Danfoss PAHT pumps enables SLE technology keeping parts clean

SLE Technology produces high-pressure inline cleaning systems specially designed for continuous materials such as wire, foil, strips and punched strips. Before these materials are welded, glued or soldered to become part of a high-end product, they must be clean - really clean - to ensure the durable quality SLE’s customers demand.

Whereas manufacturers used to rely on mineral-based solvents to do the cleaning, environmental as well as cost concerns have increasingly led customers to use demineralized or deionized water (DI) under high pressure for parts cleaning. A product of reverse osmosis, DI is free of dissolved minerals, has low conductivity and is highly aggressive - and effective - as a cleaner.

While the aggressive nature of DI is ideal for cleaning parts, it is also highly corrosive against the pumps that bring it to high pressure. Therefore only pumps whose wetted parts are made for stainless steel can be used.

According to Wolfgang Wiederer, head of sales & project engineering at SLE, the search for a suitable all-stainless steel pump soon led to the Danfoss PAHT. “We tried working with other stainless steel pumps, but their reliability was lower and their maintenance costs were higher.

Many of our inline parts cleaners are installed in production facilities that run three shifts a day, year-round, so dependability and long intervals between service are key parameters for us. Danfoss leads the way in pump reliability with at least 8,000 hours of operation before service as quite normal.”

Danfoss’ axial piston technology has other advantages for SLE. Since the pumped medium - even a highly aggressive one such as DI - supplies all the lubrication necessary; there is thus no risk of the pump’s oil lubricant contaminating the parts to be cleaned. Danfoss PAHT pumps are also considerably smaller than centrifugal pumps - making it easier for SLE to integrate them into their compact cabinets. And the constant pressure enabled by the axial piston principle suits SLE’s requirement for consistent cleaning pressure perfectly.

SLE’s customers are demanding not only with regards to cleaning quality and reliability.

“Total costs of ownership calculations are part of practically every project negotiation,” explains Wiederer. “And since high-pressure pumps represent such a significant proportion of the overall production and maintenance costs for one of our cleaning systems, the life cycle costs of the pumps we purchase are critical to our competitiveness. Danfoss PAHT pumps continue to be an integral part of our systems - and our ability to serve our customers.”