Answer / Parker-Hannifin The Viking Solution Parker-Hannifin Corporation manufactures an array of filters and dryers for commercial and residential air-conditioning equipment. Processes employed at the company include brazing and welding sweat and flare fittings to dryer bodies, shotblasting parts in preparation for painting, and curing parts in ovens at 350°F. The Challenge The vinyl caps Parker used as both paint masks and to protect tubes during shipping were exploding off when assemblies were exposed to high heat in the paint drying ovens. This not only increased costs due to excessive scrap and rework, but also resulted in downtime and higher labor costs to clean and repair damage to the paint ovens.

Customers frequently complained about contamination of the air conditioning systems by paint chips that flaked off the vinyl caps into the tube before brazing. In addition, Parker-Hannifin management had reservations about the environmental undesirability of using PVC in the caps. The Viking Solution After vigorously examining and testing several materials, Viking Plastics designed a dryer cap from a high-temperature, flexible composite that allows air pressure to escape during curing, yet prevents moisture from entering the dryer body. The material also accepts paint extremely well, eliminating flaking and customer concerns about system contamination. The Viking cap performed so well that Parker-Hannifin was able to use it throughout the manufacturing process, saving the time and labor of recapping. The new design also completely eliminated scrap and rework, as well as paint oven downtime, resulting in substantial cost savings for the company. Submit Your Own Success Story Here