Automotive

Customer
Custom Roll Formers

Application
Air Bag Tubes for BMW Cars

Background
This company is a long standing member of the Custom Roll Forming Institute doing business domestically as well as internationally. Their primary business is custom roll forming which is a continuous process in which a strip of metal, usually in coil form is passed through a series of mated roller dies and progressively formed into a desired shape. This particular part is a steel tube 6" high with a 2" diameter which holds airbags for BMW cars.

Problem
This plant is in the process of expanding and the old cleaning system of platform agitation was not capable of handling the increased work load which will expand from 400 tubes/hr. to 800 tubes/hr. The new cleaning system had to fill the following requirements in to order to be considered: a) automatic and aqueous-based, b) capable of thoroughly washing, rinsing and drying at least 800 tubes per hour inside and outside, c) performing these cycles in a minimal amount of space.

Solution
Engineer an aqueous Carousel system with a customized turntable. . . the turntable had 84 posts welded in a circular pattern to hold the tubes upright. With the front of the turntable exposed for continuous loading and unloading, the operator knows that any parts coming through the exit curtain are clean and dry and can be removed at his convenience.

System
A Carousel C-6000-P (60" diameter turntable) with wash, rinse and dry zones. In addition to the customized turntable, the cleaning system was also equipped with the following options: a recirculated rinse cycle, a 10 hp regenerative blower for drying, and an upgraded control panel.

8/2/98