Product category:
Cleaning media and cleaning systems
News Release from: Wheelabrator Group | Subject: Wheel blast machine at Scunthorpe
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 11 January 2008
Wheel shot blast plant completes over
27,000h
A 13-year-old wheel shot blast machine has completed more than 27,000 'blast hours' and is still proving its worth at a customer's steel plant said the manufacturer.
A thirteen-year-old wheel blast machine having achieved more than 27,000 blast hours is still 'proving its worth' at a UK customer's steel plant in Scunthorpe, said Wheelabrator The eight-wheel roller conveyer blast machine (with pre-heat, paint equipment and drying oven) from the Wheelabrator Group was originally installed back in 1995
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 26 Apr 2005 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Conveyorised blast cleaner ups switches' quality
Roller conveyor blast cleaning machine at a UK manufacturer of manganese steel railway switches and crossings is to increase output and achieve the finish demanded by its international customers.
Equipment added to finish more turbochargers
New surface preparation and finishing equipment will allow a turbocharger manufacturer to carry out a complete cleaning, peening, washing and vibratory finishing processes.
Wheelabrator told manufacturingtalk that 'The blast machine still looks and performs like new thanks to regular servicing by the company's after market support division, Wheelabrator Plus'.
The after market support service ensures the machine's consistent operating efficiency, high quality finish and its continued ability to meet and exceed the customer's production targets.
Used to shot blast steel plates, mainly destined for shipbuilding, the machine is situated in the customer's structural workshop and plays a key part in preparing the material for painting.
Further reading
Rotational spray washing gets into crevices
A range of aqueous machines specially designed for metal part washing, degreasing and drying in small to medium batches uses a rotational spray washing technique, capable of penetrating dense loads.
Equipment for decontaminating nuclear materials
Leading surface preparation and finishing specialist Wheelabrator has been awarded a contract to supply equipment for decontaminating materials at one of Europe's nuclear facilities.
'Entry level' air blast machines introduced
Surface preparation and finishing equipment specialist has launched a new range of seven economically priced, entry level machines - including air, shot and suction blast technology.
It is estimated that the machine has processed in the region of 468,000 plates weighing 910,000 tonnes since it was installed, including 36,000 plates weighing 70,000 tonnes in the last year alone.
General service manager, Wheelabrator Plus UK at Wheelabrator Group, Ray Parsons, said: " Without a regular weekly service 'down day', it is very unusual for a wheel blast machine to be going strong after this length of time.
Usually a lack of maintenance means their naturally self-destructive process leads to inefficiencies, poor performance and major problems occurring prematurely".
He explained: "A robust service regime over the past 13 years has avoided this and limited our customer's down time.
We were happy to work closely with the customer to develop a service plan which would ensure the machine remains at its optimum performance levels at times which were convenient".
The customer runs a 20-shift per week work pattern with Wheelabrator Group carrying out routine checks on the 21st shift to identify worn parts and inspect critical items.
Parsons said that Wheelabrator visit each week using the same team of engineers to provide the customer with a consistent level of service and so understand any problems that may have occurred between other service days.
He added: "This is a prime example of what can be achieved by working with the customer and establishing a programme of regular machine servicing.
We're delighted to be helping keep the machinery operating at its optimum production efficiency, ensuring the customer continues to reach its output targets with minimal downtime at an achievable cost without compromising product quality.
All these benefits can be passed on to the customers' customer with a better product, delivered on time".
* About Wheelabrator - Wheelabrator Group is the world-leading manufacturer of surface preparation and finishing equipment.
It owns, designs, manufactures and provides wheelblast, airblast and vibratory mass finishing equipment for surface preparation and cleaning, and serves a variety of sectors, including the aerospace and automotive industries.
Wheelabrator Plus is the aftermarket division of Wheelabrator Group and offers an extensive range of equipment support services, including training, maintenance, service, parts, consumables, polyurethane fixtures and masking, plus media supplies for blasting, vibratory finishing and washing. Request a free brochure from Wheelabrator Group ...
• Wheelabrator Group: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Manufacturingtalk email newsletter
• Manufacturingtalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
