Surface World Show 2009 Preview
NEC, Birmingham 27th - 29th October 2009
Stand no. 65

Batch cleaning system from Dürr covers wide application range

Designed for fine cleaning applications and capable of cleaning to “Class 1" specifications, the new EcoCMax single-chamber aqueous system from Dürr Ecoclean will be launched at Surface World 2009 by sole UK agent, Geo Kingsbury Machine Tools.

It is a three-stage cleaning and degreasing process, including hot air drying, that takes place under vacuum in a stainless steel work chamber. Baskets of components weighing up to 150 kg are loaded manually or automatically from the front.

The cleaning program can be adjusted to accommodate a wide range of workpiece contamination from removal of heavy soil through to fine cleaning. It means that if different parts need to be processed, or there is an alteration in the degree or type of soiling, or if a higher standard of cleanliness is required, EcoCMax can be adjusted easily to accommodate the changes.

This is achieved through flexible application of spray washing, injection flood washing and ultrasonic cleaning, individually or in combination. Furthermore, treatment of the cleaning fluid is consistently high. Full-flow filtration during filling and emptying of the chambers, along with continual high-flow-rate bypass filtration for the flood tanks, ensure stable wash quality and thus reliable cleaning results.

New cleaning process uses supercritical CO₂

Another new introduction at the show, intended for fine and ultra-fine cleaning, will be the EcoCO₂ from Dürr Ecoclean. It is the first-ever process that uses carbon dioxide in its supercritical state to treat small parts of complex geometry. The technique produces outstanding results in medical, nano and semiconductor applications, for example, cleaning and drying component surfaces efficiently.

Used at the appropriate temperature and pressure, CO₂ exhibits optimum oil-dissolving properties. Unlike conventional 'snow jet' cleaning systems in which CO₂ is converted into solid ice crystals that act as a blasting medium, the EcoCO₂ uses carbon dioxide in both its liquid and supercritical states.

Foreign matter removed from the component is separated from the CO₂. No residue of the cleaning agent remains on the processed part, which emerges from the machine at room temperature.

UCM co-operation introduces ultra-fine cleaning

Surface World 2009 will witness the first UK exhibition of Dürr Ecoclean products since the German manufacturer announced at the end of 2008 a cooperation agreement with the Swiss company, UCM AG. It specialises in bespoke systems for precision cleaning of parts that require residual particle sizes in the single digit micron range.

Customers can therefore obtain from a single source a much wider range of solutions for cleaning industrial parts. Systems using all media are offered, including aqueous, chlorinated solvents, hydrocarbons and polar solvents.

The scope of the collaboration extends from sales through to technology exchange and joint development of new cleaning equipment. Dürr Ecoclean and UCM currently have around 1,000 employees in twelve countries.

Compact hydrocarbon cleaning machine on offer

The established Minio 85C non-halogenated, hydrocarbon-based washing machine from Dürr Ecoclean will be represented at the show by a used model that is available at a substantially reduced price.

The machine, which has a compact 1m x 2.65m footprint, allows safe and economical use of solvents for removing oil, grease and swarf between or after production processes.

Small factories with comparatively low production capacities as well as large-scale plants with decentralised cleaning stations can benefit from the technology. Many programme variants with immersion, vapour degreasing and vacuum drying ensure efficient cleaning to suit a variety of applications.

The new EcoCMax aqueous cleaning system from Geo Kingsbury Machine Tools.

A view of the interior of the EcoCMax, showing extensive use of stainless steel in its construction.

Although a smaller company than Dürr Ecoclean, co-operation partner UCM nevertheless boasts an impressive customer list.

A second-hand Minio 85C washing machine will be on sale at Surface World at a reduced price.