Ten trouble-free years with de la Pena 901LF

Ten trouble-free years with de la Pena 901LF

Ten trouble-free years with de la Pena 901LF

Johnson & Johnson Orthopaedics manufactures replacement hips and associated components for distribution throughout the world.

The company's machine shop, equipped with around 30 CNC-driven mills and lathes, produces components from cobalt chrome, titanium and stainless steel, in what are considered to be some of the most exacting machining operations outside the aircraft industry.

Finishing areas use robotic and manual finishing, and packaging is done under clean-room conditions.

Commenting on the machine shop operation, a spokesman for Johnson & Johnson explained that the company had experienced a number of problems with previous watermix cutting fluids ­ particularly tool wear, high turning and machining temperatures and poor surface finish.

A selection of replacement hip joints from Johnson & Johnson Orthopaedics Ltd

De la Pena began a trial with their 901LF watermix cutting fluid after first undertaking a comprehensive audit of the company's requirements. Following the success of the trial, all machines in the Johnson & Johnson machine shop were changed to 901LF.

"Every six to eight weeks a support engineer visits the factory and takes random samples from machines to identify any problems with the fluids", says a spokesman. "We get a written report and we follow de la Pena's advice. This ensures that the fluid is maintained correctly and does the job.

"We know we can call them in if there are any problems." He adds: "But in ten years we haven't had any!"

For further information contact: Cliff Thrussell, De la Pena Lubricants, Racecourse Road, Pershore, Worcestershire WR10 2DD; Tel: 01386 552311; Fax: 01386 556401.