Specialty ink and coatings manufacturer finds stronger, more-efficient pressure pump solution for unique, new washer-extractor unit

Eastern Tech Co. optimizes the production efficiency of a prototyped machine to coat garments in mass quantities, using Saniflo’s Sanicom 1 and Sanicom 2 heavy-duty drain pumps.

Problem

ORANGE, CONNECTICUT — Eastern Tech Company is a specialty ink and coatings manufacturer, headquartered in Orange, CT. Its team of chemists and production technicians has researched, developed and produced quality ink products for various industries in the United States and worldwide.

“Eastern Tech works directly with OEM partners, developing solutions for the market,” says Eastern Tech’s R&D Engineer Mark Pham. “We target Ink Innovations in everything that we do.”The technology lets the user load cotton garments into a larger commercial-grade washing machine called a “washer-extractor.” The system includes a pretreatment reuse tank that is eco-friendly and reduces costs. This video demonstrates how the washer-extractor works

With innovation top of mind, Eastern Tech looked to replace an existing drain pump used in the prototype’s liquid reuse system. The function of the drain pump is to pump the pretreat back into a tank.

After conducting research online, Eastern Tech discovered a modular drain pump solution that would provide stronger horsepower. This, in turn, would result in a faster, more efficient process.

Solution

Pham’s team searched for pressure drain pumps online and discovered Saniflo’s Sanicom 1, a simplex drain pump designed for heavy-duty commercial applications.

“The Sanicom 1 is a one-horsepower pump, which is stronger than the underperforming, ¾-horsepower pressure pump we were using,” explains Chris Chen, Product Manager, Eastern Tech. “The core value of the Saniflo pump to us was the ability to transfer fluid faster to increase efficiency and stabilize our system. Since the fluid moves faster, everything is more stable.”

The one-horsepower Sanicom 1 simplex drain pump is designed to pump gray water away from demanding commercial applications. The pump, which handles up to 194°F water, is designed to withstand liquids with highly acidic properties. The pump can drain multiple water fixtures simultaneously, discharging gray water up to 25 feet vertically and/or 250 feet horizontally. Gray water enters through one of two side inlets before being pumped to the drain line.

After reviewing the functionality of the Sanicom 1, Eastern Tech felt confident it could be a great solution for their new washer-extractor prototype. The next step was to install the unit and run tests.

Since the washer-extractor is a modular system, it requires the user to build out the components themselves. Pham notes that a professional plumber is not absolutely required, because it is “very easy to install,” taking only 15 to 20 minutes. “Sanicom’s instruction manual is clear and very intuitive.”

According to Pham, the Sanicom 1 performed very well during the first testing prototype. Which is why the company also decided to test Saniflo’s Sanicom 2, a heavy-duty, duplex drain pump in their latest prototype.

The Sanicom 2 comes equipped with two, two-horsepower pumps that together will remove water, grease and corrosive chemicals — again up to 194°F — at a maximum rate of 140 gallons per minute, while offering redundancy to keep businesses operational.

How it works:

• The pretreat coming from the washing machines flows into the Sanicom unit.
• The Sanicom pumps the liquid five feet via hose into the reuse tank connected to the washing machine.
• The pump runs on full power at 35 gpm.

Results

Eastern Tech works with Saniflo as an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) account. Since using the Sanicom 1 as part of the first prototype, the company has purchased twenty additional Sanicom pumps for their washer-extractor processing units.

“We decided to upgrade our product line with the Sanicom 2 pump, which is part of why we set it up in the first place,” explains Pham. “Every system is stable, and everything works well.”

“We’ve been in contact with Saniflo technical manager Jose Pachas, who is great to work with. He even expedited and fast-tracked the pumps for us,” says Chen. “We are very grateful, and the Sanicom has been very easy to work with.”

Specialty ink and coatings manufacturer finds stronger, more-efficient pressure pump solution for unique, new washer-extractor unit

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ABOUT SANIFLO
SFA SANIFLO U.S.A. – whose parent company originated macerating plumbing technology — offers a complete line of waste and drainage pumping systems for residential and commercial applications. Saniflo developed its innovative, “above-floor plumbing” technology more than a half-century ago and has led its commercialization worldwide. Today, the company markets macerating technology through 24 subsidiaries in 50 countries and has sold more than seven million units worldwide since 1958. Saniflo markets through independent sales agents throughout North America, and the product line is currently available at distributor and dealer locations throughout the United States and Canada.

For more information, contact Saniflo at 1-800-571-8191. Or visit the Saniflo website at saniflo.com.

For editorial assistance, including photography, contact John O’Reilly c/o GreenHouse Digital + PR: 815-469-9100 or [email protected].