MecWash: Enhanced Production with MecWash MWX400 System

HellermannTyton is a global leader in cable management solutions, supplying high-performance products to the aerospace, automotive and electrical sectors. At its Plymouth facility, the company manufactures heat-shrinkable tubing and related components. These products require precise cleaning processes to maintain their integrity, as excessive heat during cleaning could cause premature shrinkage and render the components unusable.

Maintaining strict quality standards while meeting rising production demand prompted HellermannTyton to seek increased cleaning system capacity. However, the cleaning challenge was tough:

  1. Temperature Sensitivity – Heat-shrinkable tubing must never exceed 38°C during cleaning and drying.
  2. Contaminant Removal – Silicone residue, notoriously difficult to remove, needed to be consistently eliminated to guarantee product performance and quality.

HellermannTyton had already invested in a MecWash Midi system, which had proven reliable over time. However, increasing production volumes required an additional system capable of meeting both the technical requirements of sensitive heat-shrinkable parts and the operational demand for 24/7 production.

The MWX400 is the second parts washing system built by MecWash for HellermannTyton. 

After consulting with MecWash Systems, HellermannTyton installed the MecWash MWX400, a precision aqueous parts-cleaning system specifically designed for complex cleaning applications and sensitive materials.

The MWX400 offered three critical advantages:

  • Ultrasonic Cleaning – Dislodges and removes stubborn silicone contamination.
  • Specialist Cleaning Chemistry (MecWash AC33) – A formula developed for plastics that ensures excellent cleaning results without damaging delicate components.
  • Low-Temperature Drying – Maintains precise control to keep parts below the 38°C threshold.

This bespoke solution was developed in close collaboration between MecWash sales manager Paul Jarratt and the HellermannTyton team to ensure all process requirements were met.

“Maintaining product integrity is critical at HellermannTyton. The MWX400 provides ultrasonic cleaning, designed to target, dislodge and remove stubborn silicone deposits, while its low-temperature drying ensures the heat-shrinkable parts remain within safe thermal limits.”
— Paul Jarratt, Sales Manager, MecWash Systems

The MecWash MWX400 provides a complete removal of silicone residues while protecting the delicate components.

The introduction of the MWX400 delivered significant benefits to HellermannTyton’s operations:

  • Increased Production Capability – The system enables continuous, around-the-clock operation (24/7), scaling production without compromising quality.
  • Consistent Quality – Ultrasonic cleaning combined with MecWash AC33 ensures complete removal of silicone residues while protecting delicate components.
  • Proven Reliability – This is HellermannTyton’s second MecWash system, underlining its confidence in MecWash technology and support.

“The MWX400 allows us to clean and dry heat-shrinkable components at the precise temperature needed to maintain quality, while removing even the most stubborn silicone residues. It has increased our production capacity and runs reliably 24/7.”
— Steve Walker, Continuous Improvement Engineer, HellermannTyton

MecWash has over three decades of experience in advanced aqueous cleaning solutions, serving industries such as automotive, aerospace, hydraulics, and medical. The company’s systems are designed to handle the most stringent manufacturing demands, with robust engineering that ensures longevity.

“Building a second parts washing system for HellermannTyton is another example of the repeat business MecWash enjoys. The combination of the Midi and MWX400 has generated substantial improvements to the efficiency of their cleaning process. With proper maintenance, these systems will continue to deliver reliable performance for years to come.”
— John Pattison, Managing Director, MecWash Systems

By adopting the MecWash MWX400, HellermannTyton has strengthened its production capability, ensuring both quality and scalability in its cable management solutions. The partnership underscores MecWash’s ability to tailor precision cleaning systems for critical applications where consistency, reliability, and product integrity are paramount.

 

JBO: Automatic Gauging for Internal Threads

Presenting the new Automatic Thread Gauge from JBO – a compact and reliable inspection system for checking the threads of nuts, implants, and other small parts with internal threads – ideal for use in production, quality assurance, or incoming goods inspection.

The device enables measurement of thread depth and inspection of thread accuracy in an automated testing process.  Thanks to a motor-driven plug gauge with a quick-change coupling, internal threads can be checked precisely and efficiently – even in series production

Advantages at a glance:

  • Reliable measurement results (resolution 0.01 mm)
  • Time savings through automated operation
  • Easy handling with interchangeable plug gauge
  • Two measuring modes: Minimum thread depth and measurement
    of thread depth with a defined range (from/to)
  • Digital display and acoustic signal for quick evaluation
  • Software control for individual test parameters
  • USB interface for data transfer

Ideal for:

  • Series inspection of nuts, implants, and other small parts with internal threads
  • Quality assurance according to standards
  • Rapid inspection in incoming goods or production environments

Please contact us for more information on the JBO Automatic Thread Gauging device.

Link:  JBO MultiCheck and Automatic Screw Nut Gauge

 

HORN: New System for Grooving and Parting Off

S234 – this is the name of the newly developed parting system that Horn has developed especially for large grooving depths. The double-edged system enables a maximum depth of cut of 33 mm (1.300″). This means that diameters up to 65 mm (2.560″) can be parted off reliably and economically. The combination of high grooving depths, rigid clamping, high-performance chip breaker geometry and internal cooling makes the system extremely attractive in terms of price/performance ratio.

The inserts are available in cutting widths of 2 mm (0.079”) and 3 mm (0.118″). The corner radii are 0.2 mm (0.008″) and 0.3 mm (0.012”) respectively. The sintered EN geometry ensures reliable chip removal. Depending on the material to be machined, the inserts are available in AS45 and IG65 grades. Square shank holders in sizes 20 mm x 20 mm (0.787 x 0.787″) and 25 mm x 25 mm (0.984 x 0.984″) ensure stable clamping. Horn also offers reinforced grooving blades and tool holders for the modular parting and grooving system. All types are equipped with internal coolant supply.

Please contact us for more information on the new Grooving and Parting Off solutions from Horn.

JBO : SHARK Thread Milling Cutters

Long Tool Life, Short Processing Time and Excellent Surface Quality – three advantages of solid carbide thread milling cutters from Johs. Boss GmbH & Co. KG Präzisionswerkzeugfabrik, Germany.  Available in a wide range of Thread Milling Cutters, Drill Thread Milling Cutters and Indexable Thread Milling Cutters including specials.

The SHARK high-performance Thread Milling Cutters from JBO offer precise thread machining – complemented by the G-thread range within the GFT series (solid carbide three-profile thread milling cutters).

General Advantages of Thread Milling

  1. Threads to different tolerance classes can be produced with same cutter
  2. Tool breakage does not necessarily entail scrapping of the workpiece
  3. Less power needed for cutting internal threads
  4. Short machining times due to high cutting speeds
  5. Excellent thread surface finish
  6. Short chips, hence no chip problems
  7. Right and left hand threads can be produced in blind or through holes by the same cutter
  8. Low cutting forces enable threads to be cut in thin wall workpieces
  9. Cutting speeds and feeds can be matched individually to workpiece material
  10. No change of cutter spindle direction of rotation required
  11. No special tapping chucks required, standard chucks suffice
  12. Threads can be cut to exact depth
  13. Threads can be cut down to near bottom of blind holes
  14. Start of thread accurately determined by NC programme

Please contact us to analyze your machining process and work out an optimized solution.

 

HORN: New Six-Edged Inserts with New Grooving Depth

Six-Edged Inserts with New Grooving Depth

With the 66T grooving system, Horn is expanding its tool portfolio in the area of six-edged indexable inserts. With six cutting edges, the insert offers an attractive price per cutting edge. The maximum grooving depth is 9.5 mm (0.374″). This is around 4 mm (0.157″) more than the sister system, 64T. Depending on the application, Horn offers inserts with two geometries and a version without geometry. The available geometries ensure reliable chip removal during machining. The IG65 carbide grade is used for machining stainless materials and difficult-to-cut materials. For general steels, Horn recommends the EG55 carbide grade for the 66T system.

The available cutting widths are 2.5 mm (0.098″) and 3 mm (0.118″). The corner radius is 0.2 mm (0.008″). The 1A geometry is suitable for pure groove turning operations, while the DL geometry is suitable for longitudinal turning in addition to grooving. The DL geometry is therefore also available with a corner radius of 0.4 mm (0.016″). The effective chip control of the chip breaking geometries ensures high surface quality on the groove flanks and the straight main cutting edge produces a cleanly finished base. Designed as neutral grooving inserts, they can be clamped in square shanks with internal cooling on both the left and the right side. Holder dimensions are 20 x 20 mm (0.787 x 0.787″) and 25 x 25 mm (0.984 x 0.984″). A clamping screw fixes the grooving insert precisely and securely in the central insert seat. Horn also offers type 220 clamping cassettes for the modular holder system.