Oil Skimmer 1U at SPAX to Ensure High Quality
Screw manufacturer SPAX hardens their screws at the end of the production process. Before hardening, the screws must be degreased in a dedicated washing system—an essential step for the subsequent hardening process.
Problem
Too Much Oil in the Washing Water Despite Oil Separator – Switch to Oil Skimmer 1U.
The effectiveness of the oil separator previously used, supplied by a competitor, was insufficient, reducing the effectiveness of the washing process. As a result, the hardening process was compromised due to the still present oil, leading to repeated costly complaints from a major automotive manufacturer.
Our On-Site Analysis
The washing system consists of a wash tank and a rinse tank, both of which had a thick layer of floating oil that needed to be removed.
The previously installed oil separation system from another manufacturer did not work as intended (see image). Firstly, it was not large enough to reach the required capacity. Secondly, the maintenance effort was too high due to the high particle load in the washing water, which resulted in weekly breakdowns / need for cleaning. The maintenance team often lacked the resources to perform the necessary weekly cleaning. As a result, the device was frequently taken out of operation, leading to even worse outcomes.
Solution: Oil Skimmer Model 1U
A model 1U oil skimmer was installed in both the wash and rinse tanks. Thanks to a tailored tube length, the entire oil layer on the surface was removed. The high capacity of the 1U ensured that the surface remained consistently oil-free. Its high-quality materials and well-thought-out design allow for uninterrupted continuous operation with minimal maintenance, despite the high particle load.
Result
SPAX initially opted for our rental model to test the effectiveness. Since the two Oil Skimmers 1U have been in operation, there have been no more complaints. After these excellent results, they purchased the two oil skimmers and equipped three additional hardening lines with the model 1U. With the wash water now properly degreased, the screws could be hardened as required.
Summary:
- The oil-free wash water enabled the screws to be hardened as intended.
- The oil-free wash water enabled the screws to be hardened as intended.
- The oil-free wash water enabled the screws to be hardened as intended.