According to Birchwood Technologies, high quality black oxide finishes, with zero/minimal labor cost, can now be achieved with the new CNC TRU TEMP finishing system. The non-polluting, low temperature process is now available in an integrated programmable hoist and tank line to automatically process iron and steel components with a black oxide finish.
Designed specifically for handling the patented TRU TEMP process, this self-controlled tank line is engineered to eliminate the labor costs normally required with manual hoist lines. According to the company, the CNC process line eliminates process guesswork and generates repeatable results. The standard, 110-gallon tank line system produces 4,000 to 6,000 lbs. of finished parts per eight-hour shift and the line can be sized and configured to accommodate any volume of work or production capacity.
The program of the CNC system can process up to three part loads concurrently, for a maximum throughput of about five loads per hour. The hoist and superstructure can be built to handle any size load and are operated by an Allen Bradley PLC digital control with a touchscreen panel and manual joystick backup. The hoist locates itself along the process line by means of a rack and pinion driveline, combined with setdown saddles on each tank. Process tanks are constructed of mild or stainless steel, or reinforced polypropylene, as appropriate to the application. Tanks can be laid out in two ways: with pickup and drop-off points at opposite ends of the line, or with a single load/unload station with the hoist pickup and drop-off at the same point. The line is sturdily constructed and installed on the job site, and is supplied with complete operator training.
The TRU TEMP CNC hoist processes parts through the following station sequence (process cycle is about 28 minutes):
- Station 1: load pickup
- Station 2: alkaline soak clean
- Station 3/4: double counterflow rinse
- Station 4: mild acid primer/prep
- Station 5: cold overflow rinse
- Station 6: TRU TEMP black oxide
- Station 7: cold overflow rinse
- Station 8: rust preventative oil
- Station 9: load dropoff.
"The TRU TEMP finish produces a durable satin-black magnetite coating 0.5 microns thick (20 millionths) with no effect on material hardness," said a company spokesperson. "The finish withstands up to 100-200 hours of neutral salt spray (ASTM B117) or several hundred hours of humidity (ASTM D1748), verified by independent testing. The high level of corrosion protection is important for both long-term part storage and/or overseas shipment."
"The combination of high capacity and minimal labor requirements makes for a very short payback period - as little as 12-18 months," said Mark Ruhland, Birchwood Technologies Vice President. "In addition, the installation meshes well with ISO programs."
For more information contact:
Birchwood Technologies
7900 Fuller Road
Eden Prairie, MN 55344-9702
952-937-7931
info@birchwoodtechnologies.com
www.birchwoodtechnologies.com