Precision cleaning solvents
Published

Drawn to Closed-Loop Cleaning

For Gem Manufacturing of Waterbury, Conn., meeting customer quality standards is critical to the success of the business. Part of that means removing the synthetic and water-soluble drawing lubricants used in Gem’s transfer and progressive presses, as well as any other contaminants that could have a detrimental impact on performance.

Share

 

For Gem Manufacturing of Waterbury, Conn., small parts mean big business.
 
The family-owned company produces precision deep-draw metal products, stampings and mechanical assemblies. It specializes in small components—most smaller than 4-inches long and 1/2-inch in diameter—made from steel, aluminum, brass and copper. Among the company’s broad portfolio are cigarette lighters and tire valves for automotive customers, as well as formed parts for electrical, explosives, industrial and medical applications.
 
Nearly all of Gem’s products are customer-specific designs, so meeting customer quality standards is critical to the success of the business.
 
Part of that means removing the synthetic and water-soluble drawing lubricants used in Gem’s transfer and progressive presses, as well as any other contaminants that could have a detrimental impact on performance.
 
“While our cleaning standards are not necessarily scientific, they are measurable and are especially vital for the detonators we produce for the mining and construction industries, and for military applications,” says Vice President Mark Caulfield, whose grandfather established the company in the 1950s. “You have to be able to print important data and information on the detonators, and they must be perfectly clean in order for the ink to adhere.”.
 
To meet that kind of exacting standard, as well as even simple cosmetic standards on other less-critical components, Gem relies on the SafeCare System as a key component of its metal cleaning and degreasing process.
 
Keeping It Clean with Solvents
 
The SafeCare system is a product of SafeChem, a subsidiary of Dow Chemical Company It enables operators to take advantage of the high-performance cleaning capability of chlorinated solvents, while limiting worker exposure and the potential of spills or emissions into the environment.
 
Before incorporating the SafeCare system, Gem was already committed to using solvents for its cleaning needs. The reason is simple, according to Caulfield.
 
“Solvents work,” he says. “They get the parts exceptionally clean. We looked at alternatives, but without solvents, we never achieved the cleanliness required. Take a look at detonators; they are essentially long, closed tubes, and they are difficult to clean. Aqueous offerings just don’t get it done.”
 
Adopting the SafeCare system was made even easier by the fact that Gem had installed a closed-top vapor degreaser in 1998.
 
“We used to contract with local vendors for our parts cleaning, but with the wide variety of oils they encountered, it was difficult for them to achieve the same level of cleaning we can in-house,” Caulfield says. “Sometimes we had to run them through twice, which increased costs. It just made sense to bring it in-house from cost and efficiency perspectives.”
 
However, in the years following Gem’s installation of the vapor degreasing equipment, environmental regulation standards grew more stringent, leading Gem to entertain other options in order to keep pace.
 
Hubbard-Hall Inc., a full-line industrial and specialty chemical distributor that supplies the SafeChem model in the region, presented an opportunity to try out the SafeCare system as a potential solution. Gem took advantage of the proposal from its long-time solvent and cleaning equipment supplier and hasn’t looked back.
 
“The system is very easy for us to use,” says John Daikus, Gem maintenance foreman. “The self-contained units are easy to maneuver, cutting down on potential ergonomic injuries, and our people never come in contact with solvent. Plus the elimination of secondary containment equipment frees up valuable shop-floor space.”
 
Minimizing Risk in the Cleaning Process
 
With the SafeCare system, virgin chlorinated solvent supplied by Dow is delivered in double-walled and sealed containers. In Gem’s case, the solvent is Dowper SVG double-stabilized perchloroethylene solvent, which the company says is highly effective for heavy-duty cleaning and degreasing where there are high levels of contamination. It is specially stabilized to prevent acid buildup in vapor degreasers like the one Gem uses.
 
New solvent is transferred to cleaning equipment using leak-resistant couplings, adapters and other measures designed to dramatically reduce the risk of spills or emissions. Used solvent is transferred to equally secure recycling containers using similar safeguards. Solvent delivery and pickup is handled by qualified chemical distribution and waste management firms like Hubbard-Hall, simplifying the process for the user.
 
“Gem was an ideal candidate for the SafeCare system based on its metallurgical and cleaning expertise and experience,” says Chris Carrozzo, Hubbard-Hall sales manager. “Its desire to not only meet customer cleaning standards, but to effectively manage worker health and safety and environmental impact dovetail nicely with the capabilities of the SafeCare system.”
 
In addition to the system itself, Hubbard-Hall and SafeChem provide customers with technical support and services that help maintain solvent quality and optimize the cleaning process. These services include solvent training, comprehensive analytical laboratory services, test kits for on-site self-testing, solvent stabilizers and additives.
 
“We’ve been very satisfied with the implementation of the SafeCare system; it’s been a remarkably smooth transition,” Caulfield says. “Ultimately, we anticipate the system will reduce our solvent use and reduce our costs. But even if it didn’t do that, its ease of use and other features allow us to handle solvents safely and manage the cost of regulatory compliance, making it a valuable addition to our process. And since we’ve essentially eliminated solvent odors in our facility, it’s just a more pleasant working environment, which makes everyone happy.”
 
For more information on Dow’s SafeChem, please visit Dowsafechem.com or call 877-376-8343. For information on Hubbard-Hall, please visit Hubbardhall.com or call 800-648-3412.

 

Echoflex modular ultrasonic cleaning machines
Cleaning Technologies Group
Pickelx one step metal prep
high-performance systems for efficient parts cleaning
vacuum vapor degreasers
Precision Cleaning Solvents
Cleaning questions ask Kyzen
OptiCenter All-in-One OC11

Related Content

Ask The Expert

Corrosion Resistance Testing for Powder Coating

Salt spray can be useful to help compare different pretreatment methods and coatings but it does not tell us much about the corrosion resistance of a part over time in the field. Powder coating expert Rodger Talbert offers insights into how to get a better idea of how to improve a part’s corrosion resistance in the real world.

Read More
Liquid Coating

Zinc Phosphate: Questions and Answers

Our experts share specific questions about zinc phosphate and pretreatment

Read More
basics

Preparation for Electroplating

What you should know about cleaning and electrocleaning.

Read More
basics

Top Reasons to Switch to a Better Cleaning Fluid

Venesia Hurtubise from MicroCare says switching to the new modern cleaning fluids will have a positive impact on your cleaning process.

Read More

Read Next

Vacuum Vapor

Closing the Cleaning Loop

To help optimize its solvent vapor degreasing process while minimizing solvent exposure in the workplace and the environment, Miba Bearings US uses Dowper SVG double-stabilized perchloroethylene in the Safecare system from Safechem North America LLC, a subsidiary of Dow Chemical Co.

Read More
Parts Cleaning

A ‘Clean’ Agenda Offers Unique Presentations in Chicago

The 2024 Parts Cleaning Conference, co-located with the International Manufacturing Technology Show, includes presentations by several speakers who are new to the conference and topics that have not been covered in past editions of this event.   

Read More
Sponsored

Masking Solutions for Medical Applications

According to Custom Fabricating and Supplies, a cleanroom is ideal for converting, die cutting, laminating, slitting, packaging and assembly of medical-grade products.

Read More
Vacuum Degreasers and Aqueous Solutions