Case Study
Reducing Silica Dust Exposure Using High Pressure Waterjet Casting Cleaning
by Shane Schilling, Operation Director and Joseph Tebbe, President R
ecently, stricter regulations on cristobalite silica exposure has caused investment casting foundries concern on how to mitigate employee’s exposure and reduce the potential of penalties. Prior to the new regulations, employee exposure to cristobalite silica exposure was limited to 0.100 mg/m3
of air averaged over an
8-hour shift. The new regulations limit employee exposure of cristobalite silica to 0.050 mg/m3
, causing foundries to
uncover new ways to reduce exposure in their processes. Triplex Systems, Inc.’s knowledge and years of expertise in reducing silica dust is a now a valuable resource for investment casting foundries to consider. With their High Pressure Waterjet Casting Cleaning Centers,
Triplex
Systems Inc. has proven ways to not only reduce exposure to cristobalite silica, but also to improve the overall productivity, safety, and ergonomics in the post casting finishing operations. Triplex Systems Inc.’s, High Pressure Waterjet Casting Cleaning Centers accomplish waterjet knockout and superior cleaning in one casting cleaning center, effectively eliminating the need for mechanical vibratory hammer knockout, which is one major contributor to the airborne silica dust problems and stress fractures of castings.
Recent case studies have shown
that Triplex Systems, Inc’s High Pressure Waterjet Casting Cleaning process was far more efficient, by removing up to 95%-100% of the shell, and also reduced cristobalite silica exposure by 35%, when compared to the mechanical vibratory hammer knockout process. One particular case history,
provided by Wisconsin Precision and as illustrated in the bar chart, demonstrates that the High Pressure Waterjet Cleaning Centers from
limited cristobalite silica exposure to 0.018 mg/m3
Triplex Systems Inc., , which is 0.032 mg/m3
10 ❘ June 2019 ®
Above results based on 8 hour timed weighted average (TWA) for Traditional Knock-Out (with fair dust collection) compared to 8 hour TWA for Triplex Systems, Inc. Waterblast Cleaning Center from Wisconsin Precision Casting Corp.
below OSHA’s PEL limit and 0.007mg/ m3
below OSHA’s action level. Thus,
providing a significant opportunity for foundries to reduce their overall employee exposure to cristobalite silica. Another case history, provided by
MCM Precision in Ohio, demonstrates opportunities that foundries may be able to take advantage of in their state. MCM Precision is currently working with the state of Ohio’s Workman’s Compensation Program, offering foundries monetary grants for mitigating noise reduction, silica dust reduction, and ergonomics. In MCM Precisions’ case, Triplex Systems, Inc.’s, High Pressure Casting Cleaning Centers and the Gator Abrasive Wheel Cut-Off Machine met all the criteria and MCM Precision was awarded a grant for $40,000.00 toward the purchase of the Triplex Systems equipment.
About Triplex Systems For over 30 years Triplex Systems, Inc. has been manufacturing high pressure waterjet casting cleaning centers for the investment casting industry. The founding mission statement at Triplex Systems, Inc. is, “Technology to improve productivity, safety, ergonomics and the environment.” During these 30 years, Triplex Systems, Inc. has promoted their high pressure waterjet casting cleaning equipment as a means of reducing silica dust, by virtue of their wet cleaning process.
For more information about their high pressure waterjet casting cleaning centers and
abrasive wheel cut-off
machines, contact, Triplex Systems, Inc., at
info@triplexsystems.com or through their website:
www.triplexsystems.com.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32
