| Customer | Rudolph Logistik Gruppe |
| Sector | Value-added services/contract cleaning |
| Industry | Automotive logistics |
| Webseite | www.rudolph-log.com |
Issue
The automotive industry places high demands on contract logistics companies. In addition to storage and just-in-time delivery, this also includes the delivery condition of the goods, which enables immediate further processing in the production chain. Thus, responsible logistics companies are becoming increasingly more responsible for preparation of the delivered goods: Removal of production-related residues and preservatives is just as much a part of this as removal of oxide layers and final cleaning of the delivered items immediately prior to further processing.
Challenge
The demands are particularly high for components made of die-cast aluminium, which are processed by welding after delivery. This is because the aluminium welding process is particularly sensitive to contamination such as oil residues from the die-casting mould or oxide layers that form inclusions in the weld metal and adversely affect the properties of the welded joint. Only residue-free removal of all interfering substances from the surface guarantees error-free processing and, thus, the quality and functionality of all vehicle components.
Before
After
Analysis
At Rudolph Logistik Gruppe, embedded automotive components made of die-cast aluminium are prepared on an industrial cleaning system for further processing in a leading car plant immediately prior to delivery. Welding defects occurred in the plant time and again during processing.
Analysis by Caramba experts revealed that build-up of greasy and oily deposits in the porous surface structure of the parts delivered was responsible for this.
Best advice
Caramba carried out test washes using various cleaning chemistries in a large series of tests. Good results were achieved with cleaning agents that were able to reduce the oxide layer on the aluminium with their pickling effect in a mildly acidic environment and that were able to remove grease from the surface thanks to their surfactant properties.
Caramba recommended switching the system to Caramba I-Line SD-10 acid cleaner to clean the die-cast aluminium parts to meet the technical requirements of the car manufacturer for surface finish.
Caramba effect
Switching to the slightly acidic cleaning agent Caramba I-Line SD-10, enabled the Rudolf Logistik Gruppe to achieve significantly better wash results. Thanks to this, the delivery quality of the aluminium high-pressure die casting parts increased substantially. During further processing by welding in the car plant, welding defects caused by surface contamination hardly occurred anymore. The productivity of the plant increased significantly due to a lower rejection rate and the quality of the welding was within defined error tolerances.
Product used
I-Line SD-10
Caramba I-Line SD-10 is used to remove light oils, grease and particulate contamination.
- Especially low foaming
- Demulsifying action
- Brightens aluminium and non-ferrous metals
- pH value at 1% concentration (± 0.5): 3.2
Area of application
Caramba I-Line SD-10 is used to remove light oils, grease and particulate contamination. Its particularly low-foaming surfactant combination ensures problem-free use in spray procedures. To achieve a longer service life of the cleaning bath, Caramba I-Line SD-10 is provided with special demulsifiers. Due to the weakly acidic pH, components made of aluminium and non-ferrous metals are brightened by gentle removal of the oxide layer.
Customer feedback
Stefan Röhn
Rudolph Logistik Gruppe
Branch Manager
Automotive Business Divison
Wallersdorf site
„As the face of a modern logistics company, I not only have to deliver goods to my customers but also solutions. Caramba helped us a great deal in regards to cleaning die-cast parts, so that our services for customers shine.“
Responsible person at Caramba
„Due to the high demands placed on surface cleanliness, it soon became clear that the potential for improvement lay primarily in selection of the right cleaner. Based on the sample parts we received, our in-house Technical Department was quickly able to identify the appropriate Caramba cleaner from the I-Line product range and, thus, optimise the overall process on a long-term basis.“
„Great, as my colleagues from research and development found a highly suitable cleaner for the process at Rudolf Logistik very quickly and, thus, we were able to help the customer to substantially optimise their process.“
Do you have any questions?
Our sales force and application experts are happy to help you or advise you on site.
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+49 (0)203 – 7786 333
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