Customer Background
Customer is a global leader in automotive safety products, supplying over 40 major vehicle manufacturers. This manufacturer produces systems for braking, steering, suspension, and occupant safety systems such as airbags and seat belts.
Challenge
The customer needed a process for cleaning rack pistons contaminated with cutting oil and grinding residue. The production rate criterion was one part needed to be cleaned on the parts washer every 20 seconds and meet strict cleanliness specifications. The customer preferred parts to be dry or as dry as possible upon exit.
Solution
Alliance provided an effective and efficient process for cleaning rack pistons with the Aquamaster CB-600E rack piston parts washing system which consisted of wash, rinse, and ambient blowoff zones. A 6” wide conveyor belt with ½”x1” mesh has added adjustable product guides alongside the belt to limit product movement. Spray nozzles are positioned above, below, and to the sides of the conveyor in both the wash and rinse zones. In the ambient blowoff zone, high-velocity air knives surrounding the conveyor strip moisture from parts. Sound-dampening options including a blower shroud and sound hood at the exit end of the machine were added to keep the noise level of the machine low. Other options added included an exhaust fan system, micro-filtration with contamination sensor in the wash and rinse zones, product sensors at the load and unload ends, and an oil coalescing system to extend the life of the wash solution. Pump and heating capacity was also increased. Overall dimensions of the rack piston cleaning system are 11’9” long x 5’1” wide x 4’11” high. Industrial parts washers from Alliance are ideal for meeting strict cleanliness requirements such as this.
