Twelve paint pumps on a large sheet-metal-parts paint line were driven by hydraulic motors. A central hydraulic system supplied the motors with a total of 3,500 litres of HLP 46 hydraulic oil.
Because the system was heavily utilised, the scheduled oil change could not be carried out. Replacing the hydraulic oil required approximately 24 hours of downtime, including tank cleaning and other maintenance work. As oil contamination increased, the hydraulic motors began to fail—sometimes as often as once a week.
To minimise downtime, the motors were connected to the hydraulic system with quick couplings instead of permanent connections. Each motor overhaul cost approximately €500. The plant operator therefore needed a way to clean or replace the oil during production and restore fault-free motor operation.
During ongoing production, a FRIESS EFR D16 electrostatic oil cleaning system was connected to the hydraulic reservoir. The 3,500 litres of oil were intensively cleaned for approximately six weeks without interrupting production.
During the first week after connection, one more hydraulic motor failed and had to be overhauled. No further motor failures occurred during the remaining cleaning period.
For hydraulic-system operators:
FRIESS also provides on-site hydraulic-oil analysis and purification services. Equipment repairs and spare-parts supply are not included.
