Aqueous cleaning machine chosen for refurbishment centre

With the company’s previous aqueous washer, it was awkward to load components as they had to be lowered in from the top. Additionally, larger parts were coming in to be processed which did not fit in the washing machine at all, so it was time for a replacement.

Several different makes of equipment were reviewed, including from the incumbent supplier. The refurbishment centre eventually decided in favour of a Turbex AC 1.7 two-stage industrial cleaning machine in which the load table is able to support up to two tonnes.

Apart from the spray-wash machine’s larger size and greater weight-carrying capacity, the front-loading design makes it easier to handle steel and cast iron bearing housings and other components in and out by overhead crane.

Although the Turbex cleaning solution cost a little more than some on the market, the stainless steel construction of the process chamber and of the rotating spray bars was considered to be superior to others that were considered.

Safety features for protecting the heating system and pump as well as the electrically operated, automatic lifting door were additional positive features. Another useful design point is that the immersion heaters are fitted from the top, so are easy to exchange. The water filter is also simple to replace in a unit at the side of the machine.

Some larger components are placed singly in the Turbex AC 1.7, which has a chamber measuring 1.4m³, while multiple smaller parts can be washed in a single program. Five different cycles, each of which lasts from 20-60 minutes according to the level of contamination, have been stored to suit the components being processed.

Detergent is dosed into the hot water to speed the removal of soils. It is followed by a rinse stage to achieve a high level of cleanliness. At each stage, the liquid is filtered before entering the tank and is then re-circulated. As a footnote, it was pointed out that as the wash cycle is a hot process, it can assist reassembly of refurbished machine parts. Roll shop staff simply allow some components to cool completely while others, due to expansion, are fitted around them more easily if left warm.