Small powerhouse for the highest high purity requirements

The new PowerJet compact CNp from LPW is currently available in two versions. The market launch of the version for applications in additive manufacturing is planned for early 2023. (Photo: LPW)

The new PowerJet compact CNp from LPW is currently available in two versions. The market launch of the version for applications in additive manufacturing is planned for early 2023. (Photo: LPW)

LPW Cleaning Systems GmbH has established itself worldwide in recent years as a partner for customized system solutions in the High Purity segment. The systems developed by the Riederich specialists are used in many high-tech fields and meet the highest cleanliness requirements. With the granting of patents for the already proven vacuum-pressure change process CNp in February 2022, it was only a logical step to bring a space-saving standard chamber system with this technology to market. At this year's parts2clean, LPW presented the new PowerJet compact CNp for the first time.

The two-stage system occupies just under 4 m² and, in addition to the cleaning processes ultrasound and Cyclic Nucleation (CNp), also includes the necessary drying for higher requirement levels. This can be implemented in the form of hot air as well as infrared vacuum drying. Furthermore, the new system is equipped with a treatment chamber embedded in the two pre-treatment tanks for goods up to a batch size of 600 x 400 x 300 mm and weights up to 150 kg. The sandwich construction supports the cleaning and rinsing processes as well as drying through a higher temperature level. The recirculation system features integrated full-flow filtration with a filter area of over 4 m² and filter units up to 0.5 μm.

Currently, the PowerJet compact CNp is available in two versions:

Module 1 "Clean":
The application range extends from final cleaning for classic fine cleaning requirements after processing to pre-cleaning tasks for high purity cleanroom applications. The module can be equipped with a coalescence gravity separator or a VE recirculation system and is ideally suited for removing particulate and organic contamination in casting or shot blasting processes.

Module 2 "Pure":
This module is designed for adaptation to a gray or cleanroom environment and is equipped with a connection for an on-site ultra-pure water supply (Module "High Purity").

UPW Module "HighPurity":
This is a recirculatable pure water supply system and thus an extension for the Pure variant. The basic assembly module represents a "stand-alone solution" with a base tray and adapted housing concept. It supplies pre-tempered pure water and can be integrated into the system as both a media supply and a full-fledged additional rinse process.

The modules 1 and 2 can also be equipped with a steam intermediate rinse. This reduces cross-contamination from the cleaning to the rinsing process. When the three modules (Clean – Pure – High Purity) are combined, a up to 7-stage cleaning and rinsing process with subsequent low-contamination drying can be realized in a time-sequenced investment step (or immediately) using the integrated steam rinses, with a standard system. The media flows at all three module units are monitored with a variety of application-specific sensors, ensuring a quality-oriented process control. Additionally, connection to an online service, remote maintenance systems, a cloud-based LPW dashboard, as well as ongoing batch-related process data security and analysis are always possible. Furthermore, the Riederich developers are currently working on a version of the Clean module for post-processing in additive manufacturing.