Standing on Quality |
The prolonged standing and repetitive motion that are required for many manufacturing occupations tire the
body and often result in musculoskeletal fatigue and pain, sore feet and
ankles, swollen legs, knee-joint tenderness and chronic lower-back pain. The concrete floors that are
commonplace in the workplace further aggravate the situation. Concrete floors do nothing to help absorb the
constant impact the body sustains while walking and offers little insulation from heat or cold.
Biomechanical research shows that the stiffer the floor, the more the body must absorb some of the impact of
the footfall. Conversely, the softer the floor, the quicker the body tires.
Anti-fatigue mats placed directly over concrete floors help eliminate problems associated with hard floors, but are
not effective unless they have specific performance characteristics.
Based on surface deformation under load, anti-fatigue mats can be characterized as either point elastic,
area elastic or a combination of both.
Mats with flexible top surfaces that do not sustain lateral tensile loads are point-elastic. Point-elastic
mats give with pressure only where the mats are stepped on. They provide cushioning
and shock absorption and virtually no impact energy return. Point-elastic mats include sponge products,
coiled-vinyl loop, link mats and most drainage mats.
Mats with stiff top surfaces that sustain lateral tensile loads are area-elastic. They give by bending
slightly over a substantially larger area than the footprint. Area-elastic mats provide
energy return and little cushioning. They include solid-molded or extruded products, plywood, steel and fiberglass
platforms. The ideal anti-fatigue mat features a soft layer that provides cushioning and shock-absorption, and a stiff layer
that provides load distribution and energy return. All mats must withstand short-term overloading without
damage, withstand rolling loads and not bottom out.
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Safety |
To help ensure safety, the degree of traction between the shoes and the mat surface needs to be high enough to
prevent slipping, but not so high as to restrict controlled foot movement when walking, turning, sliding or pivoting.
Mats that rely solely on absorbent spongy materials can trap the foot. This prevents controlled movement and
results in eventual ankle damage, decreased foot stability, and an increase in foot rollover that can cause a loss of
balance. Beveled safety edges should be used to reduce any tripping hazards. Unfortunately, falls occur, so mats
help absorb impact and minimize the problems associated with a fall on hard concrete or wood floors.
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Technical Application Assistance |
We will be pleased to help you select the best mats to provide a safer work environment consistent with OSHA
guidelines. When you specify USMats floor mats and work platforms, you can be assured you've chosen the best quality and value to meet your needs.
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USMats®
Inc. - Reliable and Dependable |
USMats has developed a series of mats that utilizes the best of point-and area-elastic properties by
combining a semi-rigid top surface and a flexible base. MBOSS® and RxMat®
ensure the ideal combination of toughness, stiffness and
resilience without compromising durability. Our Axis
workstation platforms haven proven to be ideal to
allow more people to fit their workstation comfortably,
safely and effectively. We’re proud that
our products are " Made in the USA."
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Performance Characteristics |
Toughness—ability to absorb energy
Resilience—ability to return energy
Shock Absorption—ability to dissipate energy
Anti-Fatigue—overall sustained comfort level
Resistance to Indention—withstands puncture
Traction—controls the amount of slip
Pivoting and Sliding—controls foot trapping
Rolling Load—withstands rolling load
Abrasion Resistance—resists surface wear
Durability—resists failure
Surface Stability—resists foot rollover
Maintenance—overall ease of care
The performance characteristics listed in this website catalog are intentionally general in nature as they
represent a consensus based on input from many sources. The best course in selecting a mat is to seek a balance of properties
desired for an application. Information about the original mat and service conditions can help when seeking a
replacement mat for an existing product. For new products, our experience with similar applications can help
you make the best selection.
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Material Selection - Rubber or Vinyl |
Natural Rubber and SBR are non-oil- and grease-resistant materials that are inherently elastic and resilient with good water resistance.
Nitrile (Buna N) Rubber, a synthetic rubber developed as an oil- and grease-proof substitute for natural rubber with superior puncture and abrasion resistance in addition to chemical protection.
Excellent abrasion, cut and puncture resistance
Good heat and tear resistance
Excellent flexibility and frictional surface
Good low-temperature properties
PVC,
also known as polyvinyl chloride, is an all-purpose polymer that resists acids and alcohols, but not petroleum solvents.
Good abrasion, puncture and tear resistance
Poor cut and heat resistance
Fair flexibility and frictional surface
Not good in areas where transmission fluid is used
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Warranty |
All products in this website catalogue are guaranteed to be free of defects in material and workmanship under
normal conditions of usage, provided our recommended application, installation and maintenance instructions are followed. Any defective
material will be replaced at our expense if a claim is reported to us in writing and if our examination shows that the product has failed under the
terms of this warranty. USMats shall not be liable for damages in excess of purchase price of the product. The maximum period of responsibility is one
(1) year from the date of shipment.
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USMats®
Inc. - History |
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Our
customers receive not only benefit from the products
that we manufacture and supply, but also our near 75
years of experience. Our company was founded in the
1940s as Woodcraft Industries, which manufactured a
proprietary wood link anti-fatigue matting. As more
matting materials became available, Woodcraft expanded
its product line to be a full-service matting
manufacturer and supplier, offering a complete line of
matting products and workstation platforms. Our
philosophy is, and has always been, to find for our
customer the best product that will do the job
satisfactorily at the most economical price.
On Jan. 1, 2003, a corporate restructuring and name
change to USMats Inc. was timed to coordinate with the
rededication of our manufacturing facilities in Algonac,
Michigan to reflect our ongoing vision to be a
world-class manufacturer and supplier.
In 2008 we expanded our manufacturing facility and moved our corporate offices
to Marine City, Michigan.
USMats designed, developed and
manufactures the ground-breaking MBOSS® and RxMat®
family of mats, both of which have patents and patents
pending, and the Lightweight Axis workstation platforms.
To ensure that our products meet
your—and our—exacting standards, the entire USMats
family has adopted the following quality mission
statement:
USMats®
Inc. products and services will be of the highest
quality to meet the requirements of our most exacting
customers. We will provide products to the market
that meet or exceed customer specifications in quality,
value and delivery. We plan to continue our ongoing
business by operating profitably to satisfy the current
and future objectives of our customers, owners and
suppliers.
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