SNOW Tapping Machine Refurbishment Extends Lifespan for Continued Reliable Production
The Customer
For more than 50 years, this SNOW tapping machine had been used to tap zinc castings in a manufacturer’s production process. After decades of service, however, electrical and pneumatic issues began to affect its reliability.
Rather than immediately investing in a costly replacement, the customer turned to Hypneumat for an expert evaluation of whether the existing machine could be restored and upgraded for continued long-term use.
The Challenge
The customer’s SNOW machine was experiencing intermittent electrical control problems that made troubleshooting increasingly difficult. The original relay controls and electrical wiring created situations where the machine would stop unexpectedly or stop midcycle during operation.
Identifying the source of any problem on the old machine was time-consuming because of the old relay-based control system. In addition to the electrical issues, the tapping unit required new seals, and the aging pneumatic system occasionally created performance problems. The existing system also did not include an oiler to provide proper lubrication for the pneumatic components.
The customer needed more than a temporary repair. They wanted to restore the machine’s performance, improve reliability, simplify operation and troubleshooting, and extend the life of equipment.
The Hypneumat Solution
Relying on the Hypneumat team’s expert knowledge of the SNOW product line, which Hypneumat acquired in 2007, the team completely refurbished the customer’s existing machine.
The refurbishment began with a complete restoration of the machine’s physical components. Hypneumat sandblasted and repainted the machine to renew its appearance. The team also replaced all seals in the tapping unit, installed a new motor, and upgraded the pneumatic system with new valves and regulators. An oiler was added to improve pneumatic component lubrication and longevity.
Hypneumat removed the old hard-wired relay controls and replaced them with a modern PLC control panel and new wiring. The updated control system eliminated the complexity of the aging relay-based setup and provided faster, more reliable machine response. Hypneumat also simplified the controls so the customer could easily make the adjustments necessary for their tapping application.
The Result
The customer’s refurbished SNOW tapping machine now functions like a new machine, providing the customer with improved reliability and faster response times.
By rebuilding and modernizing the equipment, Hypneumat helped the customer achieve several important goals including:
- Improved machine reliability and consistent production performance
- Faster response times with modern PLC controls
- Easier troubleshooting and machine adjustments
- Updated electrical wiring and pneumatic components
- Restored tapping unit performance with new seals
- Improved pneumatic lubrication for long-term operation
- Additional decades of useful machine life
Most importantly, the customer received a machine that performs like new and eliminated the high cost of purchasing a new replacement machine.
For manufacturers operating older equipment, replacement is not always the only option. With decades of engineering expertise, machine knowledge and modernization strategy, Hypneumat can restore your existing equipment, upgrade critical systems and deliver the reliability and longevity needed to keep production moving forward.
Do you have an old drilling or tapping machine that’s slowing down your production? Contact Hypneumat to discuss your equipment and refurbishment options!