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Solutions for Optimised Parts Cleaning

parts2clean – Leading International Trade Fair for Cleaning within the Production Process

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Whether residues from processing media, particulate, <link _top>chips, <link _top>burrs or fingerprints are involved – if it’s not removed in accordance with applicable requirements, contamination may result in costly <link _top>scrap, expensive rework and image damaging complaints. The 6th parts2clean will offer information regarding solutions for cost-effective, reliable, reproducible and environmentally sound parts cleaning in nearly all industry sectors. The leading international trade fair for <link _top>cleaning within the production process will take place at the new Stuttgart (Germany) Exhibition Centre from the 28th through the 30th of October, 2008.

In numerous industry sectors, demands placed upon parts cleanliness have been increasing steadily in recent years. At the same time, cost pressure is on the rise. Manufacturing companies are thus faced with the question of how they can sensibly achieve the required degree of cleanliness in an economical and ecological fashion. The exhibitors at parts2clean will provide answers in the form of an overview covering the latest developments and the state-of-the-art.

Cleanliness Requirements Determine the <link _top>Cleaning Process
Due to the fact that there’s no magic formula for the efficient fulfilment of specified <link _top>cleaning requirements, each <link _top>cleaning task necessitates an individually matched solution consisting of a <link _top>cleaning process, a <link _top>cleaning agent and a <link _top>cleaning basket. Whether the workpieces will be cleaned as bulk goods or individually positioned items in a batch process depends on the one hand on geometry and sensitivity, and on the other hand on the specified degree of cleanliness. In either case, a <link _top>cleaning basket in which the parts can be well rinsed by the <link _top>cleaning agent from all sides supports the process. This type of good accessibility also pays for itself in terms of required drying time and reduced media carry-over, allowing for shorter <link _top>cycle times and thus greater throughput and a longer bath service life.

For parts with complex shapes and demanding cleanliness requirements, individual wet parts <link _top>cleaning with aqueous <link _top>cleaning agents or <link _top>solvents is advisable. This allows for targeted treatment of <link _top>channels, drill-holes, <link _top>undercuts and functional <link _top>surfaces. In addition to the above mentioned reasons, the avoidance of damage resulting from unnecessary parts <link _top>handling also speaks in favour of individual parts <link _top>cleaning.

If the parts not only need to be cleaned, but rather <link _top>deburred as well, flexible systems are available in which the workpieces are <link _top>deburred by means of <link _top>high pressure, brushing and rigid tools, and are also cleaned. A new lance guiding system for <link _top>high pressure <link _top>deburring not only allows for easy adaptation to various workpiece shapes, it also offers cost advantages in comparison with conventional robot systems. The lance in this newly developed system is positioned above the drill-hole or the edge by a geometrically ingenious disc system, and is thus able to accurately trace the contour of the burring and remove it with <link _top>high pressure water.

Achieving High Degrees of Cleanliness with Dry Processes
<link _top>Cleaning techniques for single parts, individually positioned items and bulk goods can also be optimised by means of plasma processes. A typical example of a plasma <link _top>cleaning application is the removal of release agents, usually in the form of silicon residue (in short known as PWIS-free treatment: free of paint wetting impairment substances). The degree of cleanliness which can be achieved with plasma processes depends upon the structure and geometry of the workpiece <link _top>surface. An additional effect offered by this process is optimised preparation for subsequent <link _top>surface <link _top>finishing processes, for example improved <link _top>adhesion of <link _top>glues and <link _top>coatings. But plasma processes are also used for <link _top>cleaning prior to coil <link _top>coating, in electronics and microsystems technology, for optics and analytical chemistry, in metalworking and in plastics processing.

<link _top>Cleaning with supercritical <link _top>carbon dioxide is becoming more and more significant as well. “Supercritical” because the <link _top>carbon dioxide is used in an <link _top>aggregation state in which its physical characteristics lie between the liquid and the gaseous state. While in this state, the CO2 demonstrates only minimal <link _top>viscosity and <link _top>surface tension. In this way, non-polar contamination such as oils and greases can be removed from the finest <link _top>cracks and <link _top>pores, as well as from <link _top>porous <link _top>surfaces. Validation in accordance with GMP is made possible when this process is used, for example, in the field of medical technology.

Reduced Costs thanks to Targeted <link _top>Cleaning of Functional <link _top>Surfaces
Selective <link _top>cleaning of specific component areas, for example sealing, joining, gluing and laser <link _top>welding <link _top>surfaces, can also be taken advantage of to save time and reduce costs. In these cases, the costs and the time required for <link _top>cleaning the entire component in accordance with the degree of cleanliness required for the functional <link _top>surface are usually quite extensive if conventional processes with aqueous <link _top>cleaning agents or <link _top>solvents are used. CO2 snow jet or plasma <link _top>cleaning is usually integrated into the production process for these <link _top>surfaces. An additional advantage of integrating the <link _top>cleaning of functional <link _top>surfaces into the production process is just-in-time <link _top>cleaning, which renders further measures for maintaining the cleanliness of these <link _top>surfaces after <link _top>cleaning and during transport superfluous.

For the First Time Ever: COROSAVE
The exhibitors at the 6th parts2clean from the 28th through the 30th of October will present products and solutions covering the entire process sequence for <link _top>cleaning within the production process. Offerings include <link _top>cleaning systems, alternative <link _top>cleaning techniques, <link _top>cleaning agents, <link _top>quality assurance and <link _top>inspection procedures, <link _top>cleaning and transport containers, disposal and treatment of process media, <link _top>handling and automation, services and consulting.

In addition to this, the COROSAVE theme park will be introduced for the first time at this year’s event. It addresses the issues of temporary <link _top>corrosion protection, preservation and <link _top>corrosion protection packaging, and presents solutions for the prevention of <link _top>corrosion during production, transport and storage. This concept harbours a great deal of potential for numerous industry sectors with regard to <link _top>cost savings and enhanced operating reliability for systems and components.

Comprehensive know-how covering all aspects of <link _top>cleaning within the production process will be offered at the 3-day parts2clean expert forum, and at the special show which will highlight the process sequence for economical parts cleanliness in accordance with specified requirements.

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