The Client: HK Perforating
A metal perforating and drawing company located in Carbondale, PA.
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The Challenge: Reducing Downtime and Cost
HK Perforating was facing multiple production issues with their previous lubricants. Their existing products led to:- Poor Tool Life: The lubricants were not providing sufficient protection, leading to frequent tool replacement and increased costs.
- Production Issues: They experienced high scrap rates and problems with their feed lines, which increased downtime.
- Performance vs. Cost Frustration: They were unable to find a balance between effective performance and reasonable cost with their current supplier.
The Solution: A Full-Line Lubricant Overhaul
- In-Depth Analysis: Twin Specialties met with the production engineers, including the plant manager, to review their processes and pulled samples of the existing lubricants and waste.
- Lab Testing & Recommendation: The samples were analyzed by Twin Specialties’ lab and manufacturing partners. Twin utilized their Drawing & Stamping Lubricant Survey to guide the selection process, ensuring the right formulations were chosen for the client’s unique needs.
- Customer-Driven Choice: Twin provided two initial product choices for testing, giving the client the final say and control over the replacement. The switch resulted in outfitting the entire line for multiple stamping and drawing operations, including specialized tube drawing.
The Results: Improved Tool Life and Reliable Supply
By switching to three Twin-branded products, HK Perforating successfully resolved their previous production bottlenecks and secured a reliable, cost-effective supply chain.- Elimination of Production Issues: Scrap and feed-line issues disappeared after the switch, leading to a significant reduction in downtime and associated costs.
- Extended Tool Life: The new lubricants improved product life and reduced the costs associated with tool replacement.
- Streamlined Ordering: HK Perforating now consistently orders one to three drums of Twin products per month.
“Twin Specialties helped us simplify our operations while improving tool life and performance. Their hands-on approach and product knowledge made the transition seamless.”
— Matt Elston, HK Perforating
Products Used
The final successful lubricants for stamping and drawing operations included three specialized Twin-branded products:- Twin Draw 700 BB – Heavy-Duty Draw Lube
- Simple, effective, and cost-efficient chlorinated paraffin blend.
- Twin Draw 1808-C – Multi-Purpose Draw Lube
- Medium-duty, formulated option that is thin enough to roll on.
- Twin Vanishing Oil 114 – Stamping/Perforating Oil
- Odorless solvent-based lubricant that is effective, and requires no post-use cleaning.