Industrial operations require a great deal of resources and infrastructure to fully function. Much of the focus on a successful operation is placed on machinery, tools, and workers. However, no operation would be able to function without the proper infrastructure in place.
Vessels such as pipes, conduits, and ducts allow for clean air, liquids, and chemicals to be transported and maintained in a facility.
Marking these ducts with adequate identification is crucial to maintaining a safe and effective organization.
Process Options
Labels
As ducts are typically cylinders, a flat attachment is not always possible (depending on the diameter of the duct). As such, many industries have turned to custom labels. These labels are affixed around the duct using heavy duty adhesive.
Labels can be produced with full color designs, allowing for vibrant and easy to view identification, even in dimly lit environments.
Industrial duct labels typically feature white or black text on a solid color background. Most of these labels are also adorned with arrows offering a clear indication which direction the duct flows. This is especially useful when dealing with complex duct systems that shift in multiple directions simultaneously.
Embossing
Embossed tags are produced using a die set, which creates a raised design. This type of marking is incredibly durable, and tough enough to handle exposure to water and other chemicals.
Since the design is raised, if the tag gets painted over or otherwise obscured, it will remain legible.
If the tags are produced from anodized aluminum, they can also be color coded for sorting purposes or to quickly identify the type of substance flowing through the duct.
Attaching an embossed tag to a rounded surface might sound like a daunting task. These nameplates can either be mounted to a nearby flat area, or attached via a wire which wraps around the diameter of the cylinder.
Photo Anodization
The photo anodization process differs from embossing as the design it produces is completely flat to the touch. This unique process embeds information in between layers of aluminum for maximum durability (20+ years outdoors).
Photo anodized duct tags can be produced with any design, text, barcode, or logo. Color coding is possible as well since the material is an anodized aluminum.
Similarly to embossed duct tags, these nameplates are often attached via wire. However, they can also be placed using an adhesive backing if the duct is large enough and the aluminum is thin enough to bend around the contour of the duct.
Industries
There are a wide range of industries which rely on identification tags for marking their ducts.
- Energy
- Oil & Gas
- Aerospace
- Construction
- And Many More
Other Uses
In addition to marking and identifying ducts, many organizations also use tags on their pipes, conduits, and other similar fixtures. They are used for inspections as well as for traceability.
These tags are often color coded based on the type of substance in the unit.
Numbered tags are often used to quickly identify which duct need serviced, and which are fully-functioning.
Materials
Some of the most commonly used materials include:
- Anodized Aluminum
- Poly/Vinyl (Labels)
- Stainless Steel
- Brass
Wrap Up
Proper identification in an industrial environment is crucial. Not only does it provide relevant information to workers, but it helps maintain a safe environment.
Labeling ducts with tags or labels provides a simple but effective way to communicate information.