Dryer retrofit in two and a half days

UBB Umformtechnik GmbH (UBB) has modernised the drying process in its electroplating plant, thereby improving both productivity and ease of maintenance and bringing it up to the latest state of the art. Two modern GALVADRY® barrel dryers from Richard Tscherwitschke GmbH, equipped with energy recovery and remote maintenance systems, are used. Thanks to careful planning and preparation, the implementation of the new system was completed in just two and a half days.

Compact solution and operational after only two and a half days: the modernised dryer solution at UBB with the GALVADRY® drying system. (Image: Richard Tscherwitschke GmbH)

UBB manufactures high-quality stamped parts for industrial applications. Covering an area of over 12,000 m², the company has a powerful machine park with high-performance presses, a profiling line and an electroplating plant. In addition to fastening systems for the heating, air conditioning, sanitation and ventilation industries, another focus is the production of stamped, welded and formed parts in small and large batch sizes.

GALVA-E plating barrels, also from Tscherwitschke, are used in the in-house electroplating facility. The two-line system operates efficiently in a closed-loop cycle. Two new GALVADRY® dryers replace the ageing, 30-year-old predecessor system, whose performance had been steadily declining: The previous dryers were maintenance-intensive, spare parts were difficult to obtain, and the required drying parameters often could not be achieved. To ensure complete drying, the volume of goods always had to be reduced. A third dryer for rack goods that was previously used is also no longer needed – this creates space and improves accessibility for maintenance work.

Thanks to their compact design, the new dryers could be seamlessly integrated into the existing plant without any structural modifications. The connected load was almost halved, and the average drying temperature is an efficient 65°C – significantly lower than before. The result: shorter drying times, reduced cycle times, higher throughput and sustainable energy savings.

The decision to opt for the GALVADRY® system was based on positive experiences with the plating barrels from Richard Tscherwitschke GmbH and the impressive new design. The high plant utilisation rate required rapid recommissioning. The changeover was therefore precisely timed: after the end of operations on Friday, the old dryers were shut down and dismantled on Saturday. From Monday to Wednesday, the new dryers were installed and connected to the system. By Wednesday afternoon – after only two and a half working days – production was back in full swing.

The new dryer duo impresses with its excellent insulation, which effectively minimises thermal bridges. The air flow is perfectly matched to the barrel types used, ensuring optimum air flow through the goods for fast, efficient drying. Thanks to their well-thought-out design, both dryer units are easily accessible, which facilitates maintenance and inspection work. A particular highlight is the integrated remote maintenance function, which enables faults to be quickly identified and rectified – without the need for on-site intervention. This saves time and money and ensures smooth operation.