Waukesha
Electric Systems
| COMPANY/LOCATION: |
Waukesha Electric Systems, Waukesha, Wisconsin |
| PRODUCT: |
Power transformers for substations |
| YEARS IN BUSINESS: |
25 |
| EMPLOYEES: |
500 |
| SITUATION: |
While working in collaboration with the Oak Ridge Centers for Manufacturing
Technology on another project, Waukesha Electric Systems approached ORCMT
engineers for technical assistance with the solution to a corrosion and
failure problem on the edge of a weld that joins two portions of an electric
power substation transformer radiator.
Because of the potential for corrosion and failure of the weld edge,
the company wanted to eliminate the exposed edge, which would then eliminate
the possibility of oil leakage from the radiators and subsequent contamination
of soil. |
| PROJECT: |
ORCMT engineers and materials joining specialists looked at the situation
and offered the company four options that would eliminate the problem each
one meeting Waukesha's requirements that the solutions must be economical,
meet production requirements, and require neither material nor processes
of an exotic type. |
| RESULTS: |
Waukesha selected an option one that is specific and readily available
suggested by ORCMT, tested it, and, based on the results of the test, is
proceeding with plans to change their welding process and retrofit the
new procedure into their production cycle. Bob Raduenz, plant site manager,
said the technical assistance received through ORCMT "exceeded my wildest
expectations. They did in three days what it could have taken us a year
to do. The fact that they offered us multiple processes for testing and
evaluation and did so without bias enhanced their efforts. The ORCMT personnel
were dedicated to help resolve our problem. The quality of resources, both
physical and intellectual, was exceptional," he said.
Raduenz estimated that the technical assistance will help his company
create three new jobs in 1997 and could create four in 1998. He estimated
the assistance will generate cost avoidances of up to $500,000 in both
1997 and 1998, reduce production costs by up to $50,000 in each of those
years, and increase sales by up to $100,000 in 1997 and $500,000 in 1998. |
Technical assistances provided to the private sector by the Oak Ridge
Centers for Manufacturing Technology (ORCMT) and its manufacturing extension
partners throughout the United States.
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