Assembly Work Surface Cleanliness - Plastic Table Tops and Embedded Metal Chips

[ISOPete]

Heres one for you. We have decided to go through our assembly dept. and focus on cleanliness. One area I see as a problem are our table topsurfaces. they are made of a plastic. This will get scratched making it hard to clean. Metal chips also embed in the top which than could get picked up by a seal and tear the seal.
Any suggestions,
Pete

 

[Craig H.]

Pete, if you do not want to replace the tables, and the metal has iron in it, could you clean the tabletops every now and then with a magnet?

 

[ISOPete]

That could work however the tops on the tables are so old that the chips are imbedded in the surface of the table. I would like to have them replaced and start fresh. Planning on mapping out cleaning procedures for that dept. Would prefer to go to a better top than the plastic type we use now. No sense heading down the same path again.
Pete

 

[Claes Gefvenberg]

Hullo Pete,

When you mention metal chips embedded in the table top in the same sentence as easily ripped seals I shudder at the thought

. That is a big nono as far as I'm concerned, and I think you are right on target when you see that as a problem area.

I would like to have them replaced and start fresh. Planning on mapping out cleaning procedures for that dept. Would prefer to go to a better top than the plastic type we use now. No sense heading down the same path again.

Good call imo. If you do that you also send a message about a fresh start. What surface to use will of course depend on what you use them for, but unless it damages your product: How about a stainless tabletop? I suppose you want something that is easy to keep clean, and it doesn't come any easier than that...

/Claes

 

[qualeety]

other materials

am sure there are many others but here are few i like

- glass (my fav)

- different type of plastics....eg lexan type - durable and scratch resistant


if you have more than one table...try all different types then go with the one that works best..

 

[ISOPete]

Got off the phone with a company near us in Harrisburg, PA that manufactures plastic product. they will be sending me samples of Phenolics and Polycarbonate sheets
Stainless Steel would not work as our cylinder heads are cast and rotary valve/input assembies are steel. Afraid any aggressive contact could produce a chip.

 

[Wes Bucey]

What did I miss? Where do the metal chips come from? I would expect the assemblies to be scrupulously clean prior to installing any kind of seal which could be ripped, offset by debris, or otherwise compromised in their function as a result of "unplanned" contamination.

To avoid the situation recurring, regardless of tabletop material, a cleaning step ought to be included before seal installation.

 

[ISOPete]

True Wes. We are looking for the source of this. My main reason for changing the tops is because they are contaminated with chips imbedded in them. I am going to a better surface to prevent that problem again.
Pete

 

[Wes Bucey]

I would find and eliminate the source of contamination before buying new tables.

Depending on the setup, you may be able to get by with new tops or overlays, ONLY.

The material for the top could range from new plastic to stainless steel sheets shaped in a brake press to wrap around front edge to prevent snagging.

Heck, some of my acquaintances would just remove the current tops and turn them over and reinstall.

 

[Cari Spears]

Do you mean you're looking for the source of the chips? We understand you're replacing the table tops because of chips embedded in them - but how did they get there?

Wouldn't chips tear seals whether they are rolling around on the table, still on or in the part, or embedded in the table? IMO - eliminating chips in the assembly area would be where I would direct my efforts.