Product category:
Cleaning media and cleaning systems
News Release from: MecWash Systems | Subject: Midi installations at Renishaw
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 29 February 2008
Component cleaning systems are
aqueous-based
Metrology systems, sensors and probes manufacturer uses aqueous-based component cleaning systems, which enhance environmental performance.
Aqueous-based component cleaning technology from MecWash Systems is now meeting the extremely high performance standards laid down by one of the world's leading manufacturers of measurement equipment Four MecWash Midi cleaning stations are now being used at Renishaw and are achieving results that even satisfy Tof SIMS analysis (Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry) - a highly demanding surface analysis process undertaken at Bristol University
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 3 Jun 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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The 330,000 components per month produced at Renishaw's Stonehouse and Wotton-under-Edge facilities in the UK are achieving the high levels of cleanliness.
Renishaw supplies products for a range of applications in industries as diverse as medical, forensics, calibration, aerospace and automotive.
Each of the four MecWash Midi installations are comprehensively specified.
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There are three at Stonehouse and the other at Wotton-under-Edge.
The sites benefit from a built-in Aqua-Save wash water treatment system which cleans and recycles the wash and rinse solutions.
Consequently, the wash installations do not need a connection to drains, so allowing them to be sited where required within the production lines.
* Rotational washing technology - based on the acclaimed MecWash rotational washing technology, the Midis' choice of programs provides rotational flood immersion washing, rinsing, final rinsing, high performance filtration, oil separation and hot air and vacuum drying.
The technology ensures that material such as metal swarf, coolant and auto de-burring residue is removed from each component ahead of further assembly operations that take place at Renishaw's plants in the UK and in Ireland.
The systems also provide a clean, bright, residue free surface finish without spots and stains which is paramount to the highly aesthetic appearance of the final product.
MecWash sales director, Paul Young, said: "Apart from the installation of the machines, we also worked closely with the customer to develop a highly effective and versatile component handling system." He said that each wash program accommodates two metal trays, loaded from waist height and indexed during loading through 180 deg, into which perforated plastics inserts are located.
Individually these can accommodate a wide range of component sizes - from six to 320 units/load - but importantly, all are held in position without the risk of metal-to-metal contact.
Young commented: "This reflects both on the precise manufacturing procedures that Renishaw use and the importance of high quality operations at every stage of production".
The three Midi installations at Stonehouse are located in the Renishaw's new manufacturing plant.
All the units are able to accommodate a range of manufacturing materials, including stainless steel, aluminium and brass, directly from the wide range of machining processes used by Renishaw'.
The use of ultrasonics in conjunction with the rotational wash technology in two of the machines had been specified to remove surface staining that could arise from dried-on coolant.
* Consistent results - the consistent results and the self-contained design of the MecWash equipment are key factors in the installation and offer distinct advantages compared with the previous methods used by the company, said MecWash.
John Fielder, senior production engineer at Renishaw, explained that the factory had used a series of ultrasonic dip tanks and solvent cleaning so there were clear performance and environmental benefits associated with the decision to move to the MecWash installations.
He said: "Alongside this, the in-built Aqua-Save units, which require only small amounts of waste oil to be transported occasionally for safe disposal off site, enhance our environmental performance which we believe is a key element in responsible, modern manufacturing processes".
Fielder said: "Because of the highly accurate performance our customers require from our products, and the types of industry within which they operate, the quality of each stage of the manufacturing process is critical.
To date, we are delighted with the contribution made by the MecWash equipment.".
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