Chemistry 4.0 in parts cleaning

The need for sustainable performance at economical costs drives the degree of automation in industrial component cleaning. It involves process innovations that combine processes engineering, chemistry, and information technology. Process engineering includes monitoring and controlling the process quality with system components adapted with sensors and actuators. Chemistry 4.0 plays a key role by complementing process engineering with the desired cleanliness levels, cost benefits, and productivity enhancements. The IT part makes the system capable of communication. At the base level, this may be just reporting and recording of control & output parameters. A digital model for process control and cyber-physical systems to minimize human intervention makes it more advanced.

Automated handling of parts has been around for quite some time in the automotive industry. However, cleaning of parts is mostly a batch process with much manual handling. Regardless of whether the parts handling is manually or automatically, the process is usually automatic with standard or part-specific programs stored in the system control. Input systems such as barcode scanners, RFID chips, transponders, or an integrated camera system are available for selecting the cleaning program.