The introduction of stricter exhaust and noise emission standards along with the related increase in sophistication of equipment, both mobile and stationary, has created many challenges and opportunities for OEM equipment, engine and component manufacturers. And one component that has gained importance in all of this has been engine exhaust insulation blankets.
Firwin Corp., a North York, Ontario, Canada, company is a manufacturer of custom removable insulation blankets for engine exhaust systems, as well as other heat shield insulation products. These products are used in a variety of applications, including standby and prime power generation, marine, on-highway, mining, construction, forestry, locomotive and military.
Firwin was started as an expansion of Industrial Diesel Products, Inc. in 1982, a company that had its roots in the equipment maintenance, service and spare parts business. Firwin was set up specifically to produce exhaust insulation blankets. The company was sold to its present owners in 1989 and since then has grown significantly. Firwin has since broadened its focus to include insulation blankets for industrial, process industry and spray shields.
A testimony to the company s growth has been the growth of its facilities. Its beginnings were a humble 800 sq.ft. Later, the company expanded into a 5000 sq.ft. facility and most recently, it doubled itself again, moving into a 10,000 sq.ft. site. This new building includes offices and manufacturing and is also completely climate controlled and filtered for worker comfort and improved quality control.
Along with the new facility, one of the more significant investments has been the addition of a computerized design and patterning system, a test bench and communications systems which have revolutionized the company's design, scheduling, and production practices.
"You can't afford to be left behind with competition the way it is," said Paul Herman, president of Firwin Corp. "A company has to keep up with the speed of the industry and the purchase of this new computer system is one tool that enables us to do so.
"It has enabled us to take and fill orders from all over the world. We are a growing global company effectively blanketing the world."
All of the blankets are essentially custom designed for the application, using the latest technology and quality materials to provide noise and heat control at temperatures up to 2000[degrees]F (1100[degrees]C). "Because of the need for ongoing product improvement, we have quite extensive research and development capabilities," said Herman. "Firwin uses the best material combinations to suit each application."
The company's most recognizable product in this market is the Dieseltech removable exhaust insulation blanket line for diesel-, gas- and steam-powered engines. The Firwin shop has an extensive engine pattern library enabling it to make up blanket kits for most commonly used engines and accessories, thereby offering heat problem-solving solutions for a variety of engines and exhaust systems.
The Dieseltech insulation blankets can be made to order with a fast production turnaround, the company said. These blankets are designed for engine exhaust manifolds, turbochargers, heat shields, exhaust piping, flex couplings and bellows, as well as exhaust purifier and silencer systems.
The blankets are designed to reduce ambient temperatures within enclosures or engine compartments of mobile equipment. Wrapping exhaust systems can also increase engine performance, effectively allowing for energy savings. It also offers personnel protection and shields delicate systems from heat and fire prevention.
"Now more than ever it is important to shield sensitive components such as electronic controls from heat," said Herman. "In addition to keeping heat off or away from other components, the product does well at trapping heat where it may be needed."
From an emissions standpoint, Dieseltech insulation blankets are used to wrap catalysts and soot filters. This holds heat into these components reducing the time it takes for them to reach effective operating temperature from ambient following cold engine start. "This capability will become more important in the future as the new generation of emissions compliant engines with exhaust after treatment devices come into the market," Herman said.
Other applications for Dieseltech products are in the fire pump industry. In such applications, all fire pumps are required to be blanketed/shielded by NFPA regulations. They are also used for fire protection in the forestry, agricultural and mining industries, where blankets reduce temperature of contact surface to below the ignition point of fluids, oils, sawdust and wood chips, etc.
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