The 3 Main Considerations When Selecting a Parts Washer…
June 18, 2020
It is important for buyers to do their homework when considering buying parts cleaning applications. There is rarely a one size fits all. With advances in technology and lower prices, parts washing equipment has become more sophisticated. Processes such as ultrasonic and advanced electronics have become widespread. No longer is it in only high-end washers that have features such as programmable logic controllers and rotary type switches. The selection process for choosing a piece of cleaning equipment has not changed much over the years… the same questions need to be answered…
How clean is clean enough?
What size and shape are the parts?
What is the type of contaminant?
What are environmental regulations or goals?
What is the necessary capacity
System Style
This is defined by the type of system needed.
Soak – Soaking in an aqueous or solvent cleaner is the simplest cleaning action. Where soils are readily removed, cleaning time is a secondary concern and low equipment costs are important these cleaners are applicable.
Directed Steam – If you’re looking to flush parts while brushing, this cleaning action is particularly effective. Directed stream involves a low-pressure stream of solvent or heated aqueous fluid, and it’s directed to a flexible hose which then can be positioned over the part to loosen any stuck-on contaminants. You can combine this cleaning action with brushing to increase its effectiveness.
Brush – Manual brushing is used in conjunction with soaking as a supplement to other cleaning actions. The brush removes contaminants loosened by the cleaning fluid and allows you to get into cracks and hard-to-reach places. This method is helpful in removing stubborn soils in small batches but involves manual labor.
High-Pressure Spray – Quick and effective cleaning is accomplished by a powerful spray of heated, water-based cleaning solution. The continuous high-pressure spray blasts away the toughest deposits without damaging precision parts. The high-pressure spray is usually around 600 Psi, which is strong enough to remove heavy contamination but not enough to damage parts.
Total Immersion Cleaning – Similar to soaking, this cleaning action is a result of parts being totally immersed in the cleaning solution so that all areas are in contact with the fluid. Normally fully automatic, these units consist of a tank, vertical-lift platform, heat, and a circulating industrial grade pump. Dirty items are placed on the platform, which can then be lowered into the soak mode for a preset time, or the vertical platform agitation can be activated. At the end of the preset cycle, the cover raises, and the platform comes to the unload position, all automatically.
Size, Quality, and Automation
The size of the parts washer, its quality, and its automation level are defined as the following…
Size – Manufactured parts and manufacturing processes are all very custom, and therefore, the parts washing equipment that cleans these parts needs to be sized properly for the application in order to meet the level of cleanliness required through efficient and cost-effective design. A detailed analysis of cleaning needs, both current and anticipated, is crucial here.
Quality – People always like to economize but this can end up costing in the long run. If your parts washer only lasts for a year, or cannot cope with a stepped-up workload, then it is not a bargain. Check the construction quality, pump capacity and even the quality of simple components such as fasteners, hoses, and fittings. These components provide a good indication of how long the unit will last.
Automation Level – Manufacturers offer a variety of automation levels. Automation saves labor but also costs more money upfront when you purchase your washer. Some systems can even automatically move parts from the wash cycle to a rinse cycle and a drying cycle, providing hands-off parts cleaning.
Fluid Type
The final consideration is the fluid type. A wide variety of fluids are available for parts washers. Not every washer can handle every fluid type. The parts washer representative will walk you through the benefits of each type for a specific application.
Solvent – Petroleum-based Solvent cleaning is the process of removing soil from a surface without physically or chemically altering the material being cleaned. This includes various methods such as vapor degreasing, spraying, immersion, and mechanical or ultrasonic scrubbing. Solvent removes a wide variety of soils and typically does not need a separate drying step.
Aqueous – Aqueous cleaning uses water as its primary solvent. The following may be added as well: surfactants and detergents, emulsifiers, inhibitors, anti-foaming agents, PH buffers, builders, deflocculants, and chelating agents. By altering the PH of the aqueous solution, it can more effectively remove different substances. Aqueous detergents are typically heated, increasing their efficiency.
Bioremediation – Bioremediation is a process used to treat contaminated media, including water, soil and subsurface material, by altering environmental conditions to stimulate the growth of microorganisms and degrade the target pollutants. It is an offshoot of aqueous systems. The process extends the life of the cleaning solution dramatically, reducing the waste stream and disposal cost. Also, these systems need to have constant heat and properly aerated to keep the microbes working at weak performance levels.
Custom Units – Unique systems designed for your needs are possible. A parts washer representative or distributor can determine what is needed and discuss those needs with the manufacturer.
As you can see from all the choices there is really not a “one size fits all” solution to parts cleaning applications. So do your homework and partner with a reputable company that will help you with your decision.