A few months back, we introduced SPXFlow/Waukesha Cherry Burrell’s new Uptime Optimization Tool, eXpress App, and Equipment Health Assessment (EHA) toolkit. Since then, we’ve been using it throughout the Chicagoland area to help capture information about our end users equipment and assist them in identifying issues with their high purity processing equipment before they become a major issue. In today’s case study, well take a look at how Triplex put our toolkit to use to help a customer on a recent startup commissioning a new cookie line.
The Application
In early May, Triplex received a lead for an application at a local cookie manufacturer looking to transfer a cookie batter from a trough to an auger feed system, through an Oakes mixer, and finally to a depositor & oven line.
For this pumping challenge, Triplex specified two of our core products- a Graco Saniforce 5:1 piston pump and a Waukesha Universal 1 Model 130 pump.
To lift the thick, heavy batter out of the trough and into the auger feed, we selected the Saniforce 5:1 piston pump on a Graco’s elevator system so we could raise and lower the pump into the product and pump it. To prove the technology out, we took advantage of Graco’s best in class product demonstration facility in Rogers, MN. Learn more about that in this post.
Once we got into the augers, we needed to pump from the auger feed through an Oakes mixer and into the depositor and oven. For this application, we used the tried and true Waukesha Universal 1 Model 130 pump. This pump was able to easily accept product from the augers and move the thick dough the 15’ or so through the Oakes mixer to the depositor. For this application, we needed smooth, pulsation free pumping, which Waukesha Universal pumps are known for.
To protect the system for over pressure situations, we paired the Universal 1 Model 130 with a 60R series pressure relief valve. The use of a pressure relief valve is considered best practice when using any positive displacement type pump.
Startup Concerns
After each piece of equipment was installed and tested, the customer began running manufacturing trials on product. As the Waukesha Universal PD pump was a new type of equipment for this facility, they had a few questions, which often arise during startup of a new process. The pump was making some noise, the cart was vibrating, the motor was warm. Was everything OK? Spoiler alert- everything was just fine. But how do we best allay these customer concerns? Enter Waukesha Cherry Burrell’s Equipment Health Assessment toolkit.
The Solution
To help allay the customer’s concerns, our sales engineers visited the site armed with SPX’s Equipment Health Assessment (EHA) tool kit. The tool kit includes a flashlight, infrared thermometer, vibration meter, and microphone to capture noise from equipment. When used in conjunction with SPXFlow’s Express App, we’re able to measure vibration, sound, and temperature coming from the equipment in question and compare that to factory specifications. The Express app provides 3 different result criteria, green (acceptable), yellow (needs attention), and red (requires immediate attention). In this case, sound, vibration, and temperature readings all came back as “green”, immediately allaying the customer’s concerns and giving our sales engineer some quantitative backup to their “everything is just fine” declaration. The vibration was eliminated by leveling the cart, the motor temperature was within specifications, and the sounds from the pump were not abnormal.
So the next time you have any concerns about the performance of your Waukesha Cherry Burrell process equipment, contact a Triplex Sales Engineer. We’ll be happy to visit your facility and provide a no cost equipment health assessment and keep your process rolling.
