Published 2/1/2018

A Look at Parts Cleaning Across the Continents

A visit to the parts2clean show examines how manufacturing views parts cleaning.

Parts Cleaning

Lori Beckman, Parts Cleaning Editor

Jomesa Measurement Systems’ HFD4 (high focal depth) cleanliness
analysis system is designed to measure, count and categorize
contamination on filter membranes as metallic, non-metallic or fibers. The microscope also has auto-focus, zoom sensor and automatic light balancing features. It is capable of single-filter scanning or multi-filter scanning by upgrading to a four-filter or six-filter stage.
Average cycle time from filter placement to report generation is approximately four minutes per filter.

MicroCare’s Tergo is a high-temperature, chlorine-free cleaning fluid engineered for full environmental protection. Designed for use in vapor degreasers and free of volatile organic chemicals, this co-solvent removes oils, greases, waxes, particulates, paints, buffing compounds and anti-rust agents form a variety of material types.

Confirming the trend in machine monitoring evident at the show, Ecoclean’s EcoCcore solvent cleaning machine and EcoCwave aqueous machine both feature a human machine interface (HMI) panel with clearly laid out process tracking. The EcoCwave’s HMI operator panel not only offers real-time monitoring, but also fault diagnostics and service-interval notification.

The Sita CleanoSpector uses fluorescence measuring principles to inspect surface cleanliness, able to detect even the slightest traces of contamination such as oils, grease or cooling agents. It can also measure the layer thickness of oils, or anticorrosive or bonding agents. After choosing a surface profile, the operator simply presses a button to start a measurement, which is completed in about one to 10 seconds.

The LiquiSonic analyzer from SensoTech is designed to measure the concentration of anti-corrosive or quenching agents in baths, continuously and in real time. Sensors installed directly in baths or pipes use sonic velocity measurement to determine the degree of contamination. Real-time results of the inline measurement then are transferred to PCs and control systems. The company says this design allows for immediate and exact fluid replenishment.

If the finishing industry wants to predict the future of the parts cleaning market, it needs to look across the pond at European trends and new developments taking place there. After all, Europe has long accepted parts cleaning as a necessary process, not a necessary evil, as the U.S. often considers it. As cleaning regulations continue to evolve and become more stringent, it’s the European Union that sets the pace for these requirements. The U.S. follows.

The 15th edition of the parts2clean show in Stuttgart, Germany, held in October, confirmed that Europe leads the way in parts cleaning technology. The trade show featured 253 exhibitors in the industrial parts and surface cleaning industry from 16 nations. The largest parts2clean yet, it attracted 4,900 visitors from 41 countries—almost 20 percent more visitors than in 2015.

Not only were there solutions for cleaning, degreasing, demagnetizing, bath care, corrosion protection, and handling and packaging of cleaned workpieces, but cleanliness control, and analysis and monitoring equipment also were showcased in a big way. In fact, many of the displays on the show floor reflected this trend toward more quality control. Sensors, monitors and cleaning analysis equipment were prevalent throughout, and popular among attendees.

As far as cleaning regulations go, the buzz at the show was that even more stringent requirements are on tap, including for U.S. companies. This supports the expectation that the U.S. parts cleaning market will gradually grow because increased regulations will spur increased demand for this type of equipment.

So the cleaning industry is growing, and it’s important for U.S. machine shops to understand and embrace what’s soon to be required for cleaning the parts they produce. To help with this, the metalworking industry offers additional opportunities for shops to learn more about parts cleaning technologies and regulations. The International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) this September will feature exhibitors in the parts cleaning segment, and next year’s Parts Cleaning Expo (PCx) will give attendees even more exposure to the cleaning technologies available to the U.S. market.

The images presented here include several products featured at last year’s parts2clean show.