WCA March 2008

Don’t suffer because of poor performance

Jay Dorling, general wheelblast sales manager at the Wheelabrator Group, believes that those companies who are unable to invest in new equip- ment, are putting up with less than efficient machines and ultimately not satisfying their customers needs due to poor blast machine performance. As many firms will be aware, the operating efficiency of machinery is key to achieving maximum output, optimum quality and maintaining strong customer relations, but when efficiency suffers is it time to invest in something new? The answer is no, not necessarily. A common mistake is to immediately write off or overlook existing mach- inery. In some cases new is the best option, but more often than not, upgrading or modernising an existing unit reinstates first class production efficiency, reduces down time and is available at a fraction of the cost. Since Wheelabrator introduced its equipment modernisation programme (EMP) in 2005, it has helped many companies capitalise on and extend the life of existing equipment.

The service is part of the Wheela- brator Plus division, which also offers an extensive range of equipment support services, including training, maintenance, service, parts, con- sumables, polyuerethane fixtures and masking, plus media supplies for blasting, vibratory equipment and washing. The EMP campaign has become hugely successful and an increasingly important part of the company’s business. The unique understanding of industry needs comes from 100 years’ experience and continual development in design and manufac- turing surface preparation equipment. The newest edition to the programme is the Titan blast wheel. It is the result of extensive research and development and has been designed specifically to improve the blast performance and efficiency of existing machinery. It can be adapted to fit virtually any wheel blast machine and will lower media consumption, drastically reduce down- time and cut production costs and, in some installations, it has improved efficiency by more than 30%.

Titan allows for increased space between blast wheel and the wear plates, so noise levels are dramati- cally reduced, creating a better working environment for employees. Titan wheels reduce carbon emissons through energy efficient motors, making them more environmentally responsible. Titan has also recently been awarded a product innovation accreditation by the professional jury of trade fair organiser, Eurofinish. Just months after they were made available to the industry, the first two Titan wheels have been installed in the UK at painting and blasting contractors, Broadblast in Sheffield, as part of their overall company strategy to reduce waste, decrease emissions and introduce a recycling policy. Wheelabrator – Canada Fax : +1 905 319 7561 Email : wheelabrator@ wheelabratorgroup.com Website : www.wheelabratorgroup.com

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Wire & Cable ASIA – March/April 2008