Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - CLEAN CABINET (A unique and innovative cleanliness test bench that allows to increase test efficiency and reduce costs for cleanliness assessment of hydraulic, automotive and aeronautic components and systems)

Teaser

CLEAN CABINET is a new and disruptive solution for cleanliness evaluation of hydraulic components. It enables to test the cleanliness condition of a wide range of hydraulic components and systems, at much lower cost and in a more efficient way. The system integrates, in a...

Summary

CLEAN CABINET is a new and disruptive solution for cleanliness evaluation of hydraulic components. It enables to test the cleanliness condition of a wide range of hydraulic components and systems, at much lower cost and in a more efficient way.
The system integrates, in a single device, all the functions required for cleanliness testing. Moreover, the process is totally automated and much faster, gaining in reliability and repeatability.
CLEAN CABINET has a compact size to be easily installed in production lines, and no skilled technician is needed to operate it. The automatic flushing system is by far more efficient than the manual rinsing, due to the much higher pressures (up to 25 bar) and flow rates (up to 75 l/min.) used. Moreover, each reference is flushed using specific process parameters to optimise the extraction process.
The contaminants are collected with a membrane filter that, without human intervention, is dried and transferred to the analysis area, avoiding any contamination risk. Then, they are analysed by means of a high-resolution camera and a dedicated image analysis software. Even the final report with the results is generated automatically and, thanks to the remote communication features of CLEAN CABINET, it can be checked remotely.
The whole process only takes between 20 and 30 minutes, enabling for quick reaction if a quality problem is detected.
These are some of the key features:
- All the operations are performed automatically in a single device.
- Very efficient for all types of contaminants and component geometries.
- Can be easily integrated in manufacturing lines. No laboratory needed.
- Easy to operate: no skilled operators are required.
- Fully compliant with ISO16232.
- Faster, more reliable and much cheaper than state-of-the-art solutions.

Work performed

We have finished the engineering and development of the CLEAN CABINET that mainly included the following phases: mechanical design of the structure, mechanical design of membrane holder module, design and choice of the fluidic circuit components, definition of the 3D layout. A great effort has been done in the selection of the optical device. It must be able to examine the membrane filters in several different situations and it must be fully compliance to ISO 16232 and VDA-19. After few months from the beginning of the project, we have started the selection of the components of the CLEAN CABINET. The choice has been done according to the following criterias: best value to price and technical futures (type of materials, size etc.). Of course we paid a lot of attention also in the choice of the suppliers regarding the manufacturing capacity and credit rating.
We also have started to manufacture the “Clean Cabinet” and we are confident to end the prototype at the beginning of the next year.
First we started to structure the commercial plan. We focused on the preliminary activities such as the market surveys and the preparation of a commercial strategy for the dissemination of the Clean Cabinet.
We started the dissemination of the project by Media (TV and newspaper), social network (LinkedIn and Facebook) and at the end of the first year by the release of the new dedicated website: www.cleancabinet.it.
Concerning the develop of sales in the European market we have signed an agreement with a company specialized to support companies in the internationalization by scouting new dealers and customers in particular in the following countries: Germany, France and UK.
Regarding the Italian market, we have selected some sales agents to disseminate and sell the Clean Cabinet throughout Italy which is the second European manufacturing country.
We also attend a few fairs such as CIIF Shangai fair in 2018, Bauma-Monaco, Hannover Messe fair and MCM Milano fair in 2019 and we are strongly committed to plan the fairs for the II year of the project.
Finally we apply for the application patent in advanced of what planned (24th month of the project) in order to let us free to strength our commercial planned without any risk.
For all the above-mentioned activities of the commercial plan, Oilsafe has hired new resources: a new sale and marketing director, a sales developer, a service manager and a marketing assistance.

Final results

We have bought a new site and we are building a new production plant next to Oilsafe headquarters that allows us to extend the manufacturing site up to 5.300 sq. We are building the new company facility according to Industry 4.0, using the most modern green materials and manufacturing methods.
In the first year of the project, we have hired eleven employees in almost all the departments of the company in order to strengthen the different areas especially in the sales and technical department.
After few years from the end of the project, we believe that the social impact in terms of employment could be up to 100 people considering direct and indirect hiring.
We should also remember that the Clean Cabinet will have a remarkable impact in the environmental sustainability as clean components allows to low the energy consumption and to reduce the use of materials due to higher reliability and lifespan.

Website & more info

More info: http://www.cleancabinet.it.