TMD Selects 1000SRK Cleaning System from ACS

TMD Technologies has selected a ph-Cleantec 1000SRK universal low-pressure cleaning system from Air Cleaning Systems (ACS) to clean three recently acquired Haas machining centres. In September 2010, TMD bought two Haas VF2s and a VF4 machining centre to increase productivity and research and development work in the machine shop while reducing subcontracting costs. To ensure its machine tools remain oil free and in as-new condition, the company selected the ph-Cleantec 1000SRK from ACS.

'The issue of potential oil, waste and residue affecting our testing departments as a consequence of the machine tools was a matter of urgency,' said Dave Casey, production machine shop manager at TMD. The company bought the cleaning system in March 2011. As a company that operates highly sensitive equipment in the manufacture of microwave tubes, high-voltage power supplies and transmitters for radar, EW, communications and other laboratory applications, cleanliness is a prerequisite. Casey added: 'The first benefit we noted with the Cleantec unit was how easily it thoroughly cleaned our machine tools.

'We used to have a clean down each week. 'Where we used to use oily rags to clean, we now use the aqueous cleaning system and it saves us more than five hours of cleaning time each week for each of the five staff in the machine shop. 'A machining centre can be thoroughly cleaned in 30 minutes and it used to take most of the day. 'We just wheel the mobile unit to each machine and plug it in. 'This ease of use and the time reduction actually gives our staff an incentive to clean,' he added. The ease of use is highlighted by the ability of the Cleantec to use coolant from the machine tool, eliminating the requirement for a bulky sump unit.

The 1000SRK has a hose that can be put into the machine sump, so machine coolant can be heated and used as the cleaning fluid. In the case of TMD, the company uses a small barrel of coolant for the cleaning; this serves the purpose of topping up the coolant supply while cleaning. As a department that mostly machines aluminium casings and copper components for the company's core products, the processed swarf is of considerable value. Prior to the introduction of the low-pressure cleaning unit, which operates at 3 to 7.5 bar with water or machine coolant heated to 95C, swarf would be blown from the work envelope into the swarf conveyor, which would then transfer the swarf to a bin outside the machine.

The swarf would be contaminated by the material from a previous job, reducing the value of the waste material. Now, the company can rapidly clean the machine after each job. This completely separates the swarf, increasing the value of the waste. By washing the oily residue from the swarf and keeping the machining centres clean, the ph-Cleantec unit restricts bacteria levels in the coolant and improves sump life. Casey said: 'By removing coolant from our waste swarf and keeping the machine tool clean we are saving at least 20 per cent on coolant costs per machine.

'Over a 12-month period, this will amount to more than GBP2,000 per machine. 'With only three CNCs, we will save more than GBP6,000 each year. 'So, the ph-Cleantec will pay for itself in 12 months,' Casey added. Casey also believes that the ph-Cleantec system will improve the service life of the machine tool, bringing additional cost benefits.

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