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Robotic factory line for processing and bottling of soda and orange juice.

Priming the Pump

There's something oddly satisfying about the sound a soda makes when it's first opened. The hissing sound combined with the subsequent fizzing is distinctive, and the sweet flavor of the first sip is unlike anything else. In between the sounds and enjoying the deliciousness, have you ever wondered how the soda ends up in the bottle or can?

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Aerial view of natural gas well being drilled in northwestern West Virginia in the Marcellus Shale formation.

What do cars, houses, deodorant, and MRI machines have in common? They all use oil or natural gas. While it’s commonly understood that we use gasoline made from oil to fuel vehicles, and natural gas provides heat for homes and businesses, the extent to which we depend on oil and gas in our everyday lives is often overlooked.

Whether it's a wedding, New Year's Eve, engagement party, or just a Friday night, wine is a staple component of celebrations and meals around the world. But how exactly does your favorite Moscato or merlot go from grapes to glass? Sip back and relax as we uncork the history and process of making wine.

The origins of metal casting date back at least 5,000 years. However, the process has evolved considerably over the years with the discovery of different metals and the advancement of technology. At Dixon®, we use two main casting methods to create metal parts; sand casting and investment casting. Though both processes include pouring molten metal into a mold to create metal parts, there are significant differences between them. Keep reading to learn about these casting processes and their differences.

While driving down the road it's easy to identify different types of vehicles. Cars, SUVs, and trucks are all easily distinguishable. You can even take it a step further and classify each vehicle based on make and model. But when it comes to rail cars for freight shipping, identifying the different types may not be as simple.

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! Whether it’s chocolate on a cone, vanilla in a cup, or a large banana split, no summer or celebration is complete without this sweet treat.

Think about a time you interviewed for a job. You most likely researched the company before the interview, dressed to impress, and came armed with your résumé and questions to ask at the end. After all, proper preparation prevents poor performance. The same principle can be applied to air tools.

While most consumers are familiar with the gasoline and diesel that power their vehicles, do they know where the fuel originates? Oddly enough the same gasoline and diesel that is in your vehicle comes from the same barrel of crude oil that produces other products like asphalt, jet fuel, motor oil, and tires. It is truly amazing how many different products are produced from the world’s most valuable fossil fuel!

Dixon entered the industrial swivel market in 1985 when it acquired Le-Hi Andrews. Over the years, working with our engineers, foundry, and extensive CNC machine shop, we have refined and expanded our swivel product line to better meet the needs of our customers.

Acrylic sight glasses are commonly used in petroleum cargo tanks to make liquid level and flow visible to the tank operator. With the increased use of ethanol in fuel, the service life of these sight glasses has shortened. Many customers believe the root cause is compatibility with ethanol. The problem isn't ethanol, though. It's the solvents in ethanol.