Dental Equipment Maker Pulls Teeth to Meet Stringent Wastewater Regulations

A-dec, a leading manufacturer of dental chairs, delivery systems and dental lights, recently purchased two new MecWash aqueous parts washing systems to meet dual objectives: achieving optimum part cleanliness and becoming a zero-discharge industrial wastewater manufacturer.

The 50-acre A-dec campus in Newberg, Oregon, includes state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and the A-dec Education Center dedicated to learning and discovery. A-dec facilities in the United Kingdom, Australia, and China help support a network of dealers in more than 100 countries.

This decision prevented A-dec from having to apply for an industrial wastewater discharge permit with its city municipality. The new equipment, which includes Midi 800 and Duo 800 aqueous parts washers coupled with an Aqua-Save Junior water reclamation unit for each system, form closed-loop wash systems that meet the new environmental regulations while attaining industry-leading parts cleanliness.

“Each day, A-dec stakes its reputation on the uncompromising quality and performance of the products it supplies to dental customers worldwide,” says Chas Stark, A-dec manufacturing engineer. “Clean components are integral to ensuring that quality. At the same time, we are committed to environmental quality. These new MecWash parts washing systems allow us to meet the highest component cleanliness standards and help A-dec conduct its manufacturing operations in a manner that is environmentally responsible and consistent with that of a good corporate citizen and neighbor.”

Higher Volume of Parts

The Midi 800 is a compact, fully automatic and self-contained aqueous cleaning system that meets the highest medical/dental cleanliness and inspection standards. It features an extended inner cleaning drum to accommodate more parts washing by volume.

Ideal for cell-manufacturing or within a centralized layout, this highly versatile single chamber rotational cleaning system features immersion/spray wash, ultrasonics, immersion/spray rinse, and vacuum dry.

Proven MecWash aqueous technology cleans without solvents or emissions, and is effective for cleaning both large and small components in purpose-built fixtures or standard size stainless steel baskets and plastic totes.

The Midi 800 has a cabinet size that allows for an Aqua-Save Junior to be constructed inside of it, so no additional floor space is required for this unique water reclaim system, which eliminates all wastewater discharge. This technology captures the wash and rinse water, separates the wastes (dirt, grease, grime, etc.) from the water, then returns the now purified water to its respective tanks.

The only effluent resulting from the Mecwash and Aqua-Save systems is concentrated waste consisting of oils washed from the dirty components. This represents a significant savings in disposal costs. Additional savings are achieved in reduced time to refill process water tanks, energy savings to heat the solutions, and better handling of wastewater throughout the process.

Long Parts

The Duo 800 is a compact, fully automatic and self-contained aqueous cleaning system that meets “visually clean and dry” cleanliness and inspection standards for the medical/dental industry. The Duo 800 is equipped with an extended inner drum to accommodate the 28 - 29-inch flex pivot-style dental lighting arms. Ideal for cell manufacturing or within a centralized layout, this highly versatile single chamber rotational cleaning system features immersion/spray wash, spray rinse, and hot air dry.

MecWash aqueous technology cleans without solvents or emissions, and is effective for cleaning both large components like the A-dec dental light arms in purpose-built fixtures as well as small components in standard size stainless steel baskets and plastic totes. The Aqua-Save Junior will sit beside the Duo 800, occupy minimal floor-space of 2 by 3 feet, and serve as the Duo’s closed-loop water recycling system.

The Duo wash chamber includes numerous high volume jets that thoroughly penetrate and saturate the workload, whether placed in metal baskets or plastic containers. Full rotation of the workload at 3 rpm exposes all surfaces to the wash and rinse solutions to ensure effective cleaning, draining, and drying. Alternately, parts with simple geometries can be programmed to gently oscillate from side to side. The washing and rinsing process is followed by a high velocity heated drying cycle, which completely dries in a total cycle time of about 5 – 10 minutes. The rinse process can also be used to apply a longer term corrosion inhibitor for ferrous components.

“We’re pleased that A-dec has entrusted us with their parts washing needs,” says Bill Westbrook, North American operations manager for MecWash Systems. “We’re thrilled to provide a cleaning solution that meets their meticulous cleanliness standards with zero-discharge of wastewater in a cost-effective manner.”

A-dec joins Rolls Royce, GE, Goodrich, Caterpillar and others MecWash Systems’ customers. 

For more information on MecWash, visit mecwash.com