Ultrasonics system cleans up oilfield parts

Edited by the Manufacturingtalk editorial team May 30, 2003

One of the world's largest manufacturers of oilfield completion equipment has included ultrasonics cleaning in a cell dedicated to maintaining a stock of NAS<6 clean valve fittings.

One of the world's largest manufacturers of oilfield completion equipment has turned to Kerry Ultrasonics to help it establish a cell dedicated to maintaining a stock of NAS<6 clean valve fittings.

Under a continuous improvement process to ensure hydraulic system cleanliness levels are kept to NAS standards, Cooper Cameron of Leeds has installed an automated Microsolve M350/2M cleaning system to ensure rapid processing of stainless steel parts of various sizes up to 250mm in length.

"The Kerry machine is certainly quick and efficient", says Bob Fullam, who is responsible for overseeing the hydraulic cleanliness area.

"It's also virtually maintenance-free - since November last year, I've only had to clean the filter once.

Using 3M's non-toxic HFE Samsol 72DE, Kerry's three-stage process leaves components free of hydraulic oils and general dirt.

Baskets are first lowered into the unit by a single-axis lift, where parts undergo an ultrasonic wash.

A vapour rinse is followed by a dwell in the freeboard to complete the drying process.

Cooper Cameron was already well acquainted with Kerry, having installed another solvent-based cleaning system within the controls section of the organisation.

However, it was Kerry's speed of response that ultimately persuaded the Yorkshire-based firm to commission the Microsolve machine.

Assembly Supervisor at Cameron, Lee Towell, explains: "The unit's performance was so good, and Kerry's lead time so short, that we really didn't have to consider any other cleaning system manufacturers.