave. Cargo bay loaders need to make sure that contents placed in wire baskets will not fall through the small openings during transportation. Contents are also exposed to damage or theft. The contents stored inside the wire baskets are vulnerable to damage from fire or water, as they do not offer any sort of protection against these occurrences. It is easier for the contents to be stolen by other people as they are exposed, unlike having the contents stored in sealed baskets.
It is also difficult to organize the wire baskets, especially if they are of different shapes and sizes. This is because the baskets themselves are rigid and are not flexible to be squeezed to take up less space. Furthermore, they bring in unnecessary additional weight to whatever they are carrying. This flaw is observed in the transportation industry, where the wire baskets are used on a larger scale. Since they are metallic, the wire baskets tend to bring up extra and unexpected weight. This makes the whole process difficult and racks in some unexpected expenses.
In summation, wire baskets are containers made from woven wires that can also be used in place of plastic baskets and are used to store or organize materials in both household and commercial lines of work. Wire baskets make working easier as they organize the materials in such a way as to save time going through the various materials.
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