1. Lean/Quality/HSE
Best Practice
Pre-wash - Machine side - Blow-off Cabinets
Hydraulics Group Europe
December 3, 2014
For more information, contact:
Name: A Pearce
Title: Production Engineering & Facilities Mgr
Division: MCDE
Phone Number: 01476 541 800

2. Before:
• Little or no equipment - poor process control
• Little or no operator protection - flying debris, swarf, mist inhalation etc.
• Little or no 3rd party protection
• No ergonomic considerations
• High noise levels - mandatory hearing protection required
• No provision for swarf, coolant or mist collection
• Untidy work area & increased housekeeping/5S required.

3. Solution Strategy
Long Term:
To introduce ‘in cycle’ processes that negate the need for a ‘manual’ cleaning process post machining or
provide high spec Mecwash Solo machines which require no ‘manual intervention’. (each product will be
individually assessed for the correct solution.)
Short Term:
At multiple machine side processes there is a requirement to clean cast iron machined parts. This is
partially carried out during the CNC machine cycle but still requires a manual process after machining to
clean/dry the product to be either
1. Packed
or
2. to be clean enough for a following process. (Honing etc)
This is carried out using a high pressure air gun and currently in a very basic cabinet that does not
sufficiently protect the operator or bystanders from flying particles & coolant, noise & mist. This equipment
aims to dramatically reduce these hazards by means of extraction, sound proofing, improved ergonomics
and an improved enclosure.

4. Developed in conjunction with operators, EHS & supplier representatives.
Benchmarked across other HYGE locations to better meet all stakeholder
needs and requirements. ABTS Ltd (www.alpha-beta.co.uk)
From 2P mock-ups...
to Prototype… to Finished article – Delivered ready for deployment to high risk areas

5. After:
• Stainless & galvanised steel
construction to provide durability &
negate potential paint contamination.
• Operator & bystander protection
• Main cabinet sound proofing
• Height adjustable
• Lift truck supports/guides for height
adjustment
• Wheeled unit
• Plug & play electrics
• Internal lighting
• Adjustable screen to accommodate
varying product sizes
• Oversize screen enables ‘part
specific’ profiles/holes to be made &
interchanged
• Optional Rotary table
• Optional static table
• Reversible platform for the above.
• Simple ergonomic ‘off the shelf’ jug
for daily swarf/coolant removal
• Unique ‘plum bob’ design for air
intake shut-off.
• Integral extraction unit
• Overall dimensions 2000 x 750 x 600
(HWD in mm)
• Working area 570 x 650 x 400

6. Details..
Table options
Self locating Plum-bob prevents
air intake and forces air intake
from cabinet front
Reversible
table
Plum-bob
simply lifts
to release
swarf
Air Intake
Reversible
for LH or
RH