PRE-TREATMENT , SURFACE PREPARATION , DEGREASING & CLEANING
MecWash continues innovation with MWX to advance efficiency and performance
MecWash has continued its mission to improve the efficiency and performance of its industry-leading machines , with continued innovation now delivering the ultimate machine .
The MWX product portfolio is the culmination of 20 years of evolutionary changes to machine design , resulting in improved usability , performance , and efficiency .
John Pattison , managing director of MecWash Systems , says : “ There ’ s an extensive range of updates that we ’ ve made to our latest core system , the MWX400 , which has replaced the much loved and ubiquitous Midi system . We ’ ve taken a ‘ Porsche 911 ’ approach in evolving the design over 20 years , now rolling out a redesigned system that incorporates substantial advances in washing technology .”
The process now comprises of improved ultrasonic washing , flood washing , spray washing , ultrasonic rinsing , flood rinsing , spray rinsing , hot air drying and vacuum drying , explains John : “ The layout of the process chamber in our older machines restricted us , as the chamber wasn ’ t able to focus spray jets on the front and rear of components , meaning that when the washed component rotates , an area could be missed . Now , we have incorporated spray manifolds at both ends of the process chamber , facilitating total spray coverage .
“ The new system also enables doubled ultrasonic power , compared to earlier variants , with the process chamber designed to hold four ultrasonic rods , which can be single or mixed frequency , depending on the contamination targeted ."
A key area of improvement in the systems is the configuration of machine components , to make maintenance simpler and more efficient . The latest layout mounts the pumps and heaters to the top of the solution tanks , meaning that machine maintenance is easier . For example , a heater change now has a turnaround of 30 minutes rather than four hours , as there is no longer the requirement to drain , refill and reheat the tank .
“ The drainage of the rinse tank can now be completed much quicker through a wider outlet , so this process is far more efficient than it was previously ,” Pattison says .
The MWX400 has been shipped to various companies who are all looking for higher wash quality in an industry that is raising the bar for finer tolerances and surface finish of machined components .
Andy Carnell , Project Manager at Swiftool , said of their MWX system last year : “ Our existing washing system was not cleaning well enough . We needed to surpass the standards that not only we expected , but what our clients demanded .”
The MWX400 ensures parts are free from contamination before they reach the assembly line , where even the smallest levels of contamination can have significant long-term effects on reliability and performance .
Mike Gandy , Senior Manufacturing Engineer at HUSCO , said : “ All of our parts must be free from contamination before they reach the assembly line when even the smallest levels of contamination can have significant long-term effects . The MecWash machines are renowned within the hydraulic industry for achieving high cleanliness which is the main reason we continue to invest in MecWash technology .”
Other improvements include an integrated bund with a flood warning sensor as standard , a common requirement in many modern factories .
Another crucial enhancement is the integration of technology . The system is wired using Profinet and I / O link modules , and includes an integrated eWon router . This enables remote access capable of diagnostics and enhancements at granular level , including reprogramming an individual sensor .
MecWash , based in Tewkesbury , is one of the world ’ s leading designers and manufacturers of aqueous parts cleaning and degreasing systems for metal and plastic engineering components within the automotive , aerospace , fluid power , precision engineering and medical industries .
Building in new intelligent sensing , the company has created a specialist data collection and management process which is now included as standard in MecWash cleaning systems . These bespoke parts facilitate remote servicing , condition monitoring , fault diagnosis , maintenance and management of MecWash cleaning systems .
Telephone : + 44 ( 0 ) 1684 271600 Email : enquire @ MecWash . co . uk Visit : www . mecwash . com
60 MARCH 2021 twitter : @ surfaceworldmag