Remanufacturer of diesel engines and components Metric Automotive Engineering invested, in the second quarter of the year, in a MOT 750 ultrasonic component cleaning machine manufactured by ultrasonic cleaning systems manufacturer Tierra Tech, to ensure the cleanliness of engine components prior to inspection, testing and assembly.
The investment in the machine was undertaken in a bid to ensure the successful remanufacturing of diesel engines and to provide faster turnaround times to the benefit of its customers.
“The ability to more rapidly prepare the components for inspection and testing ensures that we are able to speed up the quotation time to our customers. “This reduces downtime of customer machines, resulting in improved productivity and enhanced return on investment,” says Metric Automotive Engineering operations director Andrew Yorke.
The Tierra Tech MOT 750 ultrasonic cleaning machine operates on the principle of releasing high-frequency ultrasonic waves of 20 kHz or greater into the liquid in which the components are immersed.
The components are bombarded with more than 40 000 ultrasonic waves every second, producing a highly efficient microbrush effect for increased cleaning effort.
The system is able to penetrate parts of the components that are inaccessible using other cleaning media, says Yorke.
The ultrasonic energy produced from this process breaks the mechanical and ionic bonds that exist in the dirt and debris surrounding and within the components.
Not only can Metric Automotive Engineers guarantee customers improved lead times on their remanufactured components and engines but it is also exhibiting its commitment to environmental stewardship by using such a green cleaning methodology, notes Yorke.
The MOT 750 also consumes minimal cleaning materials, since it operates at a low concentration of about 2% and water filters are installed in a closed circuit to provide increased life span and operability of the unit.
“In addition, we are able to significantly reduce the amount of water used in the cleaning process, since all components are now immersed in the unit’s fluid container,” Yorke points out.
Another benefit accruing to Metric Automotive Engineering is the elimination of a component cleaning operator.
“The components are simply loaded into the cleaning bath of the MOT 750 solution, the system is activated and the responsible person can then proceed with other tasks. “In addition, by reducing the use of cleaning chemicals, we are able to ensure a safer working environment. Our employees can now avoid contact with hazard- ous products such as solvents, acids and highly alkaline detergents,” Yorke explains.
MOT 750 also provides a time saving of about 80% on previous cleaning methodologies.
Yorke adds that this time saving will be passed on to Metric Automotive Engineering’s customers which can then expect a much faster turnaround time on their engines.
In addition, the cleaning machine provides the company and its customers with the confidence that even complex components are completely clean, for a more reliable engine, he concludes.