Design water-based cleaning systems based on tasks

Thanks to its design and lightweight construction, as well as the optimally matched size of the two standard flood containers, the EcoCcube enables an optimal entry into water-based cleaning. Photo: UCM_Feinstreinigung

The EcoCflex 3 robot cell sets standards in cleaning engine and transmission parts in the automotive industry, among other things, through the specially developed SCARA manipulator. Photo: UCM_Feinstreinigung

Through innovative process technology, EcoCwave enables efficient cleaning of large quantities of parts. The vertically arranged and flow-optimized flood tanks contribute to high cleaning quality and long bath residence times. Photo: UCM_Fine Cleaning

For the highest cleanliness requirements, cleaning processes and ultrasonic fine cleaning systems are developed tailored to the component geometry, material, contamination, and cleanliness requirements of the parts. Image source: Ecoclean GmbH

The application areas of component cleaning with water-based media range from coarse to intermediate to fine cleaning and ultra-fine cleaning. Key questions when investing in a suitable cleaning system are related to cleaning quality, throughput, cycle time, process stability, and cost-effectiveness. Ecoclean answers these with different plant concepts tailored to the respective industries and tasks.

Whether automotive and supplier industry, medical technology, mechanical engineering, machining, stamping, drawing, and bending part manufacturing, fine mechanics, or precision optics – aqueous component cleaning with alkaline, neutral, and acidic media is the most frequently used technology in industry. It is used according to the chemical principle "like dissolves like" when water-based (polar) contaminants, such as cooling and lubricating emulsions, polishing pastes, particles, abrasives, salts, and fingerprints, need to be removed. For aqueous component cleaning, Ecoclean offers an extensive program of standard systems and custom-designed cleaning systems. The optimal adaptation to the tasks and requirements of different industries not only enables improved cleaning quality, higher process reliability, and system availability but also cost and resource savings.

EcoCflex 3 – Benchmark for Cleaning Quality and Efficiency in Robot Cells

Short cycle times and high flexibility have made robot cells indispensable in the automotive industry for pre-, intermediate-, and final cleaning of engine and transmission parts such as cylinder heads and crankcases. With the EcoCflex 3M/3L, Ecoclean sets new standards for these cleaning systems. This is achieved on the one hand by the specially developed Scara manipulator, designed specifically for use in cleaning systems, which replaces the conventional six-axis articulated robot. Thanks to its robust construction, made entirely from high-strength aluminum and stainless steel, and its protection class IP 69, it is suitable for high-pressure water jetting and immersion. But not only the robot itself, but also its control system has been adapted for use. It can be easily operated via the CNC control of the cleaning system. The previously common PLC for robot control is thus unnecessary. Equipped with application-specific, innovative process technology, the EcoCflex 3 allows flexible high- and low-pressure applications as well as injection flooding washing within a single cleaning station.

Futuristic Chamber Systems for Aqueous Cleaning Processes

Ecoclean covers the numerous and diverse tasks in degreasing, intermediate, and fine cleaning of components in the broad general industry with various aqueous cleaning systems. The EcoCcube provides an optimal entry point and is suitable for a wide range of tasks. With its compact dimensions of only 2,100 x 1,630 x 1,855 mm (L x W x H) and its light weight, the system can be easily and quickly integrated into production. The optimal size of the two standard flood tanks ensures that operating temperature is reached quickly and energy-efficiently.

The application spectrum of the EcoCwave, designed for immersion and spray processes with a vacuum-tight working chamber, ranges from coarse to intermediate to fine cleaning. It is equipped as standard with two or three tanks, tailored to the application. They are arranged vertically and designed for optimal flow. This prevents the formation of chip and dirt nests. Furthermore, each tank has a separate media circulation with full-flow and bypass filtration. The optimized rotary table in the working chamber ensures that media and washing mechanisms, such as ultrasound or spray jets, reach the cleaning objects from all sides. All these features contribute not only to improved cleaning quality but also significantly extend media service life and reduce cleaning costs.

Cleaning programs can also be easily adapted on the EcoCmax to the level of contamination and required cleanliness. The single-chamber system for three-stage cleaning processes and drying features full-flow filtration during filling and emptying of the working chamber, as well as continuous bypass filtration for all flood tanks used for rinsing wheels, with an integrated evaporator and heat recovery.

Process-Safe Solutions for the Highest Cleanliness Demands

Particular cleanliness specifications in the single-digit micrometer range and below, as well as the highest demands on film cleanliness, are now commonplace across various industries. These complex tasks are the domain of UCM AG, the product division for precision applications within the SBS Ecoclean Group. Based on part geometry, material, contamination, and cleanliness requirements, the company develops customized cleaning processes and corresponding ultrasonic fine cleaning systems. The design of the ultrasonic fine cleaning systems is aimed at achieving the highest cleanliness levels in a process-safe and efficient manner. To this end, the systems are equipped as standard with the four-sided overflow developed by UCM. Another feature of these systems is that all components such as tanks, chambers, and piping are designed for optimal flow, thereby preventing the formation of dirt nests or stagnation water.

The optimal system and process technology for each application, as well as the process parameters, can be effectively and reliably determined through cleaning tests with original contaminated parts at Ecoclean and UCM technology centers.