Interlocks boost flexibility
15 Jan 2000
A system eliminating over 20 hours downtime when changing between two processes for composite materials manufacturer Hexcel has been designed and installed by Castell Safety International at the company's Duxford plant.
With light and heavy density versions of nomex honeycomb (used to strengthen and provide noise-proof insulation for aircraft, trains and cars) requiring different dip solutions, the plant used to have to go through a long process of changing resins and solvents to fill the material dip tanks.
Due to changing demands for different density grades of material, the plant had to become more responsive and flexible in its batch production techniques.
Darrel Pawson of Hexcel explains: `We saw that if there were four tanks containing both solvents and resins linked up to a common dip tank feeding system, then we could simply isolate the resin and solvent tanks we didn't want when the others were in use.'
Working with Hexcel, Castell was invited to develop and install a suitable system that met both procedural and safety policies. Vital to its success is Castell's modular ball valve which, through the use of coded keys, ensures the operation of the control valves is carried out in the correct sequence.
