Introduction
Ultrawave, manufacturer of ultrasonic cleaning equipment, have designed and supplied an ultrasonic cleaning system to Terex Trucks, cutting processing times in half while also delivering improved cleaning results.
Based in Motherwell, Terex Trucks manufacture off-highway rigid and articulated haulage trucks used in mining and quarrying applications.
Challenges
The cleaning of heavy brake and differential components is a key element of Terex’s manufacturing process. Previously rotary spray washers were used to clean these parts which can become damaged, causing rejects, if any contamination remains during production.
The existing spray wash system cleaned the external surface of components but did not remove oil and casting residue from the intricate and detailed component design. The spray wash system was unable to access these sections, leaving contamination in place, reducing throughput and affecting productivity.
The Solution
Understanding the detailed requirements of the Terex manufacturing process, Ultrawave recommended a single, heavy duty ultrasonic cleaning system to replace the three rotary washers.
The 615 Litre ultrasonic cleaner included a heavy duty basket to support the parts weighing up to 150Kg. Incorporating a built-in stainless steel pump and filtration system with a hinged lid, ultrasonic cleaning is provided by submersible transducers for ease of service.
Results
As soon as the ultrasonic cleaner was installed, Terex immediately started to make savings on their previous contract costs which reached tens of thousands per year.
Not only were operating costs saved but the capacity and speed of cleaning the components has increased. The cleaning cycle time has been cut in half, with a full load now processed in just 8 minutes.
Craig McSpadyen Senior Manufacturing Engineer at Terex Trucks said: “We are extremely pleased with the performance of the Ultrawave ultrasonic system which cleans our components and brakes to a far higher level than before.”
“The system is user friendly in operation and takes significantly less processing time, leading to many benefits in production efficiency and cost savings.”
Find out more about Ultrawave Ultrasonic Cleaning for the Automotive Industry here.