Cooke Bros choose extraction from Thorne for new linishing units
08th June 1998

Cooke Brothers Ltd, one of the UK's leading manufacturers of high quality hinges and furniture fittings, recently installed new polishing and linishing equipment together with associated dust extraction equipment by J.B.Thorne of Leicester.

Walsall-based Cooke Brothers specified two new Autopulit polishers, supplied by Ellesco Ltd of Christchurch, exclusive UK agent for Autopulit. They are linked to an exterior-mounted Nonflam W185 extraction unit from Thorne which handles metal dust created in the polishing and linishing operation, venting cleaned air outside in the summer and returning it indoors in winter.

Commented joint managing director Philip Cooke: "after deciding to bring our finishing in-house to ensure shorter lead times and consistent high quality, we had to have equipment with proven performance. Thorne and Ellesco have long experience in similar installations, and we are very happy with the results. Thorne have come up with a very well designed extraction system and have made excellent use of limited space."

The system handles dust from a small Autopulit machine set up for vertical linishing of hinge knuckles, as well as from a four-head automatic linisher polisher. Thorne also supplied a second Nonflam W185 to handle dust from six hand-linishing machines in the same shop. Design installation and all ducting for both units was also carried out by Thorne.

Nonflam collectors are a highly effective dust removal system, using a water-filled tank through which dust and residues are drawn by an impellor fan. Particles sink to the base of the collection tank, where they may be easily removed by raking into a container. Automatic sludge removal systems are also available. Water level in the unit, from a simple connection to the mains supply, is automatically controlled.

Equipment such as Nonflam dust extractors is mandatory where explosive dusts from materials like aluminium, titanium and magnesium are involved. Thorne now offers its Nonflam units with a range of fans precisely rated for individual applications -- up to 15Kw in cases where it is necessary to remove sticky or oily dust from the metal being treated.