Tag Archives: Process Water Recycling

AM Solutions Automates Smoothing and Homogenization for Printing Job Shop

When Klaus Stöcker (Stöcker) started offering ready-to-install 3D-printed plastic and metal components to its customers, the job shop initially utilized manual post-processing methods. Due to the rapidly growing demand and stricter requirements for process stability and consistency of these operations, the company took a new approach when it purchased two automated systems from AM Solutions, a brand of the Rosler Group.

The initial purchase included an S1 for de-powdering and an M1 Basic for surface smoothing and homogenization. Based on excellent processing results, a second M1 Basic system was recently commissioned as a cost-efficient alternative to chemical smoothing.

The Situation

Klaus Stöcker metal processing was founded in 1990 in Wermelskirchen-Dabringhausen, Germany. Since then, it has grown to employ approximately 60 team members and offers a wide range of services in the field of machining. This includes turning, milling, sinking and wire EDM, face and circular grinding, assembly, and measuring with state-of-the-art machinery.

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Interlinked Mass Finishing and Cleaning Systems Half Processing Time

Because of a positive experience with four continuous flow washing machines operating at its headquarters, VIA Oberflächentechnik (VIA) decided to work with Rosler for a comprehensive mass finishing and cleaning operation.

The resulting interlinked system meets the most demanding cleanliness specifications while achieving significant cycle time reductions and cost savings and providing a high degree of operational flexibility.

The Situation

Headquartered in Lennestadt, Germany, VIA sought an integrated solution for de-oiling, mass finishing, and deep cleaning of stamped and formed parts. 

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Centrifuge Technology, Part 5 – Potential Issues and Remedies for Water Recycling

Trial and error are often the origin of innovation. As such, mass finishing and centrifuge technology have been advanced by building upon what worked and avoiding what didn’t.

With more than 80 years of experience, Rosler has extensive engineering knowledge and troubleshooting skills. An overview of the top three issues centrifuge water recycling systems experience along with possible remedies are summarized here. As always, trust a partner such as Rosler to consult on your specific issues.   

Excess Oil in the System

Too much oil may be carried into the finishing system by the work pieces, for example, in stamping operations.

The excess oil will negatively affect the mass finishing process. The media might become “glazed” causing longer processing times and poorer finishing results. In addition, the finished work pieces may also be contaminated with oil residue.

Possible remedies include cleaning of the work pieces prior to mass finishing, for example, with an industrial washing machine, or switching to an alternative oil type that can be better emulsified by the compound for better discharge from the process water.

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Centrifuge Technology, Part 4 – Pre-Conditions and Consumables Enhance Process Efficiency

Establishing and maintaining an effective and cost-efficient process water recycling system requires consideration of a few essential points. Without the proper compounds, additives, and monitoring, even a well-designed piece of centrifuge technology is bound to falter and, eventually, fail.

Rosler has extensive experience in mass finishing, including designing and manufacturing equipment, fine-tuning processes, and supplying the right consumables for a variety of processes. With our knowledge, preconditions and consumables can be calibrated for maximum process efficiency.

Special Recycling Compounds

Mass finishing compounds fulfill numerous tasks such as degreasing/de-oiling work pieces, burnishing/brightening surfaces, and providing a temporary corrosion protection. Above all though, the primary task of the compounds is to keep the media and work pieces clean to achieve the desired finishing goals and keep the mass finishing process stable.

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Centrifuge Technology, Part 3 – Mechanics and Limitations of Water Recycling

Combining the direction of rotation and centrifugal force, Rosler’s centrifuge technology takes advantage of the weight difference between the liquid phase and the solids in the process water to separate “dirty” solid particles from clean, reusable process water.

The effectiveness of this technology lies in the centrifugal force that is created. For example, a modern fighter jet develops a G-force of about 10-15 while a high-speed centrifuge drum generates a force of more than 2,000 G.

The physics of centrifuge technology combined with mass finishing equipment creates efficient and ecologically sound manufacturing processes, albeit with some key limitations.

Collection by Force

The solids, primarily consisting of media and, to a lesser degree, of metal fines from the work pieces, found within “dirty” process water are heavier than the water itself. As the drum spins, heavier solids are deposited on the drum wall in the form of sludge, whereas the lighter-weight liquid remains on the inside of the drum. With the addition of special cleaning additives known as flocculants, even oil carried into the mass finishing process can be removed from the process water.

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Centrifuge Technology, Part 2 – Operational and Economic Benefits of Recycling Process Water

During mass finishing, the process water injected into the finishing machine is contaminated with the chemical ingredients of the compounds, fines from the grinding or polishing media, and metal fines from the work pieces.

In case of ball burnishing, when acidic or alkaline compounds are used, the process water can also contain dissolved metals or be alkaline or acidic. Or, for example, when the work pieces are covered with oil from machining or stamping operations, the water can even be contaminated with oil.

Rosler has developed a series of closed-loop, water circulation systems using centrifuge technology to remove these contaminants regardless of their origin and allow clean process water to be reused and/or safely discharged. In addition to offering more effective work piece processing, cleaning process water saves money and the environment through reduced consumption, compound usage, disposal costs, and regulations.

Rosler diagram of mass finishing input and output
Mass finishing input and output
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Automation, Part 6—Environmental Considerations of Automation

Technology has transformed almost every aspect of life and the shop floor is no exception. As explored in previous Automation Blog Series posts, Rosler Metal Finishing believes automation represents the new norm in mass finishing and shot blasting. In the face of increasing competition, manufacturing interests will continue to demand lower cost, higher efficiency, and greater flexibility from their chosen surface finishing partner.

Though it would appear that any downsides of automation are outweighed by its benefits, there’s a delicate balance to be struck when it comes to a symbiotic relationship with the world outside of the machine. Having previously discussed how human effort and ingenuity will work in harmony with automated processes, we now turn our attention to environmental considerations—namely, how automated machines used in mass finishing and shot blasting can impact the earth’s resources, and how manufacturers can mitigate that impact.

The International Institute for Sustainable Development notes that the rise of automation has thrust us into a “Fourth Industrial Revolution,” citing energy use, resource use, and ecosystems as the three most critical factors to watch as more automated processes are implemented.

These are important considerations, given that manufacturers often are targeted in headlines about waterway pollution and even global warming, but responsible manufacturing practices can help avoid the most egregious impacts and keep manufacturing operations in compliance.

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Waste Water Recycling – Centrifuge Technology Offers Cost, Environmental Savings

Mass finishing techniques are often used to uniformly prepare and finish work-pieces, but the compounds and liquids used to remove fines and other debris from work-pieces must be dealt with to ensure a repeatable process application. Cleaning and/or recycling waste water produced in the mass finishing process is easily achieved with centrifuge technology and provides opportunities to be more environmentally responsible and save money in the form of reduced labor and materials (cleaning agents and compounds).

How Centrifuges Work

In a centrifuge, waste materials including media and metal fines are often referred to as effluent. The effluent to be cleaned either flows directly from the mass finishing system Continue reading Waste Water Recycling – Centrifuge Technology Offers Cost, Environmental Savings

Process Water Recycling Systems

water droplet

Industrial process water  re-circulation is the preferred water treatment method for so many applications.  Process water recycling systems can be connected to virtually any wet processing machine (and multiples of) and can make significant savings by way of reduced volumes of water (and compounds) used and their associated disposal costs.

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Process Liquid Separation

water droplet

A question that faces many mass finishing and wet or vapour blast machine users, as well as those using machining centres and pre-painting wash plants is how do I separate process liquids and solids from each other?

Process liquid separation and recirculation provide opportunities to save, be environmentally responsible and be more economic.

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