Surface World May 2019 Surface World May 2019 | Page 12
INDUSTRY NEWS
Award-winning engine remanufacturer
relies on MecWash Maxi for complete
aqueous cleaning solution
MecWash Systems
of Tewkesbury,
Gloucestershire,
was contacted
by one of its
longstanding
customers, one
of Europe’s largest
independent
engine
remanufacturers
and assemblers,
who supplies
some of the
world’s leading automotive
OEMs. Producing more than
20,000 engines a year, the
UK-based company supplies
OEMs including Jaguar Land
Rover, Ford, Volvo, Aston
Martin and JCB – each with
their own high standards
and expectations.
With demand within the automotive sector for
ever higher cleanliness levels in engineered
components, the company had witnessed the
benefits of MecWash Systems Maxi aqueous
washer at one of its own customers’ UK sites.
This particular OEM had its own very exacting
cleanliness requirements and was using a
MecWash Maxi component cleaning system.
The remanufacturer was able to see that
the MecWash system was far superior to
other options investigated – in particular its
capabilities in terms of capacity, cycle time
and cleanliness standards were all factors
that attracted their attention.
The Maxi is one of MecWash’s ultimate
precision parts and drying systems. It has a
10
MAY 2019
John Pattison, managing
director of MecWash
Systems said the company’s
requirements were not like
most other engineering
companies.
“For a company that is
remanufacturing engines,
selecting washing and
degreasing systems can be
very challenging. The nature
of the business means parts
can be processed in a wide
range of conditions, some with
very heavy or tenacious soiling.
“Components have to be
cleaned before they can start
to be re-manufactured and
then they are cleaned again
further down the process,
often several times” he said. “That requires
a tough cleaning regime.”
large cleaning capacity that can combine
ultrasonics with high flow flood washing,
spray washing, flood rinsing, spray rinsing,
dedicated jetting and vacuum drying.
He added that the automotive reman
sector was not alone in demanding ever
more reduction in particle levels through
industrial washing systems. “Sectors such as
automotive have been demanding increasing
precision in their components in recent years.
As the tolerances reduce, the cleaning
requirements increase correspondingly.”
The combination of capacity and quality
of cleaning and drying was important
for our customer, with its production and
remanufacturing of more than 20,000
engines a year increasing.
The company not only manufactures and
remanufactures drivetrain and transmission
products for OEMs, it also engineers
machined components as a Tier 1 and
Tier 2 supplier, as well as other component
and sub assembly products. It exports
75 per cent of these abroad.
The cleaning is particularly important in
the remanufacturing of engines where the
company salvages approximately 85 per
cent of the material from the exchange
unit to build a remanufactured product.
The remanufacturing process means that all
products without exception must be cleaned
and degreased to the very highest standards.
Their own customers are demanding
maximum particle levels of under 500
microns and this is becoming an industry
standard. Being able to achieve, or ideally
beat this standard requires a robust cleaning
system, and that’s where the Maxi comes in.
“Most OEMs are requiring maximum particle
sizes of 500 microns for general components
and often much less for fuel, oil or hydraulic
circuits. Up until a decade ago that could
have been 1,000 microns and few customers
would have checked rigorously anyway.
Now regular Millipore particle testing is
ubiquitous. So you can see how acquiring
superior cleaning technology, like the Maxi,
has been critical to many businesses.
“A combination of good technology, a good
cleaning regime and washing chemicals –
where our in-house laboratory develops bespoke
detergents for clients’ needs – will mean an
effective result is achieved. The MecWash Maxi is
always tailored to a customer’s exact demands
with bespoke options.”
Telephone: +44 (0) 1684 271600
Email: [email protected]
Visit: www.mecwash.co.uk
read online: www.surfaceworld.com