RETINNING PLANT

Southland Times, Issue 24472, 27 June 1941, Page 7

RETINNING PLANT

Enterprise Of Gore Company

The exigencies of war time _ have prompted a Gore firm to establish an industry which is designed to overcome the difficulties caused through the import restrictions and at the same time to assist the dairy industry, in Hie appeal for increased production. The United Trading and Manufacturing Co., Ltd., this week set in operation a plant which is capable of treating old cans and other dairy equipment and turning them out in as good a condition as when they were new. The plant is the only one of its kind in operation in the South Island, and it is expected that it will prove a great asset to the dairying districts in Otago and Southland. , , t. X The process adopted is a simple but interesting one. To house the plant extensive alterations to the workshop have been involved, and a considerable amount of reorganization has been necessary. The lay-out has been planned to provide the maximum degree of efficiency, and the best possible conditions for the workmen who will operate the plant, and every facility is available for making a high-class job, including the latest oil-burning plant available. In the workshop are large vats for putting the article through the various stages in the process. The first operation was to put it in a vat containing a boiling solution of strong caustic soda. A few minutes in this vat worked wonders on the can, and when it was brought out and scrubbed with a wire brush the thick coating of grease and fat had disappeared. This, however, was not sufficient for the proper cleansing of the article, which was next conveyed to another large crucible containing a solution of dilute sulphuric acid. In order to ensure that every impurity was removed the can was left in the sulphuric bath for a considerable time, and when it was removed every vestige of rust and grease had disappeared. Another touch up with the wire brush left the can bright and clean. Before the most important process was begun the can was immersed in a tub of cold water to avoid any possibility of rust forming before the tinning could be started. For the final process block tin was heated to a high temperature, and as the can was dipped in this bath clouds of steam arose from the dripping article, which was turned to allow the tin to flow all over. This completed, the can was placed in a cylindrical finishing oven, which removed the slightest lumpiness and allowed tire surplus tin to flow off, and after it was cooled oil the can emerged with a mirror-like polish. , The new department was planned by the firm’s sheet-metal specialist, Mr F. R. Wood, who holds high qualifications in the tinsmithing trade and who is one of the few persons in New Zealand to have gained a London diploma for sheet-metal work.