Customer: Manufacturer of various types of bearings
Item to Clean: Bearing fingers
Contamination: Oil, coolant, and lube
Process Parameters: Wash, rinse, regenerative blowoff
Cleanliness Required: Visually clean, spot-free (dependent upon water quality)
Dryness Required: 100% dry
Production Rate: 88 parts per minute
Machine Type: Aquamaster CD-1800E (Rotary Drum)
Customer Background
The customer is a manufacturer of bearings and bearing parts for the automotive (OEM and aftermarket) and industrial machinery (OEM and aftermarket) industries. In addition to standard material bearings, they also specialize in hybrid ceramic bearings, special environment bearings, and bearings with specialty coatings.
Challenge
The customer was seeking a cleaning system for small bearing fingers (1-5/8” x 5/8” x 11/16”) to remove oil, coolant, and lube left over from the manufacturing process. They need to clean 88 parts per minute. The bearing fingers must be visually clean, and they prefer a spot-free finished appearance, dependent upon water quality.
Solution
Alliance provided an Aquamaster CD-1800E rotary drum industrial parts washer with wash, rinse, and regenerative blowoff stages. The system includes a perforated drum measuring 18” in diameter and 8’ long, with solid welded staggered flights to convey product through the machine. Stainless steel kicker bars aid in turning over parts during drum rotation. Drum speed is controlled by an inverter inside the electrical panel. Two air knives are used in the regenerative blowoff stage to remove moisture. An exhaust fan system is included with a condensation drain to direct moisture back into the wash module. Also included is an optional belt-type oil skimmer to remove oils from the recirculated solution which prolongs its life. De-ionized or a high-quality rinse water is recommended to ensure parts exit spot-free.
