RAMCO industrial parts washers can be used for a variety of applications, including Parts Washing, Surface Treatment of Aluminum, Precision Cleaning for Small Parts, Environmentally-Friendly Degreasing for Heavily-Oiled Parts (including engine blocks), Passivation of Stainless Steel and the non-destructive testing method, Fluorescent Penetrant Inspection (or FPI). Read more about each of these parts washing applications below.
RAMCO machines are made to handle many types of parts washing, including heavy-duty washing. In parts washing, it is important to consider the size, shape, and configuration of the parts themselves. Massive weights, large surface areas, acute angles, occluded sections, and blind holes pose special problems. Traditional vapor/solvent degreasing is primarily a dipping process using aggressive chemicals to do all of the work. We use modern detergent cleaning, which involves a washing process with mild chemicals that relies on the performance and flexibility of the washing systems. The equipment must provide enough mechanical agitation to accelerate the process and detergent conditioning to maintain consistent solution quality. We use several methods of mechanical agitation for immersion washing:
- Platform oscillation
- Solution Turbulation (a.k.a. "spray" under immersion)
- Cavitation or ultrasonic cleaning
RAMCO machines are made to handle the surface treatment of aluminum parts. Alodine, also referred to as iridite, is a chromate conversion coating that is applied only to the surface of aluminum. It gives good corrosion protection as well as providing an excellent base for painting. The process, developed for a major commercial aircraft overhaul facility, involves a cold alodine application followed by a cold water rinse and final hot water rinse. This system uses modular MK Series immersion washers for surface treatment.
A variety of features can be added to the system to enhance the performance of any particular stage. The alodine stage is improved using a turbulation system. The turbo is powered by a high-volume, all-stainless steel pump. The system provides an even flow of turbulent solution over, under, around and through components. RAMCO turbo systems have been proven to accelerate processing time in most immersion applications.
Another enhancement is MultiPort Oscillation, which may be added to any stage to ensure that the solution reaches all surfaces. MultiPort permits platform oscillation within different zones of the process chamber and offers seven strokes, each with a distinct altitude and zone of operation. This feature allows for fine-tuning applications for the optimum agitation stroke.
Standard Turbo Action
RAMCO machines are made to handle the intricate washing needed for precision parts cleaning. To meet stringent CAT cleanliness specifications, this CM system effectively removes manufacturing residual contaminants from exterior surfaces and interior recessed areas (including blind holes). The process requires a combination of high-volume turbo/agitation/flushing, chip removal, oil removal, comprehensive stepped-down filtration, precision cleaning with ultrasonics, rinsing, and final rust-prevention coating. A variety of sizes and configurations can be accommodated using a universal work carrier.
RAMCO Equipment CM Series Parts Washing Stages
RAMCO machines are made to degrease heavily-oiled parts, like engine blocks. Basic aqueous degreasing is a washing process using environmentally safe detergents, rather than toxic solvents. Using milder chemicals requires greater effectiveness from the cleaning equipment. Platform oscillation is the simplest method of providing mechanical agitation for batch immersion washing of parts. It is an easy and effective way of covering irregular surfaces to reach intricacies such as the inside of hollow forms with detergent solution. Platform oscillation may be enhanced by the use of a TurboFilter System, which provides an even but adjustable flow of turbulent solution over, under, around, and through components.
RAMCO Equipment MK48ESS with Turbo/Filter and OR6-CVS Oil Removal
RAMCO machines are made to handle the passivation treatment of stainless steel parts. Passivation means using a mild oxidant to remove excess iron from stainless steel surfaces. Stainless steel derives its corrosion-resistant properties from its chromium content. Chromium, in the presence of air, especially oxygen, forms a thin, hard adherent film of chromium oxide on the surface of the alloy. It is this chromic oxide layer that gives stainless steel its corrosion-resistant properties. We use a mineral or organic acid solution, which in turn promotes the formation of a chromic oxide layer, thereby enhancing its corrosion-resistant properties.
RAMCO machines are made to handle the intricacies of Fluorescent Penetrant Inspection. Fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) is a widely applied method of non destructive testing used to locate surface-breaking defects in all non-porous materials (metals, plastics, or ceramics). FPI is used to detect casting and forging defects, cracks, and leaks in new products, and fatigue cracks on in-service components. The penetrant is applied to the test component by dipping, spraying, or brushing. Afterwards, the excess penetrant is removed and a developer is applied. The developer helps to draw penetrant out of the flaw where a visible indication becomes visible under ultraviolet light.
- Section of material with a surface-breaking crack that is not visible to the naked eye.
- Penetrant is applied to the surface.
- Excess penetrant is removed.
- Developer is applied, rendering the crack visible.
Parts
Surface
Precision
Degreasing
Passivation
Fluorescent
