RAMCO Parts Washing for Manufacturing

Parts Washing for Manufacturing

This Case History covers a system built for a manufacturer of wheelchairs. The customer has to remove dirt, cutting fluids and chips from a wide assortment of components including simple and complex tubular sections prior to assembly. Thousands of components are processed per day in batch loads handled in the customers 36″L x 24″W x 24″H wire mesh baskets (see below). The process is wash, rinse and rinse. The line runs left to right. Operator controls are located at the front of each station in Nema 4 enclosures. Each station has an open frame locating support on the transport elevator to fix and properly orient each basket for optimum washing/rinsing. Digital cycle timers and power pneumatic covers are sequenced with the oscillating elevators. Long stroke oscillation (in and out of solution) is used to improve flow in all stations. Each station is fully automatic. The operator simply loads, presses a start button and walks away.

Standard oscillation is used in conjunction with a TurboFilter System in the wash station. The turbo uses a high volume all stainless steel Gusher pump with cast stainless housing. Closed looped manifolds with multiple injectors direct solution to the working zone. The turbo system provides an even flow of high volume solution over, under, around and through components. The flow is adjustable. Ramco turbo systems are proven to accelerate processing time in washing and/or rinsing. The filtration system includes a large stainless steel filter canister with bag element. It is equipped with a stainless steel oil filled pressure gauge.

The application includes SurfaceSweep Oil Removal. SurfaceSweep is a comprehensive method (using a lateral flow sweep header and large overflow dam) for removing floating oils from the surface of the wash station and into a remote quiet tank for separation. The system employed (Model OR8 – above left) incorporates an all stainless steel skimming system designed to trap oil in an offset quiet tank. The quiet tank has its own pump to discharge oil free detergent through a sweep header strategically located in the washing chamber. The reflux of fresh solution creates lateral flow across the surface of the bath. The flow directs surface oil into a large overflow dam built into the opposite wall of the washing chamber. Oil-detergent emulsions separate in the quiet tank and the oil rises to the surface. A two inch wide stainless steel belt skimmer automatically removes the accumulated oil into a separate collection container. SurfaceSweep prevents floating oil from redepositing onto cleaned parts.