From coarse to intermediate and precision to fine and high purity cleaning – the demand-oriented, economical and sustainable cleaning of workpieces and assemblies requires not only optimally adapted cleaning technology but also corresponding cleaning know-how. In its three specialized test and service centers in Germany, Ecoclean not only enables the demand-oriented design of cleaning processes but also takes over the contract cleaning of components made from various materials as a service.
Whether high productivity, the quality of subsequent processes, a long product lifespan, or improved competitiveness, as an essential manufacturing step, parts cleaning influences each of these points. The cleanliness requirements vary significantly depending on the industry, workpiece, and manufacturing phase as well as the area of application. Tailored to the very different cleanliness demands, Ecoclean has been operating three test and service centers in Germany for years. They specialize in different cleaning applications and are equipped with state-of-the-art plant, process, and drying technologies for water-based and solvent cleaning, as well as connected laboratories for cleanliness testing, compatibility studies, and quality determinations of cleaning media. This equipment enables not only meaningful tests for the design and optimization of plant technology and processes under production-related conditions but also the customized cleaning of components made from almost all materials as a service.
Contract Cleaning Customized in Three Categories
The spectrum ranges from classic parts cleaning to fine and precision cleaning to fine and high purity cleaning. In addition, high-pressure deburring and de-coating are carried out as a service.
In the area of classic cleaning, the so-called category 'A', it is predominantly components produced in larger quantities in general industry, automotive suppliers, and other sectors where no strict cleanliness requirements need to be met, for example, surface 'particle and grease-free'. The cleanliness control is carried out visually and with conventional measurement methods.
In the category 'B', fine and precision cleaning, components and parts from various materials and different industries, such as automotive, aerospace, sensor, electronics, and coating industries, as well as medical technology fall. Defined specifications regarding particulate and film cleanliness must be met, so these parts usually have already undergone a pre-cleaning. Typical applications in this area include the cleaning of housings, optical components, implants, and medical instruments, as well as parts like bipolar plates before coating. For the control of particulate and film residual contamination, for example, according to VDA 19 or company standards, microscopes, particle scanners, systems for measuring surface tension, endoscopes, and a mobile cleanroom cabin are available. If a validation of cleaning processes is required, such as in medical technology, the service offering includes the corresponding support, e.g., through a pre-validation.
Tasks in fine and high purity cleaning (category C), where extremely high requirements regarding particulate, film, and organic cleanliness are placed and so-called 'harmful' elements (Hydrogen Induced Outgassing = HIO substances) must be avoided, are carried out in a validated cleanroom of class 7 with zones ISO 6. Integrated treatment solutions for reverse osmosis (RO), deionized (DI), and ultra-pure water (UPW) enable the use of all water qualities used in fine and high purity cleaning. Typical applications include the cleaning of components from laser, measurement, analysis, vacuum technology, aerospace, and precision optics, as well as components for semiconductor production equipment. Various, including customer-specific measurement and analysis methods (e.g., microscopy, residual gas analysis, UV light, and fluorescence measurement) as well as a packaging station for cleaned parts ensure that the high cleanliness requirements are met.
Contract Cleaning – Often the Solution
There are various reasons for cleaning as a service. It starts with capacity bottlenecks in the company's own cleaning or the investment in a corresponding cleaning system is not yet justified for a new series part due to the quantities. Due to increased cleanliness requirements, new processes need to be developed. For certain parts, higher cleanliness specifications must be met than for the rest of the product spectrum. There is a lack of trained personnel to ensure compliance with very high cleanliness specifications.
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