Even minor metal scrap and fluid processing system improvements can significantly impact operations. Here are three cost-effective upgrades shown to improve efficiency and reduce maintenance costs.
1. Keep stringy wads of metal scrap moving with a bundle breaker.
Stubborn bushy bundles of metal scrap often cause processing delays at metalworking operations.
Metal processing conveyance systems that use augers or steel belts to move stringy scrap often cannot grab hold of large stringy bundles. Instead of moving up the conveyor, the bundles bounce around the in-feed hopper—frequently requiring an operator to break them up or manually guide them up the conveyor. Not only is this practice inefficient, but it is also unsafe.
Adding a bundle breaker to pre-condition aluminum, titanium, or other brittle metals before they are introduced to the conveyor can prevent the need to manually take care of the bundles.
Bundle breakers tear the wads of scrap apart, creating smaller wads that conveyors can move more efficiently. Bundle breakers also help free solid parts and bar ends trapped within the bundle that may result in costly equipment damage if left in the bundle.
2. Get more out of your cutting fluids with a low-maintenance, low-cost filtration system.
Paper bed filters are a cost-effective answer to the fluid filtration needs of many applications.
They can filter ferrous and non-ferrous metals and a range of organic and inorganic contaminants to extend the life of both tools and cutting fluids (oil and water soluble). The filter media is available in various grades, enabling operations to achieve different levels of micron clarity.
When selecting a paper bed filter, here are a couple of things to consider:
3. Reduce conveyor downtime needed for belt maintenance with an automatic adjustment system.
As conveyor chains age, they begin to stretch. When this happens, the belt can slip off the sprocket and fold up under itself and possibly damaging the belt. As a result, belt adjustments are a common cause of conveyor downtime.
Auto-take up systems, which can be designed into a new conveyor or retrofitted onto an existing conveyor, help eliminate the need to perform manual belt adjustments. They automatically monitor tension using load cells on chain conveyors and tighten the belt as needed. Adjustments can be scheduled to be completed during low production times or shift changes to prevent unplanned downtime.
To learn more about metal scrap and fluid recycling enhancements that will benefit your operation, visit PRAB.com.
