Carrara

From the trichloroethylene tank to the detergent washing plant: the technological and environmental change in the treatment of surfaces for third parties.

The firm

Verniciatura Carrara is specialized in the realization of surface treatments for third parties.

It combines its own traditional craftsmanlike care in the treatment field – washing, pre-treatment and painting – with solutions which place it at a high level in those sectors availing of its activity such as civil and military aviation, electro-medical equipment and prestigious motorcycles. Verniciatura Carrara was created in 1975 and is situated in Malnate in the province of Varese. It is managed by its founder, Francesco Carrara, assisted by Paolo Malinverno. It occupies a surface area of 4.800 m2 and deals with millions of aluminium and steel pieces per year in varying shapes and sizes, for a total turnover of 1.6 million euro.

The problem to solve

Regarding the environment, Verniciatura Carrara distinguishes itself for the elimination of the trichloroethylene tank, an important point as far as the working environment of the 14 employees in the firm is concerned. The success of Verniciature Carrara and the multiplication of the orders for pieces of large dimensions to be washed made it necessary to install systems which were able to offer an adequate performance. It indeed became necessary, in the changeover from trichloroethylene to detergent, to be able to give to the metal pieces an appropriate protection against corrosion, given their permanency in the warehouse and the preliminary treatments that the pieces would be subjected to after washing and before painting.

The solution adopted

Finep’s mobile ramp washing system carried out two operations. The first consisted in degreasing and phosphating the pieces using a phospho-degreasing product which had a high concentration of molybdate (against rusting). This procedure lasted five minutes and was done at a temperature of 60°c. After the phospho-degreasing there were two minutes of dripping (draining of the phospho-degreasing solution) after which a rinsing phase was activated. This lasted six minutes at a temperature of 75-80°c. The residual temperature of the articles at the end of the rinsing phase determined their self-drying. The complete cycle of the operation lasted 13 minutes and in the end the piece was ready for the following treatments and storing. The rinsing water was recuperated and used to feed the water veils of the painting cabin, after being opportunely trerated. The degreasing tank is disposed of 2-3 times per year, in accordance with the normal legal procedures.

Conclusion

“Besides solving the technical and environmental issues illustrated” – says Paolo Malinverno – “the investment in the mobile ramp washing system proposed by Dollmar proved to be competitive in economic terms as well. Moreover, the total assistance of Francesco Marinelli was a most useful support. We are sure we have chosen the best solution in this delicate changeover circumstance. Our supplier presented and proposed a process not only a system or chemical pre-treatment products. Apart from the plant we do in fact use Dollmar formulates which have proved to be quality products, trustworthy and with the added value of the consultancy that a single interlocutor was able to offer for the whole procedure. Thanks to the choices made in collaboration, today we work in total tranquillity both from the legal viewpoint and regarding the certainty to be able to take on any order and guarantee the client the results he expects”. Conclusion “I believe” – Paolo Malinverno concludes – “ that running a business today means working with great attention to the human capital, to the needs of the client and to the market in which you wish to enter, in my own experience, offering high quality standards and timeliness in the rendering of the service and the willingness to faithfully interpret even the most “critical” points of the order which are often, given the sector we operate in, extremely sophisticated”.

Extract from “Lavaggio Industriale”