Case Study: British engineering helps to keep Caterpillar trucks rolling in the USA
Summary: Magnom filtration units to improve operating efficiency and reduce downtime
Application(s): Transmissions Lubrication Oils Hydraulics Engine Protection
Industry(s): Industrial Hydraulics Automotive Agriculture & Mobile
Notes
One of the USA’s largest and best-known dealers for Caterpillar off- road vehicles, Whayne Supply, has teamed up with a small UK engineering firm, Magnom, to introduce magnetic filtration units that have been shown to increase operational efficiency and decrease downtime. The Magnom filtration units, which remove ferrous particles are being used in conjunction with traditional barrier techniques to provide unmatched levels of filtration on the vehicles.The custom-designed units, using patented Magnom technology, are now in volume production.
Magnom engineers, led by the company’s technology director and original inventor Jobey Marlowe worked with Whayne Supply over a three year period to develop the custom units for the Caterpillar vehicles. Whayne Supply focuses on the Kentucky and southern Indiana markets and is marketing the new filters to other North American Caterpillar dealers.
Whayne Supply’s technology division general manager Edwin Downer said: “During testing, we were convinced by the results that adding Magnom units to the machine systems would reduce both operating expenses and unscheduled downtime.”
Magnom chairman Robert Spender said: “It is especially pleasing to us to be working with a partner that has the resources to introduce the benefits of Magnom technology to a wider audience. These benefits quickly translate into reduced warranty and general maintenance costs and so we are quietly confident of take up across North America. “
About the Technology
Magnom Corp, based at Warwick Technology Park, offers inventive solutions to the cause of the majority of catastrophic failures in fluid systems by filtering out ferrous particles. These particles are the most dangerous contaminant in fluid systems, yet the failure of conventional filtration to remove them is not highlighted by traditional measuring techniques, which focus on the size of a particle and not the threat it presents to a system. While they are often microscopic and small enough to escape notice in standard filtration testing , ferrous particles are the hidden assassins of fluid systems.
Magnom’s patented technology is used to produce inexpensive filtration units, typically fitted in addition to conventional mechanical mesh filters. Magnom units have exceptionally long life and a design which enables them to capture a surprisingly large mass of ferrous material, filtering particle sizes down to 0.07µ (1µ, or micron = one millionth of a meter) , while never impeding fluid flow. This makes them suitable for cleaning fluids on the inlet suction side of pumps, so they remove particles before they enter critical system components.
Magnom filtration is being used in hundreds of applications worldwide, ranging from Formula 1 cars, where absolute fluid purity is essential to avoid wear and maintain efficiency, to closed systems such domestic heating systems where Magnom Boiler Buddy reduces build up on ferrous material on heat exchanges and adds to overall fuel efficiency . The long life of Magnom filters makes them ideal for use where scheduling downtime and gaining access for major maintenance is an issue, such as off shire wind turbines and deep sea trawlers.
Magnom technology is now being adopted increasingly in OEM markets such as the production and operation of off-road vehicles and closed heating systems. These are examples of markets where improved operating efficiency, reduced downtime and reduced warranty claims can have a rapid and measurable impact on bottom line productivity. The recent (Q1 2011) agreement between Magnom and U.S. Caterpillar distributor Whayne Supply is an example of this sort of collaboration.
About Whayne Supply
Whayne Supply Company of Louisville, Kentucky opened in 191 and is one of the oldest and largest Caterpillar dealers in the United States. With 1300 employees and 12 facilities across Kentucky and southern Indiana, Whayne Supply also represents other equipment manufacturers serving the construction, mining, agriculture, forestry and power generation markets.
