Aqueous Cleaning Machine For Large Workpieces

Ideal for use in repair and maintenance shops serving transport depots, railyards and marine workshops, for example, a new aqueous washing machine for degreasing and cleaning large components has been introduced by Turbex.

Designated AS-150, the machine can take a load of 800 kg and will accommodate components measuring 900 mm high by 1.4 metres across the diagonal or diameter.

John Huntingdon, managing director of Hampshire-based Turbex, says that the single-stage, spray wash machine offers a large processing volume for the capital investment. In addition to applications in refurbishment and overhaul, the AS-150 is suited to inter-process cleaning in production environments, such as batch degreasing of machined components and preparing fabrications for welding.

A major advantage is that the cleaning medium is detergent dissolved in water heated to 50° - 75° C, delivered at 400 litres/min and 4-bar pressure through rotating spray pipes. Problems associated with using and disposing of hazardous solvents are therefore avoided.

In normal operation, the door at the front is lowered with the assistance of two gas springs, one or more components are placed in the work chamber, the door is closed, cycle time and temperature parameters are set on the control and the automatic cycle is started.

An optional lance with its own multi impeller pump delivering 10 bar can be connected directly to the 900-litre tank. This allows the operator, with the machine door open, to manually spray-wash obstinate areas of soil on a component, either before or after the automatic process.

Alternatively, the machine can be used as a manual spray booth, without any automatic cleaning.

Apart from the galvanized steel work table, the machine is constructed almost entirely from stainless steel, even the integral 500-micron filter. The installed weight of this high quality machine is nearly one tonne, giving an idea of its robustness. Acoustic as well as thermal insulation ensure a good working environment for the operator. Optional accessories include a steam extraction fan, automatic refill, oil skimmer or separator, and a detergent dosing unit.

Available also is a smaller machine in the same series, designated AS-100, for cleaning components up to 950 mm across by 700 mm high and weighing a maximum of half a tonne.

The new AS-150 front-loading, aqueous spray wash machine from Turbex.