Cleaning is often one step in a much larger manufacturing process. If contaminants remain on a part after washing, they can interfere with inspection, assembly, coating, plating, heat treating, or other downstream operations.
Not every part requires the same level of cleanliness. While some applications can be handled with a standard wash and rinse cycle, others demand a much more controlled cleaning process. Part geometry, contaminants, downstream manufacturing operations, and customer requirements all influence how a part should be cleaned.
Cleaning Complex Parts
Machined parts often present unique cleaning challenges. They may retain swarf, machining fluids, oils, or other manufacturing residues that must be removed before the next production step.
Complex geometries make this even more difficult. Blind holes, internal passages, recessed features, and tight corners can trap contaminants that are difficult to reach using conventional washing methods. As part complexity increases, so does the challenge of meeting increasingly stringent cleanliness specifications.
Designing a Cleaning Process Around the Part
Every cleaning application begins with understanding the part itself. AEC Systems considers factors such as:
- Part geometry
- Type of contaminants
- Required cleanliness specification
- Production rate
- Material handling requirements
- Available floor space
Rather than relying on a standard solution, the cleaning process can be designed to address the specific challenges presented by each application. Depending on the requirements, a system may incorporate:
- Immersion cleaning
- Heated aqueous cleaning solutions
- High-pressure spray washing
- Agitation
- Rotating fixtures or baskets
- Multiple wash, rinse, or drying stages
Selecting the right combination of processes helps improve cleaning consistency while supporting production requirements.
Custom Systems for Demanding Applications
Some parts require more than simply directing spray at the surface. Rotating fixtures, specialized fixturing, and engineered spray patterns can help expose critical surfaces throughout the cleaning cycle.
For higher production environments, systems such as industrial carousel washers can process multiple loads while maintaining consistent cleaning performance. We design every system around the customer’s application, cleanliness goals, and manufacturing workflow.
Designing for Efficiency
Meeting tight cleaning specifications is only one part of the equation. Manufacturers also need systems that operate efficiently over the long term. AEC Systems considers:
- Energy consumption
- Water usage
- Wash solution life
- Staffing requirements
- Waste reduction
- Ease of maintenance
The objective is to develop a cleaning system that meets cleanliness requirements while helping manufacturers control operating costs and minimize waste.
Let’s Talk About Your Cleaning Requirements
AEC Systems designs custom industrial parts washers to meet a wide range of parts cleaning specifications. Whether your application involves simple components or parts with intricate features, the cleaning system should be designed around your requirements, not the other way around.
Contact us today to discuss your application and learn more about custom industrial parts washers.