Solvent alternatives meet Renishaw requirements

Renishaw has introduced a co-solvent system, using 3M Novec Engineered Fluids, for component cleaning at its UK manufacturing sites, following successful experience at its plants in Ireland

Renishaw has introduced a co-solvent system, using 3M Novec Engineered Fluids, for component cleaning at its UK manufacturing sites, following successful experience with the cleaning process at its plants in Ireland.

Renishaw manufactures probes and other accurate devices, in a range of materials including stainless steel and tungsten carbide.

The company sought a high performance, cost-effective cleaning system for removing contaminants and swarf from the components and which offered a long-term solution in the light of ever more stringent safety and environmental legislation.

It found the solution in hydrofluorether-based Novec Engineered Fluids - high performance solvent alternatives, from 3M.

These are non-flammable and have low toxicity and zero ozone depletion potential (ODP) characteristics and offer the optimum balance of performance, safety and environmental properties.

Renishaw has now chosen to employ Novec fluids, with a specially selected solvating agent, for precision component cleaning throughout all its UK operations.

Using Kerry MicroSolve M350/2C cleaning equipment, it now has a two-stage automated co-solvent process, with ultrasonics.

In stage one, the solvating agent is stimulated to dissolve contaminants by the boiling action of the Novec fluid and ultrasonic agitation.

In stage two pure Novec fluid displaces the solvating agent followed by vapour rinsing and drying.

With the implementation of a ban on the general use of HCFC-solvents effective from 1st January 2002, Novec Engineered Fluids are ready as approved and effective high performance, non-flammable and low toxicity alternatives.

They are ideal for a wide variety of applications, including precision and electronics cleaning.

Across manufacturing industry as a whole, Novec Engineered Fluids have become widely acknowledged as the best viable long-term replacement solution for HCFCs.

3M Novec Engineered Fluids are distributed in the UK by Samuel Banner and Co.

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