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Cleaning and Pretreatment Zone > Articles > Mechanical Cleaning
Cleaning and Pretreatment Zone articles from Process Cleaning are selected and categorized by application for quick reference:
Passion for Paint: A look at Orange County Choppers? in-house finishing process 07/01/09
Since the debut of the American Chopper television series in 2003, fans of the show have watched Paul Teutul Sr., his sons Paul Jr. and Mike, and the crew at Orange County Choppers (OCC; Newburgh, NY) build dozens of over-the-top custom bikes for companies and individuals. What viewers have not seen is manufacturing of OCC’s “production” motorcycles, which account for the bulk of the business founded by Teutul Sr. in 1999. The company employs approximately 70 people?more than 30 in production, with three of those currently dedicated to paint?and recently moved to a new facility totaling nearly 100,000 ft2 to enable expansion of its production motorcycle operations. According to operations manager Henry Kroll, OCC manufactures about 150 “production” bikes per year, with price tags starting at less than $30,000 and heading north from there depending on the level of customization the buyer wants. Of course, even OCC’s production bikes are far more involved in terms of paint and customization than mass-produced machines. “In terms of customization, anything goes?chrome, paint, special fabrication?anything’s possible,” Kroll says. Lead painter Robb Ortel, who handles airbrush duties and is responsible for OCC’s overall paint process, puts it another way: “For a lot of people, the paint is the first thing you see on a bike and the last thing you remember,” he says. “We’re trying to step it up a notch and make the production bikes more custom?not just one or two colors, but some airbrushing and graphics. “We’re the best of the best, and we want to show that. What we can do is only limited by the customer’s imagination and budget.” According to Kroll, paint had long been a bottleneck in OCC’s manufacturing process. “Our timelines are tight,” he explains. “We’re pretty demanding on turnaround times. Especially on the TV bikes, parts change all the time. Sometimes they change even after they’ve been painted, and they have to be re-done on short notice.” Improved control over delivery and quality are two of the main reasons the company wanted to bring all paint processes in-house, a transition that began in a previous building and accelerated when OCC moved to its new digs last spring. Now all motorcycles, whether for the TV show or for production, are painted in-house.
Natural Selection: Choosing Mass Finishing Media and Compounds 06/01/09
Because mass finishing is often the final step before parts are packaged and shipped to your customer, attention to detail is important. Of special significance is the choice of media and compound used. This article will look at each, with an emphasis on recent advances in technology that can drastically improve mass finishing productivity by promoting a synergistic relationship between media and compound.
Combine Technologies for Six Sigma Results 04/01/09
Achieving Six Sigma consistency with respect to high production parts cleaning is a difficult task, but combining spray and ultrasonic technologies can provide the desired results.
New Approach to Internal Deburring and Cleaning 02/01/09
A patented process for rapidly cleaning and deburring complex internal passages in castings and other components is being marketed by Hammond Roto-Finish (Kalamazoo, MI). In simple terms, the process uses two or more opposing blast nozzles to impart reflective, random energy to the blast media at a chosen area inside the part. It's said to be much more effective and much faster than conventional internal blasting.
How Clean is Clean? 03/01/08
How clean is clean enough? This is a perennial question and one that is being readdressed with renewed urgency given cost, performance and supply chain issues. Knowing the best answer for your parts is critical to quality and to the survival of your business.
Safe Surface Treatment 01/01/08
An abrasive blasting process that combines water with glass bead media is said to provide closed-loop cleaning and surface finishing of a variety of substrates.
Surface Treatment for Medical Parts 07/01/07
Micro-abrasive blasting can quickly and accurately deburr small parts used in medical device manufacturing using micron-sized particles of high-grade abrasives propelled out of a small nozzle tip at high velocity to clean, cut, deburr and texture a variety of surfaces.
Safer Blast Cleaning 02/01/07
Dry ice blasting is a highly effective and mess-free cleaning method that eliminates the need to disassemble or move machinery before cleaning and does not alter surfaces being cleaned.
Take 'Em for a Spin 02/01/07
Small-scale centrifugal disc finishing equipment is potentially a compact, easy to use solution for automated deburring of small parts.
Quality Finishing: Finishing is a Blast! 05/01/03
Anoplate offers some advice and some things to think about when doing abrasive blasting...
Cleaning Systems 03/01/01
Mechanical finishing technology whether used for finishing or preparation is somewhat of an orphan industry that relies almost solely on the practices of each company using the technology. Some common processes are self-explanatory; however, there are some that warrant some form of standardization…
So, You Want to Try Abrasive Blasting 09/01/99
Here are some questions to ask before you buy...
A Blasting Challenge 04/01/97
Users of abrasive blasting technology have a number of media and equipment choices. Is there one product that can do it all?...
Full Service Cleaning, Stripping and Powder Coating 09/01/96
Vance Darlage was set for life. He worked in the family agricultural business, made a decent living, started a family and planned to "grow old" in his hometown of Seymour, Indiana (pop. 15,576). However, this enterprising young man was not content to simply follow the road map placed before him...
Giving Customers a Competitive Edge 07/01/96
The Metalworking Group installed a powder coating line so it could offer its customers a one-stop metalworking shop...
A Big Picture Approach to Sustainability for Manufacturers 12/30/99
Sustainability is now a mainstream issue for all industries. Though perhaps most notable, greenhouse gas emission reduction should not be the only sustainability goal for manufacturers.
A Deluxe Self-Performed Cleaning Audit 12/30/99
Unanticipated cleaning costs threaten pro fits by accumulating overhead. Proactive manufacturers should perform a self-imposed, internal audit of maintenance procedures. The goal is to troubleshoot problem areas before they show up on a cost sheet. Understanding the difference between “purchasing cost” and “lifetime cost” of cleaning technology is the key to a successful audit. The unforeseen costs beyond a cleaning regimen’s sticker price will be targeted for elimination. In many cases, the choice with the lowest price to purchase will not end up being the most economical to own and implement.
Added Value with Optimized Cleaning Processes: Improve Quality and Reduce Costs 12/30/99
Quality awareness for parts cleaning is frequently not well developed. However, requirements-oriented cleaning makes a significant contribution to increasing product quality and economy.
Blast Cleaning Revved-Up At Detroit Diesel 12/30/99
Engineers at Detroit Diesel’s remanufacturing plant in Tooele, UT, decided they had to make some changes in the blast cleaning operations for turbochargers. The work was being done using six manual blast cabinets because the precision turbocharger components need selective blasting to remove heavy deposits from dirty areas without damage to bearing areas, sealing surfaces, threads and other details. Workers in the hand blast area had to develop skillful technique and pay close attention to produce satisfactory results, and the repetitive motions made it an unpopular assignment. Besides the fact that hand blasting was too slow and labor-intensive, it also allowed too many opportunities for variation in the quality of the work. To justify the purchase of an automatic blast system, one machine needed to be capable of processing all of the different turbine wheels, plates, covers and housings for several different standard sizes of turbochargers. Systems supplier Guyson Corp. (Saratoga Springs, NY) quickly presented photographs and other documentation from several different automatic blast systems the company designed and built for turbocharger manufacturers, and Guyson wasted no time in scheduling an onsite consultation to review details of Detroit Diesel’s blast cleaning requirements.
Boosting Air-Blasting Efficiencies 12/30/99
Because blasting productivity depends on numerous variables, including media size and type, operating pressure, nozzle-to-part distance, impact angles, etc., the right approach sometimes escapes formulation.
Cleaning Quality and Economy—Depending upon the Cleaning Agent 12/30/99
Parts cleaning is an essential part of the manufacturing process in nearly all modern industrial operations. Just how effective and economical this process step is depends to a great extent upon the cleaning agent used.
Effective Alternatives to Traditional Spray and Immersion Cleaning Processes 12/30/99
Many advanced assemblies require high-volume and cost-effective selective cleaning during various stages of assembly or rework operations. Due to component compatibility problems and drying challenges, partially assembled devices can't be immersed in or sprayed with aqueous cleaners or solvents. Advanced carbon dioxide composite sprays entrained in CDA(g) cleaning have shown to be an effective alternative to traditional spray and immersion cleaning processes.
Effective Cleaning Methods and Best Practices of Synthetic Industrial Diamond 12/30/99
When using processed micron and sub-micron particles, cleanliness starts with the base material. It is vital to determine what is on the particle surface and in what quantities in order to obtain extensive production runs, lower defects, and ultimately pr
Five Ways to Improve Your Business' Operations 12/30/99
Keep your business' operations free and clear of mishaps and messes through these five ways to improve your project management.
How to Develop a Safety Culture vs. A Safety Program 12/30/99
Safety should never be viewed as a business risk or cost. In fact, upon developing the best standards for your workplace, a safety culture should be a risk free and profitable venture.
Lean Implementation Failure Reason 1: Forgetting the Customer 12/30/99
Lean manufacturing provides a variety of tools and principles that can be applied to a business to help achieve optimal cost, quality and delivery. The principles of lean manufacturing can truly help your business continue to play competitively by operating within a framework of continuous improvement. Do you know why this is important? Your competitors do.
Precision Cleaning and Machining with Minimal Waste and Increased Profitability 12/30/99
In an era of intense global competition with unbalanced labor costs, managers must have the skills necessary to identify and eliminate various manufacturing waste in their operations to improve business profitability. Numerous educational resources are available to manufacturers that teach the methods for the identification and financial accounting of manufacturing waste. This article introduces manufacturing managers to Carbon Dioxide (CO2) technology as a tool for improving the performance of production cleaning, assembly processes and machining operations while eliminating operational and resource waste. CO2 technology prevents or eliminates waste at the source by modifying cleaning, assembly and machining processes using clean and green chemistry, unique tool and process implementations. CO2 technology is a clean and lean manufacturing tool that increases both productibility and profitability.
Safety Program Cost Reduction Documentation: What to Ask For and Why 12/30/99
When safety directors, procurement specialists and production management work together to introduce and implement a new safety program, the best changes are made. Bridge the gap by developing an integrated relationship between safety, purchasing, manufact
Soda Blast Cleaning: Growing Into a Big Industry 12/30/99
Soda blast is a great alternative media for blast cleaning as it breaks up on contact with the surface being blasted, and does not work deeper than the substrate surface itself.
The Bug and the Slurry— Bacterial Control in Aqueous Products 12/30/99
How a synergy of corporate teamwork, quality control and customer relationships played a critical role in crisis management for a manufacturer of computer data storage disks.
The Dow Chemical Company Selects Surface Prep to Save Total Costs 12/30/99
When faced with the risk of coating failure in one of their manufacturing lines, The Dow Chemical Company turned to Lake Painting and the Spong-Jet Silver Sponge Media™ abrasive for help.
A Common Sense Approach to Separations and Filtration When Oil and Solids Are Present 12/30/99
Learn easy yet effective ways that you can improve the filtration systems in your company to save you time, money and effort.
Beyond Expectations: Blast Cleaning Equipment Provides More than Just a Bright Finish 12/30/99
Stoughton Steel's MetFin Series V, Model 4001 Mesh Belt Blast System delivered better than expected ROI.
Blue Rhino Is Happy Now 12/30/99
Propane cylinder exchange company chooses ACE burn off oven to keep its paint racks clean.
Choosing a New Cleaning Product Based on Environmental, Health and Safety Issues 12/30/99
Performance of an alternative is not the only selection criterion that needs to be addressed when looking for a new cleaning product. The determination of a product's overall risk is based on five environmental indicators: volatile organic content, global
Cleaner Selection Simplified 12/30/99
Learn nine steps to maximize production value while optimizing and simplifying the cleaning system selection and implementation process.
Cleaning Automotive Plastic Parts Effectively Before Painting Using CO2 Snow Instead of a Power Washer 12/30/99
The environmentally-friendly CO2 snow-jet technique is a dry process which removes particulate and filmy contamination without leaving any residues. This method is especially advantageous when cleaning complex parts as it is able to reach areas which are
Cleaning Parts in the Remanufacturing Process 12/30/99
When purchasing a new parts cleaning system, careful research and planning in the design of the system can save both money and hours of unpleasant labor.
Cleaning with CO2 Snow Before Laser Welding: Cleanliness Gives the Best Connections 12/30/99
The snow-jet cleaning process removes solid and filmy contamination through a combination of mechanical, chemical and thermal effects in a dry cleaning process without leaving any residues.
Customized Cleaning Lines: One Giant Step for Superior Cleaning 12/30/99
A well designed cleaning line customized to the user's requirements can function successfully for years to come and may even evolve with the business model.
Deburring by Water Jet 12/30/99
The added value of reduced rework and increased longevity of components by using a thoroughwashing or deburring system versus an ordinary wash station can be dramatic.
Dry Chamber Flash Evaporation Technology: Helping to Reduce Operating Costs 12/30/99
Thermo-oxidizer "dry chamber flash" evaporator technology is designed to remove the water component entirely, leaving a dry ash residue, thereby destroying VOCs and disposing of waste oil.
Dry Ice Blasting: An Alternative to Conventional Cleaning 12/30/99
By replacing conventional cleaning methods with dry ice blast cleaning, companies will strengthen their lean manufacturing efforts by improving their internal processes, productivity and quality while increasing efficiency and reducing waste.
Fabs Will Drive Future of Outsourced Parts Cleaning Marketplace 12/30/99
As fabs demand improved results and reduced costs, the industry will trend toward the consolidation of providers, allowing them to acquire the expertise and geographic coverage that fabs will require.
Flexible Cylinder Honing— Taking on the Big Bores 12/30/99
Whether used for cleaning, de-burring or plateau finishing, the ball-style hone provides a low-temperature abrading process that exposes the undisturbed base metal structure to produce a long wearing surface.
Flying High with the Right Cleaning Process 12/30/99
San Joaquin Helicopters cuts cleaning time in half and waste stripper removal by more than two-thirds with ARMEX®'s blast media.
Going Green: Cleaning and the Environment (Second of Two Parts) 12/30/99
Environmental issues are a rising concern. Know your options when it comes to industrial cleaning so that you continue "Going Green."
Industrial Parts Cleaning Becoming Increasingly Popular 12/30/99
Parts cleaning makes a significant contribution to the added value chain in the manufacture of components. Technical cleanness requirements for workpieces have increased sharply in the last few years and there is no end in sight.
Laser Cleaning Today 12/30/99
Coatings can be removed safely and effectively from a variety of substrates with laser cleaning technology.
Perfecting the Parts Cleaning Process With Ultrasonic Upgrades 12/30/99
The key to successful implementation of ultrasonics on a production scale is testing to determine the appropriate frequency of ultrasonics, the most effective chemistry and temperature and the optimum process steps to assure the cleanliness level required
Powder Coating Plus Serves the Las Vegas Industry with Pressure Island 12/30/99
With the help of EZ Environmental Solutions' Pressure Island wash system, Powder Coating Plus takes on every unique powder coating job.
Sub Micron Cleaning of Microelectronics Devices via Vacuum Cavitational Cleaning Process 12/30/99
An alternative, non-damaging cleaning and drying method for microelectronic devices achieves previously unobtainable sub-micron cleaning and drying performance.
Sustainable SafetySM— Innovation Beyond Nuts and Bolts 12/30/99
Incorporated into the movement to design and rehab as green and sustainable, Sustainable SafetySM will invent a future which protects people and their environments.
Why Ultrasonic Cleaning Systems Fail— And How to Prevent It 12/30/99
Getting the longest life out of your system depends on proper use and maintenance.
Process Cleaning
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