Dry Cleaning System does not require compressed air.

Press Release Summary:




EcoCVac pre-cleaning and intermediate cleaning system, designed for machined powertrain components, employs vacuum suction technology to ensure contaminants are removed from part as well as work chamber within 1.5–3 sec of process time. Integrated chip clean-out device separates chips and emulsion, allowing respective discharge via collecting bin and flume. Design for resource efficiency, system requires electric power input of 0.139 kWh per part and minimizes risk of re-contamination.



Original Press Release:



EcoCVac by Dürr Ecoclean - Innovative Dry Cleaning without Compressed Air



Intermediate cleaning of powertrain parts with over 50% energy savings and high process reliability



Monschau/Germany – Machined powertrain components undergo intermediate cleaning to safeguard the quality of subsequent process steps. This is typically done by means of compressed air, which must be generated at a high expense of energy. With their new EcoCVac, Dürr Ecoclean offers an effective dry cleaning system that eliminates the need for compressed air. Apart from delivering enhanced process reliability, the system can provide energy savings of more than 50 percent. As maintenance of the working chamber is minimized, it also improves the machine availability.



Modern engine and transmission manufacturing lines are designed for maximum productivity and economic efficiency. Accordingly, any cause of interference with a downstream process must be eliminated. This makes it mandatory that engine and transmission parts such as, e.g., cylinder heads, engine blocks and transmission housings undergo cleaning operations between machining steps. Such intermediate cleaning is often performed by cleaning machines using compressed air. A benefit of this method is that the part is cleaned 'dry'. On the downside, however, generating the compressed air supply is very costly. Moreover, the chips and machining fluid residue adhering to the product are merely blown off – i.e., allowed to spread around in the work chamber, which will therefore become contaminated quickly. This, in turn, increases the risk of re-contamination of the product, with the possible result of impairing the next processing step.



Vacuum suction without compressed air in short cycles

With its innovative EcoCVac pre-cleaning and intermediate cleaning system, Dürr Ecoclean of Monschau/Germany has overcome these drawbacks. The equipment relies on the newly developed vacuum suction technology. This ensures that contaminants will be removed not just from the part but also from the work chamber within a mere 1.5 to 3 seconds of process time.



The EcoCVac system comprises a pressure vessel in which a vacuum is maintained permanently. This vessel is connected by a pipe to the vacuum chamber in which the part is placed. Once the chamber is closed, a powerful airflow is directed through it, thereby 'entraining' the chips sticking to the part and taking them into the vacuum vessel. A chip clean-out device integrated nearby separates chips and emulsion, allowing both to be discharged separately via a collecting bin and a flume, respectively.



More than 50 percent energy savings

In the development of the EcoCVac system, resource efficiency was a prime concern. As a result, the system affords a much-reduced energy consumption as compared to compressed-air type equipment. Assuming a compressed air consumption of 2.5 Nm³ per part at a price of 1.26 euro cents per Nm³, the cost of one compressed-air blowing cycle amounts to 3.15 euro cents per part. With the new vacuum dry cleaning process, an electric power input of 0.139 kWh per part is needed. At an estimated electricity price of 10.88 euro cents per kWh, power costs of 1.51 euro cents per part will thus be incurred. This is equal to a cost reduction by more than 50 percent.



Optimized process reliability and availability

In addition to the obvious cost benefits, the EcoCVac shines with its improved process reliability. As the chips are removed not only from the part but also from the work chamber, the risk of re-contamination is minimized. The chamber must hence be cleaned less often, and at a clearly reduced cost and effort. Moreover, unlike conventional compressed-air systems, there are no nozzles to be aligned relative to the part, e.g., during commissioning or after a collision. The system's availability rate is thus further improved.



Contact:

Dürr Ecoclean GmbH, Manfred Hermanns, Monschau / Germany

Phone +49 (0)2472 83189, manfred.hermanns@ecoclean.durr.com,

www.durr-ecoclean.com



As a leading supplier, Dürr Ecoclean supplies automotive manufacturers and suppliers, as well as the broad industrial market, with the latest cleaning technology and systems for surface activation and treatment. With individually tailored technology from Dürr Ecoclean, customers can exploit potential savings for example in unit costs, energy consumption and process time. Dürr Ecoclean is part of the Dürr Group worldwide and has over ten sites in eight countries with approximately 800 employees.



The Dürr Group is one of the world's leading mechanical and plant engineering firms. Products, systems and services offered by Dürr enable highly efficient manufacturing processes in different industries. Business with automobile manufacturers and their suppliers accounts for approximately 65% of Dürr's sales. Other market segments include, for example, the mechanical engineering, chemical and pharmaceutical industries and – since the takeover of HOMAG Group AG in October 2014 – the woodworking industry. Dürr has 92 business locations in 28 countries. With 14,200 employees, the Group plans to generate sales revenues of € 3.4 - 3.5 billion in 2015. The Dürr Group operates in the market with five divisions:

• Paint and Final Assembly Systems: paint shops and final assembly systems for the automotive industry

• Application Technology: robot technologies for the automatic application of paint as well as sealants and adhesives

• Measuring and Process Systems: balancing and cleaning systems as well as testing and filling technology

• Clean Technology Systems: exhaust-air purification systems and energy-efficiency technology

• Woodworking Machinery and Systems: machinery and systems for the woodworking industry

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