Centrisys/CNP, Kenosha, Wisconsin today announced the completion of a 34,000 square-foot building expansion, including an upgrade of its balancing equipment with a first-of-its-kind centrifuge balancing bunker in the interior of the building.

The Centrisys/CNP Manufacturing and Service Campus, located in Kenosha, Wisconsin, consists of three buildings totaling 130,000 square feet. In 2016, it became apparent that the capital equipment manufacturing building was running out of workable space and needed an expansion.

According to Michael Kopper, the CEO and founder of Centrisys, “As the decision-making for the extension evolved, the addition of a next-generation balancing machine and bunker was logical. The safety of our employees, along with the assurance that every centrifuge we build and service is balanced correctly, was well worth the added expense.”

Because the balancing bunker is a first-of-its-kind solution, aimed at creating higher safety standards and increasing manufacturing productivity as well as efficiencies, a company committee was formed to design and build the bunker space and determine what equipment would work best.

According to Kopper, “We’ve been doing this type of work for a long time; centrifuge manufacturing and service have been our focus since the beginning. We had a thorough understanding of what we wanted and what the industry needed. Having enough workspace in a shop is important to eliminate errors during the manufacturing process. No one likes to work in a space that’s too crowded.” He added, “Underestimating the power of accurate balancing for a centrifuge is a big mistake. There is a tremendous cost to customers when a centrifuge is not in balance. High vibrations cause premature damage and wear to the centrifuge parts and structural components, creating higher repair costs and unnecessary process downtime.”

Centrisys partnered with Schenck USA Corp. and chose the HM7U for the upgrade. Bill Fairbairn, Vice President and Building Expansion Manager, said, “It has stronger supports and higher dynamic load capabilities; we can balance over- operating speed on machines with a diameter of 44” or greater. We can handle larger and heavier rotors, so this is the natural next step for manufacturing and servicing next generation centrifuges.”

The HM7U has a full range of safety features for all protection classes. The bunker isolates the operator in a protected control area and includes video monitoring to see into the balancing areas without the employee needing to be in proximity to the running equipment. Cranes are installed overhead to place parts and components in the balancing cradles. Fairbairn concluded, “This set- up is something in which our team takes great pride, as it is world-class.”

Commenting on the future of Centrisys, Fairbairn said that the expansion changes were necessary and that the company’s growth “…has allowed us to build larger and greater numbers of centrifuges, along with different types of environmental process equipment. As the only US manufacturer of decanter centrifuges in all environmental dewatering and thickening applications, Kopper stated, “I believe we’ve set the bar high for improved safety, productivity and efficiency. These are all essential to the higher standards we’ve established in our industry.” He added, “I won’t compromise on any of these factors at a Centrisys facility. Our customers shouldn’t ever be required to compromise, either.”  

For more information visit www.centrisys.com.