What to consider when cleaning parts28 February 2018

Every industry, from industrial to commercial, requires parts cleaning. The question for many facility managers is, however, is there a right way to clean parts? Well the answer is yes and, by choosing the right parts cleaning machine and solution, business leaders can make cleaning simpler, safer and cheaper for the workforce.

Whether it is daily, weekly or monthly, operators need to clean parts in all industries, from industrial to commercial. Regardless of how often parts are cleaned, there are many factors to consider when choosing the right parts cleaning solution.

In 1938, workers cleaning the outside of the Empire State Building had a daring job. As the roof of the building was not flat, they were not able to attach their ropes to the roof. Instead, they hooked their harnesses to eyebolts embedded inside the windows, very quickly coming to the realisation that cleaning is often a thankless, but necessary, task. Fortunately, nowadays companies cleaning parts don’t have to hang from a 102-storey high building and there are much easier ways of cleaning available.

“Before deciding how to clean parts, it is important to first establish what you are dealing with,” explains Richard Bastable, global parts cleaning platform leader at global water, energy and maintenance solutions provider NCH Europe. “Small parts with a minimal amount of dirt require a different approach to a large part with baked-on grease and carbonised deposits. Not only should plant managers consider the actual part, but they should also consider a number of other factors that affect the ability to clean a part properly.”

Working with what you’ve got
Larger organisations with a substantial workforce may not feel the burden of cleaning large quantities of parts manually, but for many smaller organisations cleaning tasks can quickly add up and not everyone has the resources to devote to manual cleaning.

Time is another factor. “If it takes maintenance staff half an hour scrubbing off dirt and then leaving the part overnight to soak in a solution, before it is replaced, this requires a vastly different technique than a part that needs to be cleaned within a few minutes and then put back into the process or equipment,” Bastable adds. “The size and quantity of parts are also important to consider. Small parts are often light and small enough to fit into parts cleaning machines, whereas large parts are often too cumbersome to move into machines or too large to fit in them. This means it may be better to clean large parts manually, although it may take more time and require more manpower.”

Automatic or manual
When cleaning parts, companies have to choose between cleaning by hand or cleaning using a fully self-contained parts cleaning machine. Cleaning machines have the benefit of being fully enclosed, making them safer to use for employees, as they don’t require extensive personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent harmful chemicals coming into contact with skin or eyes. “Whether you choose a manual or automatic method, NCH Europe offers both manual and automatic parts cleaning machines for different needs,” Bastable explains. “The Torrent 500 machine is a fully enclosed manual machine. This machine directs a high-pressure jet of water-based detergent towards the part. This is particularly useful for small parts, as it offers very high precision and can clean parts in under a minute. It is also effective for applications where engineers need to clean and replace parts, as the part can be simply dried off and put back into use.

“Automatic machines, such as our ADS 200 E, function like industrial dishwashers. They use water-based cleaning solutions, which can clean larger, more difficult, parts that may be covered with baked-on grease. When choosing an automatic machine, companies should be mindful of the size and weight limit that the machine can hold. These also take longer to clean a part, around ten minutes, so they are not as useful for companies who require parts to be replaced immediately.”

Solvent or water based
Facilities managers should also consider the solution used to clean parts. Traditionally, companies have used solvent-based parts washers, but these are now considered dangerous to the environment. They also pose risks to workers using them, who have to wear full PPE during the cleaning process. “We now encourage companies to use water-based parts cleaners, as these are less harmful to the environment and the employees using them,” he says.

Regulations
There are also many regulations that must be considered when choosing a parts cleaning solution. “All NCH Europe parts cleaning machines are CE approved, meaning that they comply with all of the essential requirements of the relevant European health, safety and environmental protection legislation,” Bastable says. “To protect the safety of their workers, facilities managers should look
for parts cleaners with the same standards.

“It is also necessary to consider your application. For example, in the food processing industry, cleaning solutions must be compliant with NSF regulations to ensure that any leftover cleaner does not contaminate any of the products. If businesses are found to be in breach of these regulations, their products will be recalled and they could face fines.”

After-sales service
Parts cleaning machines can be quite an investment for companies, so those with limited budgets should look for companies that offer rental services. It is also beneficial to choose a company that delivers a full service and maintenance plan, as these machines often require regular top-ups. They should also offer to dispose of the waste generated by the machines, as this cannot be put straight back into a drainage system.

Parts cleaning is an essential process in industry and it’s now much easier than it was for the brave cleaners hanging from the Empire State Building in the 1930s. By choosing the right parts cleaning machine and solution, business leaders can make cleaning simpler, safer and cheaper for the workforce

Adam Offord

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