Keywords
Citation
(2001), "Cost savings with USF refurbishment service", Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, Vol. 48 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/acmm.2001.12848fab.002
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2001, MCB UP Limited
Cost savings with USF refurbishment service
Cost savings with USF refurbishment service
Keywords: USF Abrasive Developments, Blasting
According to USF Abrasive Developments, the Italian aluminium engine castings specialist, Gilardoni, is just one company which has benefited recently from its wet blast machine refurbishment service.
Gilardoni manufactures around 1.5 million aluminium cylinder heads annually all of which undergo degreasing and cleaning, prior to anodising, in "Vaqua" five station rotary indexing, automated wet blast production machines, purpose designed by USF Abrasive Developments. Four of these machines are employed for this demanding task, each using a special non-hazardous aqueous based abrasive media delivered by multiple blast nozzles under controlled pressure.
Although the machines were specially designed and built for use in an aggressive working environment, the constant wear and tear of continuous operation means that they require major refurbishment at two-yearly intervals on a rotational basis, so that only one machine at a time is out of service for the two-month rebuild period.
The regular refurbishment programme, carried out in the UK at USF Abrasive Developments' Slough manufacturing facility as part of an ongoing planned maintenance project, allows Gilardoni to keep its existing wet blast machines in operation for many years – extending the value of the initial investment and eliminating the need to purchase costly new equipment.
The refurbishment service offered by USF Abrasive Developments can be tailored for specific needs and can involve a complete machine upgrade/rebuild or just the replacement of those parts subject to most wear, such as blast hoses, nozzles and protective linings. The company will undertake work on other manufacturer's machines as well as on its own original equipment and organises the transportation of machines to and from Slough.
Details available from: USF Abrasive Developments. Tel: +44 (0)1753 526511; Fax: +44 (0)1753 538093; E-mail: usfad@usfinternational.com; Web site: www.surfacepreparation.com