Kipp Umwelttechnik develops new process for cleaning and coating
Kipp Umwelttechnik is developing the CleanMaster together with the University of Paderborn as part of a project funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy under the ZIM program: a new process for cleaning and coating pipes (inner and outer surfaces), springs, rods, strips, profiles and wires. The sister company mycon had already previously produced CO2 cleaning systems for cleaning internal and external pipe surfaces and contributed considerable support from this previous experience.
During the production of seamless drawn stainless steel tubes, residues of mostly highly viscous drawing agents are produced. These drawing agents must be removed before the subsequent annealing of the pipes. Otherwise, carbon compounds from the drawing agent residues migrate into the structure of the stainless steel tubes during the annealing process and lead to carburization, which then results in rust as a significant quality defect.
Removing the drawing agent is problematic with the methods commonly used to date, especially on the inner pipe surfaces of small-dimensioned pipes. According to the current state of the art, these tubes are placed in a bundle in a liquid container, e.g. with kerosene, for cleaning before the annealing process. However, this procedure does not always lead to success.
When using low-viscosity drawing agents, the inner pipe surfaces can also be cleaned using the Mycon CO2 snow blasting process (IceMaster). However, this process, developed by sister company mycon, is limited in terms of the viscosity of the drawing agent.
New process from Kipp Umwelttechnik GmbH with the support of Paderborn University and sister company mycon GmbH
Together with the University of Paderborn, Kipp Umwelttechnik is developing a new cleaning process in which external and internal pipe cleaning is integrated directly into the production line at production speed. This ensures that the tubes can be fed to the annealing process or other work steps after leaving the production line without any loss of time. The cost of additional cleaning baths is completely eliminated, as are the associated crane running times and personnel costs. The cleaning quality can also be significantly increased. The cleaning of the inner pipe surfaces can also be carried out for extremely small-dimensioned pipes from an inner diameter of 1 mm over long lengths.
First test cleanings possible at Kipp Umwelttechnik
Kipp Umwelttechnik now has facilities for a test phase of external and internal pipe cleaning, cleaning of springs, rods, belts, profiles and wires. Interested parties can provide corresponding test objects, which are available free of charge including documentation can be cleaned. Interested parties are welcome to accompany the trials here on site.
Coating of pipes (inside and outside), rods, strips, profiles, wires
With one application of the process (CoatingMaster), pipes (inside and outside), rods, profiles, wires, strips etc. can also be coated. Materials that cannot be sprayed can also be used for the coating. As there is almost no overspray when using CoatingMaster and only small amounts of compressed air are used, operating costs are significantly reduced while throughput times are increased.
Relaxation of tubes (inside and outside), rods, profiles, strips, threaded ends after mechanical processing
Another application is the automated removal of chips from pipes, rods, profiles, wires or thread ends after mechanical processing. If required, this application can also be used to process only partial areas, e.g. after thread production or after separating cuts only in this limited area. The new de-stressing system can be used in a continuous process or by robot or linear movement.
