Pre-Formed Dimple Jacket vs. Laser Plates: Which Is Better?

In a way, pre-formed dimple jacket and laser plates are interchangeable terms, but that’s not what you want to know—you need to find out which is better. Every industry using vessels may not know that there is a difference between both terms, and that both provide specific solutions to a company’s needs. Here’s what you need to know to make the creation process easier to understand and follow with your fabrication manufacturer.

What Are Pre-Formed Dimple Jackets?

Pre-formed dimple jackets are plug welds formed when a tank’s rolled and seamed, and the top then attaches. It takes longer for dimple jackets to weld because it requires more heat transfers. However, dimple jackets still serve more uses when keeping things contained.

Industries Using Pre-Formed Dimple Jackets

Although every industry uses pre-formed dimple jackets, they’re mostly used in food and beverage. Vineyards have a better advantage over dimple jackets since they’re smaller and have a superior hold on liquids without disturbing the interior fluid.

The beverage industry benefits from dimple jackets, primarily because of the freedom in design—tall, thin tanks, all with enough room to fit more than one vat to improve production.

Customized Machines

The machines have a variety of specifications to keep things at a standard temperature, so there need to be restrictions for processing and finalization. In winemaking, vineyard warehouses have wider dimples. When a tank is wider, they have fewer seams in the vessel. The wider the dimple, the bigger reduction in cleaning and plumbing costs.

The Benefits of Pre-formed Dimple Jackets

Dimple jackets have various uses and provide many benefits. Here’s what to expect to reap after using dimple jacket tanks:

• Improved heat transfers
• Manufacturing is faster
• Lower costs to build
• Fluid circulates better

What Are Laser Plates?

Laser flats are slightly different, as they go through a flattening process before going through rolling and seaming. Compared to dimple jackets, the laser plates take less time to make and have more creative uses.

The Benefits of Laser Plates

Laser plates have advantages also, and depending on the project, they might be the best choice for you. When using laser plates, you cut down on costs and have design flexibility. Not every plate you make is the same, which is another benefit.

Additionally, your expectations are met more often with these advantages:

• Creation stages are shorter
• You don’t need to clean the interior
• Thinner jacket materials are available

The Finer Design Details

Laser plates come from different things. Some come from nickel alloys, such as nickel, Inconel, and Hastelloy, and others are titanium and duplex, or austenitic materials.

The Thickness of Single and Double Embossed

Single and double embossed laser plates have different grades. Here are some numbers to expect with the single embossed laser plate:

• 16 ga, 14 ga over ½”
• 22 ga on 14 ga
• 20 ga, 18 ga, 16 ga on 7 ga/ 3/16”

For the thicker embossing, you can expect to find numbers like these:

• 14 ga
• 11 ga
• 22 ga

What Applications Exist for Laser Plates?

Laser plates are used primarily for heating and cooling methods. There are many applications used in laser plates, including the following:

• Beer tanks
• Wine vessels
• Processing vats
• Transporting screws
• General flat surfaces

The Specifics on Pre-Formed Dimple Jacket Design

You’re looking to use dimple jackets for a smaller tank in your design. The main reason is the heat transfer that’s easier to vent through than laser plates. Laser plates are flat so that they won’t circulate as well.

What You Should Choose

How you decide to craft a vessel or another tank type depends on what industry you work in and your needs throughout the process. You could choose either method, but the one that works best is what fits into your tank jacket heating budget.

How Will the Jacketed Tank Work?

When deciding on the best heat transfer method for you—pre-formed dimple jackets or laser plates—your choice will be based on your demands. However, those needs often require a fair knowledge of the heat transfer process for vessels.

When working with a vessel or tank, the vat has a secondary wall attached to keep heat inside without disturbing or directly contacting the fluid. When the walls are up, the heat used is usually a liquid or gas.

What Mistakes To Avoid With Laser Plates

When cutting or applying heat to metal sheets, it’s essential to pay attention and not mess around. Even while welding with lasers doesn’t leave many messes, one wrong move could damage the final product. Here’s what you need to avoid:

• Not applying the correct pressure
• Not scaling your work
• Not keeping the machinery clean
• Not being careful when removing workpieces
• Having others stand around

What We Offer at CMPI

Industries from everywhere need tanks to keep things contained and provide enough security to keep items heated. There's no end to our creative process when you ask CMPI to make you something. We set precise standards for products to come out high-quality by following your design ideas. In other words, this is your project, and we can do what you want to be done!

Although we stated that dimple jackets take a while to make, the longer time frame gives you more time to decide on any product changes the team wants to make. We’re so grateful for our customers and always strive to meet the needs of every client.

Your industry calls for specific standards. Our team of expert fabricators and manufacturers helps pool the best material choices to use, allowing you to be the creator alongside our team. Ranging from flat and rolled sheets to dished heads, every piece we create is to help your product last a long time.

Custom Manufacturing and Polishing Inc makes it a priority to consistently meet the client's needs and create everything using industry-standard materials and by following best practices. Many come in wanting a specific product, and our goal is to achieve every one of our customer's dreams. Contact us for information on how we can help create your future dimple jacket tank—every business deserves one, and so do you! We can’t wait to hear about your project and assist you in serving your industry better.