WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO DETERMINE WHAT TYPE OF WASHER IS NEEDED FOR MY APPLICATION? 

The best way to determine what type of washer is needed for a specific application is to first develop a process that meets or exceeds your cleanliness and dryness specifications while meeting your required production rate. Once an acceptable process has been developed that meets these requirements a cleaning system would then be engineered based on the developed process. After the cleaning system is developed it is best to discuss all available options that would enhance the performance and energy savings of the cleaning system.

HOW OFTEN WILL I NEED TO CHANGE THE BATH OR FILTERS ON MY WASHING SYSTEM?
 

This is one of the most frequently asked questions that has no viable answer until the machine is in actual production. Estimates can be made based off test results but ultimately it comes down to how many hours the machine is run, the amount of production parts that are run through it, and the amount of contaminate that is on the parts. The best way to determine a PM schedule is to run the machine until unacceptable results (Dirty Parts) are obtained and reduce the PM timeline to ensure the baths and filters are cleaned prior to producing unacceptable parts.

HOW DO I DETERMINE WHAT CHEMISTRY IS THE BEST FOR MY APPLICATION?

Stoelting has a fulltime Lab Technician that has been developing cleaning processes for 20 plus years. If you do not have a preferred chemical company you would like us to work with, we would recommend a chemical he feels would work best for your application based on his knowledge and experience. Please note, Stoelting does not sell chemistry however, we work very closely with a small number of reputable chemical companies that we would refer you to based on the test results achieved while developing your process.

HOW DO I ORDER PARTS FOR MY STOELTING/LEWIS EQUIPMENT?

If you have the Stoelting or Lewis part number from the bill of material or the part number from an assembly or electrical drawing, then you can contact us for more information. We can check stock, provide delivery time info and price info, and arrange payment by credit card.  If your company already has an open account at Stoelting, then a PO# can be used for purchase.  Please call 888-317-2150 or you can contact us by using our Parts & Service Request form.

HOW DO I ORDER PARTS FOR MY OLDER LEWIS EQUIPMENT?

Contact Stoelting at 888-317-2150 or via our Parts & Service Request form and describe the part that is needed by the Lewis part number (Lewis uses the manufactures part number, not a code number) or the part number marked on the part and we can provide the current Stoelting part number and pricing and delivery data for that part.

HOW DO I GET TECHNICAL INFORMATION OR FIELD SERVICE FOR MY STOELTING/LEWIS UNIT OR MY OLDER LEWIS CORP EQUIPMENT?

Contact Stoelting at 888-317-2150 or via our Parts & Service Request form and identify the Lewis or Stoelting machine by serial number, if available.

HOW LONG WILL A CHARGE OF CHEMICAL LAST (OR, HOW OFTEN DO I HAVE TO CHANGE CHEMICAL BATHS)?
 

This varies for every customer. Variables include: How many shifts per day? How many parts per shift? How hot are the water tanks (evaporation), Effectiveness and number of chemical isolation zones. Part geometry and quality of the chemistry. Customers get a quick feel for this upon running actual production for a while.

HOW MUCH DI WATER WILL I BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE TO THE UNIT FOR A GOOD FINAL RINSE?

Normally 2-5 GPM. The nozzles in the final rinse section are sized for this.

DO YOU REFURBISH OLD CLEANERS OR SELL USED MACHINES?

We sell only new equipment. From time to time we may have a demo/test unit for sale, but those are warrantied as new. Refurbishing old equipment can be more expensive than purchasing a new washer.

HOW DO I DETERMINE IF I NEED ULTRASONICS FOR MY APPLICATION?

There are many aspects and variables that go into determining if ultrasonics will achieve the required results for any application.  Once a detailed analysis of your application is completed, our applications sales engineers will make their recommendation.  The completed application survey will provide the necessary details that will help formulate the correct approach.  Ultrasonic is typically warranted when the application can be described as a ‘precision cleaning application’.  Precision Cleaning implies that the parts will typically be measured for their cleanliness by either a Gravimetric Analysis “Millipore” or other means.  Ultrasonics is typically used when the various other methods of adding mechanical energy to a cleaning application are unable to achieve the required cleanliness results.

EXPLAIN THE THREE TYPES OF ENERGY AND WHAT IS THE CLEANING TRIANGLE?

All water based or solvent based cleaning are based on the three energies that make up any cleaning process.  The three energies are Thermal, Chemical and Mechanical.  Envision a triangle with each corner representing each of these three energies and the fourth variable of ‘Time’ in the center of the triangle.  If you increase any one energy, you can typically reduce the other two energies.  A successful cleaning application balances these three energies to provide lowest cost alternative to achieve the end results.  Thermal Energy (TE) conditions a contaminant to be acted upon by the chemical and mechanical energies (ie melting wax) TE acts as a catalyst in chemical reactions and raises the energy level in any type of cleaning system.  Chemical Energy (CE) provides the ability to break molecular bonds.  CE has a wide range of properties to perform a wide range of work.  Mechanical Energy (ME) provides the energy to physically remove the contamination can range from 0-15,000 PSI and is used to deliver the chemical and thermal energy.  ME various forms are spray, agitation and/or ultrasonics.

WHAT CAN LEWIS MAGNETOSTRICTIVE PROVIDE THAT NO OTHER ULTRASONIC MANUFACTURER CAN PROVIDE?

Our company has a patented form of ultrasonics were we have two opposing frequency ultrasonic radiating plates in close proximity to one another and the parts to be cleaned are passed between these two radiating faces and exposed to an extremely intense field of low frequency mechanical energy.  This 30+ year old technology is unsurpassed in it’s ability to bring the highest ultrasonic power per gallon of solution.  With this technology and the extreme mechanical energy it provides, we can clean parts with less chemical energy, at a lower temperature and in a short amount of time.  We refer to this as “Nearfield”.  The Nearfield can be adapted for in-line cleaning of braided hose, cable, wire or in a batch belt application with parts in carrier on a chain or parts on a conveying belt.

IS THE OVER TEMPERATURE SWITCH ON THE TREK LINE ADJUSTABLE AND IF SO HOW DO I ADJUST IT?

The over temperature switch in the TRITON comes preset from the factory for constant operation at temperatures up to 150°F.  At times this switch may go out of adjustment, necessitating recalibration.  Following is the adjustment method for the over temperature safety switch.  It is essential to perform an initial test procedure to verify that the over temperature switch is really in need of adjustment, and that it is not simply tripping at a high temperature that the controller is not accurately sensing.

Check the accuracy of the installed temperature controller using a separate thermometer.  If the controller on the cleaner is reading accurately then we can conclude that the over temperature safety switch is set too low for the current operation.  If the controller on the cleaner does not agree, approximately, with the reading from the independent sensor then we can conclude that either the controller or, more likely, the temperature probe is defective.

If the sensor or controller is faulty, then that component must be replaced.

If the over temperature safety switch is set too low then it can be adjusted per the following instructions:

1. Loosen lock screw on the over temperature thermal switch;
2. Raise temperature trip point by turning the adjusting screw counterclockwise ¹/₈ turn;
3. Run system at the maximum standard running temperature (150°F);
4. If switch continues to trip falsely at too low of a temperature, then allow to cool below 115°F and repeat steps 2 and 3;
5. Tighten lock screw when final temperature trip point is properly set.

IS THE RESISTIVITY SET POINT ADJUSTABLE AND IF SO HOW DO I DO THIS?

With power on, press and hold the black button on the ribbon cable. The current Alarm set point is displayed. If change is desired, slowly turn the brass trim pot labeled SP1 until desired set point is displayed.  Release button and the set-point is now changed.

DOES STOELTING REPAIR ULTRASONIC GENERATORS AND TRANSDUCERS?

We repair ultrasonic generators and transducers manufactured by Stoelting or formerly Lewis Corporation.  We do not repair units manufactured by anyone else.  All repairs are invoiced on a time and material basis.  Customers are required to obtain a return authorization number prior to sending units for repair.  Any units received at Stoelting without a return authorization number may be refused for delivery.  Please call 888-317-2150 if you would like to obtain a return authorization number.

CAN I RETURN PARTS FOR CREDIT?

Parts may be returned within 1 year of purchase, but must be in their original condition and are subject to inspection upon arrival at Stoelting.  Credit will be issued for parts which pass inspection at the original sell price minus a 20% re-stocking fee.