Work for technical cleanliness at TechCampus receives funding

The laboratory at TechCampus will be called "FiT Laboratory for Technical Cleanliness" starting from the upcoming winter semester.
Thanks to the support of the Professional Association for Industrial Part Cleaning, the laboratory can train specialists at a high level using state-of-the-art technology.

Engineers who are knowledgeable about technical cleanliness are in high demand in the industry. Because in virtually every manufacturing process of products—from cars to cutlery to medical implants and microchips—parts must be cleaned. In a production chain, existing contaminants from manufacturing processes must be professionally removed so that the component has sufficient cleanliness for subsequent manufacturing steps. For example, before coating, painting, curing, or welding. The cleanliness of the component is therefore an important quality feature, and the cleaning process is a quality-relevant step within the production chain. Even microscopically small impurities hinder the process and cause immense costs.

The feedback from industry: Until now, the topic was somewhat underrepresented in the curricula of engineering degree programs. At Heilbronn University (HHN), the sought-after specialists have been specifically trained for over a year in the elective course "Technical Cleanliness" within the Environmental and Process Engineering program. The course is led by Professor Katja Mannschreck. The course consists of a lecture part and a laboratory part. In the lab, students independently apply what they have learned in lectures to a given component. They design a cleaning process, conduct cleaning experiments, and analyze the baths and components with suitable analytical methods.

The integration into the HHN curriculum in theory and practice also pleases the Professional Association for Industrial Part Cleaning (FiT). FiT wants to support the commitment of HHN and is now the sponsor of the laboratory for technical cleanliness at HHN, which from the winter semester 2025/26 will be called "FiT Laboratory for Technical Cleanliness." During the ceremonial signing of the agreement, Professor Oliver Lenzen, Rector of HHN, as well as Rainer Straub, Deputy Chairman, and Nicolas Herdin, Head of the FiT office, were present.

FiT acts as the interface between research, development, and application in the field of part cleaning. Through further education, collaborations, public relations, and cooperation with authorities and companies, the association aims to raise awareness of the topic and contribute to improving quality in production processes. "We, as the association of industrial part cleaning, are very pleased about the collaboration with Heilbronn University. There is currently no explicit degree program covering the facets of chemical and environmental aspects, processes, and plant technology, as well as measurement and testing methods in part cleaning. However, qualification, knowledge transfer, and employee training are necessary to continuously generate quality in production processes. Here, the university with the 'FiT Laboratory for Technical Cleanliness' is an important building block," says Rainer Straub.

Katja Mannschreck, a trained chemist and professor of Physical Chemistry and Instrumental Analytics at HHN, has been working with FiT for a long time. Once a year, she leads the highly regarded FiT foundational seminar for company representatives from all over Germany. Since 2023, the seminar has been held at HHN. In the future, it will take place in the new "FiT Laboratory for Technical Cleanliness."

Furthermore, Mannschreck is a member of the FiT committee "Process Solutions for Industrial Part Cleaning," bringing her expertise into current discourses. "The support from FiT is a great recognition for us and motivates me and my lab team very much. With FiT on our side, we can further expand practical-oriented teaching," says Katja Mannschreck.