Sealing equipment specialist Godfrey & Wing has a contract to supply its HVLV vacuum-impregnation system to SEW-Eurodrive, to seal diecast aluminum motor and gear components at its operation in Fordach, France. SEW is a developer and manufacturer of decentralized motor control technology. It also produces large industrial gearboxes, with helical, bevel helical, and planetary gears.
The system will be installed next year. According to Godfrey & Wing, the order also includes its 95-1000AA recoverable sealant and ongoing technical support.
Also, according to G&W, the contract resulted from SEW-Eurodrive’s plan to move its vacuum impregnation processes in-house, in order to reduce freight costs and production delays that necessitated by outsourcing the part-sealing stage of production.
The HVLV system’s small footprint and modular construction make it possible to integrate vacuum impregnation directly into the Fordach manufacturing process, and SEW-Eurodrive reportedly will be able to increase its production efficiency, reducing process waste and production costs.
HVLV (“high value, low volume) is a semi-automated, three-module operation that uses a dry vacuum and pressure processing to treat up to 15 cycles per hour. The developer claims the system "includes the most advanced porosity sealing technology available."
G&W added that HVLV "achieves a First Time Through (FTT) rate of over 99.5% on porous castings. This allows SEW- Eurodrive to maximize casting recovery and meet manufacturing targets."