Feature on Grinding and Surface Finishing

Europe’s largest blast and ultrasonic test site

Guyson has opened its new blast finishing and ultrasonic cleaning, testing and demonstration facility. The company says this state-of-the-art space establishes Guyson as home to Europe’s largest facility dedicated to blast finishing and ultrasonic cleaning. It marks the culmination of an ambitious six-month project that began with the renovation of Guyson’s stock area. The installation of vertical storage solutions freed up valuable floor space, enabling the construction of the new facility.

The space includes a dedicated media room, a demonstration leader office, an expansive blasting room and a dedicated clean room for ultrasonic cleaning. Machines now available for testing include Formula 1600, Euroblast 8, Euroblast 10, T50 Tumbleblast, RSB and RB10 blast machines, as well as Microsolve 250M, Microsolve 450C, KS tanks and GUK benchtop ultrasonic baths.

To celebrate the milestone, Guyson had the pleasure of hosting several distributors from across mainland Europe. Over three days, attendees engaged in intensive product training, designed to deepen their expertise in Guyson’s blast finishing and ultrasonic cleaning technologies. These sessions helped to empower visitors with the skills and knowledge required to become true specialists in Guyson’s equipment.

The training covered a range of essential topics, including ultrasonic equipment theory and operation, blast equipment theory and operation, the importance and application of different blast media, and a review of key blasting principles and techniques. By incorporating physical demonstrations and hands-on practical sessions, attendees gained invaluable insight.

More information www.guyson.co.uk

RK and DCM Tech in special relationship

RK International Machine Tools is entering a special relationship with US-based machine tool manufacturer DCM Tech that will bring the latter’s surface grinding machines to the UK and Irish markets.

DCM Tech is renowned for its IG series surface grinders, which offer features such as a user-friendly interface, variable speed spindle and table control, automatic down feed, automatic part detection, and a closed-loop coolant filtration system. Built across two control platforms, the IG 80 series provides the basics for rotary table surface grinding. Enhancements on the IG 82 series include additional grinding options such as regrind and continuous grind, along with servo precision-controlled X and Z axes with home positioning.


IG 82 series machines are available with auto-dressing capability featuring selectable dress frequency. These grinders also come ‘robot ready’, offering integration with third-party robotic arms for a fully automated loading and unloading processes. The IG range provides capacities to 1220 mm diameter rotary table with a maximum swing of 1320 mm diameter.

Jennifer Rutz, president of DCM Tech Inc, says: “We’re excited to collaborate with RK International Machine Tools and expand our surface grinding technology presence in the UK and Ireland. RK International’s experience and commitment to customer satisfaction align perfectly with our values. We believe this alliance will benefit UK customers significantly, offering cutting-edge solutions for their grinding needs.”

RK International’s team of factory-trained technical specialists will provide support services, including installation, maintenance and training, ensuring that customers can maximise the performance and longevity of their DCM Tech machines.

More information www.rk-int.com

Ecoclean adds EcoCcompact L and XL size

Ecoclean is adding L and XL model variants to its EcoCcompact family of industrial parts cleaning systems. The new product family with three working chamber sizes and batch weights of up to 150 kg enables a capacity and cleaning performance that adapt precisely to company-specific requirements. Sophisticated equipment details, an effective washing mechanism and high energy efficiency keep cleaning unit costs low, reports Ecoclean. In addition, it is possible to convert the compact plug and play solvent systems from hydrocarbon to modified alcohol as necessary.

The two new solvent systems have working chambers with diameters of 650 (L) and 750 mm (XL), enabling batch sizes of 650 x 470 x 300 mm in the L version and 650 x 470 x 400 mm in the XL version. Frequency-controlled flood pumps ensure fast filling and emptying of the working chamber. During standard injection flood washing, the pumps generate a high mechanical cleaning effect that can take advantage of support from an optional frequency-controlled rotary drive for fabric rotation and positioning. Adapted to the cleanliness requirements, the systems can also feature all available process technologies for solvent cleaning, such as ultrasound and PPC.

The increased distillate output of up to 180 l/h and continuous oil discharge as standard also contribute to the high capacity and performance of the L and XL versions. In addition, the vertical integration of the flood tanks reduces sump formation and prevents dirt pockets from forming. The result is longer bath service life and a reduction in operating costs.

More information www.ecoclean-group.net

Second MecWash MWX400 for Vixen CNC

After purchasing a MWX400 system in 2020, Vixen CNC experienced such an improvement in cleaning efficiency that the company ordered another system for its factory in Snowdonia. Vixen CNC has seen a significant increase in demand for its services over recent years. The company needed the additional machine due to its use of both ferrous and non-ferrous metals – and the different process requirements of the two applications.

Jake Wood, managing director of Vixen CNC, says: “The MWX400 systems have transformed the washing capability and overall productivity at our factory. The communication and servicing from MecWash have been excellent, which combined with the effectiveness of the cleaning, made the decision of investing in a second machine a simple one.”

He continues: “We replaced a tunnel wash system with two MecWash MWX400 machines. Each machine uses a specific cleaning process, one for ferrous metal and the other for non-ferrous metals. The initial MecWash MWX400 system in 2020 considerably decreased our manual drying requirements, which had been both costly and time consuming. Overall, the MecWash systems have provided superior cleaning results, in faster time – and all with reduced manpower.”

The process starts with powerful ultrasonics, which are essential to clean the intricate shapes and blind holes of oil, swarf and fine particles. MecWash MWX systems boasts four ultrasonic rod transducers with single or mixed frequency (25 and 40 kHz). The ultrasonics create large amounts of localised cleaning energy, dislodging any contamination. After the wash stage, the components are rinsed, firstly with an ultrasonics stage, followed by flood and spray rinses, resulting in a polished finish.

More information www.mecwash.com

Keep it clean with new filtration technology 

Now available from Vollmer is the new VFS 400 filtration system, which simultaneously enables the ultra-fine filtration of cooling oil or dielectric fluid from up to two of the company’s sharpening machines for circular saws, or to a VHybrid 260 grinding and erosion machine.

The purity of cooling oil or dielectric fluid is critical in the manufacture of cutting tools. It enhances the sharpness of the cutting edges on drills, milling cutters and reamers, while improving precision and surface finish. Furthermore, well-maintained fluid quality prolongs the service life of the machine and its peripheral equipment.

The VFS 400 can filter out particles up to 5 µm in size. It pumps contaminated cooling oil or dielectric fluid out of the sharpening machine before feeding into the dirt tank via a pre-filter. The reusable pre-filter ensures the main filter enjoys an especially long operating life. A filter pump feeds the cooling oil from the dirt tank to the ultra-fine filtration system. Solids are separated from the liquid in two or optionally four filter units with small filter elements, where each element has a waste capacity of around 3.5 kg.

The clean tank can optionally feature a cooling system to set the oil or dielectric fluid to the optimal operating temperature. The filtration capacity when running with two filters is 50 l/min, while with four filters it is 100 l/min. VFS 400 systems have a drainage outlet opening and a fill level indicator with automatic fill level monitoring that simplifies maintenance. In addition, the flow rate indicator reports any necessary filter changes are reported to the user.

More information www.vollmer-group.com