The Challenge
Improving Wash-Line Throughput While Maintaining High Cleanliness Standards
The customer needed to replace labor-heavy cleaning methods with automation that ensured each heavy engine block met cleanliness specifications. The automation had to:
- Handle engine blocks weighing hundreds of pounds per part
- Perform precision washing and drying at high temperatures
- Support in-process inspection and part verification
- Operate continuously with minimal operator oversight
MWES was chosen to engineer a turnkey cleaning cell that could meet exacting cleanliness specs while streamlining the wash line workflow.
The Solution
Fully Automated Engine Block Wash & Dry Cell with Integrated Inspection
MWES engineered a turnkey robotic engine block wash cell featuring:
- Custom endplate holding fixtures designed for each engine variant
- Block positioner with automated clamping for precise robotic articulation
- Overhead-mounted ABB inversed-arm robot with purged gearboxes for high-contamination environments
- Automated tool changer for nozzle switching between wash, air-dry, and corrosion coating operations
- Bespoke wash program per block type, restartable at any point after stoppage
The system enhances uptime through flexible process control and is enclosed in the same footprint as the original cell—making it both space-efficient and future-proof.
The Results
Reliable Production, Cleaner Components & Reduced Labor Burden
The automation delivered key benefits for both quality and efficiency:
- Increased wash cell cycle speed by 30%, alleviating a major production bottleneck
- Reduced system cleaning and maintenance downtime
- Enabled easy upgrades and software control for new engine varieties
- Improved operational reliability even in demanding wash bay conditions
By combining robotic automation with heated washing and inspection logic, MWES helped the customer scale their wash line with consistent results and fewer labor requirements.
