Step 1- Define the Industrial Washer Application
New Year New Washer
The New Year is here and you are prepared to make it a great one. First on your list is to purchase a new industrial washer for your facility. Everyone on the team agrees it is needed and the budget has been approved. Now your job is to find the best parts washer available, one that delivers the required cleaning results within your budget. Will you need a batch washer or a conveyor washer? Pallet washer? Case Washer? There are many options available.
Where to begin?
First, define the cleaning process by answering the following 6 questions:
These factors impact complexity, size, and overall cost of the washer and will ensure that the best possible cleaning system is selected.
1. What are the parts to be cleaned?
Are there sensitive geometries that might make cleaning or drying a challenge? Are the parts of a uniform shape and size or varied?
2. What is the production rate required?
Part Throughput or Production – How many parts do you need to clean per hour? Is the production rate constant or variable?
3. What contaminates need to be cleaned or removed from the parts?
Is there any chemistry that must be added to the surface of the parts?
4. Are there Critical Areas of Cleaning/Drying?
Are there areas of the parts that are more critical for cleaning or drying than others?
5. What is the part handling process?
How are the parts loaded onto and removed from the washer? What type of interface will there need to be between the washer and the material handling systems in your facility?
6. What is the cleaning process objective?
Do you have clearly defined cleanliness or dryness requirements? How will you measure compliance with those requirements?
These key items are the critical project details that determine the type of cleaning system needed and the overall scope of the project. In addition to those key items, knowing the available plant utilities, available space, environment requirements, and integration implications with material handling outside of the washer will also influence the system type that is best suited for the application.
Once you define your cleaning process, you are ready to obtain quotes from washer manufacturers. The manufacturer will be able to recommend the best equipment for your cleaning process and budget. Compare the quotes, tour the manufacturers facility and meet the customer support staff to compare and decide which is the best fit for your company.
We have created a guide to help navigate the manufacturing process of an Industrial Parts Washer. Download the guide and contact us with any questions.
ITS Washer Division
Shawn Fields – Sales Manager – East, shawn.fields@itsllcusa.com
Eric Zills – Sales Manager – West, eric.zills@itsllcusa.com
414.672.7700
Use the TruClean Calculator to determine which TruClean model is best for your application.