This partnership has now been extended to include the recently launched Keep-it-Covered swarf bin covering system from Wogaard.
A diverse range of machine tools on the shopfloor at Seco Tools UK’s Technology Centre in Alcester, Warwickshire are used to produce bespoke cutting tool bodies and additional ancillary items for its customers in the aerospace, motorsport, medical, marine, power generation and general precision engineering sectors.
Engineering team leader Alan Fellows explains the rationale behind the installation of the new covers: “We have adopted a 5S approach to attain the good housekeeping required as part of a global drive from Seco for its business hubs. Aiming for aesthetic appeal to create a workshop that is closer to laboratory cleanliness rather than an engineering shopfloor environment, where there is a sense of pride in the workplace. The new Keep-it-Covered initiative from Wogaard has certainly helped us achieve this, and as a secondary consideration has also reduced the risk of fumes escaping into the atmosphere.”
Such has been the success of the Wogaard Coolant Saver since it was introduced to the cutting tool specialist that when managing director, Jason Hutt, approached Seco with the concept of the new skip covering system, the company was keen to discover more.
“Based on the results achieved by the Coolant Savers within Seco’s workshop, the staff were willing to listen to suggestions of what could be done with the covers to improve the housekeeping along with proposed costings,” he explained.
He made detailed measurements and produced some preliminary covers to which Seco wanted to add a brand logo for the cutting tool business along with some machine specific Coolant Saver access points.
However, it was not without challenges as Alan Fellows recalled: “We have a diverse range of machine tools and subsequently that means a variety of swarf receptacles and the new covers need to match them. Only two covers are the same – the remaining covers are bespoke to each machine type, and the interface between the swarf conveyor and the bins proved a challenge on some of the machine tools, but Wogaard worked at these and achieved the results we were looking for.
“Initially there was some scepticism the staff as it was perceived that the covers would make it more difficult to gain access and empty the full swarf containers. The reality is the covers can be removed and replaced in a matter of seconds, and the viewing windows in the covers allow us check the swarf level without disturbing the cover seal.”
Visitors to Seco’s ‘Inspiration Through Innovation’ event, running from 9-10 October 2018, will be able to see the new Keep-it-Covered swarf bin covering system in operation.
Wogaard www.wogaard.com
