Whether you’re in the defense & munitions, aerospace, oil & gas, automotive, or contract manufacturing industries, parts washing is critical to your operations for removing excess residue and helping you achieve the specific cleanliness standards of those industries. However, you must have a solid understanding of the available parts washing technologies, as well as the advantages and capabilities of each, to make an informed decision and acquire the best solution for your particular part cleaning requirements.
Start with the part
The size, shape and dimensions of the part play a key role in determining the correct washing equipment needed. Parts that are machined, inverted, concave or have other challenging geometries will impact equipment selection.
Like part geometries, the overall part size, weight, and shape are critically important. Some equipment is best suited for smaller, lighter parts, while others are designed for parts with large surface areas.
Washing equipment selection also hinges on production volumes and job turnaround times. Many manufacturing companies add parts washing equipment to complement not only the volume of parts, but also the rate, or flow of parts coming from manufacturing.
Know your soil level
The type and level of soil on parts – whether it is a solid or liquid residue – will determine what type of equipment is best for your application.
Likewise, the final desired results, such as cleaning for handling, packaging, pre-plating, phosphating, or rust inhibition,n will determine the type of equipment and number of parts washing stages, like wash, rinse, rust inhibit, moisture blow-off, and drying needed.
Make room for washing
Your facility’s layout, flow, and available floor space will influence what type of parts washing equipment is best-suited for your operation.
That equipment can range in size from systems with relatively small footprints to those with very large space requirements. Depending on the number of stages needed for your washing process, additional space may also be required.
Quality is key
You should note that not all industrial parts washing equipment is created equal. The way a piece of equipment is constructed, its type of components, and the material it’s constructed from directly relate to the equipment’s return on investment (ROI) and longevity. The type of heating implement – electric, gas, or steam – can also significantly affect the price point of the product and the equipment’s ROI.
For example, equipment constructed of high-grade stainless steel will give you many more years of use and therefore a higher ROI versus equipment manufactured with mild steel or with lower-grade materials.
When you partner with a knowledgeable industrial finishing equipment, parts washing & drying, and media supplier such as ALMCO, we’ll help you get the right equipment and formula for your needs. ALMCO guarantees the industrial finishing solution – developed and proven out in its advanced process laboratory – will yield the same results in your manufacturing operations.
We’re a fully integrated manufacturer, and we’re trusted by thousands of companies. We manufacture to the highest quality standards and are committed to your complete satisfaction.
Download our whitepaper here to read more about what criteria to consider when selecting the right industrial parts washing system for your needs, or reach out to a member of our team to start the discussion on determining which industrial parts washing system is right for you.