Parker Hannifin, a leading manufacturer of hose for pneumatic, hydraulic and fluid applications has recently commissioned a toolroom cleaning oven for the removal of polymer from contaminated extrusion hardware, including die components, filters and associated machine parts.

 

As a result of an expanding product range and increasing throughput tool changes have become more frequent, resulting in a greater demand on toolroom personnel to clean dies during the changeover period. A system was required to reduce the labour content and minimize mechanical damage from manual cleaning operations; Parker Hannifin chose a thermal cleaning oven, Compact Cleaner II, which was purchased from Clayton Thermal Processes Limited and supplied by Schwing Fluid Technik GmbH in Germany.

 

The CCII is a gas-fired tool cleaner with a loading basket 400 mms dia x 570 mms deep, enabling them to clean parts up to 80 kilograms in weight. The unit has an integral afterburner, which means that waste gas emissions comply with all European emission regulations and with a total energy rating of 22 kw it is an inexpensive way to clean tools.

 

The oven is heated with a gas burner so that the majority of the contaminating polymer melts from components and is collected in a water-cooled tray at the bottom of the unit for later reuse or disposal. At higher temperatures, around 450c, the residual polymer is oxidized so that all organics are converted to a waste gas, which then passes through a secondary burner at 850c to enable it to be safely exhausted to atmosphere. Any inorganic material (e.g. filler or colour compounds) in the polymer is easily brushed off the parts after cooling to room temperature. The waste gas from the oven is free from contaminants and can be exhausted without infringing environmental emission regulations.

 

Mick Naden of Parker Hannifin states that the installation of the system has improved the cleaning efficiency, reduced tool change times, and as a result has improved product quality with the added bonus of improving tool life.

 

Clayton Thermal Processes Ltd markets a full range of thermal cleaning and heat treatment equipment including fluidised beds, ovens and vacuum pyrolisis furnaces as well as offering a contract cleaning and heat treatment service from its works in the West Midlands.