MecWash and Aqua Save recycling rationalise parts cleaning at Hope Technology

Works manager Lindley Pate explains: "We operate some 50 machining stations, the majority of which inevitably produce material that needs to be cleaned from each part – typically, metal swarf and cleaning oils. Previously, we used a combination of wash machines including an orbit wash and ultrasonic installations located in different parts of the site. Now up to 90% of the fittings that we produce pass through the MecWash installation, which is positioned ahead of polishing and anodising operations. The quality of these latter processes has been notably enhanced since our move towards the aqueous-based designs." Image: 90% of fittings pass through the MecWash installation MecWash Systems managing director John Pattison comments: "The MecWash Duo is a highly compact, energy efficient unit and features twin wash and rinse tanks, allowing it to deliver both a high volume, flood/immersion wash cycle and a powerful spray rinse stage. The single chamber design houses 100 jetting nozzles that operate in conjunction with drum oscillation or rotation before a high volume, heated drying cycle completes the process. The result is completely clean and dry parts within, typically, a 10 minute cycle – making it ideal for an application such as that at Hope Technology." Hundreds of different products in a wide range of sizes are manufactured at Hope's Barnoldswick site, mostly in aluminium, but with a significant amount in brass and stainless steel. Parts are placed in stainless steel baskets, which often have nylon dividers supplied by MecWash Systems, before being inserted into the rotating drum that is at the heart of the cleaning system design. The MecWash Duo has been installed at the site with a wastewater recycling system from the company's specialist Aqua-Save Technologies division. The unit – an Aqua-Save Junior – uses a process of evaporation to recycle the wash water and thus minimises water consumption. At the same time wash solution quality is maintained while the amount of waste for disposal off site has been reduced by 95%. "This is collected in a 25 litre container alongside the installation, which we then periodically empty into an IBC for simple removal," concludes Mr Pate. First published online