Last updated on November 17th, 2025 at 04:13 pm
Cleaning Fundamentals
There are several key considerations you’ll need to factor in to unlock the best cleaning process for your operation. Understanding these fundamentals will help you identify your needs, find the right cleaning system, and ensure your parts meet the highest quality standards.
3 Key Areas To Consider
Review the questions below to determine what equipment specifications and features your cleaning system needs.
1. Part Characteristics
Your parts are the foundation. Their geometry, material, and complexity will shape every aspect of your system’s design.
What You Need to Know About Your Parts:
- Part size, shape and material
- What does the part (or parts) look like? Do they have recessed areas, pockets, holes, or threaded blind holes? These can be difficult.
- How many different parts are there that are going to be going through the same cleaning system
- Are there any specific part restrictions that you are aware of?
Equipment Specifications This Determines:
- Conveyor type and capacity (lbs. per sq. ft.)
- Width and height of the tunnel
- Spray nozzle and manifold location
- Type of nozzle(s) to be used for the application
Note: Sample part evaluations and processing samples will verify the machinery’s configuration.
2. Product Requirements
Scale matters. Your volume requirements will determine the capacity and speed your equipment must deliver.
What You Need to Know About Your Production Goals:
- Production rate. How many pieces or parts per hour?
Equipment Specifications This Determines:
- Length of tunnel sections or spray zones
- Speed of the conveyor
- Pump sizing and spray pressures @ gpm/ @psi
- Overall size and machine layout
3. Contamination & Desired Results
Define your finish line. Knowing what contaminants you’re fighting and what “clean” looks like will guide your cleaning strategy and equipment features.
What You Need to Know About Your Cleaning Requirements:
- Soils and contaminants or debris to be removed from part(s)
- What are the desired results or specifications that need to be met for an acceptable finished part?
Equipment Specifications This Determines:
- Stages and spray zones needed to meet expectations (e.g. wash, rinse and blowoff; or wash, rinse, deionized rinse [DI] and hot air dryer)
- Cleaning compounds and/or inhibitors
- Special options or features (ie. bottom sweeps, oil separation, chip screens, fixturing or indexing type of conveyor)
- How big is “small” when cleaning to tight cleaning specifications?
- How big is a micron?
Note: Spot free results need Deionized (DI) rinsing
Ready To Find Your Solution?
Advanced Deburring & Finishing can be your guide to these and other cleaning fundamentals. Speak with us today for more information about our products and recommendations on matching the right equipment to your applications.