In industry, the importance of grease-free parts cannot be overemphasized, as industrial parts must be clean to function optimally and be prepared for post-process applications like welding or blasting. Companies invest in automated washer systems to help wash parts thoroughly with minimal manual supervision. As water-based cleaning solutions continue to grow in popularity in manufacturing for parts cleaning, you might wonder in what ways aqueous cleaners can be used to wash parts.
This article highlights a few different ways aqueous cleaners can be utilized for parts cleaning. These different aqueous cleaning systems are built for different applications, and knowing them can help you choose the best industrial aqueous parts washer to install in your facility.
What's an Aqueous Cleaning System?
Simply put, aqueous cleaning systems are parts cleaning processes carried out with specialized machinery using water-based cleaners. A water based parts washer cleaning solution is a liquid cleaner typically mixed in water to degrease and clean parts. Unlike solvent-based solutions, aqueous cleaners depend on soap action, high temperature, and mechanical agitation to remove dirt from parts. An aqueous cleaning solution is formulated to be used in an industrial aqueous parts washer. Because these cleaners are water-based, the cleaning systems typically involve cycles of a few steps including washing, rinsing, and drying.
Types of Aqueous Cleaning Systems
Spray Washers
Spray washing involves the use of high-pressure sprayers to clean parts with heated aqueous solutions. The entire cleaning event occurs inside a spray cabinet. Depending on your needs, you can find such an industrial aqueous parts washer in different sizes from small to large.
Ultrasonic Parts Washers
An ultrasonic system works in a steel tank by emitting ultrasonic energy into an aqueous cleaning solution. This energy induces cavitation in the solution, which translates to a scrubbing action on the surface of the parts in the solution. These systems offer a fantastic means to degrease parts by releasing ultrasonic waves from transducers on the inner surface of the steel tank.
Agitated Immersion Parts Washers
As the name suggests, these systems typically involve immersing small or large parts into a tank of water-based parts cleaning solution. These systems feature simple but ruggedly-designed reciprocating platforms that "agitate" the parts in the aqueous solution, similar to how a washing machine works.
This mechanical action in a heated cleaning solution is effective for thoroughly cleaning even the most complex-shaped parts with numerous cavities. Typically, other application-specific parts cleaning immersion tanks are placed beside each other to carry out other components of a full wash cycle like rinsing and drying.
Rotary Drum Washers
This parts cleaning system utilizes two effective cleaning techniques to thoroughly clean parts. Rotary drum washers feature both high-pressure sprayers and immersion soaking. The system features a rotating drum with an internal helix that is designed to agitate parts as it is being spun, and high-pressure sprayers that help to dislodge dirt from external surfaces. Rotary drum washers are an economical system for parts cleaning, rinsing, and drying.
In-Line/ Belt Conveyor Washer System
This parts cleaning system involves taking industrial parts through a moving system like a belt conveyor through spray washers. The set-up resembles the movement of cars through a carwash, where high-pressure water is blasted on the car to clean its exterior. As the parts move on the roller system to the wash chamber, high-pressure jets of aqueous cleaning solution are blasted at the parts to dislodge dirt and blast it away. Afterward, the parts might go through a rinse chamber and a drying chamber.
Choosing the Right Aqueous Cleaning Systems
There are a few factors that determine the right aqueous cleaning system for your needs. You'll need to consider your equipment, soil type, and other factors before investing in an aqueous cleaning system.
For general parts cleaning purposes, a standard spray system might suffice. However, immersion or ultrasonic cleaning systems would be best suited for irregularly-shaped parts with crevices that an ordinary line-of-sight cleaner may be unable to access. Some businesses might even require custom industrial aqueous parts washer systems.
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