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Author Archives: George Adamanty

  1. Using Expanded Metal Cages for Data Center Security

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    Expanded Metal Cages for Data Center Security

    As e-commerce and other digital operations continue to grow in popularity, data center security becomes more common. Data centers are helpful structures used for data processing and remote storage. Organizations can keep their online data secure and centralized by housing large collections of online servers, storage system servers and other security devices.

    Cybersecurity helps data centers stay protected. However there’s another crucial element to center security — data center cages. These cages are made from steel wire mesh or expanded metal panels, keeping critical systems and servers organized and safely locked. They are an essential component of server physical security.

    How Are Data Center Cages Used?

    Metal server cages have many uses for data security centers. They enhance security features and ensure organizational data remains secure from outside visitors or potential intruders.

    Here are more uses of data center cages:

    • Secure data centers: Above all, server cages keep data centers secure. The durable metal and complicated lock systems keep critical data safe and accessible only to the right people. You can relax with the knowledge that metal cages protect critical computer servers and stored data.
    • Subdivide colocation cages: Data center security cages are also organizational tools. If more than one organization shares the data center, keeping data and servers separate is crucial. Alternatively, you might want to keep different systems within the same organization distinctly apart. Cage walls can keep separate servers or systems apart from each other.
    • Control access: You can also control access to servers with metal gates. By using locks or other restrictions on the entrances, only authorized personnel will be able to enter each cage.
    • Prevent damage: Cages also provide protection for your servers and data systems. Most are made with mesh metal wiring, allowing for maximum airflow. As air circulates through, it prevents systems from overheating and keeps them functioning properly.

    Types of Metal Data Center Cages

    There are multiple types of data center cages, each with their own pros and cons. Here are a few examples:

    • Expanded metal cages: Expanded metal is an economical and durable option for a data center cage. Manufacturers make expanded metal sheets by creating multiple slits in them. They then stretch the sheet to create a diamond pattern with the openings. This structure makes expanded metal sturdy, lasting for years on end.
    • Wire partitions: This style of cage consists of either welded wire mesh, or a heavy duty woven mesh. Wire partitions allow it to be made in various dimensions or sizes, depending on someone’s need. It also has the largest openings available of these types. If you have a wire partition set in a metal frame and tack welded, there is no risk of the barrier coming loose.
    • Perforated metal: Perforated metal is another data center cage option. You run sheets through a machine that punches out round holes to create a perforated surface. You can either create straight lines or stagger the holes to allow for more openings. Perforated metal has the smallest openings of these types.

    Advantages of Expanded Metal Data Center Security Cages

    Expanded metal security cages offer several advantages:

    • Rugged materials: Expanded metal typically consists of durable materials, such as stainless steel and aluminum. Some materials, like steel, need a finish like paint to avoid damage. This makeup ensures your server cage will last for many years, resisting corrosion or rust formation
    • Ensures local organization: Expanded metal is perfect for organizing data centers. It is also cost-effective, so buying multiple sheets to improve organization will not significantly impact your budget.
    • Supports air circulation: As mentioned before, the openings in cages allow for optimized airflow. The diamond-shaped openings in expanded metal will keep air circulating around your systems, ensuring they stay cool.
    • Maintains visibility: Many work environments require visibility of enclosed systems to ensure proper functioning and access. With expanded metal openings, you can keep an eye on critical systems without compromising on durable materials. If your organization prefers low visibility, you can opt for smaller openings or insert mesh netting within the cage to keep the interior hidden.
    • Peace of mind: Expanded metal is strong, providing the perfect enclosure for any sensitive materials. You can rest easy knowing outsiders will not be able to come into contact with sensitive information without proper authorization. This peace of mind extends to data center operators and clients using the data center enclosures.
    • Improved scalability: Lastly, you can easily rescale or replace expanded metal in your data security center. If you need to reorganize your space, you can remove expanded metal without extra costs. If you want to add expanded metal, it fits in smoothly alongside other cages. You can lower renovation and moving costs by using expanded metal.

    Considerations for Expanded Metal Server Room Cages

    If you decide to implement an expanded metal server room cage into your center, here are some parameters to consider when choosing a server cage design:

    • Dimensions: Start by accounting for the dimensions of your server room. Most expanded metal comes in standard panel dimensions, and it’s usually more affordable to go by these rather than create a custom design. Remember to consider the height of the area in addition to the width and length.
    • Opening sizes: The sizes of openings will dictate your cage’s visibility level. Think about your preferred degree of visibility before selecting the expanded metal. Remember that larger openings typically allow for more visibility, but also greater airflow.
    • Gauge: The expanded metal gauge, or thickness, is also an important factor. The thicker the metal is, the more difficult it is to get past.
    • Style: Expanded metal is available in two styles — raised and flattened. The metal strands are bound to the metal sheet plane at a fixed angle with a raised style, reinforcing the cage’s durability. For flattened expanded metal, manufacturers feed the metal through a leveler to achieve a smooth design. It is generally considered more aesthetically pleasing than the raised style, which shows the horizontal angles of the metal strands.

    Contact Argus Steel for your expanded metal partition needs

    At Argus Steel, we understand the critical role that metal cages play in data center security. As an expert expanded metal distributor, we work hard to provide customers with premier materials. No job is too big or small for us. Our dedicated team works with you to find the best solution for your specific project.

    We can help you find the best expanded metal type for data centers and beyond. Request a quote from Argus Steel today to get started.

  2. Types of Wire Cloth Weaves and Crimps: When to Specify Each

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    Types of Wire Cloth Weaves and Crimps: When to Specify Each

     

    You can use wire cloth in many industries, from aerospace engineering to radio and microwave production. Also called wire mesh or wire fabric, this solution can filter materials, shield employees from hazards, insulate and much more.

    Wire cloth is available in different styles, each with its own advantages. Here is a basic overview of wire cloth types.

    Differences Between Welded and Woven Wire Cloth

    There are two major types of wire cloth — woven and welded. Each product type is produced differently, presenting different benefits depending on the reason for the material. You can use both in a variety of applications and industries.

    Welded Wire Cloth

    Welded wire mesh is a highly durable material, often used for fencing or caging purposes. During construction, welded wire cloth is permanently welded at all intersections. This method makes the cloth rigid, holding a consistent shape during use. For industrial applications, welded wire maintains its shape, allowing it to fit precisely into structures and components without difficulties.

    Here are the key features of welded wire cloth:

    • Applications: Many industries use welded wire cloth. Its high strength makes it a popular option for fencing and other barriers. Welded wire cloth is commonly used in industrial, agricultural and transportation fields, and it may also be used for air reduction in vents. Welded mesh is available in many different materials, including stainless steel and carbon steel. It can be made with heavy-gauge wire to a 0.025-inch-diameter wire, making it versatile for different uses.
    • Advantages: Due to the nature of its shape, welded wire mesh can achieve higher strengths using thinner wires. The cloth also has a higher percentage of open area.
    • Disadvantages: Welded wire cloth with particularly large openings might need to be custom manufactured, but most sizes are still available off the shelf. Similarly, due to the nature of production welded wire cloth cannot be made in fine mesh counts.

    Woven Wire Cloth

    This material consists of a series of metal wires interlaced to make a sheet of wire cloth. Instead of being welded together like welded mesh, woven wire is interlaced together. Wires can be woven together into particular diameters or patterns. The woven nature allows for more flexibility.

    Features of woven wire cloth to know include:

    • Applications: You can make woven wire cloth out of steel, stainless steel, aluminum, brass, copper alloys and more. You can shape these materials in a variety of ways. Woven wire cloth is utilized in air filtration, baskets, doors and many other industries.
    • Advantages: In woven wire cloth, the openings can be much finer than in welded fabric. This makes it a great option for installations like filters or insect screens. Woven wire cloth is also extremely durable and can hold high weights.
    • Disadvantages: Some types of woven wire mesh could become unraveled on the ends, but you can avoid this with wire weaving techniques that offer high rigidity.

    Different Types of Wire Weaving

    If you select woven wire fabric, many types of weaves are available. Each style varies by mesh count, wire diameter specifications and the number of openings.

    Here are two of the most common types of wire mesh patterns:

    • Plain weave: The plain weave is the most common type. It consists of same-sized diameter wires in a simple over-and-under pattern. The identical design creates the same amount of mesh openings in all directions.
    • Twill or Dutch weave: A twill weave is slightly more complicated than a plain weave, with each wire passing over and under two wires. This structure makes the twill weave more durable and available for larger diameters.

    Types of Woven Wire Crimp Styles

    Woven wire often uses a method known as crimping either before or during creation. If the mesh’s diameter is too big or too small, specialists crimp the wires before weaving. They send the wires through a crimper, and it individually shapes them so they can rest securely against one another. Crimped wire mesh makes the wire fabric stronger and more rigid.

    Here are a few of the crimp styles available for wires:

    • Lock crimp: The lock crimp is a more modern style. It consists of straight sections of wires, where each wire is crimped at each intersection. Lock crimp wire mesh creates an aesthetically pleasing pattern and is also very stable.
    • Double intermediate crimp: A double intermediate crimp forms a square-like pattern with wires of equal size. They pass over and under one another at adjacent intersections with equal lengths.
    • Intercrimp: An intercrimp style uses intersecting wires at every other intersection. For example, wires might intersect at the third intersection, the fifth intersection and so on. This style provides high rigidity and is popular in architecture.
    • Flat top: A flat top crimping style is similar to a lock crimp wire cloth, but all crimps are offset to one side. This design creates a flat appearance on the front, making it ideal for materials to flow smoothly across it. It’s also commonly used in architecture.

    How to Match Weave and Crimp Style

    By matching your crimp and mesh weaving style, you can create an optimized woven wire cloth. The right combination of weaving and crimping styles can make your wire mesh more sturdy or flexible. But with all the crimping options and wire cloth terms, it’s sometimes tricky to know which style fits you best.

    Here are three considerations for picking your weave and crimp styles:

    1. Wire Diameter

    The wire diameter is the width of each wire. The diameter directly effects how much open space exists between wires.

    You can choose diameter according to what conditions your wire will face. For instance, if your wire will mostly encounter small amounts of sand, you wouldn’t need an extremely thick diameter. Usually, the thicker and stronger your wire is, the more you avoid future fixes and replacements.

    2. Mesh Count

    Your wire’s mesh count is the number of openings within an inch. So, if you have a 300 mesh wire, there are 300 openings within one inch in any direction of the wire. When selecting mesh count, consider how many materials will pass through your wire and how many of those you want to block.

    If you choose the wrong mesh count, unwanted materials or substances might reach underneath surfaces. Or, too many substances might build up on your mesh because they can’t pass through.

    3. Micron Rating

    A micron rating is a precise distance between your wires. Once you determine your diameter and mesh count, you can decide upon the best micron rating for your wire’s purposes. People often use micron ratings for wire mesh meant for filtration. The correct micron measurement allows for proper filtration while maintaining a consistent substance flow.

    Order Woven Wire Cloth to Your Specifications

    Whether you need wire mesh for filtering materials or handling sensitive liquids, Argus Steel is here for you. A leader in the metals industry, Argus Steel has provided premier materials since 1979. Our specialty wire cloths are available in many different materials and meet any requirement. We offer durable and high-quality wire cloth, no matter what use you have in mind.

    Request a quote from Argus Steel today to get started with a leading steel wire distributor. No job is too big or too small for us, and we look forward to finding you the best wire cloth fit.