Conveyor parts washers are automated industrial cleaning systems that move manufactured components through washing, rinsing, and drying stages. They are commonly used in high-volume manufacturing environments to remove machining oils, coolants, grease, metal chips, and other contaminants before assembly, coating, or inspection.
Different conveyor configurations, including belt, chain, monorail, drum, and indexing systems, accommodate various component sizes, geometries, and production requirements.
This guide explains how conveyor parts washers work, the differences between common conveyor systems, and the key factors that influence equipment selection and sizing.
What Contaminants Can Conveyor Parts Washers Remove?
Manufactured components may contain machining oils, cutting fluids, grease, metal chips, abrasive dust, and other residues from production processes. These contaminants often need to be removed before parts proceed to coating, assembly, inspection, or packaging.
Conveyor parts washing systems use application-specific cleaning processes, which may include heated aqueous solutions, spray washing, immersion, and rinsing. The cleaning method depends on the component material, contamination type, and required cleanliness level.
For more information about cleaning chemistry and alternatives to solvent-based processes, read our guide to parts washer solvents and alternatives.
What is a Conveyor Part Washer?
A conveyor parts washer is an automated cleaning machine that transports components through one or more process zones. Depending on the application, these zones may include washing, rinsing, rust inhibition, blow-off, and drying.
The conveyor mechanism is selected according to component geometry, handling requirements, production throughput, and cleaning specifications. Common configurations include belt, monorail, chain, drum, and indexing systems.
Types of Conveyor Parts Washers and Their Applications
| Conveyor Type | How Components Move | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|
| Mesh Conveyor Belt | Parts travel directly on an open-mesh belt | Continuous cleaning of manufactured components |
| Monorail Conveyor | Parts hang from an overhead conveyor | Components requiring suspended handling |
| Dual Chain Conveyor | Parts move on chains, fixtures, or pallets | Fixture-based and palletized components |
| Rotary Drum | Parts move through a rotating perforated drum | Small, durable, non-precision components |
| Indexing System | Parts move through programmed positions | Components with blind holes, cavities, or targeted cleaning requirements |
Conveyor parts washing systems can utilize any type of automated transport system that moves parts or products through each phase of the cleaning and drying process. The conveyor method differs depending on the functions of each cleaning stage.
The following are common types of conveyors used in part cleaning systems:
- Mesh conveyor belt: Constructed of stainless steel and other corrosion-resistant materials, parts are placed directly on the conveyor belt, and 360-degree spray covers the parts for thorough cleaning. The stainless-steel open wire mesh belt allows for optimal cleaning from top, sides and bottom of the conveyor. Multiple belt materials and types are available for specific applications to ensure that your parts stay free of contaminants. Belt speed is also adjustable.
- Monorail conveyor: In a monorail conveyor system, manufactured parts are transported through the parts cleaning system by way of an overhead monorail conveyor. Hangers are designed to hold parts without scratching the component’s surface, ensuring a firm fit and uniform travel through the parts washer as they progress through each process zone. This can be an internally mounted monorail system or externally mounted monorail system.
- Dual chain conveyor: Dual chain conveyor systems are designed to hold specialized part fixtures attached directly to the chain, or to hold part pallets that allow parts to be shuttled to various workstations in the manufacturing facility. Chain conveyor systems can easily be integrated with other conveying and transfer systems.
- Rotary drum: A rotary drum parts washer is an automatic parts washer that contains a perforated rotating drum in which parts are placed for continual cleaning. It’s ideal for cleaning small, non-precision parts. The perforated drum allows fluid to drain quickly while internal flights and kicker bars move parts through the system using a gentle tumbling action.
- Indexing system: These specialized conveying systems use a programmed start-stop servo drive system to move parts to each zone. Parts are held in place using specialized part fixtures, and sensors ensure that the parts are in position. Indexing systems are designed for applications which require critical cleaning of parts with specific features such as blind holes, passageways, hidden cavities, and sensitive surfaces. Indexing parts cleaning systems are intended for use in high-volume manufacturing cells and production lines. Indexing parts washers can be operated manually or coupled with robotics load/unload automation systems. To learn more about using indexing in cleaning applications, click here.
Need help determining which conveyor washing system is best for your needs? Contact us to speak to one of our experienced engineers about your application needs.
How Do Conveyor Parts Washing Systems Work?
Conveyor parts washing systems automatically transport components through a series of cleaning stages. The number and arrangement of stages depend on the contamination, part geometry, production requirements, and cleanliness specifications.
A typical cleaning process may include:
- Loading and Conveying: Components are placed on a conveyor belt, fixture, pallet, or other handling system and transported through the machine.
- Washing: Heated aqueous cleaning solutions and spray nozzles remove oils, grease, chips, and manufacturing residues.
- Rinsing: Water or treated rinse solutions remove residual cleaning chemistry and loosened contaminants.
- Rust Inhibition: Where required, a rust-inhibiting process helps protect suitable metal components before downstream operations.
- Blow-Off and Drying: Air knives, blowers, or heated air remove residual moisture to meet the required dryness level.
Not every conveyor parts washer includes all five stages. The process is configured according to the application and the required cleaning results.
How to Choose and Size a Conveyor Parts Washer
Selecting the appropriate conveyor parts washer requires evaluating the components being cleaned, production throughput, contamination, and required cleaning results. These factors influence the conveyor configuration, equipment dimensions, cleaning stages, and drying requirements.
Five key considerations help determine the appropriate system design:
- Part profile: The part size, design complexity, and material must all be considered while determining the washer’s design and size.
- Contamination to be removed: The kind of contamination on the part will affect how long it takes to clean.
- Production rate: The quantity of components cleaned in a specific time is known as the production rate, also known as the cycle time.
- Cleanliness requirement: Some parts may only need to be visually clean, while others must adhere to a strict cleanliness specification expressed in terms of total mass, particle size, quantity, or a combination of all three.
- Dryness requirement: An ambient blow-off module may be adequate for the drying process if there is some acceptable residual moisture on the items as they exit the washer, but some applications may require parts be 100% dry, in which case a heated blow-off blower should be used.
The combination of these factors provide an indication of the model of parts washer that will best suit the needs of a cleaning process. In the case of conveyor parts washing systems, production rate is a key factor since most conveyor parts washer systems are designed for high-volume washing and drying.
Explore Conveyor Parts Washers for Industrial Applications
Understanding conveyor configurations, cleaning stages, and equipment sizing can help manufacturers identify the right cleaning approach for their components.
Alliance Manufacturing offers conveyor parts washers in belt, chain, monorail, drum, dip, and indexing configurations.
Explore our conveyor parts washers to compare available equipment and find a system suited to your production requirements.
