Stripping/cleaning Hydro Formed Parts

[robdlevco]

We have a hydro forming process that needs to be cleaned before welding. The welding process is causing the coolant (Water soluble emulsion which contains paraffin wax) to be vaporized during the welding process. This wax is then mixing with the weld smoke and causing serious fires in the dust collectors.

The parts are of varying shapes but for the time being we can estimate the parts to be tubular in shape with an approximate dimension of 6” X 6” X 72”

My idea was to strip the coolant off the part with high velocity circular air knives after the hydro forming process.

Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[oxilume]

Dear Robdlevco,

Although you have provided very limited details, your offgas should be scrubbed with a venturi scrubber. This will solve several problems. First, if you install the proper venturi you will beable to draw a vacuum on the work piece and the work environment. Second all fumes, dust, wax, etc. will be scrubbed out of the air.

If you have any more details please provide them so I can provide information on the size, type, etc. of venturi scrubber.

 

[robdlevco]

Dear Oxilume,

Thanks for your reply!

Specifically the process involves 1200 hydro formed parts per day.

We would prefer to clean the part before it is welded with the aim to recuperate most of the coolant.

However during the welding process, we have many welding cells, but if we took one cell we could use the following information:

- 20,000 CFM
- Completely enclosed weld cell (Except for operator access points
- Fume mixture: 20% oil/wax, 78% Iron Oxide, 2% miscellaneous metals
- Particle size: 0.1 to 1.0 Micron

Sincerely,

Rob Dinsmore

 

[PeterAB]

Dear Rob,

have you asked your coolant supplier for suggestions on how best to recover your coolant? Could you dip your part in a solvent bath prior to welding?
Cleaning the parts prior to welding will lower the concentration of particulates and vapors in the air ofcourse. That way you might get by without the scrubber, or if you still do need a scrubber, it may allow you to get by with a lower gas volume and/or lower efficiency scrubber, consuming less power.

PeterAB

 

[oxilume]

Rob,

Currently, you have two upstream problems that are a function of one another. First, you would like to recover the coolant. Second, you would like to clean the hydro-formed parts.

Using a solvent is not the answer. Why? At the end of the day you will end up with a water treatment problem. Also, the EPA is pushing all manufactures to reduce or eliminate the use of solvents. Don't go backwards.

Now, here is a suggestion. First, the air knives are a good approach. This will allow for recovering the coolant. Next, you should think about cleaning your hydro-formed parts with an electro-plasma system.

Please take a look at Cap Technologies, LLC website:

http://www.captechnologiesllc.com

This should open your eyes and give you some insight into a new method for cleaning electrically conductive material prior to welding, painting, etc.