Immersion parts washers clean components by submersing them in an agitated cleaning solution contained in a wash tank. They are used to remove grease, soil, oil, abrasive dust, blast debris, swarf, paint, corrosion, or other contamination from the surfaces of parts exiting a production line. Complete or turnkey systems include all of the components needed for parts washing, such as:

• tanks
• agitators
• ultrasonic transducers
• pumps or pressure generators
• cabinets
• nozzles or wheels
• reclamation systems

Individual parts washing components can be used to build a larger system or replace a work or inoperable component.

Features

Immersion parts washers can use scrub tanks or ultrasonic cleaning systems. With scrub tanks, parts are immersed in a cleaning bath that is agitated with impellers or paddlers. In some systems, the parts are scrubbed manually. Ultrasonic cleaning systems also use immersion tanks, but vibrate the cleaning solution at ultrasonic frequencies. The transducers are immersed in the tank or physically coupled in order to transfer their vibratory energy to the cleaning solution. Ultrasonic generators are used as a power source for ultrasonic transducers. Some immersion parts washers also include heaters, pumps, or water softeners.  

Specifications

Selecting immersion parts washers requires an analysis of specifications. Specifications include:

• wash tank material
• wash tank capacity
• operating temperature
• power source
• part capacity
• part loading
• workpiece handling
• mounting style

Generally, wash tanks are made of carbon or mild steel, glass, plastic, or stainless steel. Parts can be loaded from the front or top of the machine. Internal length, internal width, internal depth or height, and part capacity or weight are important specifications to consider. Indexing, return-to-operator, and continuous loading immersion parts washers are commonly available. Workpieces can be placed in a barrel or tumbler, basket or tray, hoist or rack system, rotary table or carousel, or spinner hanger or turnstile. Some immersion parts washers can be controlled through a CNC controller or PC interface.  

Applications

There are many applications for immersion parts washers. Examples include general-purpose cleaning and surface preparation, bottle or container cleaning, degreasing, descaling or stripping, and dunnage or pallet cleaning. Machines that are used to clean or remove contaminants from the surfaces of parts are used with wafers, storage discs, and medical devices. Sterilizing or disinfecting equipment is suitable for pharmaceutical applications.

Related Information

CR4 Community—Tank Baffle Plate

Electronics360—Product Watch

Image credit:

Fritsch GmbH—Milling and Sizing