industrial parts washer automation
  • Customer: Builder of automation systems for parts manufacturing, assembly, and testing

  • Item to Clean: Empty part pallets, occasionally containing manufactured parts

  • Contamination: Machine coolant and chips

  • Process Parameters: Wash, ambient blowoff

  • Cleanliness Required: Visually clean

  • Dryness Required: Gross moisture removal

  • Production Rate: 20-25 seconds per pallet

  • Machine Type: Aquamaster CC-1800E (Conveyorized Chain)

Customer Background

The customer is a builder of automation systems for parts manufacturing, assembly, and testing. They specialize in conveyors, robotics, machine loaders/un-loaders, and lean manufacturing cells. This company was the first to introduce palletized conveyor systems in assembly automation.

Challenge

The customer was seeking a parts washer for empty part pallets at 20-25 seconds per pallet. Occasionally the pallet may contain a manufactured part. The pallets needed to be visually clean, with gross amounts of moisture removed. If not cleaned, pallets can accumulate large amounts of chips and coolant, which can re-contaminate the manufactured parts. The parts washer design had to meet strict automotive industry specifications.

pallet part washer

Solution

Alliance provided an Aquamaster CC-1800E conveyorized chain parts washer with wash and ambient blowoff modules. Dual poly/stainless steel chains with pallet guides pull pallets through the cleaning system. The conveyor is pitched at a 5 degree grade to assist in water drainage from the pallet. The machine has a “conveyor handshake” design to integrate the customer’s existing tabletop conveyor with Alliance’s conveyor. Spray nozzles surround the conveyor, and high-velocity air knives are located in the ambient blowoff module for stripping residual moisture from the pallets. Mist collectors, a belt-type oil skimmer, photo eye sensors at the load end, and sound-dampening insulation are all included. Custom paint color was provided per customer specification.