Hey OEM’s: Are you adding unnecessary cost to your machines??

“Effective Tank design by Keltech” I find the best place to start is at the beginning. An effective tank project is a 2 way street, through open communication and collaboration in the early stages of the project we increase the chances hugely of ending up with a cost effective fit for purpose tank.

Some simple introductory questions may include

  •  What type of application will the tank operate in? (Material handling/ Material Processing/Off road/On Road, etc)
  • What type of climatic conditions is the tank going to be exposed to?
  • Is the tank an existing product you currently procure or is this at New Product Development stage?

These simple questions give a solid foundation for our joint tank project.

Base Materials Selection:

Depending on the type of machinery, operating climatic conditions and actual required size of the tank there is many different suitable base materials we can advise. The use of aluminized steel (sheet steel hot dip coated on both sides with an aluminium-silicon alloy) solves the contamination problems inherent in uncoated steels. The use of HROP steel although a more costly substitute to HR material will remove the need for the expensive blasting process pre chemical treatment and painting (Paint trials we have conducted proves painted HROP gives at least an equivalent performance to painted blasted HR, HROP also yields better internal cleanliness result over time)

Beyond these base steel selections options may also include various different stainless steel grades. I recommend we quote in a multiple of material options allowing you systematically weigh up the pros and cons of each.

Are your design team over engineering your tanks?

OEM’s Give as much detail as possible: capacity requirement, space void available etc. Basic preliminary drawings are helpful to us also as it provides the foundation of the design giving us a canvas to work on when considering what manufacturing efficiencies we can utilise.

We believe in «simple is best». Tanks which are complex, by complex I mean corners or edges, trapezoidal shapes, irregular rectangles, etc just means more material, more labour and more leak test time all of which is adding to your overall cost.

Keltech when reviewing new tank projects always review the existing or proposed design. Simple changes such as putting a fold in place of a weld or integrating mounting brackets into the tank body can reduce that costly weld time substantially.

Review the total cost of ownership

At Keltech we recommend that we supply your tank in a plug and play state with all filters, gauges, manifolds etc, fitted and final leak tested. This level of supply allows the OEM remove the need for tank sub assembly cells at their final assembly plant, they no longer have to procure and store stock of this tank furniture, and the buyer now manages a 1 line item order related to the tank on a fixed lead time rather than managing the tank and all associated parts ongoing. Keltech have strong key partnerships with all manufacturers of tank furniture. A key by product of this type of supply is when Keltech supply a tank in this state not only is there a TCO benefit but it also drastically diminishes the introduction of contamination during the tank installation process as it is supplied now fully sealed.

End result?

Through planning and collaboration with Keltech you will end up with a cost effective, fit for purpose finished tank that is ready for direct fit to your machine.

Enjoyed reading this post or want to find out more? Contact me on seamus.lawlor@keltech.ie or 00353864681333

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