LPW Test and Service Center - Interview with Christian Koblenzer, LPW Cleaning Systems

Wage cleaning in the TDZ of LPW Cleaning Systems at the company location in Riederich (Image: LPW)

Christian Koblenzer heads the Test and Service Center (TDZ) of LPW Reinigungssysteme - and is looking for customized solutions in industrial component cleaning for customers (Image: LPW)

The Customer Support Team: from left to right Christian Koblenzer, Georgia Karamanoglou (incoming goods inspection, wage cleaning, final inspection, and packaging), Monique Schall (scheduling, administration, quotation preparation), Chris Meschner (equipment conditioning), Mario Fritzmann (application engineer/process technician) (Image: LPW)

Process Monitoring – an important component for customized customer solutions in cleaning technology (Image: LPW)

The preparation and conditioning of the cleaning systems are just as important as the cleaning itself (Image: LPW)

Interior cleaning of capillaries for eye surgery: The openings to be cleaned are only visible under the microscope (Image: LPW)

Christian Koblenzer is responsible at LPW Cleaning Systems, among other things, for the Test and Service Center (TDZ). In an interview, he talks about his work at the TDZ, what happens there, and how he and his team develop suitable solutions for the specific customer tasks in industrial parts cleaning. Christian Koblenzer says about his activity: "We are technologists. We deliver tailored solutions, not off-the-shelf ones."

"Mr. Koblenzer, you are the Head of Customer Support at LPW and also run the technical center as well as the Test and Service Center (TDZ) at the company location in Riederich. Could you briefly summarize what happens there and what options you offer your customers?"

Christian Koblenzer: "At both locations, we offer our customers professionally conducted preliminary and feasibility tests. Accompanied by in-depth consulting as a basis for a customized solution concept. In the technical center, we focus on cleaning technology when the main concern is standard environment air that does not pose a relevant contamination risk. At the TDZ, we go much further and take care of the overall process. Among other things, we have a cleanroom with integrated air particle measurement and suitable media supply systems. Here, under conditioned and traceable conditions, such as process monitoring, we can handle even the most challenging tasks from medical technology, high-vacuum technology, or optical industry. But much more important than the technical setup is the approach to the various projects. We always start together with the customer by asking what we want to achieve. Not only in terms of technical cleanliness but also regarding handling requirements, batch protocols, or packaging. Based on this, we then decide how extensively we will use the technical center and the TDZ."

"In addition to the tests, you also perform contract cleaning in small series at the TDZ, correct?"

Christian Koblenzer: "Exactly. The TDZ has been intensively used for very high-quality and customer-specific contract cleaning for almost three years. Essentially nothing new on the market. But the big difference compared to other contract cleaning service providers is that we develop customer- and product-specific cleaning processes, especially for critical individual parts and small series. These are tailored in every detail, from incoming goods inspection to packaging after cleaning, to the requirements of the client. The process usually begins with detailed discussions, accompanying cleanability and chemical compatibility tests. Then we make process proposals and move into the coordination phase before the actual component cleaning starts. Final analyses at LPW or in an accredited laboratory are discussed in detail. Also included are UV light examinations or the execution of special test routines after cleaning. In short: we are technologists. We deliver tailored solutions, not off-the-shelf ones. This may sound a bit complicated from the customer's perspective, but it is not. This is our expertise, which we share transparently with our clients and support them in growing into the new topic."

"What technical equipment and methods are available to customers at the TDZ?"

Christian Koblenzer: "Basically, our test and service center offers a variety of options, like a Swiss Army knife. It starts with inspecting the quality of incoming deliveries. This often plays a major role in achieving the best possible cleanliness results. Here, we can monitor customer-specific inspection criteria, use microscopy, or check for transport damages. Depending on the initial contamination, we then perform adjusted pre-cleaning, among other methods, using our vacuum-based CNp process to ensure the appropriate incoming quality for final cleaning in the ISO 7 cleanroom. The final cleaning is defined by the cleanliness requirements and the component itself – accordingly, we adapt the cleanroom-based three-stage fine/ultra-fine cleaning system. Always with the goal of reducing residual contamination through high-quality rinsing and drying processes below the specified limits. Additionally, the setup includes our specially developed Ultra-Pure Reagent Water Supply Unit. The cleanroom can be fully darkened for UV light inspection. It is also equipped with a mobile laminar flow unit, which provides environment conditions comparable to ISO 5 for inspection, handling, and packaging of the cleaned parts."

"Many applications generate process-relevant data. How do you capture and document this?"

Christian Koblenzer: "All processes in the system and in the cleanroom are documented from the start in a specially developed cloud-based system. This allows us to record everything paperlessly and in real time. This enables live monitoring, as well as later comparison with laboratory analyses or informing the customer months later about how a component was packaged or if there were any anomalies."

"Mr. Koblenzer, you said you deliver tailored solutions. What specific cleaning tasks do customers usually approach you with, and what solutions are they looking for?"

Christian Koblenzer: "It’s usually about parts with high geometric complexity, critical materials, or very high cleanliness requirements. Or all of these at once. That’s our core competence. Often, at the start of cooperation, customers can’t precisely say what they are looking for. And that’s where we see our role in providing intensive support and consulting. We compare the requirements of the component with the available cleaning, rinsing, and drying methods, and often develop a deep understanding of clean production processes and integrated cleaning technology."

"How does the search for a suitable solution for the specific customer tasks proceed, and how do you and your team approach it?"

Christian Koblenzer: "If we compare the TDZ to a Swiss Army knife, then our Customer Support team is like a Swiss watch. Each of my team members has a specialization that perfectly integrates with the expertise of colleagues, providing customers with the most precise results or suggestions. As previously described, the solution design begins with a personal clarification discussion to define initial parameters. Then, we often have an initial trial day. Before that, we develop process and chemistry proposals and examine the cleanability of the parts. The cleaning itself is supported by accompanying analyses. Once it is proven that we meet the specifications, we move on to fine-tuning. This includes process design from A to Z, including batch size definition, quotation, and scheduling of delivery and pickup appointments."

"From which areas of industry are your services particularly in demand, and how has this changed or developed over the past years?"

Christian Koblenzer: "As requirements and components become increasingly complex, we have become experts in special applications over the years. LPW is now known internationally for this, and we are sought after in areas such as semiconductor supply, medical technology, optical industry, and also in post-processing of additive manufacturing. In contract cleaning, we work with regional clients as well as increasingly with companies from other European countries. Of course, we also have customers with less demanding cleaning requirements. Here, we are happy to support, for example, in ensuring batch quantities for planned high-volume series."

"Are there trends emerging in your work at the TDZ, such as increased requests for special cleaning tasks?"

Christian Koblenzer: "In recent years, we have seen a significant increase in cleaning tasks related to additive manufacturing. Debris removal from highly complex geometries is a real challenge for all market participants, alongside final cleaning. But with our high-performance CNp process, combined with experience from contract cleaning and plant engineering, our customers can solve tasks in this area very well. Additionally, the application fields are growing, and there is increasing demand to use this promising technology in ultra-clean environments."

"What have been your most exciting cases in recent months?"

Christian Koblenzer: "Through our daily work, we gain fascinating insights into industries that are otherwise hard to grasp. Each member of my team has their personal highlight. Recently, this included internal cleaning of capillaries for eye surgery. The opening to be cleaned is only visible under a microscope. We also worked on additively manufactured drive components for the space industry and highly precise parts for the innermost core of an EUV system."

"Which tasks are personally the most interesting for you? Do you perhaps even have some favorites?"

Christian Koblenzer: "My personal favorite isn’t tied to a specific task. I think it’s great when we design processes so well for our customers that, after months or years of partnership, they decide to purchase their own LPW systems. That happens more and more often. Then we’ve probably done everything right. We’re also very happy when our clients actively recommend us. That’s a nice confirmation of our path of tailored solutions."

"Mr. Koblenzer, to conclude, a look into the crystal ball. What are your future plans for the TDZ and your business area, and what do you wish for?"

Christian Koblenzer: "A trend in the coming years will surely be the direct further processing of cleaned components into small assemblies within our cleanroom environment. Our ultra-clean environment is ideal for this. Of course, we will continue researching and developing new processes. There are already very exciting and, in my view, revolutionary projects in development. I’d be happy to tell you more about them next time. But my customer support business area encompasses much more than just technologically driven solutions. We offer a comprehensive service and support package, including knowledge transfer and qualification for the people working with our systems or needing new processes. This area is increasingly in demand and will remain a priority at LPW in the future. And as for my personal wishes: I am daily impressed by the high technologies emerging in Europe and hope that this strong engineering capability will continue to be expanded. And that some spectacular projects from this field land on my desk..."

(First published: Oberfläché-Online: OM-5/25)