Technology has changed nearly every industry, including manufacturing. Additive Manufacturing, smart manufacturing, and collaborative robotics have turned manual processes into precision automation. It meant significant changes to the shop floor and the warehouse.
As manufacturing managers know, it’s become increasingly difficult to hire skilled production workers. The labor workforce is starting to “age out.” In many cases, adapting to technology is the only way for many companies to remain competitive. Besides using robots on the production floor, they are being used to move throughout facilities to move parts and products, often working independently.
Autonomous robots and wheeled vehicles need pristine conditions to operate efficiently. That means no cracks or imperfections in floors. Ensuring full capacity and productivity means creating the optimum manufacturing worksite, including efficient concrete coatings for your industrial spaces.
One place that’s often overlooked in modernizing facilities is the floors. However, the best technology won’t work efficiently if the environment isn’t right.
When it comes to treating concrete floors in manufacturing facilities, there are four types to consider:
- Epoxy Flooring
- Polyurethane Flooring
- Novolac Flooring
- Urethane Mortar Flooring
Epoxy Flooring
Epoxy floor coverings install easily, so there’s minimal downtime for your daily operations. They are hard and durable surfaces that protect and safeguard the concrete and provide significant benefits:
- Easy to clean
- Resistant to chemicals, fire, and heat
- High-gloss shine
- Increased brightness
Epoxy floors can come in multiple colors, which helps define areas of separation between specific divisions in your facility.
Polyurethane Flooring
A polyurethane flooring finish is effective in safeguarding your floor from spills, chemicals, oil, and wear & tear. It is easy to keep clean and reflects light to brighten up your work space. It’s long-lasting and needs minimal maintenance.
Some additional benefits include:
- More flexible than epoxy and absorbs impact better
- UV stable which prevents polyurethane from yellowing over time
- Tolerate temperature swings and humidity fluctuations
- More resilient against scratches and abrasions
Novolac Flooring
Novolac epoxy floor coverings provide advanced chemical and acid resistance. It’s a good choice for manufacturing facilities that have concerns about spills and corrosion. They provide a dense molecular structure for stronger bonds that can withstand even intense chemical spills.
Other key benefits include:
- Resistant to chemicals, acids, and solvents
- Resistant to extreme heat Extremely durable in high-traffic areas
- Two-layer application provide the best possible level of protection for concrete flooring
Urethane Mortar Flooring
This type of flooring is a self-leveling, extremely durable system that is resistant to heat and thermal shock. It’s fast-curing and contains no Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).
Additional benefits include:
- Resists organic and inorganic acids and solvents
- Limited downtime during installation due to rapid curing
- No odor and no VOCs
- Multiple colors are available
How Do You Know What Type of Flooring Is Right for Your Manufacturing Facility?
In trying to determine which type of flooring is the right choice for your manufacturing facility, it’s best to consult with professional floor covering experts like Concrete Coatings of the Carolinas. When discussing options, here are some of the key items to consider:
- The type of traffic and volume of traffic
- The products being manufactured and potential spills or leakage
- Safety considerations, including slip-resistant finishes
- The condition of the concrete substrate and any contaminants that may exist in the flooring
- Operation environments, such as high or low temperature, extreme temperature cycling, and equipment impact
- The potential impact of installation, including downtime and cure time
- Cleaning and maintenance requirements
- Finish color and aesthetics
The most important consideration is the specific use case in your facility. How you plan to use your manufacturing facility, the types of products you produce, and your budget will play a significant role in the type of flooring you choose.
Concrete Coatings of the Carolinas Can Help
Concrete Coatings of the Carolinas can help with flooring solutions for a variety of manufacturing needs, including shop floors, warehouses, and storage. When it comes to ensuring your manufacturing facility is operating at full capacity, Concrete Coatings of the Carolina can develop a customized solution for your facility. With offices in Charlotte and Raleigh, Concrete Coatings of the Carolina serves industrial businesses across North and South Carolina.
To dicuss options for your manufacturing facility, contact Concrete Coatings of the Carolinas today.