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

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

At the Wroclaw, Poland plant of WHITE, a manufacturer of orbital motors and steering solutions, an S110 internal cylindrical grinding machine from Studer is contributing to higher levels of efficiency in production.

Says Paweł Soćko, senior process engineer at WHITE: “We opted for the S110 because it meets our high requirements in terms of performance and production quality. Thanks to our co-operation with Studer, we can grind components with the highest precision at comparatively low costs.”

At WHITE’s modern plant, which houses around 600 employees, several Studer machines are now in use alongside the new S110, as well as other machines from sister companies in the United Grinding Group. Before deciding on the S110 model, Studer had to determine WHITE’s component requirements, namely the internal grinding of hardened steel sleeves for hydraulic steering systems. It quickly became clear that the S110 was ideal for the component geometry and production requirements.

But that was just the beginning. The Studer team specially configured and adapted the S110 to allow optimal integration into WHITE’s production process.

This task fell within the remit of Cesare Mastroianni, who is responsible for project management at Studer’s internal grinding competence centre in Biel, Switzerland. He says: “The optimisation is based on the specifications, where we define all technical data, component geometry and operational plans.”

Thanks to the optimisation process, the S110 can grind around 350,000 high-quality sleeves per year at the plant in Wroclaw.

“We produce in high volume, which requires the best solutions in the world because we cannot afford any losses due to insufficient precision or fluctuating capacity,” emphasises Soćko. “The Studer S110 meets our requirements perfectly.”

More information www.studer.com

Since 2008, Lippstadt, Germany-based Thyssenkrupp Rothe Erde has received six Dörries Contumat vertical turning and grinding machines from Starrag. Satisfied with the results, this specialist in large-diameter anti-friction bearings for wind turbines has now ordered the same model again, but with modified and optimised features.

Without large-diameter anti-friction bearings and rings from Thyssenkrupp Rothe Erde, many wind turbines would not be turning. These parts see use in the drives of nine out of 10 wind turbine manufacturers worldwide. The finishing of the bearings takes place on seven Dörries Contumat vertical turning and grinding machines, the latest arrival being a larger Dörries Contumat VC 6300/500 MC F.

The portal of the machine is designed to be larger than currently required. Indeed, the newly installed base supports a base table which holds a magnetic chuck with a 5 m diameter. It is possible to extend the base table to 6 m using ring segments, which allows it to support an even larger magnetic chuck. Furthermore, Starrag has installed a new grinding support on the left with a centrally positioned motorised grinding spindle.

Feedback from operating personnel was the impetus for further improvements. For example, Starrag changed the dressing position to eliminate the previous bottleneck to the protective cover. Now, it is easy to dress grinding wheels of all types (on the left and right) up to a diameter of 650 mm.

“It’s a significantly optimised, universal dresser,” states Hubert Erz, senior consultant for sales in the renewables sector at Starrag. “Multiple dressing positions allow operators to adjust the dressing process precisely to the grinding operation.”

More information www.starrag.com