Smart Cleaning for Stamped Parts
Smart Cleaning for Stamped Parts Cleaning systems need to Choosing the best approach for aluminum cylinder heads, often clean and comply with cleaning a particular metal part require complex cleaning technolo- depends on a multitude of factors. gies, according to Ed Kiebler of LS environmental rules. A The decision becomes even trickier Industries (Wichita, KS). “But in the as cleaning standards become more stamping, forming, fabricating end custom-mmade system may rigorous and as choices expand in of things, we’re still using aqueous- parts-cleaning equipment and chem- based, pass-through, or flow-through be the answer for the icals. Fortunately, given the relatively washers to clean most applications.” kind of parts your shop simple part shapes that are typical Flow-through washers, in general, with stamping processes, stamped convey parts through a tunnel of var- produces. parts don’t always require state-of- ious pre-soaking, cleaning, and rins- the-art cleaning chemicals and ing stages. An extreme simplification equipment to prepare them for of the process might be a car-wash painting, plating, welding, or other analogy—parts come in one end cov- secondary operations. ered with stamping and drawing However, in a volume-driven lubricants and other contaminants, business like metalforming, a choice and come out dry at the other end. of cleaning system does require extra Given the continuous nature of the attention to processing speed, ease of system, “There’s a tremendous need use, flexibility, and efficiency in for that style of washer for stamping resource use. These issues are and forming,” says Kiebler.
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