MecWash Systems create some of the world’s most sophisticated industrial parts washers for manufacturers requiring precision cleaning. Addmore Engineering Ltd contacted MecWash with the exacting requirements of cleaning specialist metals and plastics for its factory in Bedfordshire. After close consultation with MecWash sales manager Paul Jarratt, Addmore Engineering purchased a refurbished MecWash Duo 400 which increased the productivity of the business and reduced costs, while managing the capital investment required.
Ben Vasquez, managing director of Addmore Engineering, comments: “We have 25 CNC turning machines and 14 CNC milling machines in our factory. We are a family run business with over 40 years’ experience supplying precision components to some of the biggest manufacturers across the aerospace, automotive, medical, electronic, and hydraulics sectors.
The MecWash Duo 400 in situ at the Addmore Engineering factory with managing director, Ben Vasquez
“The experience MecWash has of working with companies from the highest level of manufacturing was a big factor in our decision to choose the Duo 400. We work with a variety of materials including super alloys such as inconel, hastelloy, stainless steel, titanium and specialist plastics which are traditionally very challenging to clean. The Duo cleans these materials with ease, is substantially cheaper to run and maintain than the previous solvent system and consistently achieves superior results in much less time.
“The purchase of the MecWash Duo reaffirms Addmore Engineering’s continuous investment in quality equipment to exceed the customer’s expectations,” said Ben.
Paul Jarratt, sales manager at MecWash added: “The exceptional durability of the systems made by MecWash means they provide reliable service over very long periods of time. Our refurbished machines remain highly capable after decades of use. This particular machine, M642, is only about 8 years old and in its prime. The Duo 400 system is a general-purpose parts washer with a capacity of 100 kgs, capable of precise cleaning of both large components and dense baskets of smaller parts, which was perfect for Addmore Engineering.
“The brief was to clean turned parts in a wide range of specialist metals and plastics, removing swarf, soluble cutting fluids and neat oil. Understanding these requirements is essential to providing the process that will best serve our customers,” said Paul.
“To achieve the high standards required by the precision machining industry, the Duo features several processes, flood and spray washing, rinsing and hot air drying. Flood washing ensures full solution contact with all component surfaces and a re-circulating heated spray rinse provides higher standards of surface finish by removing detergent residues left by the wash solution. The rinse stage can also be used to apply a longer-term corrosion inhibitor for ferrous components. A high velocity hot air blower and in-line air heater removes moisture quickly and efficiently. The system is also fitted with an oil separator to continuously remove free floating oils from the wash solution,” said Paul.
John Pattison, managing director of MecWash, comments: “The success of the Duo at Addmore Engineering highlights the impact that a refurbished MecWash machine can have. The cleaning power and speed of the cycle can create significant improvements for manufacturers who have traditionally used more rudimentary cleaning systems.
“Our customers understand the long-term benefits of investing in quality equipment, which is built to last, rather than trying to cut corners by purchasing cheaper systems which will hinder their productivity and result in poorly cleaned components. MecWash systems provide manufacturers with confidence that they will exceed industry standard levels of cleanliness, saving them valuable time and increasing productivity, without compromise,” concluded John.