Case Study
Hercules Drawn Steel Saves US$50,000 in Oil Costs with AutoJet® Precision Spray System
Hercules has also experienced additional savings by eliminating the compressed air previously required for the air atomizing nozzle and by the maintenance time required to clean up excess oil.
Problem:
Hercules Drawn Steel used an air atomizing nozzle to apply a rust inhibitor to finished steel bars. The oil was being over-applied to ensure full coverage. In addition to being wasteful, the nozzle was creating worker safety and maintenance issues. Excess oil dripped onto the floor creating slip hazards and misting compromised air quality. Removing the oil from the floors and surrounding equipment was time consuming and costly. Hercules turned to Spraying Systems Co. for help.
Solution:
Oil is now applied to the finished steel bars with an AutoJet Precision Lubrication system. The system consists of four PulsaJet® electrically-actuated hydraulic spray nozzles and an AutoJet spray control panel. The bars are coated uniformly with the proper volume of oil, even when operating conditions such as line speed changes. In addition, the nozzles are triggered to spray only when the bars are properly positioned in the spray station further reducing oil waste.
Results:
Applying the proper volume of oil on the steel bars without waste, has enabled Hercules to reduce oil use by 25 gallons (95 liters) per day and save more than US$50,000 annually. Hercules has also experienced additional savings by eliminating the compressed air previously required for the air atomizing nozzle and by the maintenance time required to clean up excess oil. More importantly, worker safety has been improved. Hercules recouped the cost of the AutoJet Precision Lubrication system in less than three months.
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