Industrial Safety Guard Rails

If you're looking to protect your personnel, inventory and equipment from damage or injury then installing highly visible yellow powder coat finish barrier rails at your facility may be the answer you're looking for. However, there are lots of options to the point of confusion if you're just getting started. Below is an outline of standard products that may help you make a decision along with some specialty products that you may not be aware of and find useful. When you're ready to get your new safety guard rail system installed, give American Industrial Werks a call.

A couple of your big players in safety guard rails are Global Industrial and Uline, however a couple of other options are McMaster Carr and Grainger although typically you'll pay for quick pick-up convenience.

Vestil Steel Guard Rail System - Global

Build Your Own Modular Guard Rail System With These Steel Barrier Rails And Posts For Temporary Access To Security Areas For Maintenance or Repair Purpose.


Modular Square Steel Guard Rails - Global

Steel Guard Rail Systems Provide An Economic Way To Protect People And Machinery. The Modular Design Allows For Maximum Versatility.

Safety Bollards - Uline

Protect equipment from damage caused by delivery trucks, forklifts, and pallet trucks.

Corner Machine Guard - Uline

Prevent damage to valuable machinery from forklifts and pallet truck mishaps.

Safety Gates - AisleCop

Automated forklift safety systems and warehouse safety gates help manage forklift and pedestrian traffic.

Custom Safety Fence and Machine Guards

Standard safety guards fit the bill most of the time, but sometimes you need a custom solution to protect machinery, while giving employees maximum accessibility. American Industrial Werks has built many custom guard rails, barriers, and angle iron bumper guards. From fabrication to installation call American Industrial Werks.

Conveyor Types and Uses

Because American Industrial Werks serves such a wide variety of customers we run into many kinds of conveyor installations and while in principal they are all similar, every application is unique.

In general the conveyor systems we install at American Industrial Werks are common mechanical handling devices or assemblies that move all types of material from one location to another with minimal effort in order to reduce manual relocation of material. Conveyors are especially useful in relocating heavy messy materials such as gravel, but equally useful in transporting large volumes of candy or tiny plastic pieces.

Conveyors typically consist of metal frames that have steel mounted rollers, balls, wheels, or belts. Some of these such as belt conveyors are motor powered others are manual however they often are used in conjunction with each other. Belt conveyors are often flat and run horizontal, but are also configured with buckets or scoops running vertical to lift material. Similar applications use screw conveyors or smooth surface chute conveyors that require a smooth surface and work using gravity. From mining to food processing the use vibrating motion conveyors are used to move material while separating it at the same time.

Types and Uses

Slat or Apron Conveyors

Slat Conveyors use slats or aprons are typically powered and mounted to drive or roller chains to carrying the product. The difference between slats and aprons are the aprons overlap each other to provide a gapless moving surface. Slat and/or aprons are usually made of plastic, galvanized steel or stainless steel and sometimes wood. These conveyors are good for applications such as high temperature tunnel ovens for food production, manufacturing heat treating lines or for moving heavy packages found in distribution centers… but they have many other uses and are built in many sizes to handle increasingly heavy load capacities.

Belt Conveyors

Belt conveyors are simple piece of equipment for moving products from one point to another. Using a flat moving belt, they are some of the most universally used and recognized pieces of material handling equipment in any industrial or distribution setting. Using a flat moving belt, these conveyors can be used to move a large variety of products of size, shape and weight very effectively over long distances. Belt Conveyors can also be used to move product from higher or lower elevations or floor to floor.

Some applications for belt conveyors include conveying aggregate, coal, ores and minerals, mechanise material/product filled cardboard boxes, food grains, cast products, building materials and much more.

Some markets that use belt conveyors are Distribution Centers & Warehouses, Order Fulfillment, Parcel Handling, Maufacturing, Aerospace, Government and Military, Automotive, and Food & Beverage.

Some types of belt conveyors include low profile slider bed, medium duty slider bed, channel frame slider bed, Wide Series channel frame slider bed, medium duty roller bed, heavy duty slider and roller bed, cleated medium and heavy duty slider bed, floor to floor incline/decline roller and slider bed, curved medium and heavy duty slider bed belt, flat wire mesh roller and slider bed.

More to come...

Beltless Magnetic Conveyors
Bucket Conveyors
Chute Conveyors
Drag/Chain/Tow Conveyors
Overhead Conveyors
Pneumatic/Vacuum Conveyors
Powered Roller Conveyors
Roller Conveyors
Screw Conveyors
Vertical Conveyors
Vibrating Conveyors
Walking Beam Conveyors
Wheel Conveyors
Ball Conveyors

2018 Hatchery Park Benefit - Spring Grove IL

The annual Hatchery Park Benefit in Spring Grove, IL is scheduled for June 8. Set at Horse Fair Park, this years’ Friday Night Fish Boil fundraiser is an all-you-can-eat Boiled Cod, BBQ Chicken & Ribs (ribs $3 extra) red potatoes & onions, bread, coleslaw & dessert prepared by Fitzgerald's of Genoa City! Kid's meals consisting of hot dogs, chips and dessert are also available. Adding to the fun are silent auctions and live music.

Staff members from American Industrial Werks on US 12 in Spring Grove are joining in to support the community and village with the upkeep and beautification of Hatchery Park by volunteering at the event.

For more information on Spring Grove events visit the village website at http://www.springgrovevillage.com

Looking Back Feature - Lagunitas Chicago

Take a look back a few years at a great brewery install in Chicago. You've probably heard of the place... and if you haven't, you need to add it to your to-do list of breweries to visit. We're talking about Lagunitas in Chicago. American Industrial Werks started on this job back in 2013. We performed all the major lifting and then some to get this brewery operational...it was an experience to remember. Over 130 tanks and related pieces of equipment went into this 300,000 square foot facility during our time onsite and even more since then. Built in the same building as the show Chicago Fire was being filmed made it even more interesting. Inside, this facility was gutted and built from the ground up into the spectacular brewery you can visit today.

Check out our feature of the Lagunitas Chicago project (to include video) and see how a major portion of this operation came together.

#BreweryInstall #LagunitasChicago

BreweryWerks Brew-Cruise: Local Craft Beer Abound

Most often a Brew-Cruise article is about our adventures, hitting the road to find brewery and winery destinations worthy of a weekend away. But if you don't have time to get out of town, there are plenty of stops you can make right here in river city. Craft brews are spreading like wild fire and whether you're looking for burgers or lobster, it's not hard to find a great tasting local brew to go with it. At Bulldog Ale House, for example, in Roselle IL, you've got your choice of

approximately 70 different types of beers (with a few of their own), many of them local craft beers. Their menu of delicious burgers, pizza, and some of the best wings around will leave you satisfied with your budget intact. On the other hand if your taste buds are feeling the need for the absolute best lobster bisque in the Chicago area, then you'll want to head over to The Clubhouse Restaurant in Oakbrook, once owned,

in part, by Kevin Costner. There you'll have your choice of local brews such as; Church Street Bob's Your Dunkel, Two Brothers Domaine DuPage, Revolution Anti-Hero IPA, or Lagunitas IPA and Little Sumpin' Sumpin'. You may also want to try the mountain of meatloaf better known as the clubhouse meatloaf sundae or the prime rib while you're at it, they’re both outstanding. If you have a taste for an excellent wine, a bottle of 2011 Ferrari-Carano Cabernet Sauvignon may hit the spot. Yes, it's a $56 bottle of wine, but stop in on a Monday and the bottle (and every other bottle) is half price (while the promotion lasts).

Now if the kid inside you is growing wings, you'll definitely want to fly by Pilot Pete's Restaurant at Schaumburg airport.

The Shrimp Diablo Pan Bake will light up your taste buds, but first try the beer battered scallops appetizer. Pete's firecracker lobster sandwich, a full lobster tail on a bun for a mere $13.95, is worth the trip alone, but the $100 hamburger (a pilot joke), 10 oz. of juicy ground sirloin and yum an a bun is... well, worth flying in for. And yes Pilot Pete's too, is embracing the craft beer revolution with several local brews... You'll be pleased to find Pegasus IPA, Chi-Town Pier Pale Ale and Windy City Wheat, Half Acre Over Ale, and Two Brothers Domaine DuPage, Prairie Path, Outlaw, Ebel's Weiss, The Bitter End and Cane and Ebel Hopped Up.

If you'd like to see Pilot Pete's Restaurant carry more local brews... such as... say... Solemn Oath, Finch's Beer, Ten Ninety beer, Lagunitas, Ale Syndicate, or name your favorite... be sure to drop John (the owner) a note in the suggestion box after your next visit.

No, you won’t see the big stainless steel fermenters and brite[sic] tanks or get a brewery tour at these locations, but that limited venue isn’t a survival strategy for craft brewers. Craft beers are becoming more and more available every day; however we've still got a long way to go before we see a good variety of the great beers on the market, available in local restaurants. Restaurant owners want to sell you what you want to buy. Let them know what you like best, next thing you know, you might actually be able to get a nice creamy delicious (local) stout to go with dinner out.

BreweryWerks Brew-Cruise: Redwood Brewing Co.

While in Flint, MI just before Thanksgiving we found an excellent steakhouse / Brewery called Redwood Steakhouse and Brewing Co. Literally walking distance from our hotel (perhaps in warmer weather) this place was truly an unintentional lucky find. The beautiful lodge setting with the glow of shiny copper brewery tanks was welcoming and warm on a cold night as we perused the menu for some great beer and food that would satisfy a long day of driving and appointments.

Satisfaction and then some was exactly what we found at Redwood. The steak, lobster and scallops were all cooked to perfection, and were absolutely mouthwatering good. We tasted several beers, which were delicious, and just sat back and enjoyed the comfortable lodge setting. The shiny copper tanks of the brewery are setup behind the bar... which looks cool... and banners hang over the bar representing all the awards they've won for brewing great beer. At Redwood you can enjoy flights of different craft beers made right onsite or enjoy a tall glass of your favorite.

Redwood Brewery makes India Pale Ales, annual hefeweizens, stouts, porters and more. But that's not all... if wine is more your thing, or you're just in a different mood, you won't be left out; you can try flights of wine or call for reservations at one of their wine tastings. The wine isn't made by Redwood, but they have many tasty options to try. Combined with their presentation, this all lead to a pleasant night out.

If you're passing through Flint Michigan and have the chance, be sure to stop by Redwood Steakhouse and Brewing Co. You can find them online at http://www.theredwoodlodge.com

Brew-Cruise - DESTIHL Restaurant & Brew Works

Beer batter bacon?! Really?

A mere two hours from Chicago (2 ½ from the West burbs), is a gem of a brewery, DESTIHL Restaurant & Brew Works, located in Champaign, IL. Our visit started in the bar with a nice view of the brewery in a glassed in room.  DESTIHL has a sweet setup for tasting beer and plenty of great tasting beers to choose from. The atmosphere is comfortable and inviting, and if you happen to have Trent or Laura waiting on you behind the bar, you’ll enjoy hearing about the history of the brewery, where it’s headed and all you want to know about the different beers.

A nice change from many brewery tasting bars, DESTIHL gives you the choice of 4oz, 12oz, or 16oz glasses. This is great for anyone looking to try several beers (we tried 10), or for those coming back for their favorite flavor. Prices range from $1.25 to $2.00 for the 4oz. and you can order just one if you like, as opposed to having to buy a flight. Better yet, if you’re really unsure about a beer to try, you can get a 1oz taster.


All this made for an enjoyable evening, but that was only half the fun. After a two and a half hour drive to get to DESTIHL, we were hungry and in the mood for something different. Different is exactly what DESTIHL has to offer. Beer batter bacon… seriously?! This had to be tried. DESTIHL offers dishes that tantalize and challenge your pallet. Our waiter Matt described the menu as eclectic and he was very helpful in explaining our options along with what beer would best complement our choices. Every one of the staff was knowledgeable, the beer and food was great, and the facility offered an interesting and pleasant décor.

Whether you’re local to Champaign or looking for reason to get out of town DESTIHL is worth the trip.