Product category:
Washing and pretreatment
News Release from: IB Industries | Subject: Machined parts washing systems
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 17 March 2006
Machined parts washed 100 %
particle-/solvent-free
When cleaning machined components a washing system manipulates them in such a way that critical areas such as deep galleries are flushed through thoroughly.
The overriding priority when cleaning machined components is to manipulate them in such a way that critical areas such as deep galleries are flushed through thoroughly The Mafac system, for example, ranges from cell based wash systems to purpose-built standard equipment, typical applications being the cleaning of hydraulic blocks for Bosch Rexroth in Glenrothes which came as a direct result from the Mach 2004 exhibition or the cleaning of pressed parts for filter manufacturer Clarcor in Warrington
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 27 Jul 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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Due to higher cleanliness demands, both Bosch Rexroth and Clarcor took part in a various cleaning trials to replace their conventional spray washers with our cell based flooding type spray wash systems.
Typical of the range is the Malta multi-stage spray flood washing system with a working envelope of 660x480x340mm.
With a combination of spray pressure, flood cleaning combined with the patented rotating system and powerful ultrasonics the Malta can achieve superior results for cleaning of complex parts with the most stubborn of contaminants.
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The overriding priority when cleaning machined components is to manipulate them in such a way that critical areas such as deep galleries are flushed through thoroughly.
Degreasing plants are hermetically sealed
High quality, energy-saving degreasing plants are hermetically sealed and can be delivered for using Perchloroethylene, trichloroethylene or alternately halogen, flammable solvents.
Heat treatment adds sealed degreasing system
TTI Group is the first heat treatment business in the UK to respond to the Solvents Emissions Directive (SED) legislation by installing an EVT hermetically sealed solvent degreasing system.
With a combination of Infra red drying, vacuum drying, air drying, hot air drying the Malta is the ideal system to achieve a dry result comparable to solvents.
Standard features include fine filtration, automatic mist condenser, calescent oil water separator and various other options.
An enquiry from the previous Mach 2004, Finnveden Powertrain Components, a first-tier supplier of connecting rods and valve actuation components to, among others, Caterpillar-Perkins, this has meant installing in its Alford, Lincolnshire plant a Mafac patented aqueous spray cleaning system.
The addition of fine filtration to this system has ensured a low particle count, which is an important factor when supplying to the international automotive industry.
"Our customers are pursuing greater levels of cleanliness from the parts we supply," said Phil Calvert, Finnveden's engineering manager, "Because any contaminants, particularly metallic process residue, will mix with oil in the powertrain, affecting the oil's performance and consequently shortening engine or component life.
We were using traditional rotary washing processes but had great difficulty positioning the components to ensure that oilways were free of debris and components did not mask others during the cleaning process." All models are equipped with the exclusive Mafac Machine Control, which combines an easy-to-use operator interface with a plain text display.
This advanced control enables cleaning programmes to be configured quickly in response to specific cleaning requirements, and stored programs, which take account of the type of material being cleaned, can be retrieved as and when required.
"We sought alternative equipment that would provide a more robust and consistent process with levels of cleanliness well within our customers' specifications," said Calvert.
"In the case of Caterpillar's plant at Lafayette in the USA, for example, there are many opportunities open to us, providing we continue to exceed our customer's high expectations of quality and on-time delivery." Although the cage containing the components to be cleaned can be moved to any angle with virtually any type of rotation, Finnveden has opted for a full rotation of the basket with the spray nozzles rotating in the same direction but at a higher speed.
This equates to a concentrated area of cleaning, with the rotating action imparting movement to the components and ensuring drainage of water throughout critical areas.
The same system also administers warm, pulsed, air to remove water and prevent staining of the component.
"The Mafac concept of component rotation while captive in modular locations has dramatically improved our cleanliness capability on a sustainable basis," said Calvert, "And the growth in demand means a second cleaning facility will soon be installed." In addition to the multi-stage filtration of mechanical soils, a coalescent oil /water separation system removes tramp oils and other solution contaminants.
However, steam is extracted, condensed and returned to the wash solution.
Another environmentally friendly feature is the total absence of composite materials in all Mafac machine construction, which means its constituent parts can be recycled at the end of their working life.
* Mafac/IB Industries at MACH 2006, NEC, Birmingham, UK, May 15-19, Hall 5, Stand 5121.
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